Posts in ELCA
Why Black History Month Matters: A Seminarian's Reflection
Why Black History Month Matters: A Seminarian's Reflection

In a compelling piece for Black History Month, Seminarian Clair Minson reflects on the significance of this observance, rooted in Dr. Carter G. Woodson's initiative to educate African Americans about their heritage. Minson emphasizes the transformative power of understanding one's history, paralleling the importance of biblical stories in nurturing faith. Black History Month, for Minson, is a call to remember the resilience and contributions of African Americans, urging a reevaluation of its meaning within our faith communities and a commitment to honor and value the lives of people of African descent.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian Flatgard2024 Black History Month, Racial Justice, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, Racial Justice MinistriesComment
Embrace Winter's Stillness with Strategic Stewardship Planning, Suggests ELCA's Tim Brown
Embrace Winter's Stillness with Strategic Stewardship Planning, Suggests ELCA's Tim Brown

In the latest Where Your Heart Is newsletter, Rev. Tim Brown invites congregations to actively engage in stewardship planning during the winter season, suggesting the creation of a year-round stewardship calendar. This approach aligns church activities with its mission, integrating stewardship discussions throughout the year.

Upcoming webinars and events, including one on constructing a stewardship calendar and another on deepening relationships with fundraising, aim to equip leaders with the skills for impactful ministry. These initiatives underscore the importance of continuous stewardship education and the embrace of holistic financial practices within church communities.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWhere Your Heart Is, StewardshipComment
ELCA Coaching's Weekly Gatherings: Where Faith Leaders Grow Together"
ELCA Coaching's Weekly Gatherings: Where Faith Leaders Grow Together"

ELCA Coaching is hosting weekly Wednesday gatherings (noon MST, 11am PST) for faith leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on topics like navigating political diversity in congregations, dealing with institutional decline, fostering community collaboration, addressing race relations, and enhancing stewardship among overworked members. Get more info and login information here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Young Voters' Vision: Advocacy for Justice and Progressive Change
Young Voters' Vision: Advocacy for Justice and Progressive Change

William Milner's ELCA Advocacy blog post calls for political leaders who address the pivotal concerns of young voters, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, student debt relief, gun violence, and equitable education funding. It emphasizes the significant electoral potential of Gen Z and young millennials, urging them to support candidates that resonate with their vision for social justice and a progressive society. Read more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series
Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series

Celebrate Black History Month with season three of “Talks at the Desk,” a four-part video series by African Descent Ministries of the ELCA. This season focuses on the Reclaim Gathering and will explore its themes: reclaim, embolden, embody and liberate. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 6:30pm MST, 5:30pm PST, beginning 2/7/2024. Watch live at youtube.com/ELCA, and view the trailer in this post.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardTalks At the Desk, Racial Justice, African Descent Lutheran Association, 2024 Black History MonthComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For peace among nations, especially between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine…

  • For victims of violence in Myanmar, Iran, and all areas of conflict…

  • For ongoing protests in France…

  • For those in the path of atmospheric river storms in California…

  • For victims of abuse, harassment, and trauma…

  • For deescalation among nations, governments, and political parties…

  • For safety and compassion for refugees and all migrants…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Following the way of Jesus: A Lenten Holy Land journey
Following the way of Jesus: A Lenten Holy Land journey

The ELCA's new initiative, Sumud: For Justice in Palestine and Israel, presents “Following the Way of Jesus: A Lenten Holy Land Journey.” This Lenten video series for individuals and congregations consists of six short videos that introduce people to the land, the theology of sumud and its significance through Scripture as the “way of Jesus.” Each video will be available in both English and Arabic.

Sumud is the ELCA’s new name for our church’s engagement in accompaniment, awareness-building and advocacy for justice in Palestine and Israel. Sign up for updates about Sumud here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Lent, Sumud, Israel and PalestineComment
35 Years of Lutheran Missions: Empowering Central America
35 Years of Lutheran Missions: Empowering Central America

We share this Living Lutheran article, which spotlights the ELCA's 35-year mission alongside Central American Lutheran churches, addressing social and environmental issues. It highlights the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod's educational and advocacy efforts against climate change, the Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras' focus on education, the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala's women's education program, and the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope's work on gender issues and community development.

