The latest June updates from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, directorate: National attention on police violence and racism | COVID-19 Legislative response | Compounded migrant concerns | Protecting voting rights during the pandemic
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is supporting ELCA sent it around the United States in response to the pandemic with attention to vulnerable communities, e.g. homeless, senior, health unemployed populations. LDR is helping synods to support , hot meal delivery, and meal distribution. These ministries prioritize ethnic communities, underrepresented groups, and those whose livelihoods by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreLutheran Services in America is a network of Lutheran social ministry organizations that connects over 300 health and human services providers throughout the country. Pray that we will engage with and support their work in serving the diverse needs of our nation’s most vulnerable people, from infants to elders.
Read MoreThe ELCA’s document Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline describes the grounds for which discipline may be imposed according to the practice of this church. Through June 15, 2020, we encourage you to participate in a brief survey that will allow you to give written feedback.
Register today to offer feedback at two digital town halls, limited to 200 people: Thursday, 6/18/2020: 1 p.m. MST; Thursday, 6/25/2020, 6 p.m. MST.
Read MoreJuneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. While President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Texas and Louisiana finally got the good news on June 19, 1865.
This resource may be used in whole or adapted based on your local traditions. Additional assembly song may reflect the theme and text of the day.
Read MoreThe Deaconess Community of the ELCA is using prophetic diakonia to do the work of justice with the Poor Peoples Campaign (PPC). This movement encourages us to be grounded in the thousands of scripture verses that call God’s people to the work of justice.
The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20, 2020 will be a digital gathering, marshalling collective voices to demonstrate the power of our communities, and you can register from this link.
Read MoreLiving Water in Scottsdale is kicking off a “virtual VBS” this week. While the registration has closed, the YouTube daily videos and the associated VBS Parent Pack with suggested supplies, etc. are available to access by anyone. Here’s our website’s link: https://www.lwlcaz.org/vbs/
Read MoreLori E. Varlotta, the president of Hiram College in Ohio, will become the eighth president of California Lutheran University on Sept. 30.
The first female president in Cal Lutheran’s 61-year history, Varlotta is an established leader with broad experience in academic affairs, enrollment management, budget and planning, student affairs and fundraising.
Read MoreThere is terror all around. Violence and destruction, too. Telling the truth about that condition of the world, however, has always been unpopular. Jeremiah experienced rejection. Even more, Jesus was killed.
And Jesus calls us to follow him, to be countercultural like Jeremiah, to value the gospel of Jesus Christ even more than what the world counts as family values, to tell the truth openly about human sin and God’s mercy.
Read MoreHonor moms and dads with ELCA Good Gifts, and send a special, limited-edition card to let them know.
Read MoreJune 17 marks the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The ELCA Prayer Service for Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine is available on the ELCA website or on YouTube. You can also download a version of the commemoration video.
To honor this day, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution to establish June 17 as "Emanuel 9 Day of Repentance," commemorating the martyrdom of the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. Daniel L. Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson by Dylann Roof, who grew up in the ELCA. Pinckney and Simmons were graduates of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
Read MoreThe 2020 Diakonia Graduation will be celebrated June 20, 2020 at 5 pm, on Zoom using this link. Please join in honoring our graduates! If you’d like to send a card, please contact Mike Reed, mike@diakoniaaz.org, for addresses.
Rio Salado: Ms Margaret Roush-Meier, Mrs Tina Gilson, Mr Michael Snyder, Ms Roberta (Bobbi) Edwardson
Las Vegas: Mr Mark Williams, Mrs Glenna Graupmann, Mrs Holly Swanson
Tucson: Mrs Kimberle Kennedy, Mr Merrill Namock, Mrs Barbara Peterson, Mrs Cindy Stein, Ms Carol Paulsen
Give thanks that, by God’s grace through Jesus Christ, our relationship with God is restored and that we can share in the glory of God without uncertainty or fear.
Read MorePraise God for the work we accomplish together through ELCA Advocacy and for the faith-driven voice carried to our local, state and national leaders and legislators ― a common voice advocating attention, justice and compassion for those neighbors and communities whose needs and concerns are too often ignored or marginalized.
Read MoreThe Zoom link each week will be posted on the home page of ELCA Coaching, where you’ll also find recordings from each week.
Join us on June 17 for a time of Lament and Accountability. We will be joined by the following gifted presenters: Judith E. B. Roberts, Solveig Nilsen-Goodin, and Dr. Don Eisenhauer.
Read MoreMore Days for Praise, a resource for the church’s festivals and commemorations is designed for home devotions. Remembering those saints who have lived through a host of challenging times and situations reminds us of our connection to a great cloud of witnesses.
Read MoreI have written a few times about how and when to introduce phases of in-person worship. I continue to encourage no in-person gathering until the deaths or cases of newly infected decrease for a minimum of 14 days in your area. This letter is a follow up about in-person worship and Holy Communion.
Read MoreThank God for opportunities to enjoy nature, whether in a wilderness area, urban park, community garden or forest preserve. Give thanks for how nature and fresh air renew us and lift our spirits, and pray that our neighbors with mobility challenges can get outdoors to experience and enjoy the blessings of creation.
Read MorePray that we will respond eagerly when God calls us into the world together as disciples to carry on the difficult work of Jesus, sharing the good news, caring for our neighbors in their suffering and need, bringing hope where there is despair and bearing God’s truth and light.
Read MoreIn the absence of summer camp programs, pray for the leaders and staff of our outdoor ministries as they seek new ways to sustain their organizations’ vitality, share the gospel and serve people of all ages in congregations and communities.
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