In addition to a situation report on Pacific typhoons, Lutheran Disaster Response provides a wrap-up and infographic on the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
Thank you for your continual support for Lutheran Disaster Response as they continue to accompany impacted communities through the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Central America.
Read MoreDo a quick search for conspiracy theories and Google will give you over 100,000,000 results to explore. Conspiracy theories used to be confined to rumors and small groups of ardent believers.
The internet and social media have given conspiracy theories like QAnon and those who believe them a feeling of credibility and a highly effective way to broadcast their beliefs to a larger audience.
Read MoreThe ELCA joined 16 Christian denominations and organizations in calling for the incoming Biden administration to change the course of U.S. policy and undertake renewed efforts to bring peace to the Holy Land.
The letter requests that the administration take six concrete steps to “build towards a future where human rights violations are ended and there is equality between Palestinians and Israelis.”
Read MoreThe ELCA Systems Academy is a four-year structured engagement with family systems theory, theology, and clinical work. For more info, read more in this post and this introductory PDF.
Pastor Steve Beyer, Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West, is our synod representative. Through the academy he’ll learn more about family systems and conflict, and assist our synod after he’s been trained.
Read MoreWelcome to our new Director of Community Outreach Lisa Riggleman. Lisa comes to LSSN with years of leadership experience in the non-profit and education sectors.
Read MoreOur synod assembly will be online this year, Friday evening and Saturday, June 11-12, 2020. This is a great opportunity to send voting members of your congregation who couldn’t normally attend a physical gathering. Extend an invite at your congregation’s annual meeting. Read this post to determine how many voting members your congregation can send.
Because we’re online this year, we’re looking for people who are comfortable with technology, and have their own unique device to use during the entirety of the assembly for voting purposes.
Read MoreAs 2020 comes to an end, we honor rostered leaders of the Grand Canyon Synod who have died since our last assembly. Our In Memoriam video was originally published in October, 2020.
Read MorePray that we will carry forward the story and significance of Jesus and their implications for our daily actions, relationships and decisions as loved and reclaimed children of God. Ask the Spirit to guide us in responding to God’s call to proclaim the gospel, make peace, work for justice, propagate hope and serve our neighbors in need — without partiality, foot-dragging, embarrassment or expectation of reward or credit.
Read MoreAn earthquake, mass displacement, low-latitude tropical cyclones, COVID-19, a plague of locusts – 2020 has been a year of calamities in East Africa like no other. Among the most destructive and widespread for ELCA companions in the region was flooding, explored here in this letter by Daudi Msseemmaa.
Read MorePray for the Spirit to help us understand and have faith in Jesus as the son of God, born to walk among us, live through our daily struggles and needs, teach us God’s ways and word, and restore our relationships with God, one another and creation.
Read MoreWe pray for The Rev. Cheryl Fox and the people of St. John’s Episcopal Lutheran Church in Williams, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at stjohnswilliamsaz.org, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreNative theologian Kelly Sherman-Conroy—a minister of social justice and advocacy for children, youth and family—shares a reflection on her experience serving as convener of the Twin Cities Movement Chaplains, part of a Living Lutheran series focusing on the personal stories of the ways in which Lutherans are striving for racial justice in the world today.
Read MoreIn this week’s Story of Faith in Action (SOFIA), we explore The Generosity Project.
Sometimes stewardship is misunderstood, equated simply with giving money rather than sharing time, spirit and love. Linda Staats is trying to change that with The Generosity Project, a stewardship resource funded in part by Mission Support.
Read MoreBeginning of Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of African culture and traditions that stresses family, community and shared principles. Give thanks for the rich and meaningful traditions, celebrations and practices of our African American siblings and the global African community.
Read MoreNiveen Sarras, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wis., was born and raised in Bethlehem. In Living Lutheran, she shares a Palestinian interpretation of the nativity.
“The nativity of Jesus Christ was a subversive attack on Rome’s imperial power and unjust peace. Jesus’ birth stands against all kinds of systemic injustices and military occupation. It is a message of solidarity with the disadvantaged.”
Read MoreChristmas Day Give praise and thanks for God’s boundless love, mercy and grace, revealed to the world and all humanity through the light of Jesus Christ ― son of God, son of humanity; our source of truth, salvation, new life and wholeness.
Read MoreSearching for the perfect gift? Choose from more than 50 life-changing, charitable gifts in lieu of traditional Christmas presents. Even in a year when the needs can seem overwhelming, ELCA Good Gifts provide an easy way to make a real impact.
Read MoreBishop Eaton shares a Christmas message with children as she reads the book The Little Shepherd. In the book, the birth of Jesus is told from the perspective of a shepherd boy. Each of us, no matter how small, can tell the story of Jesus’ birth and how God loves us. Merry Christmas!
Read MoreLutheran college choirs have been preparing for their annual holiday concerts and invite you to attend from the safety of your home. The links to these events, and details, are posted on the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians website.
Read MoreIn March, I didn’t imagine we’d be grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic at Christmastime. On top of the usual challenges and joys of the season, grief and uncertainty from this pandemic may weigh heavily.
Yet, I keep watching my children, who show me Christmas is still coming, Jesus will still be born and the light of the world will not be extinguished.
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