The ELCA has actively participated in the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) meeting in Dubai, showcasing its commitment to addressing climate change. Six ELCA representatives, including experts in environmental science, policy, and advocacy, joined global leaders to discuss and devise strategies to combat the climate crisis. The ELCA's engagement at COP28 highlights our church’s dedication to environmental stewardship and its role in contributing to crucial global dialogues on environmental challenges.
Read MoreWe're excited to announce the election of Rev. Benjamin B. Bergren to the ELCA Church Council, serving until August 2025. Join us in thanking Pastor Karn Carroll for her impactful service and in welcoming Pastor Bergren, as he brings his ministry experience from Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas and elsewhere to our churchwide leadership.
Read MoreThe leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer.
The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Read MoreJoin the excitement for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! With over 12,000 young people already registered, it's shaping up to be an unforgettable faith formation experience. Don't worry if you're just starting your planning; we've got tips and a helpful webinar to guide you. Discover how you can bring your group to this life-changing event and be a part of an amazing journey of faith and fellowship.
Read MoreFor peace among nations…
For safe return of hostages and for protection for migrants…
In lament over acts of violence fueled by hate, prejudice, and fear, especially in Burlington, VT…
For areas of the nation facing winter storms, especially in Michigan Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York…
In thanksgiving for successful rescue operations following a tunnel collapse in northern India…
For victims of political violence in Sierra Leone…
For those injured and killed in a South African mine elevator accident, and for their loved ones…
For pastors, deacons, musicians, and all church leaders preparing for Advent, and for the congregations they serve…
Explore how faith can guide us through life's unexpected upheavals in this week's Faith Lens. Delving into the apocalyptic imagery of Mark 13, we're invited to consider the transformative power of God's presence in times of change.
Read MoreThe latest ELCA's Seeds Monthly newsletter offers a rich array of resources and opportunities for engagement. Highlights include the ELCA’s Truth and Healing Movement, Jamie Bruesehoff’s inspiring article in Living Lutheran, holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts, and celebrating the 10th anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Additionally, it features important dates like the African-Descent Financial Empowerment Listening Session and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza 2024, as well as resources such as the Fall 2023 issue of “LifeLines,” worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land, and guidance on key cultural shifts in “Pitfalls and Pivots for Church Leaders.”
Read MoreThe latest ELCA Worship newsletter offers valuable resources for spiritual growth and worship. It includes prayers for the crisis in the Holy Land, the Spanish edition of "Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book," and insights from "All Creation Sings" for Advent and Christmas. Also featured are videos from the World Council of Churches' assembly, details of the ALCM’s PONDER ANEW conference in 2024, and the "Sundays and Seasons: Preaching, Year B 2024" guide.
Read MoreEnhance your loved ones' spiritual journey this holiday season with Faith+Lead's e-Gift cards from Luther Seminary. These thoughtful gifts offer access to a wide range of on-demand courses, covering topics like faith formation, leadership, and storytelling. The e-Gift cards are timeless, customizable with personal notes, and connect recipients to a vibrant faith-learning community. It's an enriching and uplifting gift choice for church staff, leaders, volunteers, or anyone seeking to deepen their faith.
Read MoreThe ELCA is dedicated to honoring Mother Earth and Indigenous peoples through land acknowledgments and supporting the land back movement. A new class led by Vance Blackfox delves into the history, purpose, and implementation of land acknowledgments, as well as exploring the land back movement and reparations as part of its commitment to restorative justice practices.
Read MoreIn their latest situation report, Lutheran Disaster Response is actively addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Efforts include supporting Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, aiding the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land with emergency education support, partnering with ACT Alliance for immediate relief, and providing psychosocial support through Salam Arabic Church and Mother of the Savior Church. The ELCA invites prayers and donations to assist those impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.
Read MoreThe latest "Administration Matters" issue from the ELCA covers vital church administration topics including financial controls to prevent theft, Portico's health initiatives, the benefits of ELCA Federal Credit Union membership, payroll adjustments for 2024, Church Mutual's armed intruder emergency service, and tips for writing effective church job descriptions. Read the issue here.
Read MoreFor peace among nations and for military de-escalation…
For safe return of hostages and for attentiveness to humanitarian needs in Palestine and Israel…
For residents of Iceland and New Guinea, as volcanic activity increases…
For continued rescue operations following a tunnel collapse in northern India…
For all victims of gun violence and for their loved ones, especially in Beavercreek, OH; Custer County, CO;
For cleanup efforts following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico…
For families and friends who gather this week, especially those whose relationships are strained…
In thanksgiving for all of God’s gifts…
The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) appointed the Rev. Michael Burk as presiding bishop pro tempore after its Executive Committee approved Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's request for a four- to six-month leave of absence, to begin Nov. 17. The council, which serves as the ELCA churchwide organization's board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of a churchwide assembly, gathered at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Nov. 9-12, 2023. Read the full post for other actions taken.
Read MoreOn Nov. 16, 2023, the North American heads of Churches Beyond Borders met online with their Lutheran and Episcopal counterparts in the Holy Land for a time of solidarity and prayer. The six churches renewed their commitment to mutual accompaniment, solidarity and prayer as a witness to Christ's justice and peace, uniting our churches beyond all borders.
Read MoreThe latest edition of ELCA Stewardship's "Where Your Heart Is" newsletter explores the theme of stewardship from a heartfelt and spiritual perspective. It delves into the changing focus from outdoor activities to introspective and communal engagements as seasons shift. The newsletter includes practical advice on stewardship, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and connecting with congregational members through meaningful narratives.
Read MoreFor peace among nations and an end to violence, especially in Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and the Nagorno-Karabakh region…
For residents of Grindavik, Iceland and all threatened by volcanic activity…
For rescue operations following a tunnel collapse in northern India…
For victims of the bus crash east of Columbus, OH and for their families, classmates, and community…
For labor strikes and for equitable resolution to contract negotiations…
Living Lutheran will soon cease production of its print publication. Living Lutheran’s final print issue will arrive in mailboxes the first week of December. Content will shift to an all-digital platform, with new articles appearing daily (no subscription or login required). View livinglutheran.org for more info.
To continue to receive content, you can sign up for LL Stories, a free email digest, at livinglutheran.org/subscribe, and get Living Lutheran stories sent right to your inbox.
Read More“Exploring Mattering and Our Worth in God's Eyes" dives into the concept of 'mattering' - feeling valued and adding value to others' lives. This edition of Faith Lens engages with this crucial aspect of human well-being, examining how it shapes our relationships, self-perception, and spiritual life. The discussion extends to the Parable of Talents, inviting us to reflect on how we use our God-given gifts and understand our inherent worth as children of God.
Read MoreRead about the stark realities of migrant experiences in "Witnessing Cruelty and Compassion on a Dominican Highway." This powerful blog post by Stephen Deal from ELCA's AMMPARO shares a vivid account of a journey in the Dominican Republic, where the author encounters the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants. Amidst this harsh reality, the story also highlights a moment of profound compassion from a local woman, offering a glimmer of hope and humanity.
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