From the front of the room at the 32nd Grand Canyon Synod Assembly this past weekend, I had an overwhelming sense of Holy Spirit’s presence. Friends greeting one another by name. New faces sparking conversation. Volunteers and staff serving with pride. While we spoke of singing a new song, I was also listening for new songs.
Read MoreIn the ELCA there is no mission “to,” only mission “with” and “among” as its missionaries walk together with those they serve. In this episode of the Three Sides podcast, we hear from ELCA missionaries and ELCA Global Mission staff who talk about what it means to “bear one another’s burdens” by walking together and sharing God’s love in communities throughout the world.
Watch We are one in the Spirit to learn more about Rev. Kirsten Fryer’s journey.
Read MoreThe Rev. Robert C. Blezard continues to provide a “Stewardship Toolkit” for congregations. Fitting for the month with Independence Day, July’s theme is “Stewardship of our civic freedoms.”
It consists of an original newsletter article and RCL-based “stewardship snippets” that they can cut and paste into their publications. It also has resources to explore the theme set out in the newsletter article.
Read MoreYou are invited to learn about the Holy Land Tour on March-April 2, 2020, with an optional extension to Jordan, April 2-5 through Faith Journeys. Senior Pastor Glenn Zorb of Mountain View Lutheran Church, Ahwatukee, will be our Tour Host!
For more details view this flyer and itinerary, or learn more info and access forms via myfaithjourneys.com and use the MVLC group number: 20023. Need more help? Please contact Rhonda Smith at rsmith@mvlutheran.org or call 480-893-2579, ext, 121.
Read MoreIn this video, see how Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) opened Casa Milagro in 2018 to provide education to young women from rural communities. This program is supported in part by your gifts to ELCA World Hunger. To learn more about how ELCA World Hunger is at work in more than 60 countries around the globe, visit ELCA.org/hunger.
Read MoreRead the minutes from the synod council meeting on June 13, 2019, in PDF format.
Read MoreHerb Chilstrom, ELCA's first presiding bishop, has authored eight books since retirement in 1995. After income of more than $180,000, all donated to ELCA seminaries and colleges, he's "going out of business." Some of his books are on one-half price sale at the Assembly. Come and take a look. Find some bargains!
Read MoreFrom Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) comes prayers for the season of Pentecost and A Litany of Hope, printable bulletin insert.
Read MoreIn theaters June 17 & 19, Emanuel features intimate interviews with survivors and family members of the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina four years ago.
Emanuel is a poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, examining the healing power of forgiveness. Marking the fourth anniversary, EMANUEL will be in movie theaters across the country for two nights only. Watch the trailer on YouTube and book tickets at Fathom Events.
Read MoreIn this season of Pentecost, as we open ourselves anew to the work of the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), commends to this church the Arusha Call to Discipleship from the World Council of Churches.
Read MorePresident Trump signed a $19.1 billion aid package for disaster impacted communities, approving funding for many states and territories in critical need of recovery.
Many ELCA leaders, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, discussed these themes with lawmakers during their visit to Washington, DC.
Read MoreThe synod office will be closed June 17, 2019, as the staff recuperates after Synod Assembly. Thanks to all those who helped us with this event!
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has convened ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious partners in a statement addressing concerns over the well-being of children who cross the U.S. border seeking safety from danger and threats in their home countries.
“Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. As U.S. religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, we are united in our concern for the well-being of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives.” Read the full statement »
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of the Southwest is urgently asking for churches to host groups of 30-100 migrants on a regularly scheduled basis, or to support churches that are doing this work through volunteers, in-kind, or financial support. With temperatures over 100, migrant families released by ICE and the Border Patrol are often left at "transportation hubs" that are sometimes nothing more than a barren, gravel pit next to the Greyhound bus station with no water, no restrooms, and little shade.
Read more about this humanitarian crisis or view this flier with contact info if you'd like to help.
Read MoreThe Day of Pentecost has come, and we as a church continue to gather in community. Suddenly come the sounds of organs, pianos, guitars, drums, percussion, strings, brass and woodwinds, filling the sanctuaries. People sing, full of the breath of God, in languages, rhythms and melodies from around the world, ancient and new.
In worship, we give shape to our communal image of God. If you only ever worship using one musical style, you limit your capacity to paint a full image of God. Each song, instrument and rhythm has the capacity to reveal a new aspect of God to the worshiper.
Read MoreIf you know anyone discerning their next life steps, Global Teach has many teaching ministry opportunities. Specifically, applicants are needed for the Central Europe Teachers’ Program. Visit the personnel link for more info.
Read MoreELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has released a letter addressing states recently passing or considering legislation to restrict access to legal abortion. “Talking about abortion has never been easy in this country, and the same holds true in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The members of this church have divergent beliefs and opinions about whether or not abortion should be legal,” the letter read in part.
“I commend you to study and discuss the ELCA social statement ‘Abortion.’ Through this social teaching and policy statement, this church seeks to travel a moderating path by supporting abortion as a last resort.”
Read MorePeople fleeing for their lives, surrounded by walls of flame. The fury of Mother Nature tearing through everything in its path. That was the scene in Paradise, Calif., on the morning of Nov. 8, 2018.
One week prior to the fire, the congregation of Paradise Lutheran had completed the renovation of old classrooms into housing quarters and a communal living space. Although the church’s parsonage, garage and toolsheds burned to the ground, the church building itself was mainly spared.
Read MoreThe ELCA is saddened by the all-too-frequent occurrences of gun violence in the U.S. We invite you on a journey of prayer, scripture, stories and church teachings with this resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence."
Together through daily observances, it calls us to work toward the prevention of gun violence as people of God who strive for justice and peace in all the world. It may be used for individual reflection, group Bible study, adult education sessions, and congregational daily devotions. Your journey is intended to start on June 16th, but this resource can be used at any time.
Read MoreWatch this ELCA video to see what the ELCA and LWF are doing to accompany and assist migrants deported from Mexico and the US. More info at: elca.org/ammparo
Read More
