Bishop Eaton Reflects on UMC’s Historic Changes and Ecumenical Growth

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the profound changes emerging from the recently concluded United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. After being postponed since 2020, the conference highlighted the UMC's adoption of significant measures including the lifting of a 40-year ban on the ordination of practicing homosexual clergy, and the expansion of marriage definitions to include same-sex couples.

Bishop Eaton underscores the ELCA's joy and gratitude for 15 years of full communion with the UMC, celebrating the shared commitment to inclusivity and unity in Christian teaching.

Bishop Eaton's Easter 2024 message

In her Easter message to the church, Bishop Eaton focuses on three words that describe what the women at tomb experienced when the angel announced that Jesus had been raised from the dead: fear, amazement and being seized or possessed.

“These three words really say something about the women, and I think about us and, most especially, about Easter…I think it's very important to take time to be a little amazed, to be standing in a different place, to have a sense of this awe and trembling before the Lord, and to allow ourselves to be possessed by the Spirit, who will give us power and courage in these times.”

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 26, 2024Bishop Eaton Letters, 2024 Holy WeekComment

A Time of Rest: Presiding Bishop Eaton's Temporary Leave

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be on a 4-to-6-month leave of absence starting November 17, 2023. During this period, former Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop, Rev. Michael Burk, will serve as Presiding Bishop Pro Tem. We are grateful for Bishop Eaton's dedication and leadership and keep her in our prayers as she takes this time for rest and rejuvenation.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 10, 2023 Comment

Bishop Eaton: Holy Land Prayers

Bishop Eaton addresses the hatred and violence toward Arab, Muslim, and Jewish people in the U.S., acknowledges the grief and trauma of Jews and Palestinians, and offers ways that we can support our Palestinian members and our neighbors.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, Prayers, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 6, 2023Bishop Eaton Letters, Israel and PalestineComment

A Statement from Bishop Eaton on the Conflict in the Holy Land

The ELCA's commitments call on us to denounce unequivocally any attacks — past, present or future — by any party that lead to civilians becoming victims. Our hearts are with all those who have been killed or injured, and with their families and friends. Read the full statement here.

Here are worship resources and ways that you can be involved in advocacy. Join a prayer vigil hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardOctober 26, 2023Israel and Palestine, Bishop Eaton LettersComment

Statement from Bishop Eaton on current situation in Israel and Palestine

“As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have led to unspeakable loss of life and hope. At the same time the ELCA denounces the indiscriminate retaliation of Israel against the Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim.”

Things you can do:

Find updated resources and statements from the ELCA here.
Join our partner Churches for Middle East Peace for prayer every Wednesday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register here.
Call your lawmakers today through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to take action to deescalate the conflict and uphold unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Find your member of Congress at govtrak.
Support Lutheran Disaster Response here.

Bishop Eaton: Indigenous Peoples' Day 2023

In this video, Bishop Eaton addresses Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 9, 2023.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2023Bishop Eaton Letters, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Bishop Eaton's National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools message

Saturday, September 30, 2023, is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. In her video, Bishop Eaton reminds us that this church is committed to understanding our role in the tragic and sinful history of Indian boarding schools so that we can begin to heal together. Visit ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools to learn more.

You can participate by wearing an orange shirt and posting a photo of yourself, members of your congregation or community on social media. #ELCA #TruthAndHealing #DayOfRemembrance.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 29, 2023Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Bishop Eaton Letters, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Bishop Eaton: Why I am against Christian Nationalism

Addressing Christian Nationalism in this video message, Bishop Eaton says this dangerous ideology “is a perversion of the gospel and a threat to our democracy. It’s precisely because I love my country that I warn against it.”

Bishop Eaton: Greetings from the Rostered Ministers Gathering!

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares her greetings from the Rostered Ministers Gathering. Pastors, deacons and bishops from all over the country met to sharpen their skills and recharge their souls.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 24, 20232023 Rostered Ministers GatheringComment

Bishop Eaton statement concerning Jenin incursions

As presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I join my colleague, the Rev. Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, in being "deeply dismayed at the ongoing Israeli military incursions into Palestinian communities, especially in the city and refugee camp of Jenin."

ELCA-LIRS World Refugee Day letter from Bishop Eaton and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah

In honor of World Refugee Day on June 20, the ELCA and LIRS advocacy networks invite their members to a national day of advocacy, intended to build urgency for robust support for refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers. We urge all to learn more about refugee admissions in the United States, join LIRS's 125 Watch campaign, accompany migrants through AMMPARO, and advocate through prayer and action for our neighbors in need.

Emanuel 9 Remembrance | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton & Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

In remembrance of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and National Council of Churches President and General Secretary, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, urge us to study, pray and act so that we can make a real difference in our communities and country to end the scourge of racial, economic, and social injustice and violence. For more info, go to: ELCA.org/Emanuel9 and nationalcouncilofchurches.us.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Emanuel 9, Racial Justice, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment

Bishop Eaton's letter to the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

For our 2023 synod assembly, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invites us to join the church on a future-focused journey to widen our welcome and break down the barriers that keep people from engaging with the church. Together, we can help people experience the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation. View in this post, or read as a PDF in English or Spanish.

Bishop Eaton: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Presiding Bishop Eaton reminds us that in the ELCA’s social message “The Body of Christ and Mental Health” we are called to companionship. “For those who are living with mental illness, we see you. We stand with you, ready to listen and support you in your struggles, through good days and bad.”

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Bishop Eaton Letters, Mental HealthComment

Bishop Eaton: A Critical Moment in Time, Earth Day 2023

In observance of Earth Day 2023, Bishop Eaton lifts up the ELCA’s new social message, “Earth’s Climate Crisis,” underscoring that this is a “moment of Kairos, a critical moment in time when God is calling for decisive action in history.”

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 24, 2023Climate ChangeComment

Bishop Eaton: Let's observe Holy Week

We’ve entered Holy Week, and Bishop Eaton hopes and prays that we will not skip from the hosannas of Palm Sunday right to the hallelujahs of Easter Sunday. It’s important, as we travel through this week, to see not only incredible sacrifice and love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ, but all of the human condition that comes out during this week.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 4, 20232023 Holy Week, 2023 Lent, Bishop Eaton LettersComment

Bishop Eaton: Who is my neighbor? | Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

The Great Commandment calls us to love our neighbor as ourself, and God teaches us to honor every person’s dignity. On Transgender Day of Visibility, Bishop Eaton affirms that transgender and nonbinary siblings are children of God, created in God’s image, who are embraced in God’s unconditional love. We stand together, advocating for the full humanity and dignity of all people.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2023LGBTQIA+Comment

Bishop Eaton: Remembering the Victims of Slavery

In observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Bishop Eaton reminds us to tell the stories of our historical truth: stories of suffering and pain, but also stories of awe-inspiring resistance and hope.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2023Racial JusticeComment

Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation

As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face.

As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMarch 20, 2023LGBTQIA+Comment

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