Meet Glory Godwin Lekashu, a medical laboratory technician, student, and Lutheran whose journey spans continents and calls to service. From her youth ministry roots in Tanzania to her studies in biology and public health, Glory integrates faith and science to heal body, soul, and world. In this Living Lutheran article, learn how this International Women Leaders scholar is living her Lutheran values by fostering health care justice, inspiring youth, and shining Christ’s light in her community.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 30, 2024Living LutheranComment

Trusting Women: Revisiting the ELCA’s Social Statement on Abortion

In a post-Dobbs world, the ELCA’s 1991 social statement on abortion offers a compassionate, theologically grounded response to the complexities of reproductive rights. Rooted in trust, understanding, and a commitment to relationships, the statement calls Lutherans to discernment, advocacy, and accompaniment. Explore how this powerful framework equips us for faithful action today in this Living Lutheran article.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 30, 2024Abortion, Living LutheranComment

Lutheran World Relief 2024 Special Winter Report is available

Your love changes lives! The 2024 Winter Special Report by Lutheran World Relief shares stories of resilience, including how Nageswor’s family in Nepal transformed their farm and future with your support. Read the report to see how your generosity brings hope worldwide.

ELCA, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardDecember 27, 2024Lutheran World ReliefComment

Empowering Communities: Lutheran Disaster Response Training in Indonesia

Lutheran Disaster Response is transforming lives in Indonesia through disaster preparedness training for church members in vulnerable communities. With over 40 participants engaged in November 2024, this ELCA-supported initiative equips churches to act as first responders, spreading God’s love and building resilience in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. Read more at ELCA.org.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 27, 2024Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment

Living Lutheran Returns to Print, Plus More Highlights from Seeds Monthly

Living Lutheran returns to print in spring 2025, offering quarterly issues filled with inspiring stories and church updates. Subscribe individually or as a congregation today. Plus, explore meaningful holiday gifts with the ELCA Good Gifts catalog, join the National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 21, and prepare for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starting Jan. 18. Find these updates and more in this month’s Seeds Monthly.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 23, 2024Seeds MonthlyComment

Faith Lens: A New Way for All to Win

How do we define success? As college football celebrates a new twelve-team playoff, Advent invites us to reflect on a very different kind of victory. Mary’s song in Luke 1:39–55 reminds us that God lifts up the lowly so that all may share in divine blessings. As we approach the manger this week, let us celebrate the true meaning of success: God’s victory for all.

Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardDecember 23, 2024Faith Lens, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment

Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Syria

In the ELCA, we recognize that some of our members are of Syrian nationality or heritage. Through ecumenical bodies such as the Middle East Council of Churches, we have long been in relationship with the Syrian Christian communities, which date back to the earliest days of the church and whose members live and worship today as a religious minority that is not always welcomed or accepted. These Christians hope that a new Syria will include a place of safety, security and freedom of worship for them and their neighbors. Syria’s diversity is integral to the fabric of Syrian society and should be protected.

December 2024 Mission Support Memo

In our December 2024 Mission Support Memo hear from Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar of our Oregon Synod, telling her story of joyful and important accompaniment with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Explore the eight enlightening things she learned about Poland and Polish Lutherans.

We are grateful how Mission Support connects us globally. You can also find out about an exciting series on aligning your pocketbook with your values, so learn how to join January 13th to explore “6 Weeks on Money.”

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 20, 2024Mission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment

Living Lutheran Print Magazine is Coming Back in 2025

Living Lutheran is returning to print! After hearing from many of you, the ELCA is relaunching the beloved magazine with four print issues per year beginning in 2025. Individual subscriptions are $19.95 annually, with group plans available for congregations. Sign up today at livinglutheran.org/subscribe to stay connected to our shared stories of faith. Read the article in Living Lutheran here.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 20, 2024Living LutheranComment

Know Your Rights: A Resource Guide for Immigrant Accompaniment and Advocacy

In times of heightened uncertainty, our immigrant neighbors need support and accompaniment. The ELCA’s AMMPARO ministry offers critical tools to understand and assert rights during encounters with law enforcement or ICE. This guide includes Red Cards, family preparedness plans, and multilingual resources to help families stay informed and safe. Access the full list of tools and share them with your community as we walk together in faith and advocacy. Read more at ELCA.org.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2024AMMPARO, Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Immigration and Refugees, Church and SocietyComment

