Posts in ELCA
How Lutherans engage in difficult conversations

“Things have gotten pretty charged this past year in a lot of different ways in our area,” said Seth Nelson, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan, Mont. “People come charged into most situations—they know what they think and they know how to demonize the other side.”

In a world shaped by 24-hour cable news, social media and misinformation spread online, how can Lutherans cut through the noise and speak to each other with civility, compassion and understanding?

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Bishop Eaton joins other church leaders at White House meeting on pending economic legislation

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other members of the Circle of Protection coalition met Thursday, Sept. 22, 2021, with senior officials at the White House. The Circle of Protection letter, including the full list of signers, can be read here.

Eaton and other heads of Christian denominations and organizations are working together to urge passage of the economic bills the U.S. Congress is considering now, along with voting rights legislation this fall. Thursday's meeting focuses on the family support bill currently being debated in Congress.

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Meet Jamie: ELCA Youth Gathering

“My life changed the day I was told that my son has autism. The journey has been full of ups and downs, but through it all God has been actively working to show us beauty and grace in the autism world. Because of the journey with our son, I am honored to serve as the team leader for the tAble planning team.”

Read Jamie’s letter in this post, and view a tAble Webinar she participates in as well.

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Where all may dwell: Augsburg Lutheran, Winston-Salem, NC

This week’s Story of Faith in Action features the Dwelling, an ELCA faith community designed for, but not exclusive to, people in Winston-Salem who are or have been homeless. Funding comes from partnerships with Augsburg, the North Carolina Synod, the Moravian Church in America and the ELCA churchwide organization.

Read this story in this post, view as a PDF resource, or visit our SOFIA 2021-2022 page for all resources.

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Former US presidents, religious leaders & LIRS launch organization to aid Afghan evacuees

Three former presidents and first ladies have joined with religious leaders, faith-based refugee resettlement agencies (including Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) to support a new national organization with the goal of making it easier to help Afghan evacuees arriving in the United States.

Welcome.US launched 9/14/2021 to provide a single point of entry for Americans to donate to frontline organizations, host arriving families through Airbnb and find other ways to help Afghans as they rebuild their lives in the U.S. after fleeing the Taliban. Read the article from Religion News Service here.

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Breaking the Silence about Suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a month where the fight to end suicide is recognized on a national platform.

Here at the Suicide Prevention Ministry, an Independent Lutheran Organization, suicide prevention is the driving force of our daily work and the focus of our call to love our neighbor, care for the sick, and carry each other’s burdens.

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