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.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreTo all of you — lay leaders, rostered ministers, prayer partners — thank you for your commitment to the synod's work, which forms part of God's redeeming activity in our world. It continues to be my privilege to serve alongside you as the bishop of this synod. As we move forward, let us remain bold in our faith, trusting in God's guidance and love.
Read MorePresiding 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.”
Read MoreThe Synod Assembly is an essential occasion for us to come together, not just as individuals or separate congregations, but as the body of Christ. Our gathering is a time to reconnect, to learn from one another, to share our struggles and triumphs, and to discern the path forward in unity and faith. It is during these meetings that we are reminded that we are not alone, but part of a larger, dynamic community of believers, bound together by our common faith and mission.
Read MoreIn 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.”
Read MoreWe are the Grand Canyon Synod, our namesake formed by the waters of the Colorado River. As citizens of the Southwest commemorating Earth Day 2023, we are keenly aware of the preciousness of water and the need to preserve this life-giving resource.
Read More“[Science] is glimpsing God’s mind and being in awe of it.” —Francis Collins, to the Templeton Foundation
Read MoreIn an Easter Message for the Lutheran World Federation, Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke, professor and President of the Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, reflects on the familiar, yet “earthshaking news” that Christ is Risen! Read in this post, in multiple languages on the LWF site, or in this PDF.
Read More“What is it that makes Good Friday good? [...] Christ’s self-giving calls the church to avoid turning inward and instead sacrifice itself for the good of others. Indeed, the church lives not for itself, but for the world.”
Good Friday message by Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu Dibisa, President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, and LWF Executive Committee member.
Read MoreBlessings as we enter holy week! Many of you have journeyed with ELCA World Hunger through Lent as we have reflected on the Psalms and what meaning that vast collection of hymns, poems, laments and prayers might have for hunger ministry today. As the season comes to a close, thank you for being part of the 40 Days of Giving!
Read MoreThis post, “Dear ELCA, We Must Speak and Act for Trans Lives,” by Jamie Bruesehoff, is reprinted in full by permission of the author, originally posted to the author’s blog on March 27, 2023.
Read MoreWe’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.
Read MoreAs we move through our Lenten journey into Holy Week, I find myself thinking of the theme of our spring gatherings: From Worry to Wonder.
The journey of the church involves becoming something new, not returning to the past. The path forward is to move together, exploring worries and shifting from a posture of worry to a posture of wonder.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreI’ve always wanted to be a pastor. When I was 15 years old and visited a classmate’s church, I saw with my own eyes that a grown-up girl could be a pastor. The church had me at “hello.”
My parents, on the other hand, were not so inclined. I remember my father telling me, “The best way to help poor people is to not become one of them. Be an attorney. Make some money.”
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn the last few months, I have had the privilege of traveling to various border regions around the world. These visits have left a deep impression on me, as I have seen firsthand the harm caused by physical walls and checkpoints. And now as we go through our Lenten journey, I am also reminded of the emotional and spiritual walls that exist within us.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreFor many months we have seen an alarming spike in anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim and white supremacist hate. It has been reported that extremist groups are planning a national "Day of Hate" tomorrow, targeting Jews. This evening, as the sun sets and Shabbat begins, our Jewish neighbors are living in fear.
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors and to be peacemakers.
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