Black History Month is February, which means a new season of the “Talks at the Desk” video series. This year, brief clips and highlights from the talks are available, which you can view in this post or on YouTube. We’ll keep this post updated throughout the month.
Read MoreIn the fall of 2021, the ELCA Worship Blog began a weekly series entitled, “Prompts for Prayers of Intercession.” Beginning this Lent, the blog series will be retitled, “For What Shall We Pray?”
This new title honors a more expansive understanding of the purpose of this resource. It is a weekly invitation for individuals, groups, and congregations to remain mindful of the needs of our world, and to lift one another up in prayer.
Read MoreWhat are Lutheran views on civic life?
The ELCA invites you and your congregation to explore this and other questions by using "A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." View a video on this question in this post, along with a PDF guide.
Read MoreWelcome to Episode 3 of Talks at the Desk, season 2. We are again in he U.S. Virgin Islands and visiting several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere.
Read MoreThe ELCA Worship blog has complied a set of Prayer Resources in Time of Earthquakes. Intercession prompts:
For continued relief and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria…
For families and communities experiencing grief, anger, and despair at the tens of thousands of deaths following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria…
For the victims of the shooting at Michigan State, for their loved ones, and for campus ministries that are supporting students…
For all hearts longing to see a day when tools of rage are not seen as more important than the lives they take…
For those who will revel in the unfettered joy of carnival celebrations this week in every corner of our world…
For contrite hearts and hopeful spirits as we end the season of Epiphany and prepare for Lent…
For stability and civility amidst leadership transitions in world governments…
In lament over all lives lost in the past year of war between Russia and Ukraine…
For resolve and power for those fighting for climate justice, especially in another year of Antarctic ice decline…
Dr. Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was a celebrated poet, author, teacher, filmmaker, and civil rights activist, among other roles and accomplishments. When interviewed upon being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, Angelou reflected: “I’m always amazed when people walk up to me and say, “‘I’m a Christian.’ I think, ‘Already? You’ve already got it?’ I’m working at it…”
Read MoreEach year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asks congregations to provide information about their people and activities. This year’s deadline to do so is March 1, 2023.
Find all the resources you need at the ELCA’s Annual Congregation Report page, including FAQs, online Form A & C Parochial Reports as well as ways to update your ELCA Congregational Leadership Directory.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod and the Southeastern Iowa Synod are partner synods. For Lent 2023, the two synods are challenging one another to participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent, raise awareness of hunger issues, and raise some money for ELCA World Hunger.
The synod with the most participants wins! Click here to sign up for the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge. Just signing up counts as participation!
Read MoreBlack History Month started as a week-long celebration in 1926 and has grown to a month-long event. But what does this month mean for us in the ELCA? In this video, Bishop Eaton shares some contributions of a few Black Lutherans around our church.
Read MoreAs part of the latest Stories of Faith in Action, we share a story about the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (view online or as PDF). The ongoing construction of Rwanda’s first Lutheran seminary is sparking excitement among church leaders, but with an important government deadline looming, that excitement has been coupled with anxiety.
View all the Stories of Faith in Action here, and how your offering becomes mission support.
Read MoreHow do Christians address controversial civic issues?
The ELCA invites you and your congregation to explore this and other questions by using "A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." View a video on this question in this post, along with a PDF guide.
Read MoreJoin us next week on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, when we welcome back the "Wonder-twins" Danielle Groth and Rev. Victoria "Vicky" Lovell. We will focus on this verse from Matthew 22:37-39, "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Wednesday at noon MST, 11am PST. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreFor people of Turkey and Syria who grieve death and destruction following a major earthquake, and for all relief and recovery efforts…
For all clergy of color, especially those serving in white contexts and communities…
For continued vigilance, appreciation, and awe for the Black community of the United States during Black History Month…
For all in our nation struggling with rising food costs…
For those watching the Super Bowl today, that they enjoy fun and excitement–or devastation–with friends and family…
For inspiration and strength to show love in deed, word, and acts of art and beauty…
For all experiencing improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health with the lengthening daylight hours…
In thanksgiving for ongoing improvements in the COVID-19 pandemic, while also continued prayers for all affected by the virus…
For world leaders, that they hold their power with humility and care…
The Psalms become our words when we don’t know how or what to pray. They give hope when all we have are sighs. This month, however you’re feeling—at home, work or school—take time to sit with your feelings. Ask your family how they’re feeling, listen to one another and trust that God holds you, no matter how you feel.
Read MoreWelcome to Episode 2 of the series, Talks at the Desk, season 2. We travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands and visit several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere. This episode explores the history and impact of colonialism both past and present.
We meet wise and courageous people of faith who remind us about sacred struggles of the past and the presence of God and ancestors today in the work that remains to be done.
Read MoreWe had an AMAZING response to our most recent opportunity to receive a grant from ELCA Disability Ministries! Our review team will soon begin the process of narrowing down the first 30 applications we received to the top 5 that will receive grants of up to $10,000.
We also wanted to share that the Youth Gathering will waive fees for the first 200 registrants who attend the tAble.
Read MoreGod, our refuge, come to the aid of all in need following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Give strength to those who search and wait, heal the injured, and soothe with your tender care all who cry out in grief. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Read more resources in this post.
Read MoreImagine measuring congregational vitality by how alive people and faith communities feel in their gathering and in their interactions with their neighbors, instead of determining success by counting the number of people attending worship or the number of dollars collected.
That’s what congregations are doing, or learning to do, throughout the ELCA in programs funded through grants awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. Congregations can apply for the Nourishing Vocation Project.
Read MoreIn this post from Lutheran World Relief, find a suite of resources to help you guide your congregation in their response, and more info at lwr.org/quake.
Read MoreA new poll by Morning Consult, released in January, showed that only 16% of Generation Z adults (ages 18-25) said they were proud to live in America.
Looking at all adult age groups, 52% said they were proud to live in America and 73% of the oldest generation, Baby Boomers, said they were proud to live in the U.S. Even millennials, the next closest age group to Gen Z, saw 20% more of its members saying they were proud to live in America, although still a minority at 36%.
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