As some congregations face the difficult decision to close, new opportunities for community and ministry emerge. This article in Living Lutheran explores the emotional and practical aspects of church closures and highlights how congregations can offer support to new members during these transitions. By honoring the past and welcoming the future, both closing and receiving congregations can continue to share God’s love with the world.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is actively working to bring hope and healing to communities impacted by disasters worldwide. In the latest edition of Thrive, discover how your support has made a difference—from aiding wildfire recovery in Maui to providing care for people with disabilities in the West Bank. Read more and learn how your generosity continues to change lives. Read Thrive 2024.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy harnesses the power of faith to influence public policy, working on behalf of biblical values like peacemaking, care for creation, and justice for the poor.
Read MoreFor José David Rodríguez, what began as a doctoral dissertation is now the first academic history of the Lutheran church by a Puerto Rican.
Rodríguez’s new book, Caribbean Lutherans: The History of the Church in Puerto Rico (Fortress Press, 2024), first took shape through a Ph.D. program in the Department of History at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. An ELCA pastor and professor, Rodríguez had long hoped to put together a history of how the Lutheran mission in Puerto Rico began and evolved. But when he visited the Archivo General de Puerto Rico (General Archive of Puerto Rico) to begin his research, he found no information. Read the full story in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreExplore how Jesus’ encounter with the Syrophoenician woman reveals His human struggles and divine grace. Discover lessons on faith, persistence, and the power of change in this week’s Faith Lens.
Read MoreIn honor of International Day for People of African Descent, which is observed internationally on August 31 each year, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited ELCA Director for Innovation and Ideas Rahel Mwitula Williams to share some thoughts about being a person of African descent. For more information on International Day for People of African Descent, visit International Day for People of African Descent – EN | United Nations. Read the full post on the ELCA blog.
Read MoreJoin the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. September's focus is Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions. Click here to join this Sunday’s webinar.
September 10 New Date! Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:00pm.: Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.
The ELCA invites members to engage with a draft social statement on civic life and faith, reflecting our relationship with government as individuals and a church body. This statement, currently under review, offers guidance on church teaching and policies, serving as a vital tool for discernment on civic issues. Members can contribute feedback through an online survey or synod hearings until September 30, 2024. Post-feedback, the statement will be considered for official adoption at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, potentially shaping the church's stance on civic engagement.
Read MoreThe ELCA has released a comprehensive set of worship resources for the upcoming national elections, including scripture readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions. These materials are designed to support congregations during prayer vigils, weekly worship, or personal devotions. Download the free resource to help guide your community through this important time.
Read MoreTimothy Graham didn’t plan on becoming a bishop. “I knew my name would be lifted up, but I didn’t have any expectations,” said Graham, who serves as a pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Read the original article at Living Lutheran.
Although he knew he was under consideration for bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Graham didn’t fill out his biographical information for this year’s assembly ahead of time. “Well, if the Holy Spirit wants it to happen, [it will],” he thought. “I could not have planned it.”
Read MoreAs this post from ELCA Advocacy reminds us, our civic engagement as people of faith can help ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government. Some congregations use bulletin blurbs, some post a “Prepared to Vote Checklist” in the window from ELCA.org/civicengagementresources, some help neighbors check their voter registration status during church activities or at shelters they work with – among many creative approaches that fit their setting. Resources and ideas for this important non-partisan service by faith communities an election year are reprinted here by permission from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America.
Read MoreFor those experiencing difficult transitions and in need of discernment…
For those experiencing warfare and escalating violence, especially in Gaza, Russia, and Ukraine…
For those affected by the murder-suicide at Rice University…
For those threatened by the path of typhoon Shanshan in Japan…
For those experiencing difficult or extreme weather conditions, such as the Midwest, Hawaii, and Alaska…
For NASA’s efforts to retrieve its two astronauts…
For all who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s military…
What does a team do when they cannot meet in person because the work spans the globe? If you are part of the Service and Justice home area of the ELCA, you hold a weeklong gathering to talk about the evolving landscape of the church, the mission abroad, and themes of love, gratitude and adaptive change. The event featured discussions on the church’s future in the landscape of an ever-increasing secularization in the United States, the continued importance of global work, and the need to embrace new forms of ministry to serve God’s call. Read the original article at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreELCA World Hunger is making strides against global hunger by addressing its root causes in collaboration with global partners. Supporting over 60 countries, this initiative leverages local knowledge and church networks to implement sustainable solutions in healthcare, income generation, and more, demonstrating the power of our collective contributions.
Read MoreThe ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants support transformative projects across the U.S. and Caribbean to combat the root causes of hunger and poverty. This initiative, part of ELCA World Hunger, empowers communities with resources to create sustainable change and ensure food security, reflecting our commitment to justice and Lutheran values of accompaniment and advocacy.
Read MoreEven if you’re not old enough to vote, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about “the growing political divide in America.” Maybe you’ve seen evidence of it yourself on the news, in your church, or even in your own family. It seems like everywhere we turn we can find more and more evidence that people are less and less able to listen to each other, especially about politics. Sometimes it feels like the only thing anyone can agree on is how impossible it would be for us to agree. It can be pretty stressful to watch.
But what if our political divide isn’t as huge or even as real as it seems? A recent article in Time Magazine paints a very different story of our country. It explains that while a small number of people on both political sides are very divided, most average Americans actually agree a lot more than we disagree. Like, a lot more. Their survey discovered what they called “stunning agreement” on almost every single issue they asked about.
Read MoreMany ELCA synods, congregations and ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices are involved in advancing the important aim of addressing polarization in our communities. In a blog post from ELCA Advocacy, these ideas from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America are reprinted by permission to resource additional ways we can individually and collectively reduce polarization and care for our communities.
Read MoreJoin us on September 10 for a special regional conversation with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on “God’s Love Made Real.” This live Zoom event, hosted by Bishop Brenda Bos, will explore how we can embody God’s grace and love in our communities. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Read MoreChristopher (Chris) Johnson has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Portico Benefit Services, a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He will join Portico on Oct. 7.
Johnson brings a proven 30-year track record of scaling businesses for growth, along with extensive leadership experience, an innovative approach and a strong connection to the church, making him uniquely qualified to advance Portico's vision for the future.
Read MoreDiscover the latest updates from ELCA Worship, including highlights from the 2024 Youth Gathering, new hymn suggestions for fall worship, and resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Don’t miss the chance to plan ahead for the 2025 Lutheran Musicians’ Summer Conference. Read the full newsletter for more details and inspiration.
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