From Forbes, we share this article. Members of the clergy and other student loan borrowers engaged in religious-oriented work may now qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program after being excluded for over a decade.
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In a culture that says bigger is better, it is subversive to take tiny, lasting steps toward learning and growth. Ellie Roscher, author of 12 Tiny Things, will guide you through curating and cultivating your own tiny things practice. Friday, 1/28/2022 - Sunday, 1/30/2022 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.
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Each year the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) publishes a Devotional Guide. View/download as PDF here.
The weekly devotions follow the lectionary beginning in August. The devotions are for professional educators, pastors, and ALL who work with children and youth and their families in any capacity.
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Anita Fete Crews, Director of Blessed Tomorrow, shares this letter, which includes recently released action sheets.
The Spirited Book Club discusses Kurt Struckmeyer's radical 'way' of Jesus in A Conspiracy of Love: Following Jesus in a Postmodern World. Thursday, 8/19/2021, 2 pm. Register at the bottom of our calendar listing.
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All Creation Sings includes several short songs that can be taught “paperlessly,” that is, singing together without printed or projected words or music for worship.
This kind of singing is often ideal for small retreats or outdoor settings in addition to weekly worship. This post guides you to several audio-video resources.
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At our assembly in June, Pastors Karn Carroll and Jacqui Pagel led the assembly in break-out sessions. In this post, we’ve compiled attendee’s answers to three questions posed:
Think for a moment about someone who might be new, young, or diverse to your congregation, then share with your breakout group, one new idea you could do to welcome them.
Discuss with your group about one new relevant issue your congregation should address and how?
Name one thing that we might connect with: school, business, community.
Every year, churches incur significant losses due to vandalism. Vandals often act impulsively. In other cases, vandals are seeking an easy target for their mischief, such as a building often empty at night. Read the article from Church Pension Group.
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Through advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy, but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School.
The first session will take place on August 11, 2021. Sign up for one session or all five. Each virtual session will include a 30-minute virtual presentation followed by an optional question & answer session for 15 minutes.
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From time to time, restricted gift purposes cannot be fulfilled as expected. When this occurs, charitable organizations should take all proper steps to repurpose or amend restricted gifts. View this PDF from ELCA.
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Your worship center is an invaluable property, monetarily and spiritually, and its protection and upkeep are an important obligation. View this PDF from Church Mutual for more info.
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Would you like to learn more about reaching people through your website? Tithe.ly will host a webinar on the subject on July 27 at 11am MST/PDT. Register here.
Tithe.ly, an ELCA preferred vendor, offers a family of digital tools—including easy-to-use websites—to help increase giving, manage congregational membership data and engage members, with special pricing for ELCA congregations.
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It is important to know which records and information a congregation should keep and which can be tossed. Some records need to be maintained permanently, whereas others can be discarded periodically. View the PDF from ELCA here.
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At this time of year, many organizations are reviewing their budgets — and the price of their benefits. Watch this short video conversation between an ELCA pastor and the president of Portico Benefits to understand how Portico’s approach to pricing supports the ELCA’s national community of congregations ‒ financially and biblically.
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Join the ELCA Growing Younger “Train The Trainer” Virtual Gathering, August 11-12, 2021, 9am-3:30 pm MST/PDT. Leaders will learn to increase the number of youth and young adults involved in the life and leadership of the church.
Synodical leadership is invited: Bishops, Assistants to the Bishops, Youth and Young Adult leaders, Evangelism, SYMBOL, DEM’s and others. Register here by 8/1/2020 and contact Pastor Jacqui Pagel for questions and if you plan to attend. View this post or this PDF for more info.
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The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments provides a comprehensive update to the guidance originally published in the summer of 2020. View/download the Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic PDF document.
The consultation included an ecumenical group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors, bishops, and practitioners from at least seven church bodies.
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As you explore opportunities to participate in our dedicated day of service, visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for helpful planning resources: Planning toolkit, “Service in the Time of COVID-19”, posters, postcards and social media graphics, promotional items, videos, special hymn text, music and recording.
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The latest version of the The Official Gathering Handbook: Tips & Tricks for Adult Leaders, a resource filled with helpful resources and guidance for having an amazing Gathering experience.
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The Diakonia Program, in connection with the Grand Canyon Synod, has recently developed an Advanced Classes Task Force. This task force is devoted to creating and offering high quality training for lay persons, beyond the regular two-year Diakonia Program.
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A collection of resources is available at elca.org/emanuelnine to help synods and congregations mark the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation or individual reflection and devotion. Synods and congregations are encouraged to mark this commemoration locally.
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