Our current news cycle is full of debates around the validity and protections of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly our transgender siblings. While no one’s lives and identities should be used for political fodder, we many shape these conversations around demonizing trans folks, and more specifically weaponizing what God thinks about the diversity God has created.
Read MoreIn an Easter Message for the Lutheran World Federation, Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke, professor and President of the Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, reflects on the familiar, yet “earthshaking news” that Christ is Risen! Read in this post, in multiple languages on the LWF site, or in this PDF.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy is hosting three listening sessions regarding the upcoming Farm Bill. Congress is preparing to reauthorize the bill in 2023. Each reauthorization provides an opportunity to improve or expand programs that ensure access to fresh and healthy food while addressing root causes of hunger.
The Mountain Time Zone focus is Tuesday, 4/25/2023, 5pm MST/PDT, 6pm MDT. Register at bit.ly/ELCAfarmbilllisteningMountain.
Read MoreBlessings as we enter holy week! Many of you have journeyed with ELCA World Hunger through Lent as we have reflected on the Psalms and what meaning that vast collection of hymns, poems, laments and prayers might have for hunger ministry today. As the season comes to a close, thank you for being part of the 40 Days of Giving!
Read MoreThis post, “Dear ELCA, We Must Speak and Act for Trans Lives,” by Jamie Bruesehoff, is reprinted in full by permission of the author, originally posted to the author’s blog on March 27, 2023.
Read MoreA study by Christian publisher Lifeway showed that while most people (66%) say they believe the biblical accounts of the physical resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate, most young people ages 18 to 34 (59%) say they don’t believe the physical resurrection really happened.
Read MoreFor the millions of people suffering from hunger and famine, especially in Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen and South Sudan…
For the joy of the resurrection to bring hope to those to whom death draws near…
For support and care for transgender people, amidst ongoing legislative actions…
For protesters and politicians in Nashville, TN…
For journalists and politicians imprisoned for seeking truth…
That the needs of the poor would be held in mind in our state and national legislatures…
For recent elections and their ramifications…
For peace in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel…
For victims of severe storms in the US Midwest and South…
For victims of the avalanche in northeastern India…
For victims of the train derailment in the Netherlands…
For ongoing recovery efforts in Tukey and Syria…
For courage among Christians to boldly proclaim love, justice, and resurrection hope…
We’ve entered Holy Week, and Bishop Eaton hopes and prays that we will not skip from the hosannas of Palm Sunday right to the hallelujahs of Easter Sunday. It’s important, as we travel through this week, to see not only incredible sacrifice and love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ, but all of the human condition that comes out during this week.
Read MoreIn the summer of 2024, young people and their adult leaders will gather in New Orleans for a week of faith formation, learning, worship and fellowship under the theme “Created to Be.” Our theme deep dive video gives you a glimpse of how the theme was created and why we feel like it so perfectly connects to our host city, New Orleans. To learn more about the 2024 Gathering, visit elca.org/Gathering and watch the video in this post.
Read MoreThank you, to those of you who have already registered! For those who haven’t, you can still register and receive the early-bird rate of $245 through April 21, 2023. You will need to book hotel and travel separately. Highlights of the gathering, and more information are available at elca.org/rmg.
If you like to welcome people, help with registration, or have the gift of hospitality, please connect with Pastor Doug Dill: pastordoug@centrallutheranaz.org or 402-235-6969. Click here to register as a volunteer at elca.org.
Read MoreThe Great Commandment calls us to love our neighbor as ourself, and God teaches us to honor every person’s dignity. On Transgender Day of Visibility, Bishop Eaton affirms that transgender and nonbinary siblings are children of God, created in God’s image, who are embraced in God’s unconditional love. We stand together, advocating for the full humanity and dignity of all people.
Read MoreThe last few weeks have brought worry and panic to the banking world. The panic began with the sudden collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank over a three-day span. These bank closures led anxious customers to withdraw their money from other smaller regional banks and place it with bigger institutions that are better capitalized.
Read MoreFor the students and staff at Covenant School in Nashville, and for all who are grieving, traumatized, and fearful…
For open-heartedness, courage, and humility in conversations about gun violence and meaningful change in our society…
For families and friends of those who died in the immigration center fire in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico…
For earthquakes and severe weather in California…
For cleanup efforts following a chemical spill in the Delaware River…
For all those recovering from the devastating tornado in western Mississippi and Alabama…
For the people of Israel in the midst of political turmoil…
For peace in Ukraine and de-escalation of nuclear threats…
For Muslim siblings observing Ramadan, Jewish siblings preparing for Passover, and Christians who prepare to enter Holy Week…
For LBGTQIA+ siblings, especially children and youth, amidst restrictive legislative actions in state legislatures across the United States…
In lament over acts of discrimination, hatred, and oppression done in the name of Christ…
The tAble is a pre-event to the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans for youth living with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. The Rev. Jonathan Vehar (he/him), the director of the tAble, shares an invitation to be a part of this faith formation event. To learn more about the 2024 Gathering, visit elca.org/Gathering and watch the video in this post.
Read MoreThe 40 days of Lent are drawing to a close, and so, too, is our journey through the psalms. From the plaintive cries of Psalm 32 to the quiet comfort of Psalm 23, we have glimpsed the spiritual depth of these hymns and reflected on what they might mean for us today, centuries after they were first recorded.
Read MoreI’ve always wanted to be a pastor. When I was 15 years old and visited a classmate’s church, I saw with my own eyes that a grown-up girl could be a pastor. The church had me at “hello.”
My parents, on the other hand, were not so inclined. I remember my father telling me, “The best way to help poor people is to not become one of them. Be an attorney. Make some money.”
Read MoreMark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, when congregations of the ELCA will join together for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, our annual day of service.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of "God's work. Our hands." Sunday! Visit ELCA.org/DayofService for updates to resources.
Read MoreIn observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Bishop Eaton reminds us to tell the stories of our historical truth: stories of suffering and pain, but also stories of awe-inspiring resistance and hope.
Read MoreCredit cards are a necessary part of today’s world, but not all cards are the same. As a cost-effective alternative to standard corporate credit card programs, consider the ELCA Federal Credit Union’s ministry card program. For additional information or to apply, contact the ELCA Federal Credit Union.
Read MoreHunger Education and Networking Grants are one of the ways ELCA World Hunger accompanies congregations, synods, organizations, partners and local teams throughout the US and the Caribbean.
Proposals will be accepted from March 15, 2023 through November 15, 2023. For more information see the full request for proposal in this PDF and in this post.
Read More