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ELCA, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities

Elevate your church leadership and stewardship skills with ELCA's exciting opportunities. Join webinars, seminars, and learning communities starting February 2024, to enhance donor relations, financial empowerment, and much more.

Register today to transform your ministry's financial and leadership capabilities with one of the five offerings: Cultivating the Craft of Asking; African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment; Deepening Our Relationship with the Spirituality of Fundraising; Financial Best Practices Learning Community, and Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardshipComment
Streamlined Annual Congregation Reports for ELCA are now open
Streamlined Annual Congregation Reports for ELCA are now open

The ELCA has revamped the Annual Congregation Report for 2024, consolidating it into a single, more readable form, Form A. This effort simplifies the reporting process, which is now open and accessible, aiding in our mission to understand and plan for the church's future. Your timely submission by March 1 enables us to assess our vitality and resources, so we invite you to contribute to this essential task. Access the easy to use forms and worksheets here.

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ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For peace among nations, especially between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine…

  • For relief and recovery efforts following an earthquake in western China and a landslide in southwestern China…

  • For political protests in Germany and France, for primary elections in the United States, and all areas of political deliberation and tension…

  • For those suffering severe storms and flooding in southern California and for all areas of the country experiencing storms, ice, and other difficult weather…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Joliet, IL; Tinley Park, IL; Moody, AL; Oakland, CA; Covington, KY; and Tampa, FL…

  • For safety and provision for all migrants…
    For all facing unemployment and underemployment, and for all seeking fair wages and equitable employment opportunities…

  • For collaboration and hospitality among people of faith, across denominations and across faith traditions…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Faith Lens: I Swear
Faith Lens: I Swear

In the wake of a historic all-female city council swearing-in in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the diverse books chosen by the officials highlight the guiding principles of our leaders and pose the question: what grounds us in our roles and lives? Explore this theme of grounding and the importance of focusing on what truly matters, drawing from Jesus' example of seeking solitude for prayer amidst his bustling ministry. Discover the full context and discussion on the significance of these guiding principles in the Faith Lens weekly blog post.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment
ELCA Worship's January Highlights: Music, Devotion, and Global Concerns
ELCA Worship's January Highlights: Music, Devotion, and Global Concerns

Discover enriching resources for Lent, the Three Days, and Easter with "All Creation Sings," featured on ELCA Worship's latest blog post. Additionally, explore the newly available worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land and learn how you can support and nominate talented young musicians for the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival 2024 at Valparaiso University. Plus, delve into the daily Lenten devotions offered in "Gathered Into One," a reflection on unity and diversity in faith.

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ELCA, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, 2024 LentComment
ELCA Delegates Share Insights from COP28: Join the Upcoming Webinar
ELCA Delegates Share Insights from COP28: Join the Upcoming Webinar

Explore ELCA's vital role at COP28 in Dubai, where Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) representatives joined global leaders to address climate change's existential threat. Learn about their efforts in disaster risk reduction, mitigation, and preparation as part of their commitment to responding to increasing climate-related disasters. Don't miss the upcoming webinar on Jan. 24 to hear firsthand experiences and impacts from the ELCA delegation at COP28. Register here for the webinar, and read the full article at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Disaster Response, Climate ChangeComment
ELCA Seeds Monthly: Embracing New Beginnings and Reflecting on the Past Year's Highlights
ELCA Seeds Monthly: Embracing New Beginnings and Reflecting on the Past Year's Highlights

Discover impactful stories and vital updates in the latest issue of ELCA's Seeds Monthly newsletter. Highlights include the legacy of Living Lutheran publications, an invitation to participate in the reconsiderations of the Human Sexuality social statement, top articles from 2023, and insights into building up African Descent Leaders. Plus, learn about upcoming events like the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Youth Gathering, and explore new resources for contemplative practices and Lent.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeeds MonthlyComment