We pray for the family of Pastor Ben Bergren of Community Lutheran, Las Vegas, as they grieve the death of Ben's mother, and live separated across state lines during this time of physical distancing. His wife, Rachel Rochford Bergren, remains in California.
Read MoreFor local information and for recommendations on community actions designed to limit exposure to COVID-19, check with your state and local public health authorities, following the link to find your state, county, city, and tribal health organizations.
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Public Health page, Prayers for Times of Public Health Concern: COVID-19/Coronavirus are available in English and Spanish.
These prayers and prayer suggestions may be used or adapted as needed. Know that your local context may lead to additional prayers that reflect local needs and situations. The conclusion of the prayers may be easily adapted when included as part of the prayers of intercession.
Read MoreELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton extends an invitation to join in the Lord's Prayer on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at noon local time.
I am writing to extend an invitation we have received from Pope Francis, through the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches, to join in the Lord's Prayer on March 25, 2020 at noon your local time. Please share this invitation through your synods, congregations, ecumenical communities and individual networks.
Read MoreBishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreWhile we may not be meeting in person, the church is gathering, worshiping, and praying more than ever. Please share all the ways you are gathering and being church together. We will post your information on the gcsynod.org website (the page will be published soon).
Use our online resource form, or email Brian Flatgard directly: bflatgard@gcsynod.org. Be sure to include web links and how often these events will be recurring. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know changes as we move forward.
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Public Health page, Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns is available in English and Spanish (updated March 20, 2020).
When worshiping together in person is not advised or prohibited by municipal/state government, leaders are facing circumstances they have likely not encountered. This resource is offered to help consider how we are the body of Christ together when we cannot gather in-person for worship.
Read MoreIs the Coronavirus really a threat to ordinary Americans? Do we actually need to take the inconvenient prevention measures many health and government officials suggest (staying at home, cancelling group events, keeping a distance between yourself and others, etc.)? Why or why not?
Read MorePresident Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines to help protect Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak. Download the Coronavirus guideline: English | Español
Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others. Everyone can do their part. The new recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy staff attended White House coronavirus briefings for faith leaders that provide access to public health experts’ advice for religious communities.
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list from The Partnership Center, Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS Partnership Center) was also highlighted during the Mar. 19 briefing and may be helpful in our ministry settings. Download the FAQs here.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is working with partners around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreYou’ve probably never wondered how many tables and chairs it takes to make a Gathering
happen. Me either! Well, until I said yes to serving as the Operations Team Leader for the 2018
ELCA Youth Gathering. (For the record we used 9,555 chairs and 750 tables of varying sizes.)
Bishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreWe can say, today, that women are free. Free to do. Free to dress. Free to decide. They should not need protection. Yet it is apparent that even today in the 21st century they still do. As Jesus protected them in his comment about divorce. (En Español)
Read MoreAt the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston in 2018, I told the story of being immunosuppressed and going to Rwanda. What I didn’t say was that in Rwanda, when I was 23, I got typhoid fever. About six months after that, I got malaria. I thought I was going to die.
Read MoreThese reflections are a part of ELCA World Hunger’s Sermon Starter series which is published via email every Monday.
The enigmatic poet Emily Dickinson’s famous words are appropriate for a sermon that hangs off the Hebrew Scripture assigned to the day: Tell the truth, but tell it slant…
Read MoreIt is important for each congregation and its leaders to understand what political activity is permissible to maintain the congregation’s tax exemption. Being a Public Church is a guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process, an effort to expand the role of the church in encouraging faithful and non-partisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting.
Read MorePray that our church’s understanding of the theology and practice of accompaniment will deepen as we walk together with Lutheran, ecumenical and interfaith sisters and brothers around the world.
Read More“Psalm 104 celebrates the way in which water pours… This flowing water serves, in the psalm, as a sign of God’s overflowing blessings on creation, pouring down from God to the earth and giving life to creatures,” writes Benjamin M. Stewart in A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth’s Ecology (p. 28).
Read MoreDid you know World Water Day is March 22? Use ELCA World Hunger’s Walk for Water to educate yourself and your community about the link between clean water and a just world where all are fed. View this Walk for Water guide.
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