In her January/February column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the past year and looks toward 2021. The pandemic has taught us a lot about our church and about ourselves. We are connected. We are generous. We are freed to serve. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/38FNErx and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2N4Lcm9.
Read MoreTheft and embezzlement are scary topics. You probably don’t want to think about them at all but knowing the warning signs to watch out for and taking steps to protect your organization can go a long way. Read more at churchmutual.com.
Read MoreA 6-part Lenten exploration via examen, the faith practice of looking inward, trusting that God wants the eyes of the heart to be illumined. Sponsored by Spirit in the Desert.
Read MoreAscension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ has an opening for a part-time Communications Director.
Applications will be accepted until February 15 with a target start date of March 1. This part-time position is 20 hours a week at $20.00 per hour. Scheduling is flexible.
Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ has an opening for a part-time Communications Director.
Applications will be accepted until February 15 with a target start date of March 1. This part-time position is 20 hours a week at $20.00 per hour. Scheduling is flexible. View job description here.
Read MorePray for ministries, nonprofit organizations and agencies that serve the daily needs of communities, families and individuals; pursue justice and equity; build resilience to cope with disasters and crises; accompany immigrants and refugees; and bring the hope and love of Christ where there is despair and weariness.
Read MoreIn Scripture we read about Jesus’ simple, personal and compelling invitations to Simon, Andrew, James, John and the other disciples to drop everything and follow him. Pray that when God calls us to follow and serve, we will respond with faith and trust, even if we do not yet know where God is leading us or what God is calling us to do.
Read MoreIn this week’s Story of Faith in Action (SOFIA): Leaving her home in Suriname for Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Sarah Abendanon felt frightened and excited.
Abendanon’s home church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname, had endorsed her to pursue her bachelor’s degree in the United States through the ELCA’s International Women Leaders (IWL) program.
Read MorePraise God that, as small and insignificant as we might be in the vast universe, we are wonderfully made and God knows every little thing about us and our human ways.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Stephen Talmage, Rev. Nanette Christofferson and the people of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at loveofchristchurch.net, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreThe Rev. Dr. Daniel Defassio, pastor at Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, entered the church triumphant on January 22, 2021. He died of complications of Covid-19.
We pray for Suzy, his wife, and his family and friends and congregation. Please contact the synod office for Suzy’s address if needed.
Read MoreThe annual Report to the Bishop is an opportunity for active and rostered ministers to connect directly with Bishop Hutterer, who looks forward to your responses and feedback.
Completion of this required report is one of the commitments rostered ministers are invited to make upon entering the synod. The report is due back to Bishop Hutterer by February 19, 2021. Access the form online or offline here.
Read MorePray for reconciliation, understanding and renewal in our divided nation so that we might work together for justice, compassion and generosity, serving our neighbors in need and the well-being of our communities as they struggle with vexing, deep-rooted problems. Ask the Spirit to inspire and guide our lives so that our values, decisions, actions and words reflect the gospel, the teachings of Jesus and the ways of God, who is good, gracious, merciful and just.
Read MoreAs congregations and worship leaders prepare for Ash Wednesday in this most challenging year, the ELCA Worship team offers this set of reflections by those serving the church as scholars, pastors, and bishops. Our hope is that their perspectives will provide thinking points as you reflect and prepare worship in your context.
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues Wednesday, 1/27/2021, 12pm MST, 11am PST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org, as well as archives. Join Zoom meeting here.
This week is a showing of the Welcome Strangers documentary, with a Q&A with Sarah Jackson (Casa de Paz) and others.
Read MoreWe present our final weekly highlight of the 2020 Generosity Film Festival.
The Office of the Bishop staff goes round-robin in their daily Zoom meeting to offer stories of what generosity means to them.
Read MorePray for the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering, an online event happening right now that gathers ELCA World Hunger leaders for learning, networking, sharing ideas and planning for our common ministry to address hunger and its root causes.
Read MoreWe invite you to study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
Order or download a week-by-week guide for congregational leaders to make it easier to engage your congregation in ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving.
Read MoreHoly Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen.
Read MoreInauguration Day As members of society and the church who represent varied political affiliations and perspectives, pray together for our nation’s newly elected president and vice president, that the Spirit will grant them wisdom, strength, commitment to serving all people, a deep understanding of justice and mercy, and the courage to enact change for the well-being of our communities and nation.
Read MorePaul as described in Acts 21 arrived in Jerusalem to some strong responses. Buoyed by a crowd incensed by rumors that he was encouraging Jews to no longer observe Jewish law, a Roman tribune arrested and interrogated Paul to determine his crime.
We’ve heard a lot of rhetoric about our laws recently – from politicians, from pulpits, and most recently, from angry mobs of people rallying around a cry to hold fast as a country to tradition or law and order.
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