For What Shall We Pray? 4/11/2023

For peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Yemen…
For victims of gun violence, especially those who died in recent shootings in Nashville and Louisville…
For legislative bodies to summon the courage to enact meaningful gun safety laws…
For vulnerable families and adults who are losing their Medicaid and SNAP benefits…
For coastal communities threatened by rising sea levels…
For all facing the effects of natural disasters, including the volcano eruption and earthquake in eastern Russia…
For victims and those grieving following military airstrikes in Myanmar…
For all migrants, and especially for rescue operations of two migrant boats in the Mediterranean Sea…
For the work of Lutherans Caring for Creation, and for all organizations that advocate for sustainable practices…
For Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Orthodox Christians in the midst of holy observances…

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardApril 12, 2023ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

My faith journey: Glimpsing God’s mind

“[Science] is glimpsing God’s mind and being in awe of it.” —Francis Collins, to the Templeton Foundation

ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 11, 2023Living LutheranComment

Faith Lens: Peace to All

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.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 11, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

The risen Christ is present in the toughest places

In 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.

ELCA, Letters, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardApril 6, 20232023 Holy Week, 2023 Lent, Luther SeminaryComment

ELCA Farm Bill Listening Sessions

ELCA 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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 5, 2023Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, HungerComment

Holy Week: Feasting, Fasting and Living in Tension

Blessings 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!

ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 5, 20232023 Lent, 2023 Holy Week, Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Speak and Act for Trans Lives

This 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.

ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 5, 2023LGBTQIA+, Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment

Faith Lens: Truth of the Resurrection

A 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.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 4, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

For What Shall We Pray? 4/4/2023

For 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…

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardApril 4, 2023ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Bishop Eaton: Let's observe Holy Week

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.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 4, 20232023 Holy Week, 2023 Lent, Bishop Eaton LettersComment

Theme Deep Dive | 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

In 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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2023Young Adult Gathering, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, the tAbleComment

Rostered Ministers Gathering: Early-bird rate extended to April 21, 2023

Thank 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.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 20232023 Rostered Ministers GatheringComment

Bishop Eaton: Who is my neighbor? | Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

The 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.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2023LGBTQIA+Comment

Faith Lens: Broken Trust

The 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.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 28, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

For What Shall We Pray? 3/28/2023

For 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…

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardMarch 28, 2023ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

the tAble | 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 27, 2023Young Adult Gathering, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, the tAbleComment

ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving 2023: Week Five

The 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.

ELCA, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 27, 2023Hunger, ELCA World Hunger, 2023 LentComment

Angela T. !Khabeb: Home sweet home

I’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.”

ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2023Living LutheranComment

Celebrating 10 years of “God’s work. Our hands." Sunday

Mark 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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2023God's Work Our Hands SundayComment

Bishop Eaton: Remembering the Victims of Slavery

In 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.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2023Racial JusticeComment

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