Posts in ELCA
Empowering Communities: How ELCA Global Mission is Changing Lives Worldwide
Empowering Communities: How ELCA Global Mission is Changing Lives Worldwide

Bliss Tungnung, a former ELCA scholar, returned to her conflict-stricken home in Manipur, India, to offer psychosocial care and education to children. She founded Bliss International School in 2023 to foster emotional and academic growth. This month’s ELCA Global Mission newsletter also celebrates the ordination of women in the Lutheran Church of Australia and the 25th anniversary of the ELCA Wittenberg Center. Discover global service opportunities and Lenten resources, and read more inspiring stories at ELCA Global Mission.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Global MissionComment
Join the Movement: ELCA’s 2025 National Day of Racial Healing Event
Join the Movement: ELCA’s 2025 National Day of Racial Healing Event

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, the ELCA will host a free online event from 9am-1pm MST, 8am-noon PST, featuring worship, workshops, music, and guided reflection. Centering the voices of ELCA leaders of color, the event seeks to raise awareness of the need for racial healing and inspire collective action toward justice and equity. Open to all ELCA members and partners, this event aligns with the work of Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Visit ELCA.org/NDORH to learn more and register today!

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardRacial JusticeComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war and conflict: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine…

  • For evacuees and all threatened by the Pacific Palisades fire in California…

  • For earthquake victims in Tibet…

  • For political transitions and the advancement of peace across the world…

  • For severe winter weather affecting areas of the United States…

  • For refugees, migrants, and all who journey for safety…

  • For daily affirmation of our baptismal calling: to live among God’s faithful people; to hear the word of God and share in the holy supper; to share the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; to serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and to strive for justice and peace in all the world…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
A Feast for Community: Building Bridges Beyond Politics
A Feast for Community: Building Bridges Beyond Politics

Love Anyway Feasts offer a fresh way to bring neighbors together in divided times. Learn how ELCA members in Pennsylvania used shared meals to build bridges and model Christ’s teaching to love our neighbors. With resources from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, you too can join this movement of connection and hope. Read more in this article from Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Living Lutheran's top five articles from 2024
Living Lutheran's top five articles from 2024

As Living Lutheran wrapped up 2024, they took a look at some of our top stories from the year. Below are Living Lutheran‘s five most-read articles from the last 12 months.

  1. Inside Out 2 and the peace that passes understanding

  2. ELCA Conference of Bishops emphasizes the need to speak the truth

  3. 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering kicks off in New Orleans

  4. “This has allowed us to go back to church”

  5. Civility in politics

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Sumud Winter Newsletter: A Call to Peace and Justice in the Holy Land
Sumud Winter Newsletter: A Call to Peace and Justice in the Holy Land

This Christmas season, ELCA Sumud reflects on a year of advocacy and accompaniment with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). From Rev. Gabi Aelabouni’s solidarity visit to impactful ministries like the Olive Harvest Festival and Beit Jala’s hot meals program, our Palestinian siblings inspire hope amid hardship. Read Bishop Azar’s powerful Christmas message, explore ways to advocate for justice, and learn how you can support the ELCJHL Christmas Appeal in this season of peace. Read more in their Winter Newsletter.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSumud, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Israel and PalestineComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war and conflict: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine…

  • For the family of Jimmy Carter and all those who mourn…

  • For the families of those killed in the Jeju Air plane crash…

  • For those affected by tornadoes in Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana…

  • For those experiencing homelessness in the US…

  • For Trinidad & Tobago in the face of rising violence…

  • For victims of violence in New Orleans…

  • For the new year and transitions of all varieties…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Seventy-one percent of victims of human trafficking are women and girls. National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is an opportunity to educate others about identifying human trafficking, prevention and supporting victims. This blog post contained articles and resources from Women of the ELCA to raise awareness of human trafficking and engage in advocacy in your congregation and community.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWomen of the ELCA (WELCA)Comment
I’m a Lutheran: Glory Godwin Lekashu
I’m a Lutheran: Glory Godwin Lekashu

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.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Trusting Women: Revisiting the ELCA’s Social Statement on Abortion
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.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAbortion, Living LutheranComment
Empowering Communities: Lutheran Disaster Response Training in Indonesia
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.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Disaster ResponseComment
Living Lutheran Returns to Print, Plus More Highlights from Seeds Monthly
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.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeeds MonthlyComment
Faith Lens: A New Way for All to Win
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.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 Advent and ChristmasComment
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Syria
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.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, NewsBrian FlatgardBishop Eaton Letters, Syria, Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage (ALAMEH)Comment
December 2024 Mission Support Memo
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.”

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment
Living Lutheran Print Magazine is Coming Back in 2025
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.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment