Worship, Music, and Renewal: Partner Resources for Lutheran Leaders

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights events and resources from our Lutheran and ecumenical partners, supporting worship leaders, musicians, and congregations. Below are some exciting opportunities to deepen faith, develop skills, and connect with others in worship ministry.

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (June 22–July 20, 2025, Valparaiso University, Ind.)

The nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school musicians is almost full! There’s still time to apply or nominate a student for a joyful summer of music, worship, and faith development. Students in grades 8-12 participate in ensembles, private lessons, and electives, including conducting, jazz, musical theater, and organ. Act quickly—enrollment is over 80% full! Learn more here.

Music That Makes Community: Singing as a Tool for Healing and Justice

Music That Makes Community offers paperless song-sharing workshops to empower individuals and congregations. Upcoming events include:

• April 5: One-day Workshop & Community Sing (Waco, Texas)

• October 12: Three-day Retreat (Albuquerque, N.M.)

They also host Monday Morning Grounding, a weekly online gathering for song, silence, and reflection. Find more details here.

Institute of Liturgical Studies (April 28–30, 2025, Valparaiso University, Ind.)

How can churches engage those who seek God at life’s pivotal moments—birth, marriage, grief—while religious affiliation declines? This year’s conference, Rites of Passage: Engaging Occasional Practitioners in a Secular Age, will explore how baptisms, weddings, and funerals can be moments of outreach and renewal. There’s still time to register!Sign up today.

ALCM Conference 2025 (August 4–8, 2025, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)

This year’s Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) Conference, themed For all that is to be, is open to musicians at all stages of ministry—volunteers, part-time or full-time leaders, students, and retirees. It also features Hearts • Hands • Voices workshops, offering local skill-building opportunities. Registration is now open! Find details here.

Additional Worship and Music Resources

• Center for Church Music: Watch interviews with prominent Lutheran musicians.

• Journey to Baptismal Living: Updated catechumenal resources for those exploring or renewing faith.

• Hymn Society & Center for Congregational Song: Election Day musical reflections to foster peace amid political tensions.

• Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics: Summer training for church musicians in Columbia, Columbus, Philadelphia, Twin Cities, and Chicago.

For more details and to stay updated on upcoming events, read the full newsletter: https://blogs.elca.org/worship/8843/