Rick Steves’ Gift to the ELCA: A Beautiful Christmas Video for Worship

Rick Steves, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Seattle, has shared a beautiful 2-minute video of the Christmas story from Luke, illustrated with stunning European art. Offered as a free gift to the ELCA, the video can be used in worship services, concerts, or celebrations with no need for attribution. Watch the video on YouTube here or download it here and enrich your community’s celebration of this holy season.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2024Rick Steves, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment

Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found, full episode

Join beloved 1960s TV icons Davey and Goliath for their 1965 Christmas special. Davey learns the real meaning of Christmas when he gives his part in a Christmas play to another boy.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2024Davey and Goliath, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment

Merry Christmas from the ELCA Foundation

View the message on YouTube here or download the video here We invite you to pause with us during this holy season to celebrate the miracle of Emmanuel: God with us. From all of us at the ELCA Foundation, thank you for your generosity and partnership. Merry Christmas.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2024ELCA Foundation, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment

Martin Luther’s Christmas Sermon: Making Room in Our Hearts and Lives

Martin Luther’s Christmas sermon challenges us to look at our own lives this season. While Bethlehem had “no room” for Christ, we are asked: Do we make room for our neighbors in need today? God entered the world in love, and Luther calls us to respond with that same love for those around us.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 20242024 Advent and Christmas, Martin LutherComment

Holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, choose from over 60 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones this Christmas! New gifts include safe birth, a climate resilience kit and supporting a Young Adults in Global Mission volunteer for a month. Give online and you can personalize free, printed cards to be sent directly to your loved ones. Find several special-edition Christmas cards for select gifts now. Browse gifts.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 16, 20242024 Advent and Christmas, ELCA Good GiftsComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For the nation of Syria of conflict, transition, and uncertainty…
For peace among nations of the world…
For all victims of gun violence…
For victims of gang violence in Haiti and for grieving families…
For those struggling to afford or access healthcare…
For safety and advocacy for those without stable housing…
For those affected by earthquakes in California and Nevada, and for those affected by brush fires in southwestern California…
For continued political stability in South Korea and France, and for the safety of political protesters in the nation of Georgia…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardDecember 11, 2024ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Key Dates and Deadlines for the 2024 Annual Congregation Report

The ELCA is introducing several updates to the Annual Congregation Report process for 2024. Starting in mid-January, congregations will receive a letter with their ID and password but no printed resources; all instructions and materials will be posted online. A new reporting platform will also launch, offering streamlined tools and embedded instructions. Congregations must file 2023 reports by December 20, as the system will shut down afterward.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 10, 2024Comment

From Local Farms to Global Advocacy: ELCA World Hunger’s 50-Year Legacy

Celebrating 50 years of ELCA World Hunger, this milestone highlights the ministry’s global and local impact in fighting hunger and poverty through sustainable solutions, advocacy, and partnerships. Discover inspiring stories and learn how you can join in this life-changing mission in this year-end Living Lutheran article.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 10, 2024Living Lutheran, Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Nothing Is Impossible: Advent Hope for a Dreaming Heart

Rediscover the courage to dream this Advent! Through childlike imagination and God’s promises, we are reminded that nothing is impossible. In her latest Living Lutheran article, join Kimberly Knowle-Zeller in reflecting on Advent practices, prayer, and bold hope for ourselves and the world.

News, ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 10, 20242024 Advent and Christmas, Living LutheranComment

Elizabeth Cote’s YAGM Journey in Senegal: Faith, Culture, and Service

Elizabeth Cote, a YAGM volunteer through the ELCA, shares her transformative experience in Senegal. From learning Wolof and adapting to rural life in Linguere to serving in a healthcare clinic and teaching English, Elizabeth reflects on living out her Lutheran faith through cross-cultural service. Discover her insights on Senegalese values like teranga (hospitality) and how they shape her mission. Read more about Elizabeth’s journey and how you can support her ministry in her first newsletter and second newsletter.

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