Posts in ELCA
December 2024 Mission Support Memo
December 2024 Mission Support Memo

In our December 2024 Mission Support Memo hear from Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar of our Oregon Synod, telling her story of joyful and important accompaniment with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Explore the eight enlightening things she learned about Poland and Polish Lutherans.

We are grateful how Mission Support connects us globally. You can also find out about an exciting series on aligning your pocketbook with your values, so learn how to join January 13th to explore “6 Weeks on Money.”

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment
Living Lutheran Print Magazine is Coming Back in 2025
Living Lutheran Print Magazine is Coming Back in 2025

Living Lutheran is returning to print! After hearing from many of you, the ELCA is relaunching the beloved magazine with four print issues per year beginning in 2025. Individual subscriptions are $19.95 annually, with group plans available for congregations. Sign up today at livinglutheran.org/subscribe to stay connected to our shared stories of faith. Read the article in Living Lutheran here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Know Your Rights: A Resource Guide for Immigrant Accompaniment and Advocacy
Know Your Rights: A Resource Guide for Immigrant Accompaniment and Advocacy

In times of heightened uncertainty, our immigrant neighbors need support and accompaniment. The ELCA’s AMMPARO ministry offers critical tools to understand and assert rights during encounters with law enforcement or ICE. This guide includes Red Cards, family preparedness plans, and multilingual resources to help families stay informed and safe. Access the full list of tools and share them with your community as we walk together in faith and advocacy. Read more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAMMPARO, Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Immigration and Refugees, Church and SocietyComment
Rick Steves’ Gift to the ELCA: A Beautiful Christmas Video for Worship
Rick Steves’ Gift to the ELCA: A Beautiful Christmas Video for Worship

Rick Steves, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Seattle, has shared a beautiful 2-minute video of the Christmas story from Luke, illustrated with stunning European art. Offered as a free gift to the ELCA, the video can be used in worship services, concerts, or celebrations with no need for attribution. Watch the video on YouTube here or download it here and enrich your community’s celebration of this holy season.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardRick Steves, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment
Holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts
Holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, choose from over 60 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones this Christmas! New gifts include safe birth, a climate resilience kit and supporting a Young Adults in Global Mission volunteer for a month. Give online and you can personalize free, printed cards to be sent directly to your loved ones. Find several special-edition Christmas cards for select gifts now. Browse gifts.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Advent and Christmas, ELCA Good GiftsComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For the nation of Syria of conflict, transition, and uncertainty…

  • For peace among nations of the world…

  • For all victims of gun violence…

  • For victims of gang violence in Haiti and for grieving families…

  • For those struggling to afford or access healthcare…

  • For safety and advocacy for those without stable housing…

  • For those affected by earthquakes in California and Nevada, and for those affected by brush fires in southwestern California…

  • For continued political stability in South Korea and France, and for the safety of political protesters in the nation of Georgia…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Key Dates and Deadlines for the 2024 Annual Congregation Report
Key Dates and Deadlines for the 2024 Annual Congregation Report

The ELCA is introducing several updates to the Annual Congregation Report process for 2024. Starting in mid-January, congregations will receive a letter with their ID and password but no printed resources; all instructions and materials will be posted online. A new reporting platform will also launch, offering streamlined tools and embedded instructions. Congregations must file 2023 reports by December 20, as the system will shut down afterward.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
From Local Farms to Global Advocacy: ELCA World Hunger’s 50-Year Legacy
From Local Farms to Global Advocacy: ELCA World Hunger’s 50-Year Legacy

Celebrating 50 years of ELCA World Hunger, this milestone highlights the ministry’s global and local impact in fighting hunger and poverty through sustainable solutions, advocacy, and partnerships. Discover inspiring stories and learn how you can join in this life-changing mission in this year-end Living Lutheran article.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Your Church Can Go Solar—and Save Big—with New Federal Incentives
Your Church Can Go Solar—and Save Big—with New Federal Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act opens new opportunities for ELCA congregations to embrace clean energy with rebates of 30% on project costs. Partner with the Mission Investment Fund for financing and guidance to make your vision a reality. Join others in caring for creation while saving money and empowering ministry. Learn more about this faithful opportunity today!

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Mission Investment FundComment
Bishop Eaton Urges Biden Administration: Address the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Bishop Eaton Urges Biden Administration: Address the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

In a December 4 letter to President Biden, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton called for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. She condemned new Israeli laws restricting UNRWA’s operations and emphasized the catastrophic toll on Palestinian lives. Rooted in Lutheran theology, Bishop Eaton urged the U.S. to restore humanitarian aid and uphold human dignity.

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Bishop Eaton, Advocacy, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardIsrael and Palestine, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
Bishop Eaton's Christmas Joy message
Bishop Eaton's Christmas Joy message

In her Christmas message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls our attention to the word “joy” in the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds. “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11). Eaton reminds us that the message of Christmas is joy, not happiness. Happiness is transient and humanmade. But joy given by God is deep and strong and unshakable. Read the message in English or Spanish, and download a video file at bit.ly/3D9ULKc.

“Joy is a sign of the reign of God…Perhaps that is why in the middle of the night, to terrified shepherds, outside of a small town, God chose to send the angels to announce the birth of Jesus. No distraction. No interference. Just the simple, deep, profound gift of true and lasting joy.”

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardBishop Elizabeth Eaton, Bishop Eaton Letters, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment
From Advent to Affordable Housing: Ways Your Congregation Can Do Justice
From Advent to Affordable Housing: Ways Your Congregation Can Do Justice

From new Advent resources and the ELCA Good Gifts catalog to inspiring stories of affordable housing and 50 years of World Hunger ministry, this month’s updates invite us to embody Micah 6:8: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Explore new tools for Advent, creative giving ideas, and stories of resilience in the latest Go and Do news from ELCA World Hunger.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World Hunger, Go and Do Good NewsComment
Native Voices: Stories of Faith and Leadership from the Indigenous Leaders Gathering
Native Voices: Stories of Faith and Leadership from the Indigenous Leaders Gathering

Explore the stories of Andrea Robideau, Me-li Jackson, and Gabriel Wounded Head as they share their journeys of faith and identity in a series of videos from the ELCA. These leaders highlight the importance of community, storytelling, and bridging their Indigenous heritage with their Christian faith.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAmerican Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association, ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal RelationsComment
Faith Lens: What’s Wrong with a Remake?
Faith Lens: What’s Wrong with a Remake?

This Advent, we explore the power of familiar stories to meet us in new ways. John the Baptist’s words in Luke 3 echo Isaiah’s ancient prophecy, connecting the human condition across generations. As we prepare the way for the Lord, we are reminded that faith, like art, is enriched by reinterpretation. What spiritual stories or art sustain you this season?

Reflect on your Advent journey and take the Faith Lens survey to help guide the future of this resource!

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For lasting peace in Gaza, for Syria, and for all nations affected by ongoing warfare or conflict…

  • For political stability in South Korea and in France…

  • For Leonard Peltier and others seeking justice from the U.S. legal system…

  • For the U.S Supreme Court as it hears arguments surrounding transgender healthcare…

  • For the International Court of Justice as it prepares for a case on climate change…

  • In celebration of the renovations to the Notre Dame Cathedral…

  • For retail workers during the holiday season…

  • For those who are grieving during the holiday season…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment