Posts in ELCA
R. Guy Erwin: On being Osage, Lutheran and gay
R. Guy Erwin: On being Osage, Lutheran and gay

For many years, I gave little thought to the complexity of my being Osage, Lutheran and gay. Growing up in the Osage nation and learning about my Osage ancestors, history and customs; following my path to self-acceptance as a gay man; embracing the Lutheran Christian faith—these seemed to be three quite different aspects of my story. And though they overlapped chronologically, they didn’t always connect.

Now, after years of reflection and with more experience interpreting my own story, I have begun to understand how all this made me who I am.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardAmerican Indian and Alaska Native, LGBTQIA+, Living Lutheran Comment
Pastoral Guidelines for Inter-Religious Observances of 9/11
Pastoral Guidelines for Inter-Religious Observances of 9/11

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. That day holds great significance for people in different ways including the families of those who died in the attacks and in rescue efforts; those killed because of the resulting military conflicts; and those who are/were subsequently targeted because of their religious or cultural identity.

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ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Worship ResourcesComment
Ministry with—not for—youth
Ministry with—not for—youth

Elizabeth W. Corrie’s Youth Ministry As Peace Education: Overcoming Silence, Transforming Violence (Fortress Press, 2021) is a rare work, especially in the field of youth ministry (or, in keeping with the book’s message, “ministry with youth”). Incorporating pop culture as well as theological and historical images, Corrie’s approach is both theoretical, stimulating the mind, and eminently practical, offering ideas that can be implemented immediately.

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ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Youth and Young AdultComment
Bishop Eaton: The Life He Promises Will Prevail
Bishop Eaton: The Life He Promises Will Prevail

In her August column in Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “This is the faith which declares that through pandemics, droughts, floods, famines, deadly bigotry, war, all the death-dealing things in nature and the human heart, life—the abundant life that Jesus promises—will prevail. Plant something in the summer.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3CGLepk and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3iDH4qd.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardBishop Elizabeth Eaton, CoronavirusComment
Earthquake relief in Haiti
Earthquake relief in Haiti

For over two decades, the ELCA has been present in southern Haiti. Lutheran Disaster Response is working in those communities to meet relief needs. In this post we share a letter from The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director of ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Fund.

For many Haitians, their only source of aid throughout their lives has been the church. After the earthquake, presidential assassination and storms, many of those churches are in ruins, as we learn in this article and podcast from the New York Times.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardLutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World HungerComment
In Memoriam: ELCA Vice President William “Bill” Horne
In Memoriam: ELCA Vice President William “Bill” Horne

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote to the church, “With much sadness and shock I share with you the news of the sudden passing of Bill Horne, my friend and Vice President of the ELCA. He died Saturday afternoon of a suspected heart attack, according to the city press release. Please join me in praying for his wife Loretta and the rest of his family during this difficult time. We will always remember Bill as a faithful servant of God.”

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ELCA, In Memoriam, PrayersBrian Flatgard Comment
Hunger Policy Podcast: International Aid
Hunger Policy Podcast: International Aid

In this episode of ELCA World Hunger’s Hunger Policy Podcast, Patricia Kisare, international policy advisor for the ELCA, and Kaari Reierson, the ELCA’s associate for corporate social responsibility, join Ryan Cumming, the program director for hunger education, to break down some of the myths and realities about US aid and the church’s witness when it comes to this part of the federal budget.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Bishop Eaton: The will to get going
Bishop Eaton: The will to get going

Especially as temperatures and wildfires are soaring all over the country, it is clear that our climate crisis is reaching a tipping point. Our Christian call and vocation include caring for creation, and Bishop Eaton encourages us to find ways to be part of the solution to this dire situation. Start with a read or re-read of the ELCA Social Statement, Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardBishop Elizabeth Eaton, Climate ChangeComment
Lutherans Restoring Creation advocates for greenhouse gas reduction
Lutherans Restoring Creation advocates for greenhouse gas reduction

Join the discussion on the next Connections Call sponsored by Lutherans Restoring Creation, which will advocate for the reduction of greenhouse gases for the health of all. Tuesday, 8/17/2021, 5 pm MST/PDT.

Join them as they discuss the development of a Sample Memorial to go to Churchwide Assembly 2022 asking our ELCA Advocacy office to specifically advocate that government leaders and public servants prioritize a reduction of greenhouse gases by 50% no later than 2030. More info here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
Teaching Helps for “Short Songs” in All Creation Sings
Teaching Helps for “Short Songs” in All Creation Sings

All Creation Sings includes several short songs that can be taught “paperlessly,” that is, singing together without printed or projected words or music for worship.

This kind of singing is often ideal for small retreats or outdoor settings in addition to weekly worship. This post guides you to several audio-video resources.

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ELCA, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, All Creation Sings, Augsburg Fortress, Worship ResourcesComment
Bishop Eaton invites us to "God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
Bishop Eaton invites us to "God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

Bishop Eaton invites your congregation to join this annual day of service and celebrate who we are as the ELCA ― one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. Learn more and plan your day at ELCA.org/DayofService.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardBishop Elizabeth Eaton, God's Work Our Hands SundayComment