Posts in ELCA
March 1 Marks Important Reporting Deadlines
March 1 Marks Important Reporting Deadlines

The ELCA calls on its congregations and rostered ministers to complete the simplified Annual Congregation Report by March 1, 2024. This streamlined Form A is crucial for the ELCA's understanding of church vitality and planning. For forms and assistance, visit the ELCA website or contact the secretary's office.

Additionally, the Rostered Minister Report to the Bishop offers a direct communication line to Bishop Hutterer, also due by March 1. Your timely submissions reflect our collective identity and resourcefulness, helping us be a united church in mission.

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Grand Canyon Synod, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Join the Movement: Regenerating Life Film Screening and Discussion
Join the Movement: Regenerating Life Film Screening and Discussion

Join Lutherans Restoring Creation and ELCA World Hunger for a compelling exploration of ecological solutions to climate change with the documentary "Regenerating Life: How to Cool the Planet, Feed the World, and Live Happily Ever After." Mark your calendars for Tuesday, 2/27/2024, 6pm MST, 5pm PST, for an insightful discussion with filmmaker John Feldman.

Register now to access this transformative film and be part of a movement towards climate justice and ecological healing. Don't miss this chance to engage with global voices and envision actionable steps for your community.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate Change, ELCA World HungerComment
Episode 2, Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series
Episode 2, Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series

Episode 2 of Talks at the Desk celebrates and lifts up African Descent voices speaking on the theme of Embolden. It highlights Day 2 of the Reclaim gathering from September 2023. Reclaim featured workshops, praise and worship, shared meals and engaged conversations. We also share two highlights from last week: Struggles in the ELCA and What Black people don't play about.

African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 6:30pm MST, 5:30pm PST. Watch live at youtube.com/ELCA or download them at ELCA.org/ADM.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardTalks At the Desk, Racial Justice, African Descent Lutheran Association, 2024 Black History MonthComment
Beyond Marble Halls: Finding True Power in Community and Compassion
Beyond Marble Halls: Finding True Power in Community and Compassion

In the devotional "Shared Power" by Tomo Duke for the ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellows, the focus is on the transformative power of community unity through Christ, beyond the illusions of worldly power at the governmental level. Duke emphasizes the need for leaders who ground their authority in spiritual power and share it generously, highlighting the importance of recognizing our common fragility and humanity.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardELCA World HungerComment
ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering: Empowering Leaders in the Fight Against Global Hunger
ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering: Empowering Leaders in the Fight Against Global Hunger

The most recent Go and Do Good News newsletter from ELCA World Hunger features the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering in Houston. The event showcased the ELCA's enduring commitment to addressing global hunger and poverty, featuring enriching sessions, advocacy for migrants, and resources for Lent 2024 and the 50th anniversary celebration of ELCA World Hunger.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardGo and Do Good News, Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Myanmar, Russia and Ukraine, and the Sudan…

  • For landslide victims in Turkey and families of those trapped, missing, or killed…

  • For peaceful resolution to farmers’ protests in India…

  • For all victims of gun violence, including victims of a subway shooting in the Bronx and members of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX…

  • For places experiencing flooding and severe weather storms…

  • For those who live with pain of body, mind, or spirit, visible and invisible…

  • For the church as we enter the season of Lent…

  • For peace and comfort as we confront our mortality, praying especially for those facing terminal diagnoses, those nearing death, and those who are grieving…

  • For the shalom of creation…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Faith Lens: Dealing With Highs and Lows
Faith Lens: Dealing With Highs and Lows

In the latest Faith Lens blog, Joshua Serrano reflects on handling life's highs and lows through the lens of celebrity stories and the early ministry of Jesus. He discusses Adam Sandler's humble reaction to a professor's early criticism, juxtaposed with the Gospel account of Jesus' baptism and subsequent temptation. Serrano encourages finding strength in our identity as beloved children of God, regardless of life's fluctuating circumstances.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment
ELCA Mission Support Memo: February 2024
ELCA Mission Support Memo: February 2024

We share the ELCA Mission Support Memo for February 2024. This month highlights the beauty and difficulty of attending a closing service of a local church in the Southeast Michigan Synod and how it was "Brutiful".  Also find links to our ELCA resources to SOFIA, these Mission Support Memos, but also Annual Report Covers, Intent templates and more. There is also a heartfelt thank you to all treasurers and bookkeepers across our wider church. Read the memo here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Explore the Latest in Liturgical Leadership and Music with ELCA Partners
Explore the Latest in Liturgical Leadership and Music with ELCA Partners

The ELCA Worship's blog post for February 8, 2024, showcases a variety of resources and events offered by Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations. Highlights include the Institute of Liturgical Studies' conference on liturgy in consumer culture, free music compositions from Lutheran Summer Music, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians' educational conference. Augsburg Fortress presents liturgical resources for the Three Days of Easter, while Music that Makes Community shares practices for communal song-sharing. Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead introduces a course for lay leaders on planning worship experiences.

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ELCA, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Episode 1, Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series
Episode 1, Talks at the Desk Season 3: Black History Month video series

Welcome to Episode 1 of Talks at the Desk, season 3. Talks at the Desk is 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 all facing mudslides, floods, storms, and power outages in southern California…

  • For those experiencing the destruction caused by wildfires in Chile…

  • For elections and government transitions around the world, especially in Pakistan and Senegal…

  • For victims of a shooting attack in Istanbul, Turkey…

  • For those injured or killed in a factory explosion in Harda, India…

  • For those stranded by storms in China…

  • For all victims of gun violence, and for all areas of conflict in the world…

  • In thanksgiving for the gifts of BIPOC leaders in our churches and communities…

  • For the church, as we enter the spiritual disciplines and reflections of Lent…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Embracing Justice, Kindness, and Humility: A Devotional on Leadership
Embracing Justice, Kindness, and Humility: A Devotional on Leadership

In the latest devotional series from ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellows, Frances Dobbs reflects on the biblical values that should be embodied by leaders, drawing on Ephesians 3 and other scriptures. Justice, kindness, and humility are highlighted as key virtues, with the ultimate exemplar found in Christ. Dobbs underscores the importance of these values for those in authority, emphasizing that true leadership is marked by a commitment to the poor and a heart oriented towards God's justice.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Love in deed and truth: 50 years of ELCA World Hunger
Love in deed and truth: 50 years of ELCA World Hunger

In this celebratory video, we celebrate the 50 years we have joined together as Lutherans to address the root causes of hunger and poverty around the world through ELCA World Hunger. As we reflect on our last 50 years of ministry together, we know God calls us to respond to the needs of the world now more than ever. Will you join us? Learn more at ELCA.org/WH50.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Faith Lens: Affirmation
Faith Lens: Affirmation

This week’s "Faith Lens" blog post by Rachel Larson discusses the power of affirmation, especially within the context of faith. Reflecting on personal experiences of both receiving encouragement and facing criticism, the post delves into how these interactions can impact one's sense of self and calling. It connects this concept to the Transfiguration of Jesus, where God's affirming voice declares Jesus as His beloved son, setting the stage for Jesus' mission.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment
Early 2024 Advocacy Highlights: ELCA's State-by-State Efforts for Change
Early 2024 Advocacy Highlights: ELCA's State-by-State Efforts for Change

The ELCA Advocacy blog shares crucial updates from various State Public Policy Offices, focusing on legislative efforts across states like California, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. From budget challenges to advocacy victories and ongoing community engagement events, the updates underscore the collaborative work for justice and public policy reform.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment