The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place Aug. 8-12 in Columbus, Ohio. Under the theme “Embody the Word,” the assembly will meet around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on its work on behalf of the entire church.
A key action during the assembly will be electing a vice president. Live video of worship and plenary sessions will be accessible at Churchwide Assembly — Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org).
Read MoreA disciple has asks Jesus how he will reveal himself to the disciples when the world cannot see him, as Jesus describes in John 14:19. It’s a good question. They have never experienced anything like what Jesus describes. Of course, Jesus gives a very Jesus-y answer to that question. Love. Love is the way the disciples will know Jesus.
Read MoreThe May, 2022, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, 4 things you can do to keep your organization cyber-safe, new videos on Portico’s billing process now available, creating a congregation mission statement, a new e-book entitled The Four S’s That Keep Church Leaders Awake at Night, and 10 essentials of severe-weather preparedness.
Read More“Scatter the Imagination of our Hearts,” at St. Olaf College, Northfield Minn., July 25–July 28 2022. Under the theme “Scatter the Imagination of Our Hearts” (Luke 1:51), St. Olaf College's Conference on Worship, Theology, and Arts (CWTA) invites you to reflect on how the people of God can challenge, change, and inspire others, especially as faith communities imagine new responses to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism.
Read MoreValparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., June 26–July 24 2022. Did you know that few Lutheran Summer Music students actually pay full tuition? Thanks to scholarships and congregational support through programs such as the Young Musicians Partnership, many LSM students receive matching grants that reduce out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships are still available for LSM 2022; nominate or encourage a young musician you know to apply today!
Read MoreGrand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods announce a Lutheran cohort for ASU Lodestar Center’s Best Skills Best Churches certificate program starting in July. View a PDF brochure for more info and click here to register.
Thanks to the Lilly Endowment and funding from our Growing Generosity appeal, we provide this opportunity for rostered and lay leaders for only $150 per student. Act now: space is limited to 20 students from our synod and the deadline to register is June 13, 2022.
Read MoreFrom the work of psychologists Drs. John & Julie Gottman we will explore the concept of the Four Horsemen, first published in the book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. We also welcome The Rev. Sara Cutter, Senior Director for Operational Effectiveness in the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA’s churchwide organization. Join us May 18, 2022, 11 am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT, (and every Wednesday). The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. We thank Tom Vega from Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix for all his great work in making this possible.
In this post we share a wealth of great resources provided by our presenters. Click here to view a recording of the webinar, and use this passcode: ^^8$%JXX
Read MoreIn this gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should love one another.” This is a commandment that calls us into a relationship, with both God and one another. It calls us into a relationship of love.
Read MoreMMC is excited to announce an event exploring paperless singing, to take place in Eugene, Ore., on June 25. In preparation for the Annual Conference of the Hymn Society, join us in Washington, D.C., on July 16.
Online programs continue, including the new song-writing workshop “Composing Ourselves,” a webinar with Jorge Lockward exploring creative liturgical composition, Morning Grounding, and more. Visit the MMC website for additional details and to register.
Read More“Hindsight is 20/20,” the old saying goes, meaning that it is easier to see the meaning of things when you are looking back. Perhaps that is why today’s gospel reading is a flashback to John 10, a time well before Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is as if to say, now that we have encountered the Risen Jesus, we are finally ready to make sense of what he was saying.
Read MoreLooking for information about topics related to worship? ELCA Worship’s Frequently Asked Questions page offers guidance, including additional resources, that may be considered within your local context. Visit elca.org/worshipfaq.
Read MoreWhen Jesus began His ministry, He immediately formed a small group. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are continuing to offer opportunities to gather in small groups for discussion and empowerment around the prominent topics swirling in the crucible of change for us as faith leaders. Join us May 4, 2022, 11 am (and every Wednesday). The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop presented an online symposium on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order by David Swartling on Tuesday, 4/26/2022. View the PDF handout here, and the presentation is available for viewing here with passcode: TQgC5E!7
Special thanks to our amazing guest, David Swartling, for providing this valuable information. Please feel free to share this information with your congregation leadership, as well as your congregation’s synod assembly delegates.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop has organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 5-6:30pm MST/PDT, 6-7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Violence and criminal acts are a threat to all faith-based communities from persons who seek to spread fear and hate crimes, or the unexpected site of acts of domestic violence. We recognize the importance of education and raising awareness of potential threats to religious facilities, or the groups who may use these buildings regardless of type or denomination.
Read MoreUnder the direction of Shawn Bristle, the Cantata Choir of Community Lutheran Church in Bullhead City presented the Easter Cantata "Upon This Rock" on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. Watch their presentation on Youtube or this blog post.
Read MoreThe Easter season is seven weeks long. Nearly every week the gospel lesson includes disciples encountering Jesus and failing to recognize him. This week’s gospel encounter is crammed with significance. There is a miracle and allusions to Peter’s failure to stand firm during the horrible events of Holy Week, as Jesus asks him repeatedly, “Do you love me.” Both are important and theologically significant, yet by focusing on them we may miss what is most significant. Namely, Jesus is in the world today if we have eyes to see.
Read MoreAll Creation Sings includes a fully bilingual setting of Holy Communion (Setting 11/Liturgia 11). To support use of this liturgy as well as Evangelical Lutheran Worship Setting Seven: Santa Comunión, Sundays and Seasons now provides many more hymns and songs in Spanish.
Most hymns from Libro de Liturgia y Cántico are available for download to Deluxe subscribers. Service music (#181-274) is available to both Standard and Deluxe subscribers.
Read MoreALCM Webinar Series “TuneUp: A Way to Recruit Singers by Teaching Them to Match Pitch,”
Friday,4/29/2022, 11am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT.
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians invites you to join its webinar to “help people sing with confidence.” This session offers ways to “recruit people to TuneUp” as well as useful techniques to get them to quickly and easily match pitch.” Register as part of the spring or full-year webinar series.
Read MoreKristen Berthiaume and her family live in Alabama. They wanted to promote racial justice in their community. Seeing that nationwide protests and demands for justice were often met with open racism and ignorance, the family decided to create an Anti-racist Little Library in front of their home.
Read More
