I’ve lived in both cities and in the country–and in a few different states. There are commonalities among people everywhere I’ve lived. Most people want the best for themselves, their families, and the world. But we disagree on what that looks like and how we can bring it about.
Read MoreI am in awe of the Muslim women involved in protests surrounding the wearing of the hijab. They are heroes who are showing strength and resilience in the midst of persistent pushback.
One of the things that has struck me is that there is no one, universal stance. Women are asking for the power to choose how to live out their faith. There are women in Iran who refuse to be forced to wear a hijab. And at the same time there are women in India who wear their hijabs despite being banned from doing so.
Read MoreSometimes we experience a tension in life. We want to see ourselves in a position of superiority, thinking of ourselves as better than “other kinds of people”. But we also feel a pull toward humility and a stance of shared humanity with all people. Resentment may come into play. We are tempted to dehumanize those we resent, maybe even punish them.
Read MoreI keep thinking about the people’s determination in the Ukraine. It has been nearly eight months since the invasion began. Ukraine’s population is forty-four million compared to Russia’s one hundred forty-four million. This giant has attacked them, and it has not been as easy as Russia had hoped. What makes the Ukrainians continue to resist?
Read MoreMany physical places serve as a transition between two other spaces. In locations where outdoor temperatures can be frigid, some homes have a vestibule, which is an enclosed entryway that serves as a buffer between the warm interior and the cold exterior. Architects and other designers will often refer to transitional zones as “liminal spaces,” which means being at the threshold of something new but not quite there yet.
Read More"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.
Read MoreJohn Stewart is an actor, comedian, and talk show host. He is probably most famous for hosting The Daily Show, a comedy news show, for many years. Stewart is also a well known advocate for 9/11 first responders and the military.
Read MoreRight before today’s assigned Gospel reading, Jesus clearly says “you cannot serve God and wealth” (Luke 16:13, NRSV). And in the following verse, the Gospel of Luke tells us that the Pharisees, “who were lovers of money” were upset and “they ridiculed him” (Luke 16:14, NRSV).
And then in this morning’s pericope, Jesus offers this parable about a chasm—the chasm between the rich man and Lazarus. This is the chasm between those who have a hard time seeing past themselves and those who go unseen, the chasm between the lovers of money and those who lose their lives as a result.
Read MoreELCA Worship shares their September, 2022 newsletter, including:
Readings for the Assembly (Emended) is available for provisional use
Upcoming ALCM Webinar, “Tried and True—With a Twist!”: Friday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. Eastern time
Music that Makes Community: Advent Planning workshop and other events and resources
Journey to Baptismal Living: North American Association for the Catechumenate
Mackenzie Scott, novelist and former wife to Jeff Bezos, both of Amazon fame, is increasing her reputation for generosity with a significant donation to the California Community Foundation. This week she donated two mansions in Beverly Hills estimated at worth around $55 million. The foundation announced that 90% of the proceeds will go toward providing grants for affordable housing. The remaining 10% is slated to be used for programs for integration of immigrants.
Read MoreA common human experience human is to lose something. Losing something can be very frustrating and produce a lot of stress, especially when you’re in a hurry or it’s a really important item. There are many reasons for why this happens; more often than not, we find the things we’ve lost when least expect it.
But did you also know that it is common for people to “freak out” when they are the thing that is lost?
Read MoreWe share the ELCA Worship Newsletter for August, 2022, which includes "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday Worship Resources for Sept. 11 and Language for God: A Lutheran Perspective by Mary J. Streufert, which explores the ways language and images influence who we are and how we live.
Read MoreBishop Patricia Davenport’s sermon, Friday, 8/12/2022, at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreHoly Communion, Friday, 8/12/2022, at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreRev. Benjamin Stewart’s sermon, Thursday, 8/11/2022 at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreMorning Prayer service, Thursday, 8/11/2022 at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreRev. Joann Conroy’s sermon at the Wednesday, 8/10/2022 worship service at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreGrand Canyon Synod’s Wanda Frenchman assists Rev. Guy Erwin and Rev. Joann Conroy in this Wednesday, 8/10/2022 worship service at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreEmbodied Movement from Rev. Jenny Sung at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Read MoreA reflection from Sawyer J. Vanden Heuvel at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
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