Carol Josefowski, coordinator for ELCA Disability Ministries, shares this personal story about what is meant by a divested community…
“As a child, I grew up in Harvey, Ill., a diverse yet segregated town 20 miles south of Chicago. Each week on my way to church I passed by a weathered historical marker honoring Amanda Berry Smith, an African American woman freed by her formerly enslaved father.”
Read MoreWe are a church that believes the God-given gifts of science and technology should be used to respect and promote communities, life and human dignity. Pray that the Spirit will guide us in conversations about how faith and science intersect and that we will be mindful of the impact of technology — intended and unintended — on humanity and creation.
Read MoreI’m so excited that the Minneapolis Area Synod will host the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering. Minnesota, home of 10,000 lakes and more shoreline than California is filled with Lutherans – nearly 700,000 to be exact. We have 300 congregations within an hour drive of the Convention Center – each one eager to welcome you with a ready smile.
Read MoreWant to live longer? It turns out that looking on the bright side could save your life. A study recently published in the medical journal, JAMA, found that people who look at life from a positive perspective have about a 35% lower risk of major heart complications, such as a cardiac death, stroke, or a heart attack, compared to those whose outlooks were pessimistic.
Read MoreCarol was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, November 3, 1942. She passed away in her dream home in Coolidge, Arizona, September 16, 2019.
In 2004 Carol purchased a house in Strawberry, Arizona, fully intending to retire there. However, plans changed and she become a pastor with the ELCA, ordained on April 17, 2010. She served in the Grand Canyon Synod prior to going to the Pacifica Synod in late 2014.
At Carol's request, a Celebration of Life will be held on November 2nd, 2019 at 11am, at Clairemont Lutheran Church, 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117. All are welcome to join in this celebration.
Read MoreHeld on October 25 and 26, 2019 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD, this symposium might be of particular interest to anyone interested in the challenges of global engagements. More info at www.fliii.us.
Importantly, for your convenience, this symposium will have a live-streaming capacity. Write to ForgottenLuther@saintluke.us and/or contacting Deacon Kyle Warfield at kwarfield@saintluke.us to find out about live streaming.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief staff based in the region are preparing for an influx of refugees, and share this message:
With bombs falling on northeastern Syria, as many as 300,000 people living in the area could be forced to flee their homes. Help us be ready to respond to families in need who will be desperately seeking safety, shelter and emergency supplies such as food and water.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Life With Dignity (LWD) — the ELCA’s partner development organization in Cambodia — convened a three-day conference in Cambodia on ”Migration and the Human Trafficking Crisis in Asia: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership.”
The conference aimed to assist the ELCA in developing strategies for policy and implementation with churches and faith-based organizations to address migration and human trafficking issues, and how to work together in the future, in Asia, and across the world. Read the whole story »
Read MoreThank God for the ways our church engages its members and leaders in discernment, biblical study and reflection, prayerful decisions and commitments, and teachings that help us grow in understanding of how our faith intersects with daily life and society. Pray that the recently approved social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action will guide and inspire us to act on a range of issues, including gender-based violence, workplace discrimination and economic inequality.
Read MoreView this post to see photos from our first synod Generosity Project Lab, representing eight decades, six generations, and five congregations. Recently featured in Living Lutheran, the Generosity Project connects generations and equips households for the faith practice of generosity.
Register for the Tucson and Las Vegas labs: Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Tucson, 10/12/2019; Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas, 11/2/2019.
Read MoreThe federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act deals with health care privacy concerns. Privacy rules restrict the use of medical records and health information maintained by hospitals and other health care providers but generally do not cover ELCA congregations. View the PDF from the ELCA »
Read MoreWe give thanks for the forward thinking, people-blessing, Christ-centered congregation of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, AZ. We lift up in prayer the people of Prince of Peace, including Pastor Rick Sherrill, Director Of Youth And Family Ministry Audrey Cox, Children's Ministry Coordinator Angela Sherrill , Preschool Director Nicole Hilden, Church Office Manager Maria Renovato , Accountant Keri Herding, Monthly Newsletter Editor Marge Mayes , Organist Dr. Allen Quie , Worship Music Leader/Pianist Lynne Mcginley, and Handbells Director Kay Cook.
Read MoreWith gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. Watch this moving video as we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States.
Read MoreConsider how our faith in Jesus Christ, God’s grace, the word of God, the witness of other people of faith and the calling we have through our baptism has influenced and changed us — and give thanks!
Read MoreWe take time to pray for Pastor Ben Bergren, his wife Rachel, and their three adult children: Molly, Carl, and Max. The Bergren family is going through many transitions. Pastor Ben will be installed at Community Lutheran, Las Vegas on Reformation Weekend, 11/16/19. By accepting this call, Ben will be moving to Las Vegas, while Rachel will remain in California. This summer, Rachel was promoted to Chief Programs Officer for The Marine Mammal Center. Rachel was also recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is working with Bay Area doctors to determine the best path forward for her long-term health. Pastor Bergren has shared this news in-depth on a family update page. We lift up this family, and remember Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Read MoreELCA World Hunger has brand new resources to enrich the life of your congregation this Advent. All of them are free, with free shipping, while supplies last.
Please don’t hesitate to call (800-638-3522) or send an email (hunger@elca.org) should you need any help planning your congregation’s involvement with ELCA World Hunger this Advent.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of Nevada and Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada present “Food Deserts” in Nevada on Saturday, November 9, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
In Southern Nevada we know we live in a desert. We also have areas known as “food deserts”, but what are these and what can we do about them?
Read MorePray for the people of Puerto Rico, that their hope will be renewed and sustained; that they will have good, just governance and smooth transitions between political leaders; and that they will experience progress in their economic recovery and their long-term recovery from Hurricane Maria. Ask God to bless the ministry, service and witness of the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América Sinodo del Caribe (Caribbean Synod), its leaders and its congregations.
Read MoreBuilding on the theme of Beauty From Ashes, our goal is to create a retreat experience where women will have an opportunity to respond to the scripture from Isaiah 61, feel renewed and be restored. Our keynote speaker is Rev. Canon Debbie Royals, Vicar at St. Raphael in the Valley Episcopal/Lutheran Church in Benson, AZ.
View the event page and register soon: November 8-9, 2019, Love of Christ Lutheran, 1525 N Power Rd, Mesa AZ 85205.
Read MoreFrom Myrna Wells-Ulland, President, Grand Canyon Synod Women, comes good news of the first leadership event for Latina women in our Grand Canyon Synod, with 38 women attending from five different congregations.
Jesus says in Luke 14:35b “Listen, then, if you have ears!” Let us share what happened when an idea from our Latina sisters was heard…
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