Posts in ELCA
Statement from Bishop Eaton on current situation in Israel and Palestine
Statement from Bishop Eaton on current situation in Israel and Palestine

“As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have led to unspeakable loss of life and hope. At the same time the ELCA denounces the indiscriminate retaliation of Israel against the Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim.”

Things you can do:

  • Find updated resources and statements from the ELCA here.

  • Join our partner Churches for Middle East Peace for prayer every Wednesday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register here.

  • Call your lawmakers today through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to take action to deescalate the conflict and uphold unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Find your member of Congress at govtrak.

  • Support Lutheran Disaster Response here.

Read More
Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Israel and Palestine, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
Bishop Eaton's letter to Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim-Azar
Bishop Eaton's letter to Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim-Azar

In a letter to Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim-Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers the support, prayers and advocacy efforts of the ELCA. Read Bishop Eaton’s full letter here, as well as Bishop Dr. Azar’s statement.

Read More
ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardBishop Eaton Letters, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Israel and PalestineComment
ELCA Coaching's Courageous Leadership: What happens when Autism and Faith intersect?
ELCA Coaching's Courageous Leadership: What happens when Autism and Faith intersect?

We talk about Autism as being a spectrum. Some folks talk about Faith as being a spectrum. What happens when Autism and Faith intersect? Join us via Zoom on Wednesday, October 18, as we hear from Rev. Anna K. Gordy, Pastor for Pláticas de Santa Sofia, a ministry of the ELCA.

Join ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Last Call for Inspirers: ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Deadline Extended
Last Call for Inspirers: ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Deadline Extended

The ELCA Youth Gathering has extended the volunteer application deadline to November 1, 2023. Don't miss this renewed chance to serve and inspire our youth in New Orleans next summer. Check your registration details, note down key dates, and remember, the Gathering team is here to answer any questions. Read more in the latest updates.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, Youth and Young AdultComment
Nurturing Creation: October’s Call to Action with LRC
Nurturing Creation: October’s Call to Action with LRC

This October, Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) offers enriching opportunities to intertwine faith with environmental stewardship in their October newsletter. From the upcoming Ecumenical Training to their newly announced Young Adult Vocational Fellowship, they’re empowering voices and actions that care for our planet. Dive into our resource hub, attend upcoming events, and let your faith-filled actions resonate. Read more to join them in these vital steps for Earth's care.

Read More
ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
Ecumenical Bonds Strengthened: A Celebratory September for ELCA
Ecumenical Bonds Strengthened: A Celebratory September for ELCA

This September, ELCA celebrated profound ecumenical unity, highlighted by Bishop Gohl's participation in Bishop Schofield-Broadbent's ordination. Our new Congregation and Synod Support Team and the successful "God's work. Our hands" Sunday reflect our ongoing commitment to shared mission and service. Read more in the September 2023 ELCA Mission Support Memo, available at ELCA.org, as a PDF, or a Word doc.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Harmonizing Worship: October Highlights from ELCA Partners
Harmonizing Worship: October Highlights from ELCA Partners

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. From communal song-sharing workshops with Music that Makes Community to the Calvin Institute's worship grants, and insightful reads from Augsburg Fortress, there's something to inspire everyone.

Read More
ELCA, News, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
From words to action: Congregation joins the Truth and Healing Movement
From words to action: Congregation joins the Truth and Healing Movement

In April, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton launched the Truth and Healing Movement to increase the church’s understanding of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in past and present generations. Living Lutheran reached out to Richard A. Magnus, a retired pastor who attends Edina (Minn.) Community Lutheran (ECLC), to hear how the congregation’s work with the movement has affected members and the community.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Truth and Healing MovementComment
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Living Lutheran talked with Latiné Lutherans and heard their needs and hopes. Today we pause to reflect on the work being done throughout the ELCA to affirm and honor our siblings of Latiné descent. In the article, read quotes from the ELCA Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries team. For more information about the ELCA’s Latiné ministries or other ethnic specific ministries, click here or email Jennifer De Leon, director for racial justice, at jennifer.deleon@elca.org.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, LatinoComment
Faith Lens: Faith and Vaccines
Faith Lens: Faith and Vaccines

