Posts in ELCA
Down-to-earth leadership: Get to know Bishop-elect Timothy Graham
Down-to-earth leadership: Get to know Bishop-elect Timothy Graham

Timothy Graham didn’t plan on becoming a bishop. “I knew my name would be lifted up, but I didn’t have any expectations,” said Graham, who serves as a pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Read the original article at Living Lutheran.

Although he knew he was under consideration for bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Graham didn’t fill out his biographical information for this year’s assembly ahead of time. “Well, if the Holy Spirit wants it to happen, [it will],” he thought. “I could not have planned it.”

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Sharing Trustworthy Information About Where and How to Vote
Sharing Trustworthy Information About Where and How to Vote

As this post from ELCA Advocacy reminds us, our civic engagement as people of faith can help ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government. Some congregations use bulletin blurbs, some post a “Prepared to Vote Checklist” in the window from ELCA.org/civicengagementresources, some help neighbors check their voter registration status during church activities or at shelters they work with – among many creative approaches that fit their setting. Resources and ideas for this important non-partisan service by faith communities an election year are reprinted here by permission from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardChurch and Society, Elections and Voting RightsComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For those experiencing difficult transitions and in need of discernment…

  • For those experiencing warfare and escalating violence, especially in Gaza, Russia, and Ukraine…

  • For those affected by the murder-suicide at Rice University…

  • For those threatened by the path of typhoon Shanshan in Japan…

  • For those experiencing difficult or extreme weather conditions, such as the Midwest, Hawaii, and Alaska…

  • For NASA’s efforts to retrieve its two astronauts…

  • For all who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s military…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
From love to lament: ELCA team explores creative theology and global outreach at gathering
From love to lament: ELCA team explores creative theology and global outreach at gathering

What does a team do when they cannot meet in person because the work spans the globe? If you are part of the Service and Justice home area of the ELCA, you hold a weeklong gathering to talk about the evolving landscape of the church, the mission abroad, and themes of love, gratitude and adaptive change. The event featured discussions on the church’s future in the landscape of an ever-increasing secularization in the United States, the continued importance of global work, and the need to embrace new forms of ministry to serve God’s call. Read the original article at Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
ELCA Spotlight: Domestic Hunger Grants
ELCA Spotlight: Domestic Hunger Grants

The ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants support transformative projects across the U.S. and Caribbean to combat the root causes of hunger and poverty. This initiative, part of ELCA World Hunger, empowers communities with resources to create sustainable change and ensure food security, reflecting our commitment to justice and Lutheran values of accompaniment and advocacy.

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ELCA, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger GrantsComment
Faith Lens: Beyond “Good Guy vs. Bad Guy”
Faith Lens: Beyond “Good Guy vs. Bad Guy”

Even if you’re not old enough to vote, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about “the growing political divide in America.” Maybe you’ve seen evidence of it yourself on the news, in your church, or even in your own family. It seems like everywhere we turn we can find more and more evidence that people are less and less able to listen to each other, especially about politics. Sometimes it feels like the only thing anyone can agree on is how impossible it would be for us to agree. It can be pretty stressful to watch.

But what if our political divide isn’t as huge or even as real as it seems? A recent article in Time Magazine paints a very different story of our country. It explains that while a small number of people on both political sides are very divided, most average Americans actually agree a lot more than we disagree. Like, a lot more. Their survey discovered what they called “stunning agreement” on almost every single issue they asked about. 

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
Addressing Polarization and Building Cohesion in Your Community
Addressing Polarization and Building Cohesion in Your Community

Many ELCA synods, congregations and ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices are involved in advancing the important aim of addressing polarization in our communities. In a blog post from ELCA Advocacy, these ideas from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America are reprinted by permission to resource additional ways we can individually and collectively reduce polarization and care for our communities.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardChurch and Society, Elections and Voting RightsComment
Christopher Johnson Appointed President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services
Christopher Johnson Appointed President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services

Christopher (Chris) Johnson has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Portico Benefit Services, a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He will join Portico on Oct. 7.

