Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains Stephen Leaders—the pastors, church staff, and lay leaders who begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregation: stephenministries.org/bridge.
Read MoreNew resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation this Advent season. You will be getting a sample pack of these resources in the mail very soon and will be able to order or download free versions at ELCA.org/hungeradvent.
Read MoreWe are blessed in the Grand Canyon Synod with several individuals who are certified ELCA Coaches and are willing and ready to help you. If coaching is something that appeals to you, feel free to contact the Grand Canyon Synod Coach Coordinator, Pr. Phil Gustafson: pngustafson01@gmail.com or 413-636-4656
Read MoreThe non-profit Music that Makes Community offers creative online events that offer worship resources, leadership tools, and spaces of connection and support: Virtual Practice Groups, “Composing Ourselves,” and the annual Advent Worship Webinar will be held Oct. 6, 2021, with a special focus on hybrid worship experiences for the season.
Read MoreThe stories about the evacuation of American citizens and allies from Afghanistan have been heart wrenching. My feeling of helplessness drove me to discover signs of hope. As Mister Rogers invites us to do in a crisis, I felt compelled to “look for the helpers.”
Read MoreRead the latest from Administration Matters, a bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders about day to day operations and management in church settings.
Read MoreTom Cunniff, General Counsel with the ELCA, shares a a resource on items for congregations to consider when evaluating their relationship with the Boy Scouts of America. It can be found as a PDF on elca.org or in this post.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA has many free Bible study resources available, both online and in physical books and videos. Simply pay the postage and they’re yours! View their resources page for more info and contact info. A list is in this post as well.
Read MoreVisit gcsynod.org/grants to get more info and apply for over $200,000 available in Project Support Grants, and Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants. Submit applications by 10/15/2021.
You can also view our Q&A webinar and resources in this blog post.
Read MoreThe 2021-2022 Stories of Faith in Action resources are available at ELCA.org/SOFIA. Dive into the latest issue, which is now available in its digital edition or print edition, and includes:
A special message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
Nine inspiring stories from around the country and the world.
Your 2020 financial report on Mission Support — the portion of your offering your congregation shares with your synod, and your synod shares with the churchwide organization.
A story-based devotional for use at Bible studies or committee meetings.
It’s becoming increasingly apparent to civic leaders across America that many churches are shrinking and that their buildings are suffering from deferred maintenance. A new resource has been published that presents community-minded options and alternatives that can help you retain the civic value of sacred places even if they change use or ownership.
Transitioning Older and Historic Sacred Places is available in digital and print versions at sacredplaces.org/transitionguide.
Read MoreApplications are now being accepted for 2021 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants!
Hunger Education and Networking Grants are one of the ways ELCA World Hunger accompanies congregations, synods, organizations, partners and local teams throughout the US and the Caribbean.
Read MoreEvery year states receive lost and unclaimed money, property or other assets, and MissingMoney.com helps them find the rightful owners.
Start your free search-and-claim process here, for example with keywords “Lutheran Church.” It’s the only site endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Read MoreIn September, Living Lutheran is looking at some of the topics that may be hard to handle and how we engage with those we disagree with They start with one of our newest synod bishops, Megan Rohrer of the Sierra Pacific Synod, who says regarding the difficult topics they encounter, “All I have to do in the conversation is to be faithful.”
Read MoreGuy J. Consolmagno SJ, director of Vatican Observatory, presents “Your God Is Too Small,” a CASIRAS/LSTC Zoom webinar. Friday, 10/1/2021 • 3 pm MST/PDT. Register for this free event at bit.ly/3mMePZ9.
Read MoreThe Christian answer to the question “What shall I do with my life,” asserts Dorothy C. Bass, is vocation. In other words: “Respond to God’s call.”
This article from Living Lutheran provides great resources, insights into Martin Luther’s view of vocation, and the insight that “congregations are wonderful little laboratories of vocation.”
Read MoreThe Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center hosted a live stream conversation and informational workshop about Live Streaming in a Church! Special guest, Derek Nance, walked viewers through the 4 steps of live streaming, gave tangible tips for best practices and provided ideas of ways to boost your live stream equipment and experience.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod Grant application submission window opens Monday, September 13, 2021. Learn more and apply at gcsynod.org/grants.
In case you missed our grant application webinar, presentation slides are available in PowerPoint or PDF, and in this post. View the webinar video here with passcode peP0ACb=
Read MoreLeaders and congregations that are financially well experience greater health and vitality overall and are better able to carry out the Great Commission — making disciples for Jesus Christ. For many rostered ministers, financial stress caused by a lack of retirement savings is a barrier to effectiveness and satisfaction in ministry. Learn more about the Readiness for Retirement program.
Read MoreThe Southeastern Synod invites you to a free preaching workshop on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 6-9 am MST/PDT, to cover the lectionary texts for all Sundays in October 2021 (10/3-10/31).
The workshop is led by The Rev. Dr. Gordon Lathrop, a pastor of the ELCA and a retired professor of liturgy who has taught at two different seminaries of the ELCA, Yale Divinity School, and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Register here.
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