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Faith Lens: Crossing Boundaries

Faith Lens: Crossing Boundaries

Taylor Swift and The National have both been very influential musical artists. But they have typically appealed to very different audiences. Swift is the epitome of a pop star, mining her personal struggles for inspiration and pairing them with catchy tunes which have stadiums of adoring fans singing along.

In contrast, The National has been the poster child for an indie-rock band, more at home in a grungy after hours club than an arena. If Swift’s lyrics often sound like a teen’s diary, The National’s are brooding and obscure to the the point of incomprehensible.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 25, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

Embracing a New Role in Ministry: Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta's Letter to the Synod

Embracing a New Role in Ministry: Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta's Letter to the Synod

In the words of Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven….”. It is with mixed feelings that I write this note to notify our synod that I am ending my season as the Director for Evangelical Mission of the Grand Canyon Synod.

Starting on June 22, 2023, I will begin a new season in ministry as the Senior Director for New Ministry Development and Evangelism at the Churchwide Office of the ELCA. I will be responsible for setting the vision and leading the team that works on all new ministries and evangelism efforts in the ELCA.

Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 23, 2023 Comments

Lutheran, Presbyterian schools moving to Chicago campus of Catholic Theological Union

Lutheran, Presbyterian schools moving to Chicago campus of Catholic Theological Union

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary are moving into available space on the campus of Catholic Theological Union, creating a theological megacampus on the South Side of Chicago.

Each of the three schools will remain independent with its own identity, mission and governance. Read more at Religion News Service.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Luther School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC)Comment

ELCA's new venture: Young Adult Vocational Fellowship

ELCA's new venture: Young Adult Vocational Fellowship

The ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship is an exciting program that offers young adults an amazing opportunity to discover their calling while gaining valuable professional experience.

In partnership with new and existing year-long opportunities at ELCA affiliated ministries, participants are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to explore their faith and vocational aspirations, all while receiving support from a network of peers and experienced ELCA coaches.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Young Adult Vocational Fellowship, Youth and Young AdultComment

Situation Report: Sudan Conflict

Situation Report: Sudan Conflict

On April 15, 2023. violence broke out between opposing military groups in Sudan. Most of the fighting has been in the capital city of Khartoum, but some has now spread outside the city. Nearly 1 million people have been displaced since the beginning of the violence.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment

May 2023 Update: Advocacy Connections

May 2023 Update: Advocacy Connections

We share updates from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director. Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: May 2023.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment

ELCA Worship partner organization resources and events, May 2023

ELCA Worship partner organization resources and events, May 2023

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Read more here.

ELCA, News, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023ELCA WorshipComment

Bishop Eaton: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Bishop Eaton: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Presiding Bishop Eaton reminds us that in the ELCA’s social message “The Body of Christ and Mental Health” we are called to companionship. “For those who are living with mental illness, we see you. We stand with you, ready to listen and support you in your struggles, through good days and bad.”

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Bishop Eaton Letters, Mental HealthComment

Donald Kreiss reelected bishop of the ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod

Donald Kreiss reelected bishop of the ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod

The Rev. Dr. Donald P. Kreiss, Detroit, was reelected May 19 to serve a third six-year term as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA. The election was held during the synod assembly May 18-20 at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron, Mich.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Comment

Katherine Finegan reelected bishop of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod

Katherine Finegan reelected bishop of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod

The Rev. Katherine A. Finegan, Marquette, Mich., was reelected May 19 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA. The election was held during the synod assembly May 18-20 at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 22, 2023Comment

Rebecca Middeke-Conlin elected bishop of the ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

Rebecca Middeke-Conlin elected bishop of the ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

The Rev. Rebecca Middeke-Conlin, Tulsa, Okla., was elected May 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the ELCA. The election took place during the synod assembly, May 5-7, at the Hyatt Place Tulsa–South in Tulsa.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 11, 2023Comment

April 2023 ELCA Mission Support Memo

April 2023 ELCA Mission Support Memo

The ELCA Mission Support Team shares their April, 2023 memo, featuring ELCA Ministry with Children and Luther Seminary Faith+Lead year-round stewardship practices. View as a PDF here.

ELCA, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 9, 2023ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment

For What Shall We Pray? 5/9/2023

For What Shall We Pray? 5/9/2023

In thanksgiving for all those who have given their lives in service to our country…
For all who are currently serving in the armed forces and for veterans seeking care for mental and physical injuries received during active duty…
For missing and murdered indigenous women and girls…
For nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders would listen to the voices of those who survived the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki…
For the voices of climate scientists (such as the World Meteorological Organization) to be heard and respected…
For the families and friends of those who died in soccer stadium stampede in San Salvador…
For peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, and Israel…
For congressional leaders to reach agreement on the debt ceiling…
For an expansion of mental health care and improved access…
For healing and hope for those who are suffering from mental illness, especially those with treatment resistant conditions…

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardMay 9, 2023ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Faith Lens: What is Truth?

Faith Lens: What is Truth?

“Teens who trust the news they read on social media feel less stress” It’s not what you know, it’s who you know, or – rather – who you trust. Researchers at Cornell University recently published results of a study showing that trust in the news on social media can make a big difference in a teenager’s well-being.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 9, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

For What Shall We Pray? 5/2/2023

For What Shall We Pray? 5/2/2023

For the friends and family of the shooting victims in Texas; for all those who have suffered from gun violence…
For an end to the killing of innocent civilians in warfare – especially in Ukraine…
For peace in Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Syria…
For our representatives in congress; that they would devote themselves to working together for the well-being of all…
For an expansion of mental health care in our country, especially in rural communities…
For the rights of women and girls for education and health care especially in Afghanistan…
In thanksgiving for health care workers, especially nurses, that they may be honored and sustained in their critical work…
For a resolution to political turmoil in Kenya…

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardMay 3, 2023ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Visit the new ELCA Youth Gathering site and gLearn learning platform

Visit the new ELCA Youth Gathering site and gLearn learning platform

In their latest update, the ELCA Youth Gathering announces a new website makeover, as well as a new learning platform, gLearn. Create your free account in gLearn to access courses on how to successfully lead a group to the Gathering. Learn more here.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 3, 20232024 ELCA Youth Gathering, Youth and Young AdultComment

Meggan Manlove elected bishop of the ELCA Northwest Intermountain Synod

Meggan Manlove elected bishop of the ELCA Northwest Intermountain Synod

The Rev. Meggan H. Manlove, Nampa, Idaho, was elected April 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwest Intermountain Synod of the ELCA.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 2, 2023Northwest Intermountain Synod, Bishop electionsComment

Café: April, 2023

Café: April, 2023

The April, 2023 version of the Women of the ELCA’s monthly newsletter Café is available. View all posts at boldcafe.org.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 2, 2023Women of the ELCA (WELCA), Café, 2022 Advent and ChristmasComment

Faith Lens: Even Greater Things

Faith Lens: Even Greater Things

Jesus starts this part of John with the words “Do not let your heart be troubled.” In the original Greek, the pronoun is plural (like “y’all”) and the heart is singular. Jesus assumes that the disciples, though many, share one heart. They’re a unified community. Whatever may come they’re in it together.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 2, 2023Youth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment

ELCA Advocacy April 2023 updates

ELCA Advocacy April 2023 updates

ELCA Advocacy provides their April 2023 updates. Click here to read the UN and State edition, and click here to read the Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMay 2, 2023Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment