In response to the spread of COVID 19, how do we as humans participate and experience life in relationship to one another as global citizens, family members, and people of faith?
Linda Staats has curated responses from trusted leaders in our faith communities and friends of HomeGrown Faith. Each provides a valuable resource for Connecting Home, School and Congregation.
Read MorePastor Dana Reardon writes, “First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mesa has partnered with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest for years in feeding our hungry neighbors. Many of our volunteers are elderly and high-risk, so we are getting help from Robert Sanders, regional director of LSS-SW and the National Guard.”
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the globe, churches have not been insulated from the devastating virus. That means fewer people giving and supporting your good work. It also will possibly affect your church’s finances.
Read MoreFrom Allie Papke-Larson: We find ourselves lingering between life and death, waiting for breath, waiting for the danger of this Coronavirus to pass, waiting for the uncertainty that has settled into our nation, into our churches, to pass.
And yet we are still in the season of Lent. These things that we are waiting for will not come to us yet, Christ has not died, let alone risen, and this Coronavirus and its ramifications, may be with us for months, maybe years.
Read MoreThe following list of ideas is specifically directed to financial leaders across the church to help with sustaining the church and its ministry (and perhaps growing it in areas) as we live through these Coronavirus days.
Read MoreIn March, Reformation Lutheran Church of Las Vegas became the first congregation to participate in an intentional Peer Ministry Review. Ministry reviews have been done for other congregations, but usually at the request of Synod or Churchwide leadership.
A big thank you to Pr. Jason Adams for the invitation to conduct this insightful process and to the review team for their diligent work and recommendations.
Read MoreNevada is in a State of Emergency, local businesses and casinos have been temporarily shut down, group events and church gatherings have been postponed or moved online, and more and more people are looking to Lutheran Social Services of Nevada for support.
In the past two weeks alone, our DigiMart Food Pantry has served 801 families comprised of nearly 2,500 individuals – more than double what we serve in the average month.
Read MorePeople of God, these are interesting times to be in ministry. As you master many new skills and carry concerns about your people, your church’s finances, and your own family, please know that Portico is here to walk with you. Portico plan members, sign in to myPortico for these timely resources…
Read More“Just like everyone else, the impact changes from day to day but the church is still the church even when we aren’t meeting — in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from getting the COVID-19 virus,” said Pastor David Brandfass, of Christ Lutheran Sedona.
“We exist to share the gospel, but we know we also exist for the sake of the world. During this time of what seems to be a lot of hoarding, we continue to follow our Lord’s pattern of giving his life away for the sake of our world and our neighbor in need.”
Read MoreOn Easter Sunday at 7pm AZ time, Community of Grace invites you to take to your front yards with your family and raise your cell phone lights, candles or flashlights for 10 minutes. Then, post your videos or photos with the #AZRaisesHope.
Read MoreWatch a bilingual (English/Español) service of Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo from Faith / La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ.
Musical selections include: Sing, My Tongue, The Glorious Battle - Leo Sowerby; Abide With Me - C. Hubert H. Parry; and Ubi Caritas - Berthier.
Read MoreThe leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Islamic Society of North America come together at the outset of their respective holy days in solidarity and in hope.
Read MoreDavid Pavesic of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Tucson, writes: “More than hospitals need masks, though the needs are different. We have been sewing simple masks to be used by caregivers and other helpers of the most vulnerable. They can be worn by those helping with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, and local food pantries and other social service agencies.”
Read MoreIn her April column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on this paradox found in Martin Luther’s treatise On the Freedom of a Christian: “A Christian is lord of all, servant of all, completely free of everything. A Christian is servant, completely attentive to the needs of all.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2XkCvqQ and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3aSOcJ6.
Read MoreEnding hunger goes beyond providing calories. The ministry of ELCA World Hunger and the work we support together is about recognizing the significance of food and the ways it can bring us together with one another, with God, and with all of creation. In the sacrament Christ initiated on Maundy Thursday, we glimpse what the banquet table God has promised for our future might look like.
Read MoreRev. Lamont Anthony Wells writes: “In the very city that hosted the African Descent Lutheran Association’s (ADLA) August 2019 Biennial Assembly (Milwaukee, Wis.), African Americans made up almost half of Milwaukee County’s 945 coronavirus cases and 81% of its 27 deaths in a county whose population is only 26% black (as of April 3, 2020). This level of disproportionate rates of infection and death is a direct result of economic, political and environmental factors that have been growing for decades.”
Read MoreThis Holy Week, we are tired.
We know an Easter is coming—an Easter of hugs and alleluias—but for the first time for some of us, we are not sure on what day this Easter dawn shall burst forth.
Read MoreAs the coronavirus pandemic limits people’s ability to mourn, they are finding new ways to say goodbye.
Read MoreFor Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta, comfort is found in Psalms: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.”
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Public Health page, Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation is available (download PDF).
Here you are, sheltering in place. This resource has great suggestions for spiritual practices and faith-filled service for every age in your household.
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