Explore the profound journey of forgiveness through Charlie Ryder's personal story of reconciling with his alcoholic father. Delve into scripture and discussion questions that address the nature of forgiveness, the role of repentance, and the boundless capacity for grace in our lives.
Read MoreAs Faith Lens returns from its summer hiatus, explore the challenges of resolving discord through the lens of the recent disputes between royal brothers Prince William and Prince Harry. Dive deep into Jesus' teachings about unity, repentance, and forgiveness, reflecting on the steps to reconcile differences and promote unity in our communities and churches.
Read MoreStay up-to-date with the August 2023 Worship News from the ELCA Worship, including resources for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, a new addition to teach kids about worship through "All Creation Sings," and opportunities for spiritual growth and musical inspiration with Music that Makes Community.
Whether you are a congregation leader or a choir director, explore these resources and upcoming events that can enhance your spiritual practices and communal connections.
Read MoreDiscover the importance of community stewardship in the summer months, as we embrace the House of Light in the ELCA’s stewardship newsletter, Where Your Heart Is. Share experiences of grace, explore upcoming events aimed at fostering stewardship, and learn from the wisdom of our ancestors and scripture. Become part of our community's chain of faith formation and support.
Read MoreExplore the latest from ELCA Worship, including enlightening worship encounters, resources for the upcoming 'God's work. Our hands.' Sunday, introductory materials for 'All Creation Sings,' workshops from the ALCM, and a unique subscription service from Augsburg Fortress/1517 Media. Connect with centuries-old Christian traditions and engage with new resources in their latest update.
Read MoreThe March, 2023, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: Protect your church’s operating reserve; Know when to retain or discard synod or congregational records; Church building redesigned with MIF loan; Why feedback matters; Five ways to keep your building secure; 10 points to cover in volunteer orientation.
Read MoreELCA Worship shares their news for January, 2023, including: Worship Resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday; a helpful listing of anthems based on hymns and songs in All Creation Sings; Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics; Lectionary Mosaics: Three Readings Juxtaposed for Reflection and Proclamation; and more.
Read MoreEach month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Read more at ELCA.org.
Read MoreThe May, 2023, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: ELCAdvantage Program; inflation’s effect on houses of worship; what’s love got to do with it; operational ethics policy for congregations; three steps to stronger passwords; five ways to demonstrate good church stewardship.
Read MoreFor our 2023 assembly, we are sharing last year’s great symposium on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order by David Swartling. 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.
Read MoreEach year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asks congregations to provide information about their people and activities. The process to do so closes on May 31, 2023.
Find all the resources you need at the ELCA’s Annual Congregation Report page, including FAQs, online Form A & C Parochial Reports as well as ways to update your ELCA Congregational Leadership Directory.
Read MoreTaylor Swift and The National have both been very influential musical artists. But they have typically appealed to very different audiences. Swift is the epitome of a pop star, mining her personal struggles for inspiration and pairing them with catchy tunes which have stadiums of adoring fans singing along.
In contrast, The National has been the poster child for an indie-rock band, more at home in a grungy after hours club than an arena. If Swift’s lyrics often sound like a teen’s diary, The National’s are brooding and obscure to the the point of incomprehensible.
Read MoreEach month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Read more here.
Read MoreUPDATE: We have 20 spots remaining for pastors, deacons, and lay leaders, especially congregational council members.
Best Skills, Best Churches, offered online, is a graduate/executive level certificate program designed to advance rostered ministers' and lay leaders’ knowledge and skills for effective management of congregations and ministries. Enroll here for Best Skills, Best Churches, which begins July 11, 2023. The cost is only $150 per participant, a $775 value made possible by the 3E Lilly Grant. View a PDF flyer here.
Questions? Contact Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality.
Read MoreThe ELCA Mission Support Team shares their April, 2023 memo, featuring ELCA Ministry with Children and Luther Seminary Faith+Lead year-round stewardship practices. View as a PDF here.
Read More“Teens who trust the news they read on social media feel less stress” It’s not what you know, it’s who you know, or – rather – who you trust. Researchers at Cornell University recently published results of a study showing that trust in the news on social media can make a big difference in a teenager’s well-being.
Read MoreJesus starts this part of John with the words “Do not let your heart be troubled.” In the original Greek, the pronoun is plural (like “y’all”) and the heart is singular. Jesus assumes that the disciples, though many, share one heart. They’re a unified community. Whatever may come they’re in it together.
Read MoreThe use of cannabis (marijuana) and whether it should be legal remains a hotly debated issue in our country, with different states reaching different conclusions. One persistent fear is that cannabis is a “gateway drug” leading its consumers to use harder drugs. In an article for Forbes, Dario Sabaghi traces the dubious history of this concern, noting that several studies not only challenge this idea but also suggest that cannabis may also lead users away from opioids.
Read MoreELCA Worship shares their news for March, 2023.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The ELCA churchwide organization is hiring a part-time Worship intern for the remainder of 2023. Learn more about the position here.
Read MoreAt the Silver Jubilee Celebration, marking 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Richard Griffin, a Royal Protection Officer assigned to protect her, told an amazing story of two Americans’ unsuspecting brush with fame. The hikers on a walking holiday met the Queen and Griffen in a picnic area, but had no idea who they were.
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