Read the 2022 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post.
“Like all of you, we found ourselves facing parallel crises: the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, an influx of vulnerable immigrant children at our border, and the devastating refugee criss in Afghanistan. While it was an incredibly difficult year in many ways, it was also one of the most inspiring in our 83-year history.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 ELCA Federal Credit Union synod assembly report as a PDF.
“The ELCA Federal Credit Union, founded in 2016, provides a full suite of financial products and services to members, congregations and ministries of the ELCA. We are the first of the ELCA’s financial ministries to offer loans to individuals. The Credit Union offers a rich variety of products—from savings and checking accounts and CDs ... to loans, lines of credit and credit cards.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Mission Investment Fund synod assembly report as a PDF and watch a report video.
“The Mission Investment Fund, a financial services ministry of the ELCA, provides a strong, stable, faith-based way for individuals, congregations, and ministries to achieve their financial goals. We put investments to work to fund building and renovation loans for congregations and partner ministries, including social service agencies and outdoor camps.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Portico synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post, and watch the report video from Andrea Arey, Regional Representative for Regions 1 and 2.
“As the benefits ministry of the ELCA, Portico cares for those who serve. We walk with you in times of joy and in times of challenge.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Mosaic synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post.
Mosaic serves more than 5,200 people in 13 states and 750 communities, including Phoenix, Prescott, and Tucson. Services are tailored to meet individual needs and goals, allowing people to be as independent as possible. Services are designed for people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults.
Read MoreIn the April 2022 Crucible Newsletter. Told Bolsinger shares insights on leading through the “little ice age” we are from the massive disruption of Covid-19. Two bits of advice: first, don’t predict, prototype; and second, keep clear on what will NEVER change. Read the full newsletter here.
Read MoreSeveral years ago I was having an over-the-fence conversation with my neighbor. My garden lay at the edge of my property line, and her children’s play set stood at the edge of hers, so we’d exchange chitchat now and again as neighbors do.
On this afternoon, she peeked over the pickets and said somewhat breathlessly, “Anna, today I had to take my daughter out of our Baptist day care and put her in the Lutheran one.”
Read MoreLast week, history was made when the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. She will serve as the first Black woman justice in the 232-year history of the Supreme Court. It is not the only, nor likely the last “historic first” for the highest court in the United States.
Read MoreResurrection – new life out of death – is built into the natural world—the interdependent life cycles of plants and animals living together in ecosystems mirror resurrection. How can our faith help us care for creation?
Read the article by LeeAnn Pomrenke in Café, a publication of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA).
Read MoreAs we return to a post-pandemic world, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we will need the “word of the Lord—the Word that calls us back to our center, which is the steadfast love of God, law and gospel, judgment and promise.” Read her April column for Living Lutheran in English and in Spanish, or download as PDF or Word document.
Read MoreFor the first time in decades we are witnessing a confluence of significant religious holy days and cultural traditions during the month of April. Kristen L. Opalinski shares her thoughts in Perspectives, a new ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious blog. She also shares these links:
This April, Chicago has a rare opportunity for interfaith cooperation
The Confluence of Holy Seasons: An Opportunity to Grow Together
“We must be vigilant today and always, because, like Mary, the Risen One also calls us and challenges us to open our eyes and recognize him in our surroundings and in our neighbors,” Lutheran World Federation Council member Rev. Karla Steilmann Franco, says in this year’s Easter message. Read the Easter message in English, Spanish, German, or French.
Read MoreWe share this simple and ingenious testimony of Easter created by Working Preacher, fom the Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary.
Read MoreIn this year’s message for Good Friday, Lutheran World Federation’s vice president for the Central Western European region, Pröpstin Astrid Kleist, reflects on the Gospel of Luke’s account of the Crucifixion, as Jesus is nailed to the cross to die between two criminals. Read the Good Friday Message in English, in Spanish, in French, or in German.
Kleist, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, reflects on the meaning of Jesus’ death for those killed, injured, uprooted and bereaved by Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities.
Read MoreFrom the latest Zoom meeting on April 9, 2022, the Grand Canyon Synod Council brings you Easter greetings.
Read More“He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!”
In my life, the amount of hope I find Easter morning has always been related to the depth of the Lenten journey before. The glorious Sunday morn is not possible without the nights of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Two Easters ago, the reality of the pandemic truly hit the church. And if you look at Lent through the lens of giving something up, it can feel as if we’ve had two years of Lenten fasting from normalcy.
Read MoreThe announcement of the Biden administration of an end date for Title 42 is a welcome step forward towards restoring access to the right to seek asylum. Rather than promote a safe, orderly or humane process, Title 42 wound up increasing risk and vulnerability.
Read MoreWhen it comes to making choices that help the earth, one writer shares what she and her family do to live more sustainably. What actions do you take?
Read the article by LeeAnn Pomrenke in Café, a publication of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA).
Read MoreAs we enter the third year of this pandemic, we see the signs of stress and incivility, even the signs of war and disease in Ethiopia and Sudan, in Europe. It might seem like death still has sway, but Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us to declare confidently on this Easter and all times "I know that my Redeemer lives.”
View in this post, on YouTube, or download the video here. Read the message as PDF in English or Spanish.
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