This week's Faith Lens explores the profound intersection of faith and science, spotlighting the life-saving advancements brought forth by Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman, and their pioneering mRNA research. As we reflect on the impact of COVID-19 vaccines, we're invited to ponder deeper questions: How does our faith shape our view of science and vaccines? In what ways are we called to be stewards of God’s love in the face of global challenges? Delve into a thoughtful discussion on the Christian response to scientific achievement and the continuing call to serve humanity.

Read More
Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment
For What Shall We Pray? 10/10/2023
For What Shall We Pray? 10/10/2023

  • For peace in our world…

  • For nations of the world experiencing violence and unrest, especially in Gaza/Israel, Ukraine, and Nagorno-Karabakh…

  • For victims of terrorism and for those who mourn them…

  • For Jewish, Christian, and Muslim siblings in the Middle East, especially all who live in fear and under oppression…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Baltimore and Laurel, MD; Fort Wayne, IN; Louisville, KY; Lansing, MI; and Castleton, VT…

  • For all in the path of Hurricane Lidia…

  • For continued recovery and relief efforts following the earthquake in Afghanistan…

  • For rescue efforts following flash flooding in the Indian Himalayas…

Read More
ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
For What Shall We Pray? 10/3/2023
For What Shall We Pray? 10/3/2023

  • For victims of the mall shooting in Bangkok, Thailand…

  • For all in the path of Tropical Storm Philippe…

  • For Armenian refugees fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh…

  • For recovery and relief efforts following the earthquake and landslides in Nepal…

  • For safety amidst earthquakes in Naples, Italy…

  • For renewed respect and collaboration among political parties and leaders…

  • For all victims of human trafficking, and especially in Ohio…

  • For Canadian wildfires and those experiencing diminished air quality due to traveling smoke, especially areas along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in East Louisville, KY; Philadelphia, PA; and Apopka, FL…

  • In thanksgiving for Nobel Prize winners and their contributions to the good of the world

  • For areas around the world experiencing violence and unrest, including Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey, and Niger…

Read More
ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Exploring Faithful Language for God with Dr. Mary J. Streufert
Exploring Faithful Language for God with Dr. Mary J. Streufert

Join ELCA Coaching on October 11, 2023, for a Zoom discussion led by Dr. Mary J. Streufert on the importance and faithfulness of multigendered language for God from a Lutheran viewpoint. The session encompasses theological insights, small group discussions, and an exploration of language's impact on spirituality. Join ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
ELCA Embraces Creation Care with the Launch of "One Home One Future"
ELCA Embraces Creation Care with the Launch of "One Home One Future"

The ELCA, in partnership with other faith communities, launched "One Home One Future," a campaign inviting congregations to champion creation care and climate action. With resources from ecoAmerica's Blessed Tomorrow program, it aims to unite and inspire congregations in their environmental stewardship efforts. Read the original post from ELCA Advocacy at ELCA.org.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, One Home One Future, Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Fe, Esperanza y Voces Latinés: Una Conversación Sincera con Maria Santa Cruz
Fe, Esperanza y Voces Latinés: Una Conversación Sincera con Maria Santa Cruz

La Rev. Maria Santa Cruz discute la importancia de amplificar las voces latinés dentro de la ELCA, enfatizando la representación, apreciación cultural e inclusividad. Destaca los esfuerzos del Sínodo de Pacífica en ser inclusivo y expresa esperanza en el papel activo de Dios en apoyar a las comunidades vulnerables.

Rev. Maria Santa Cruz discusses the importance of amplifying Latiné voices within the ELCA, emphasizing representation, cultural appreciation, and inclusivity. She highlights the Pacifica Synod's efforts in being inclusive and expresses hope in God's active role in supporting vulnerable communities.

Read More
ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, LatinoComment