Posted on August 9, 2019 from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director, we have the following updates: AUGUST RECESS ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES | LIMITS PROPOSED TO SNAP HUNGER PROGRAM | KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL ACT | FAITH-BASED PRESENCE AROUND U.N. CLIMATE CONFERENCE | FEDERAL BUDGET DEAL REACHED | STANDING AGAINST #CHRISTIANNATIONALISM | HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOWS | VISITING D.C.
Read MoreGive thanks and praise for God’s attentiveness, help and steadfast love for all humankind.
Read MoreIn this statement, Presiding Bishop Eaton provides clarifications and helpful talking points:
Dear siblings in Christ, as many of you know, last week the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution that, among other things, declared the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) a sanctuary denomination. Many of you are asking, “What does this mean?”
Read MoreThe campaign is simple but profound: wear black on Thursdays, and declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence.
Speaking during a plenary session at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Dr Agnes Abuom saluted those assembled for their collaborative work in embracing Thursdays in Black. “The decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to endorse Thursdays in Black is timely,” said Abuom.
Read MoreRemember in prayer the work and witness of our ELCA missionaries and the seven young people serving in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program in Israel, Jerusalem/West Bank, Jordan and Palestine.
Read MoreSunday morning is a lot busier these days at the corner of Raleigh Street and 5th Avenue in West Denver. For the past several years a new community of God, called Latino Ministry West Denver (Cristo Rey), has been growing in the church building in this changing neighborhood. Known to the neighborhood simply as Cristo Rey, the new-start congregation connects with its community and actively engages people to be in relationship with each other and Christ. Read the whole story»
Read MoreGive thanks for the work and ministry of nurses who give of themselves without partiality or hesitation as they tend to the well-being, health and healing of people in congregations, clinics, hospitals, schools, the military and community agencies.
Read MoreMany of you know the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin last week. In addition to daily worship, during the business meetings there were many decisions and conversations, including resolutions and memorials. Among the business items addressed included a resolution on the subject of Sanctuary. The Grand Canyon Synod supports/endorses the Background Provided to the Assembly by the Memorials Committee. Please click to read more on this background, and what the resolution on Sanctuary means and does not mean.
Read MoreData security is the critical process of protecting your congregation’s confidential information against unauthorized use. Data such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, banking information and more lie at the heart of the organization. Keeping this data protected demonstrates responsibility and increases donor confidence.
Read MoreWe pray for Deacon Kate Adelman and House of Prayer, a congregation located on the Navajo Lutheran Mission campus, serving the Rock Point community as a center for spiritual learning and cultural dialog.
Read MoreFor the past 2 years Catie and Josh Sondrol have traveled to Chiang Mia, Thailand to serve with Joni & Friends at their International Family Retreat which is sponsored by Jasmine and & Joey Tells’ Christian church in Thailand. The International Family Retreat offers 4 days of “a safe and accepting Christ-centered environment for individuals affected by disability and their families” (www.joniandfriends.org).
Read MoreAsk God to bless and extend the impact of ELCA members and congregations as they use the ELCA Good Gifts Catalog to donate generously to specific needs, programs and priorities in communities around the world.
Read MoreAfter a hard, month-long battle, the war is finally over! Lutheran Social Services of Nevada is humbled by the outpouring of support they received from our congregations. With the help of six local churches, they collected 39,019 pounds of peanut butter over the course of July-- by far their greatest total yet! Who won?
Read MorePray that, with a spirit of generosity and compassion, we will share all we have received from God with our neighbor, especially those in critical need who long for hope, loving care and relief from suffering.
Read MoreHoly One, you formed the church to announce the words of eternal life to the world. Equip the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which concluded its Churchwide Assembly yesterday to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gather the church together into one body for the sake of our shared mission to tell of the love of God. Filled with your Word, turn the church inside out so that we might live lives that proclaim your freedom and renewal to all the world.
Read MoreReturning to school is an opportunity for cross†gen interaction, connecting church-home-school, outreach to the neighborhood, and offering a blessing in worship... check out the plethora of creative and meaningful ideas as school begins again.
Read MorePray for congregational leaders and volunteers as they prepare for fall Christian education programs serving all ages; give thanks for their commitment, faith, creativity and service.
Read MoreO God, source of all life, you raised Jesus from the dead and gave us the Spirit of his resurrection. Unbind your church from sin and the fear of death. Set us free to praise you with grateful hearts and to serve the world in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Read MoreA member of Lord of the Mountain Lutheran Church in Dillion, Colo. was called to action after the inaugural National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend in March 2014. “As people of faith, we are directed to do so,” said Diane Luellen. “These things are important. If we don’t do it, who will?”
Luellen and her congregation’s story mirrors the prodding of Paul in Acts 18, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you.”
Read MoreOn day two of their gathering, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly took key actions and received reports that set the stage for how the denomination wants to move into the future.
The assembly re-elected the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6. The assembly approved 26 en bloc memorials on topics including gun violence, engagement in the Holy Land and income inequality. A Declaration to People of African Descent was presented to representatives of the African Descent Lutheran Association.
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