Posts in Bishop Eaton
Bishop Eaton: A Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols
Bishop Eaton: A Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols

As the nation watches another video exposing police violence against a Black man after a traffic stop, there will be great suffering and despair emerging from across the United States. In just over a week we have witnessed mass gun violence in California – twice – and the shooting of a protester at a future police training site in Atlanta.  Each of these tragedies inspires grief, not only for the lives lost and forever altered but also for our loss of confidence in a system that continues to fail us, over and over.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardRacial JusticeComment
Bishop Eaton and Abrahamic Leaders Condemn Anti-Christian Hate in the Holy Land
Bishop Eaton and Abrahamic Leaders Condemn Anti-Christian Hate in the Holy Land

​We stand together as Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in the United States to condemn the recent rise in anti-Christian hate in the Holy Land, including the vandalism of a Protestant cemetery on Jan. 1, and graffiti threatening "Death to Christians" that appeared last week both in and near the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem.

These and other actions taken to erase the presence of Christians in the Holy Land, which would be devastating to us all. May the God of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar comfort our Christian siblings in the place we all believe is holy and give us courage as we speak with one voice against religious bigotry.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Global Church, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy LandComment
Bishop Eaton statement on the ordination of the first female Palestinian pastor in the Holy Land
Bishop Eaton statement on the ordination of the first female Palestinian pastor in the Holy Land

On Sunday the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) will for the first time ordain a woman into pastoral ministry, Sally Azar. I invite you to join in the celebration by watching this short documentary about what women’s ordination means for the ELCJHL, and the livestream of the ordination service, which will begin at 7 a.m. Central time. 

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, News, Global Church, LettersBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Sally AzarComment
Hard and holy work of depolarization
Hard and holy work of depolarization

“When we talk to someone who shares the same Christian faith, but has a different set of political beliefs or convictions, it can be uncomfortable, or frustrating, and sometimes even scary. As members of the ELCA, we believe that we can have different political opinions but be of the same faith,” asserts Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in her November 2, 2022 video addressing Christian Nationalism. 

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment
The Christmas Story, read by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
The Christmas Story, read by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reads the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. Merry Christmas and a blessed Advent! This is a season of preparation. As we prepare for family gatherings, homecooked meals, and Christ’s birth, let us take a moment to relax, breathe, and receive the Christmas story. Merry Christmas, dear church!

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Worship ResourcesBrian Flatgard2022 Advent and ChristmasComment
Bishop Eaton: Christians against Christian Nationalism
Bishop Eaton: Christians against Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism identifies human-made governments as lockstep with God’s will and seeks to privilege Christians, typically only white Christians. This type of ideology is not only dangerous but distorts the difference between holding government accountable to God as opposed to identified strictly with God’s will. We must stand against Christian Nationalism and as that you join us in signing the petition and sharing your stance by visiting the Christians Against Christian Nationalism site.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, News, LettersBrian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Church and Society Comments
New ELCA resources to support our ministries in a multi-religious world
New ELCA resources to support our ministries in a multi-religious world

"ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World" provides general guidance for occasions when Christians and people of other religions come together. Included are recommendations for prayer services, crisis and tragedy response, social ministries, pastoral care, weddings and funerals.

"Preaching and Teaching with Love and Respect for the Jewish People" explores challenging topics, lectionary selections, and Bible passages to inform Christian preaching and teaching so that they respect the integrity of the Jewish tradition and avoid anti-Jewish interpretations of New Testament texts.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, News, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment