I keep thinking about the people’s determination in the Ukraine. It has been nearly eight months since the invasion began. Ukraine’s population is forty-four million compared to Russia’s one hundred forty-four million. This giant has attacked them, and it has not been as easy as Russia had hoped. What makes the Ukrainians continue to resist?
Read MoreFor 2023, the Grand Canyon Synod is offering two categories of grant applications: Project Support Grants, and Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants. More info at gcsynod.org/grants.
Resources and a recording from our info meeting about the 2023 Grand Canyon Synod Grants are now available. View a PDF of the slides, and click here to view the Zoom recording, using this passcode: S$5$Hnqj
Read MoreVance Blackfox, the ELCA’s Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations, shares this list of resources which includes books, videos, web resources, social media, news outlets, ELA resources, and more.
We were honored to have Vance present at our latest synod council and deans retreat.
Read MoreMany physical places serve as a transition between two other spaces. In locations where outdoor temperatures can be frigid, some homes have a vestibule, which is an enclosed entryway that serves as a buffer between the warm interior and the cold exterior. Architects and other designers will often refer to transitional zones as “liminal spaces,” which means being at the threshold of something new but not quite there yet.
Read More"ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World" provides general guidance for occasions when Christians and people of other religions come together. Included are recommendations for prayer services, crisis and tragedy response, social ministries, pastoral care, weddings and funerals.
"Preaching and Teaching with Love and Respect for the Jewish People" explores challenging topics, lectionary selections, and Bible passages to inform Christian preaching and teaching so that they respect the integrity of the Jewish tradition and avoid anti-Jewish interpretations of New Testament texts.
Read MoreJohn Stewart is an actor, comedian, and talk show host. He is probably most famous for hosting The Daily Show, a comedy news show, for many years. Stewart is also a well known advocate for 9/11 first responders and the military.
Read MoreResourceful Servants is launching the Grants for COVID Emergencies program. Through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., this program provides up to 200 ELCA leaders with one-time grants of $1,000 and membership in the ELCA Federal Credit Union. The due date to complete the application is Oct. 23, 2022.
Read MoreOur advocacy takes many forms with long-term and immediate aims, and ELCA Witness in Society staff are active equipping members, building influential relationships with policy makers, networking strategically with other concerned partners, researching policy pieces and their impacts and inviting our ELCA Advocacy Network to action at impactful moments.
One timely way we can act as ELCA is to sign on with others to offer pointed comments to decision makers when developments demand.
Read MoreNew resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2022 and Lent 2023! The theme for the new seasonal materials is "A Journey Through the Psalms With ELCA World Hunger." Download free versions at ELCA.org/hunger/resources.
Read MoreRight before today’s assigned Gospel reading, Jesus clearly says “you cannot serve God and wealth” (Luke 16:13, NRSV). And in the following verse, the Gospel of Luke tells us that the Pharisees, “who were lovers of money” were upset and “they ridiculed him” (Luke 16:14, NRSV).
And then in this morning’s pericope, Jesus offers this parable about a chasm—the chasm between the rich man and Lazarus. This is the chasm between those who have a hard time seeing past themselves and those who go unseen, the chasm between the lovers of money and those who lose their lives as a result.
Read MoreAfter nearly two years of research and writing, Ryan Panzer is excited to share that "The Holy and the Hybrid" is available now to readers. Download the first chapters of The Holy and the Hybrid from Luther Seminary, or buy now wherever books are sold!
You can also listen to a podcast with Ryan Dunn, host of Pastoring in the Digital Parish. In this conversation, they talk about the cultural changes affecting ministry in a digital age.
Read MoreThe updated 2022 Model Constitution for Congregations is now available at ELCA.org.
It is recommended that ELCA congregations and synods review the adopted amendments for their constitutions as soon as possible after each churchwide assembly to incorporate the required changes and to consider the recommended changes.
Read MoreELCA Worship shares their September, 2022 newsletter, including:
Readings for the Assembly (Emended) is available for provisional use
Upcoming ALCM Webinar, “Tried and True—With a Twist!”: Friday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. Eastern time
Music that Makes Community: Advent Planning workshop and other events and resources
Journey to Baptismal Living: North American Association for the Catechumenate
Boost your emotional health this fall by joining live webinar led by Learn to Live’s clinical team. 2022 September’s sessions – which run 15- or 30-minutes – focus on Time Management; Staying Refreshed and Preventing Burnout; and Avoiding Negative Thinking Traps. Click here to learn more about the webinars, and use the code PORTICO to register.
Read MoreJoin ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
Join us on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, as we hear from digital creator Dylan Marron, who has racked up millions of views for various projects, but he's found that the flip side of success online is internet hate. Over time, he's developed an unexpected coping mechanism: calling the people who leave him insensitive comments and asking a simple question: "Why did you write that?"
In a thoughtful talk about how we interact with others, Marron will explain how sometimes the most subversive thing you can do is actually speak with people you disagree with, not simply at them.
Read MoreThe ELCA Foundations shares a webinar on planning your legacy, on Wednesday, 10/19/2022, 2pm MST/PDT, 3pm MDT. Register here.
The current economic landscape may influence your estate planning and charitable giving. This session will highlight a few key details of the current economic climate, give an overview of what you need for a solid estate plan, learn how you can leave a legacy to support your ELCA-related ministries and save on taxes.
Read MoreAndrea Arey, our Regional Representative from Portico, provides us with updates on 2023 Portico plans. Questions? She can be reached at AArey@porticobenefits.org or 949-338-9573.
Read MoreThe September, 2022, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: Stewardship Kaleidoscope, Sept. 26-28 2022; church accessibility; 2023 Portico annual enrollment reminder; Lutheran Men in Mission’s National Bold Gathering; starting a risk control program; and Tithe.ly All Access.
Read MoreResources and a recording from our info meeting about the 2023 Grand Canyon Synod Grants are now available. View a PDF of the slides, and click here to view the Zoom recording, using this passcode: S$5$Hnqj
Grant Submission deadline is October 14, 2022.
Read MoreMackenzie Scott, novelist and former wife to Jeff Bezos, both of Amazon fame, is increasing her reputation for generosity with a significant donation to the California Community Foundation. This week she donated two mansions in Beverly Hills estimated at worth around $55 million. The foundation announced that 90% of the proceeds will go toward providing grants for affordable housing. The remaining 10% is slated to be used for programs for integration of immigrants.
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