Michaela Shelly writes, “Walking off of the Mass Gathering stage after speaking at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, I don’t think I fully understood the magnitude of what I had just done. I stood up on stage to show others how you can take some of your worst moments, such as my terminal diagnosis, and use them to help remind others they do not have to feel alone in all of this.”
In this post, read her letter and watch her heartfelt Youth Gathering talk. Read her blog here.
Read MoreBishop Mark W. Holmerud, with the Sierra Pacific synod, writes this letter on the recent incomprehensible weather events.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Eaton and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.
The season, which begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, is a time to join with the global Christian community in renewing, repairing and restoring commitments to God, to one another and to all of creation.
Read MoreThe Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, Kewaskum, Wis., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Drawing on her experiences of simple and powerful ritual in her own life's apprenticeship with sorrow, Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin will begin a six-month series on the sacred work of grief (the first Wednesday of each month, September through February).
Read MoreGive thanks and take comfort in knowing that God is trustworthy and unwavering in remembering and accompanying us every moment of our lives — in our joy, suffering and complicated situations.
Read More14th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 23
O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a creation-focused worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 (September 20, 2020) that congregations can download and use however they wish.
Register here for free to receive the link by 9/14 to download and use for your worship service, or however you wish!
Read MorePray for synod leaders and committees as they carefully plan assemblies rescheduled for this fall or next year. Remember that our strength and unity in Christ transcend traditional places, methods or times of gathering — we are the church, the body of Christ, in every setting and circumstance.
Read MoreAs we begin a month of Season of Creation devotions, we encourage you to visit the ELCA’s advocacy for the environment page, which highlights many ways to learn and take action.
Read MoreGive thanks that we have been transformed and made new through God’s love for us and our baptism in Jesus Christ. Pray that the living word of Jesus will guide our baptismal journeys so that we extend hospitality to strangers, love and serve our neighbor, overcome evil with good, accompany people who are suffering and in pain, and disavow vengeance and hate.
Read MoreIn their August newsletter, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) bids farewell to Marisa Cervantes, who has been with LSSN for almost ten years and helped launch many of their cornerstone projects.
Read MoreIn this presidential campaign year, pray that our leaders and candidates will serve all people, especially those in the greatest need; work to heal wounds and divisions in society; strive for justice and equality; and seek change for the well-being and prosperity of our communities. Pray that our faith, wisdom and concern for neighbors and global companions will guide our discernment and decisions in upcoming elections.
Read MoreIn her weekly message, Bishop Eaton addresses the weariness of being church during pandemic amongst many storms around us, and offers a prayer.
Read MoreWhen I was 10 years old, I was in a community theater’s production of the musical Peter Pan. I was apart of the chorus, a lost boy who would run around the stage with twigs in my hair, a wooden sword in my hand, singing about flying to Neverland. This play gave me a taste for fantasy.
The author of A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle talks of fantasy being a guide to truth. She said; “Fantasy goes beyond easy possibilities to the possibilities that are much harder which open us and push us.”
Read MoreEach year the Grand Canyon Synod offers grant funds for new and renewing ministries, and other ministry outreach projects. Through the generosity of congregations and others, the total amount available for funding is approximately $100,000.
Priority funding this year will be given to projects that seek to mitigate the effects of the current pandemic. Please submit applications by October 23, 2020. More info at gcsynod.org/grants.
Read MoreGive thanks that, as a church, we listen to the needs of our neighbors, roll up our sleeves and get to work with partners and companions in our communities and the world, helping and serving where the needs are greatest.
Read MoreThese petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.
Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreIn preparation for the online gathering on September 9 at 9 am, ELCA Coaching is excited and honored to offer you a FREE book, What If I Said Yes? The House That Love Built, by Sarah Jackson from Casa de Paz.
If you submit your request by Sunday, August 30, a book will be mailed out on Monday, August 31, thanks to the incredible generosity of our presenter, Sarah Jackson!
Read More
