This week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton introduces us to some of our Lutheran family from across the globe.
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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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ELCA Advocacy shares its two monthly updates: the UN and State Edition and Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
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In this conversation for the ELCA World Hunger blog, John Johnson, director of domestic policy for the ELCA, joins Ryan Cumming, program director for hunger education with ELCA World Hunger, to talk about the expanded Child Tax Credit, a huge step forward in addressing child poverty in the US this year.
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As children of God, we give thanks for all of the LGBTQIA+ people who experience God's calling to the holy work of parenting. In particular response to the June 17 Supreme Court ruling on Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the ELCA stands with our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ and reaffirms our commitment to equal protection, opportunities and responsibilities under the law (Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, p. 33).
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Bishop Eaton greets us from the Vatican, where, promoting Christian unity, she participated in Lutheran World Federation meetings with the pontifical council and Pope Francis. As we gather in our own congregations, the bishop asks us to remember that we are part of a large Lutheran family and an even larger Christian one.
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We give thanks to God for the presence of Rev. Albert Starr, our visiting churchwide representative. Rev. Starr led our Bible study and gave a churchwide report. We share his presentation files in this post, and you can view his sermon for our worship service here.
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The ELCA has designated June 17 as a day of commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9. On June 17, 2015, nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Bishop Eaton reminds us to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.
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Faithful Steps: A Step-by Step Guide for Congregations Starting to Engage in Racial Justice is a presentation by Brenda Blackhawk, Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice for the Minneapolis Synod to help congregations get started on doing racial justice work.
Join this Zoom event on Tuesday 6/22/2021, 4 pm MST/PDT. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link. Facebook event.
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Being Here is a podcast that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community. Hosted by the Rev. Melissa Pohlman.
Check out three episodes so far: Protecting Yourself from Burnout, Overcoming Compassion Fatigue, and Personal Finances for Faith Professionals.
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Our Learn to Live mental health benefit partner has created these quick half-hour sessions for employers. Learn to recognize the signs of mental distress in others, and how to talk about mental health, create a culture of well-being, and lift the stigma about mental health in the workplace. View PDF.
Register and attend together as a leadership group. Access code: PORTICO.
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Fidelity has partnered with Portico to offer a virtual webinar series – exclusively for ELCA Retirement Plan members – that addresses the question: what does it take to be retirement ready?
Register for and view all the dates in the Retirement Readiness Series here. Sessions from June 21 through July 19, 2021. You’ll need to have your Portico login ready.
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With so many lives in danger, we will continue to honor the Lutheran legacy of generous and compassionate welcome for those who seek refuge in our communities. How would we respond if the refugee on our doorstep were Jesus himself? As Jesus taught, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
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In her June/July column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on what we’ve learned from the Apostle Paul about the deeply spiritual act of stewardship. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3gBIYFR and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3xqt8ER.
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On Wednesday, June 16 at 4:30 p.m. MST/PDT, the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments will host a webinar titled “Leading the Church in a Lingering Pandemic.”
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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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Congratulations on your role to bring a group from your congregation to the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. This is an incredible opportunity for you and all who will be involved. Perhaps you feel excited and/or overwhelmed, wondering where to start, especially if you have never been to the Gathering before.
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With numerous bishop elections, we’re using this page to keep a running list of newly-elected Bishops in the ELCA.
Brenda Bos elected bishop of ELCA Southwest California Synod
Megan Rohrer elected bishop of ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod
Kevin Jones elected bishop of ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod
Paula Schmitt elected bishop of ELCA Allegheny Synod
Timothy Smith reelected bishop of the ELCA North Carolina Synod
Lee Miller II elected bishop of ELCA Upstate New York Synod
Felix Malpica elected bishop of ELCA La Crosse Area Synod
Dee Pederson elected bishop of ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod
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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Giovana Oaxaca, program director for Migration Policy and Mary Campbel, program director for AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) share updates on the current situation and work being done by the ELCA to address change. Learn more and get involved at ELCA.org/AMMPARO.
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