On March 25, 2022, we commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, declared by the United Nations in 2007. As we remember the victims of what has been called the “the worst violation of human rights in history,” Bishop Eaton calls us to “learn more about the inhumane history of the transatlantic slave trade and examine the paths that will lead us towards racial healing and justice.”
Read MoreIn her March column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that “over and over again humankind has betrayed the hope God has for us.” She suggests that this is a “time for a reset.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/361wmXp and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3wgluj2.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares some of the ways the ELCA, Lutheran Disaster Response and our partners in ministry are responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe by providing support for refugees and internally displaced people. Please keep our companions in your prayers during these turbulent times. God of life, give us your peace.
Read More“I am appointing a listening panel of three people to review the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana, particularly on December 12, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to make recommendations to me.” Read more in English and Spanish in this post.
Read MoreBishop Eaton provides a prayer as we enter Lent, and invites us to explore Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent and ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving at ELCA.org/40Days.
Read MoreThough we have been anxious about the recent growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and between Russia and the NATO countries in recent weeks, we remain deeply concerned, as we have been since 2014, for the impact of this ongoing conflict on innocent civilians throughout Ukraine.
All our religious traditions call us to pray and work for peace. We join our voices and hands together. We must open our eyes to those who are suffering, and we cannot remain indifferent to the injustice this conflict has brought on the people of Ukraine and may bring on people of neighboring countries.
Read MoreBishop Eaton shares Martin Luther’s last words in her latest video, showing how God’s strength is made more perfect in weakness.
Read MoreIn honor of Black History Month we celebrate the historic ministry and contributions of all members of the ELCA African Descent community who make up the American Lutheran tradition.
Read MoreIt’s game time! The Big Game Challenge has kicked off, and our church is racing toward the goal of ending hunger! While you are cheering on your team and celebrating with family and friends— let’s help tackle hunger together!
From kickoff to the final whistle, Team Cincinnati and Team Los Angeles will seek to outdo one another for the sake of the gospel. The fans that donate the most through their team page to ELCA World Hunger by midnight Central time on February 13th will help their synod take home the title of ELCA World Hunger Champion.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton speaks to youth and their leaders about the cancellation of the 2022 Youth Gathering. As we grieve this disappointment, we cling to the assurance of a God who gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine through the boundless grace of Christ.
Read MoreAs we witness an increase in anti-Semitic actions in this country and around the world, Bishop Eaton reminds us of the words from A Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community.
“We recognize in anti-Semitism a contradiction and an affront to the Gospel, a violation of our hope and calling, and we pledge this church to oppose the deadly working of such bigotry, both within our own circles and in the society around us.”
Read MoreI watch with grave concern as tensions continue between Russia and Ukraine, and I fervently pray that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will be reached. I affirm the statement of the Lutheran World Federation's general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt: "We urge all parties to de-escalate the situation and work for peace and stability. A peaceful solution must be found."
Read MoreDuring this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Bishop Eaton says “more than ever we need to have some kind of witness of the unity and the love that come from Christ…during this week it gives us the possibility to be a witness to the unity, to the beloved community, to the peace and wholeness that everyone knows in God.”
Read MoreThe Hunger Leaders Network meeting on Tuesday, January 25 at 6pm MST will feature a special guest speaker: The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Eaton will pop in to the virtual meeting for 5-10 minutes to bring greetings and share updates from the ELCA churchwide. More info: January 2022 Agenda, Join Hunger Leaders Network, Join Zoom meeting.
Read MoreIn observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Bishop Eaton says acknowledging that we have a long way to go to dismantle structural and institutional racism, “we are actively wrestling with the ways the sin of racism shows up in our lives together as a church. We also know that grace gives us the freedom to face our sin.”
Read MoreIn her December column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that the cross is the true gift of Christmas: “All of our Christmas glorias are realized in Jesus’ glorification on the cross. We have peace. We have hope. We are loved. And not just at Christmas.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3suio95 and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/32hG0mz.
Read MoreJoin us as Bishop Eaton discusses her family’s nativity scene traditions and offers a prayer for your family’s nativity scenes.
Read MoreThis is our second pandemic Christmas and there's so much that's broken in this world, so much that tells us, “Why have hope? Just give up.” But we have a hope that's stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read MoreFeeling stressed? Stressful times often lead to unkind words and actions toward one another. Bishop Eaton reminds us to consider Luther’s explanation to the 8th commandment: We are to fear and love God so that we don’t tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them or destroy their reputation. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.
Read MoreEighty years ago, on a beautiful Sunday morning, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was tragically transformed from an island paradise into a bloody battlefield. After the Japanese bombed the U.S. Navy, war was declared and tragedy ensued. During times like these, the Lutheran church has always trusted our chaplains to bring a ministry of Word and Sacrament — to remind people that, no matter how difficult the circumstances, there is always a way toward peace.
Read More
