Christians Against Christian Nationalism provides a timely set of resources and thoughts.
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With more than 100 years of history, this annual observance involves Christian communities throughout the world: January 18-25, 2021.
Visit the World Council of Churches site or view material in English, French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese.
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With recent passing of the late, Honorable Calvin C. Goode, this year’s 35th Annual AZ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Living the Dream “Virtual” Celebration will be dedicated to him to honor his legacy. Friday, January 15, 2021, 11:00 AM MST
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will keynote. The celebration will also include another high-profile guest speaker; one of the last living Icons of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., one of the members of the Wilmington 10. To watch the AZ MLK Virtual Celebration, visit www.youtube.com/user/cityofphoenixaz.
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Lutheran World Relief needs your help to bring real, tangible hope to our poorest neighbors. This Lent, your congregation can help by gathering and assembling Personal Care Kits.
Also available are “Sensing Hope” resources, including a 5-week sermon series and small group study guide, used digitally or in-person. Learn more at lwr.org/lent.
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California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invite “actively serving” pastors of the Grand Canyon Synod to participate in this first Contemplative Action Group, which they hope to begin Thursday, January 28th.
Contemplative Action Groups provide spiritual growth, accountability, and discernment to congregational leaders who seek greater clarity and depth within their personal and public life.
Please email Pastor Brent Maxwell, desertmax@msn.com, or visit thrivingleadershipformation.org for more information.
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The Presidential Inaugural Committee invites places of worship to participate in a COVID Memorial Tribute by ringing bells or lighting building lights or candles. January 19, 2021, 3:30pm MST, 2:30pm PST. Read more about this event at CNN.com.
If you are interested in participating, please register using this form.
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The Office of the Bishop closed during Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, 2021.
We encourage you to participate in online events, action, and study on this day of remembrance and unity.
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Pray for the young adults who have applied for a yearlong journey in international service with our companion churches and organizations through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program, which will resume in 2021-2022 after a time of sabbath during the pandemic.
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Dr. King’s message of unity is the theme for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration Monday, January 18. Five leading theologians will reflect on the theme during the 60-minute pre-recorded tribute. The recorded event will go live at 11:15 a.m. Central (10:15am MST, 9:15 am PST) on LSTC’s Facebook and YouTube sites.
“In light of recent events and public calls for healing and reconciliation, theological reflection on the promise and the problems with the rhetoric of unity could not be more timely or urgent,” said Erik Christensen, pastor to the community and director of worship, who serves on this year’s planning committee.
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Similar to how God brought Jonah to Nineveh, I felt dragged to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. I loved church, but doubted whether the ELCA was right for me. I was one of the only young Lutherans regularly active in my congregation and community. Older members dominated the conversation. Could I be a leader in this church?
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Last Wednesday afternoon, after a day of virtually meeting and planning with Metro Chicago Synod (MCS) pastoral staff, I closed the Zoom window on my computer.
After a few moments, I glanced at my phone. Friends, family, and colleagues, many of whom are of African descent, had reached out to me, shocked. Many texted me similar words. “They would have shot us,” they said, again and again.
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In the days since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the words of the 61st chapter of Isaiah have accompanied me as a prayer and as a promise. It is one of the texts I turned to as I fearfully watched the violent mob of President Trump’s supporters, bent on overturning the election results, breach the doors on January 6 and overrun the seat of American democracy.
I prayed the words as the fuller horror emerged, including the tragic death of a Capitol Police officer and of rioters, details about the imminent danger to people I care about and destruction in a place that I love.
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We roll into 2021 with a submission to the 2020 Generosity Film Festival.
Sandy Holm, with Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona, shares her story of generosity: one man's offer to help stock the church's food pantry. Winner of the Best Above and Beyond Story.
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Ask God to help us practice justice, generosity and care for creation, sharing our resources with others who have few or who have lost resources or productive land as a result of natural and human-caused disasters.
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Listen to devotional music available through Augsburg Fortress: “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ;” “The Everlasting Light;” “Song of Thanksgiving.”
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Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year B: Sometimes we feel as if we have no word from God, no vision, no place to come and see what God is doing, no center in a time of alienation. But, as the Psalm says, God has seen us and known us. More: in our baptism, God has called us, like Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael were called.
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Renee reflects on her international service year in the Jerusalem & the West Bank country program with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM). If you are a young adult ages 21 to 29, you can apply for YAGM. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2021, for service beginning in August 2021. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.
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Over the last year, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we long for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).
We invite you and your congregation to join the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources today.
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As the season of Lent quickly approaches, we come full circle on a year of worship during a pandemic.
You have found new and surprising ways to celebrate all of our major church seasons and festivals except one—Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Some of you have asked, during a pandemic, how should we handle the imposition of ashes?
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God is mighty, majestic and eternal throughout the universe, generously sharing strength and blessings with us. Give glory and thanks to God, and shout for joy!
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