Join ELCA coaching on May 22 for a transformative Zoom session on lament with Rev. Brenda Smith and Deacon Tammy Devine, part of the ELCA Coaching's Courageous Leadership series. Explore personal and corporate lament and learn how to integrate it into your ministry. Discover how faith communities can lead in promoting care and respect amidst societal challenges. Register now to participate in this enriching conversation.
Read MoreWorship Resources for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine (June 17) (PDF and Word formats) and Juneteenth (June 19) resources
All Creation Sings resources for Day of Pentecost, Holy Trinity, and summer
Additional product and resource suggestions from the publishing ministry of the ELCA are available on the ELCA Worship blog.
The May, 2024 issue of Seeds Monthly highlights Living Lutheran’s insightful interview with Michael Osterholm, a Lutheran epidemiologist, discussing his public health journey and faith. The Spanish-language study guide for Faith, Sexism, and Justice is now available, offering flexible sessions for discussions on gender justice. Join the Generation Zero-Hunger fundraising challenge at the ELCA Youth Gathering to double your impact in ending hunger. Plan your legacy with the ELCA Foundation to support the church's mission. Mark your calendars for key events and opportunities within the ELCA, including the ecoAmerica survey and the Domestic Hunger Grants deadline.
Read MoreIssue 93 of Administration Matters, the bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders features:
Billions of federal dollars available for churches and nonprofits to go green.
The warning signs of a mental health issue and ELCA mental health benefits and support programs.
As Pentecost approaches, our community is called to reflect on the Holy Spirit's lessons of unity and inclusion. Inspired by scriptural insights and recent ministry experiences at the US-Mexico border, we are encouraged to view every human being as part of God’s diverse family. Join us in embracing the Spirit's power to transcend all barriers, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate community. Let's celebrate this Pentecost by welcoming all, just as the Spirit does.
Read MoreFor justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan…
For all people who must leave their homes to preserve their safety, especially in Rafah…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…
For the people, plants, and animals harmed by flooding in Afghanistan…
For safety, good government, and an end to violence in Burkina Faso in the midst of civilian killings and media banning…
For aid workers in every place whose work risks harm and danger, especially for workers at the UNRWA in East Jerusalem after arson damage…
For the family of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, and for the community of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as they grieve his loss and process their anger after a police shooting…
For US high schools, colleges, and universities in their graduation ceremonies, and for all who are graduating…
For the people, plants, and animals affected by wildfires in Canada, and for all firefighters…
Applications for ELCA World Hunger’s 2025 Domestic Hunger Grants are open! To learn more about submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), grant partnership eligibility, and our granting priorities, please visit our Domestic Hunger Grants website.
Read MoreThe ELCA Advocacy's latest updates highlight new initiatives and resources to enhance Lutheran participation in the 2024 elections. From a six-session online series exploring Lutheran civic duties to practical training for poll monitors, these opportunities aim to deepen our engagement and understanding of political processes.
Personal experiences from poll monitors and greeters, like Solveig Muus and Autumn Byars from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, offer insights into the practical aspects of ensuring fair and accessible voting processes.
Read MoreThis summer offers a vibrant array of musical and worship events lined up for our community. Highlights include the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival for aspiring young musicians, the ALCM’s "Ponder Anew" conference at Valparaiso University, and the Calvin Institute's worship grants. Additionally, Music that Makes Community offers several workshops and community sings, and Augsburg Fortress presents resources for graduates and college students. Read the full article from ELCA Worship at ELCA.org.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the profound changes emerging from the recently concluded United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. After being postponed since 2020, the conference highlighted the UMC's adoption of significant measures including the lifting of a 40-year ban on the ordination of practicing homosexual clergy, and the expansion of marriage definitions to include same-sex couples.
Bishop Eaton underscores the ELCA's joy and gratitude for 15 years of full communion with the UMC, celebrating the shared commitment to inclusivity and unity in Christian teaching.
Read MoreThe Rev. Bryan J. Penham, Conshohocken, Pa., was elected May 4 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 3-4 at Franconia Mennonite Church in Telford, Pa.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Conshohocken since 2013 and also as co-director for evangelical mission in the synod since 2022.
Read MoreThe Rev. Jen Nagel, Minneapolis, Minn., was elected May 4 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod. The election took place during the synod assembly, May 2-4 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey, Minn.
The bishop-elect has served as lead pastor of University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis since 2015. Previously she served as pastor of Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis (2003 to 2015) and as a teaching staff coordinator at Holden Village, Chelan, Wash. (2011).
Read MoreThis month the May 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo follows the journey of Parkside Lutheran Church, nestled in North Buffalo, NY, where over the last six years they have been experimenting, risking, and building connections to show "God's doors are open for all" and all are invited to come early and stay late! Plus join us Monday, May 20th for a fabulous webinar on "STORY MATTERS" from Rev. Heather Roth-Johnson, a storyteller, a public speaker, a workshop leader, a writer and in general just a creative soul. We also share our gratitude for all the staff and volunteers who work so hard to plan and execute synod assemblies. Read the memo here!
Read MoreIn May, we celebrate National AAPI Heritage Month. The Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries of the ELCA, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Area Synod, the St. Paul Area Synod, and their API leaders will be hosting a 4-person panel on Thursday, May 23 at 7pm to discuss the joys and challenges of being API. The panel will be live streamed on zoom and you can log on by clicking here.
For more information on ELCA API Ministries, visit: Asian and Pacific Islander – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)and Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the ELCA
Read MoreFor justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…
For a ceasefire in Gaza, for hostages to be freed, and for all who are engaging in diplomacy to bring this about…
For all people who must leave their homes to preserve their safety, especially in Rafah…
For safety and sensitivity in the midst of campus protests…
For the people, plants, and animals harmed by flooding in South Texas and Kenya…
For those affected by tornadoes in Oklahoma and Michigan…
For victims of an apartment building collapse in southern South Africa, and for continued recovery efforts…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…
For the United Methodist Church as they step into a future that embraces the gifts and leadership of LGBTQ+ clergy…
For those in our country without access to healthcare, and for those who must travel to get the care they need…
Rev. Susan J. Briner was reelected as bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod during the synod assembly in Corpus Christi, securing another six-year term. With a strong background in both pastoral leadership and academia, Bishop Briner continues to guide the synod with a commitment to service and theological education. Read more at ELCA.org.
Read MoreThe ELCA is actively advocating for the 2024 Farm Bill, urging Congress to pass legislation that provides food security, supports sustainable farming, and promotes inclusivity and environmental stewardship. With the current bill expiring in September 2024, now is a crucial time for action. Engage through the ELCA Action Center, participate in upcoming advocacy webinars, and help shape a Farm Bill that reflects our Lutheran values of care and compassion. Join us in making a difference in our communities and beyond. Read more and learn how @ elca.org.
Read MoreIf you have a preschool aged child in your household, then it’s likely you’ve watched the recently-released episode of Bluey called “The Sign.” In the first week of its release, it was viewed 10.4 million times! Without giving too much away, the episode begins with all of the children in Bluey’s class hearing their teacher, Calypso, read a Taoist parable called “The Farmer.”
Read MoreLiving Lutheran shares a brief article about each of the following Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities, their mission strategies, and related associations:
African descent (African American, Afro Caribbean, African National)
Mindy Makant shares a poignant narrative in Living Lutheran about her son's traumatic car accident and the transformative power of remembering through a theology of the cross. She illustrates how a simple act of kindness—a firefighter giving her son a teddy bear—helped shift his memory of the event from trauma to gratitude, embodying the Lutheran belief that Christ is present in suffering, offering hope and transformation.
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