Johnson brings a proven 30-year track record of scaling businesses for growth, along with extensive leadership experience, an innovative approach and a strong connection to the church, making him uniquely qualified to advance Portico's vision for the future.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardPorticoComment
ELCA Worship Brings New Energy and Resources to Congregations
ELCA Worship Brings New Energy and Resources to Congregations

Discover the latest updates from ELCA Worship, including highlights from the 2024 Youth Gathering, new hymn suggestions for fall worship, and resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Don’t miss the chance to plan ahead for the 2025 Lutheran Musicians’ Summer Conference. Read the full newsletter for more details and inspiration.

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ELCA, News, Resources, Worship Resources, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardWorship Resources, ELCA WorshipComment
Lutherans Restoring Creation: Gabrielle’s Continued Fellowship and Strategic Planning for the Future
Lutherans Restoring Creation: Gabrielle’s Continued Fellowship and Strategic Planning for the Future

Lutherans Restoring Creation announces the extension of Gabrielle’s fellowship through 2024 and begins a Strategic Planning process to shape its role in the ELCA. Join us in celebrating Pr. Nick Utphall’s walk on the Ice Age Trail and participate in upcoming events like “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday and our August Connection Call on the Season of Creation. Read the news in full in their August 2024 Great Green News.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, ELCABrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate Change, God's Work Our Hands SundayComment
Youth Raise Nearly $100K for Generation Zero-Hunger at 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering
Youth Raise Nearly $100K for Generation Zero-Hunger at 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

The 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans was a tremendous success, with nearly 17,000 participants raising close to $100,000 for Generation Zero-Hunger. As we celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger, we reflect on our church’s deep commitment to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty. Explore the resources available for this milestone and consider joining an upcoming immersion trip to Colombia. Learn more about these events and how you can get involved in the August 2024 issue of ELCA World Hunger's Go and Do News.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Lutheran Men in Mission 2024 Summer Ambassador-Gram
Lutheran Men in Mission 2024 Summer Ambassador-Gram

The Lutheran Men in Mission 2024 Summer Ambassador-Gram is available by clicking here. You can also view the LMM page where Ambassador-Grams (including this one) are archived.

Their summer Foundations newsletter is also available via PDF and contains valuable info, including their cover story, Fighting Human Trafficking One Mile and One Meal at a Time: “Cyclists in Iowa rode 200 miles to raise over $2 million to combat human trafficking, supported by Lutheran Men in Mission and congregations like Emanuel St. John’s in Lytton. Their journey reflects the bold and daring challenge of living out faith through action.”

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Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Men in Mission, Ambassador-GramComment
August 2024 Mission Support Memo: Empowering Story
August 2024 Mission Support Memo: Empowering Story

In the August 2024 LECA Mission Support Memo, we hear about how the ELCA Youth Gathering is both a place of faith formation and empowering each of us to share faith and inclusion in our church. You also have a great opportunity to attend Stewardship Kaleidoscope in September, even online so check out the memo to find out more.  Find the memo here in Living Lutheran too! 

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Get ready for “God’s work. Our hands.”
Get ready for “God’s work. Our hands.”

On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardGod's Work Our Hands SundayComment
ELCA Spotlight: The Impact of Lutheran Services in America
ELCA Spotlight: The Impact of Lutheran Services in America

This week’s Synod Spotlight highlights Lutheran Services in America, a national network of 300 faith-based organizations that serve over 6 million people annually across the United States—one of every 50 Americans. In Arizona and Nevada, their impact is felt through member organizations that provide critical care and support to more than 64,000 people each year. View their fact sheets for Arizona and Nevada.

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ELCA, SpotlightBrian FlatgardLutheran Services in AmericaComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For those caught in the midst of warfare and conflict, especially in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Haiti, Russia, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…

  • For those attending or participating in the Democratic National Convention, and for all leaders in government…

  • For any countries experiencing political unrest and turmoil, especially Bangladesh…

  • For the care, safety, and well-being of women and girls around the world…

  • For those in the path of Hurricane Ernesto…

  • For the northeastern United States in the midst of record flooding…

  • For healing and protection in the wake of a new COVID variant and the Mpox virus…

  • For those experiencing extreme heat throughout different regions…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment