Posts in News
SOFIA: A Kin*dom for Everyone

As part of the latest Stories of Faith in Action, we share a story about the “kin∙dom community,” an ecumenical partnership between the ELCA Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and the Presbyterian Church (USA) (view online or as PDF). When Pepa Paniagua felt called to a job that didn’t exist, she set about creating it. What resulted was the “kin∙dom community,” a new approach to a term adopted nearly 40 years ago.

View all the Stories of Faith in Action here, and how your offering becomes mission support.

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Double your congregation’s impact for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is March 8, 2023. The ELCA celebrates this day by uplifting the International Women Leaders (IWL) program.

On the following Sunday, March 12, we encourage your congregation to take a special offering for IWL. In honor of International Women’s Day, all gifts to IWL will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $50,000 — your gifts will go twice as far! Read more here.

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Observing Ash Wednesday in Unexpected Circumstances

After perhaps a year or more of not gathering on-site for Ash Wednesday services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, worshiping communities across a large swath of the US are dealing with or expecting severe weather that would prevent gathering on-site.

Conversations on social media have begun, as fellow worship planners ask one another what they are doing when assembling for worship on-site will not be possible.

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Fuller Church Leadership Institute: The Crucible newsletter for February, 2023

The Fuller Church Leadership Institute shares their Crucible newsletter for February, 2023.

“This month's newsletter offers you a link to an article that for Fuller Magazine #24, Renewing the Church. Admittedly, it starts with a troubling question, but it takes us to a familiar and faithful place. How do you lead when you cannot understand the present moment, let alone predict the future? Read the whole article and all of the rest in this issue of Fuller Magazine.

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Situation Report: Türkiye and Syria Earthquake

Lutheran Disaster Response is contributing to ACT Alliance to address the devastation from the earthquakes. There are several ACT Alliance members already active in the region that are providing immediate aid. These organizations are supplying blankets, mattresses, hot meals and hygiene kits to earthquake survivors. As needs are assessed, the organizations will establish further actions.

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ELCA/Disciples bilateral dialogue affirms shared understanding of Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) concluded a productive meeting on January 26-28, 2023, at the Disciples Ministry Center in Fullerton, California, to continue their ongoing bilateral dialogue.

The dialogue team studied together the WCC Faith and Order Commission’s theological convergent text, Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry.

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For What Shall We Pray? A Weekly Prayer Resource

In the fall of 2021, the ELCA Worship Blog began a weekly series entitled, “Prompts for Prayers of Intercession.” Beginning this Lent, the blog series will be retitled, “For What Shall We Pray?”

This new title honors a more expansive understanding of the purpose of this resource. It is a weekly invitation for individuals, groups, and congregations to remain mindful of the needs of our world, and to lift one another up in prayer.

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Lilly Foundation's Compelling Preaching Initiative interest form due 3/1/2023

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its Compelling Preaching Initiative. The primary aim of this initiative is to cultivate practices among aspiring and active preachers that can help them to proclaim the gospel to a variety of audiences in more engaging and effective ways.

In this open and competitive national initiative, eligible charitable organizations may submit proposals for grants of up to $1.25 million that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies to further the aim of the initiative. Learn more in this PDF from the Lilly Endowment.

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Spirited Book Club: Rooted & Rising

Join the Spirited Book Club during Lent for a discussion of Rooted & Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis, edited by Leah Schade and Margaret Bullitt-Jonas. Discussion of the March book selection is facilitated by Sheri Brown. Register to receive Zoom link.

The book is discussed over two meetings on Thursdays, March 2 and March 16, 2023 at 2pm MST, 1pm PST.

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40 Days of Caring for Creation: A Lenten Practicum

Join learner/facilitator Sheri Brown on each Thursday of 2023 Lent at 4:00 pm MST (AZ) for six half-hour virtual workshops, beginning Thursday, February 23, as we live into 40 days of caring for creation. Register to receive Zoom link and join the Spirit in the Desert community

  • February 23: Coming full circle, a fuller and creation-integrated faith.

  • March 2: Present bias and why it is working against future generations.

  • March 9: Your carbon footprint and what it says about walking the talk of faith.

  • March 16: Food choices and what they say about putting your money where your mouth is.

  • March 23: Human migration patterns and global demographic decline.

  • March 30: Purchasing choices and what they say about faith-based earth advocacy.

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