The spirit of generosity was clearly demonstrated during our recent Synod Assembly. In this post we share the results of our collective efforts, with our offering worship contributing to nearly $5,000 to ELCA World Hunger and First Call Theological Education, and a bounty of rice, beans, and flour to donate to La Casa de la Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones in Nogales, Mexico.
Read MoreJoin facilitator Sheri Brown in viewing hopeful, encouraging, and soul-strengthening films, followed by group discussion and mutual support. Climate Theater meets online via Zoom on Thursdays, June 8 – August 24 (excluding July 6 & 13) at 4pm PDT/MST, 5pm MDT. Register here to receive this month’s Zoom link.
Read MoreClick here for the ELCA Disability Ministries June 2023 newsletter, with a reminder that July is Disability Pride Month, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and celebrating the disability community.
Check out this article to learn more about Disability Pride and what it means for so many people — including you. This resource explains the meaning behind the design and colors of the Disability Pride flag. How can your congregation and/or ministry partner with your friends in the disability community this month and all year?
Read MoreWe share the latest newsletter from the Inside Out Network (ION), our synod’s prison and reentry ministry. Read or download the summer 2023 ION newsletter here as a PDF, featuring: “That’s my Mama,” staff spotlight, grant support in 2023, state updates, thanks to supporters, book blurbs, board spotlight, and flipping books.
Read MoreYoung Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program announces two changes to the application process:
1) Young adults ages 21-35 are welcome to apply for YAGM. This expands the previous age range of 21-29 to align more closely with ELCA Young Adult Ministry.
2) Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, year-round. The timeline for decisions and the period of service for program participants will remain the same as in previous years.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. John Kautz, who celebrates 52 years on June 20.
Rev. Theodore Swanson, who celebrates 69 years on June 20.
Rev. Brian Stoffregen, who celebrates 47 years on June 20.
Rev. Paul Nelson, who celebrates 41 years on June 20.
Rev. Les Niemi, who celebrates 69 years on June 20.
Rev. Mark Reitan, who celebrates 52 years on June 20.
Rev. Charles Berdahl, who celebrates 58 years on June 20.
Tithe.ly is a leading online-giving platform and a preferred vendor of the ELCA. Through its new Pledge Campaigns tool, churches can raise money more quickly and easily than ever. Learn about the features of this new pledge platform through a video demonstration. The tool has already helped many congregations reach their goals.
Read MoreThe June, 2023 edition of Seeds Monthly is available here, featuring articles, events, and resources.
Read MoreRECLAIM is a gathering for people of African descent, brought to you by African Descent Ministries. People of African descent of all ages and gender identities will gather in Minneapolis on September 14 - 17, 2023. Standard registration ($300) and young adult registration ($200) end 6/30. Late registration ($350) ends 8/15. Register here.
Participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, praise and worship that will enable us to build community, learn new skills, share resources and rejuvenate weary souls.
Read MoreThe ELCA mission support memo for May, 2023 is available as PDF, as a Word doc, or in this blog post. This month’s memo features our very own Inside Own Network (ION), the “eHarmony of Prison Reentry.
Read MoreRegistration is open through July 1! Register today. The Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix is an opportunity to:
Hear from inspiring keynote speakers.
Enrich your ministry through workshops and caucuses.
Attend meaningful worship services.
Connect with your colleagues and meet new ones.
Remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive yourself.
In March 2022 the Candidacy Leadership Development Working Group (CLDWG) was appointed to examine and improve the candidacy process that equips rostered ministers for service in our church. View an executive summary of their findings here.
All members of the ELCA are invited to hearings hosted via Zoom to hear and respond to findings. You do not need to register for these sessions. Please mark your calendars and click a link for:
June 20, 2023, 4pm PDT/MST, 5pm MDT
June 22, 2023: 10am PDT/MST, 11am MDT
June 26, 2023: 11am PDT/MST, noon MDT
June 28, 2023: 7pm PDT/MST, 8pm MDT
In the latest episode of Portico’s Being Here Podcast – Gender Identity and the Church – host Pastor Melissa Pohlman and guest Austen Hartke discuss ways we can seek to honor the image of God found in all of us and help our church embody a spirit of welcome and acceptance.
Hartke brings his perspective as a Biblical scholar and founder of the Transmission Ministry Collective to offer practical resources and theological framework for starting these important conversations.
Read MorePortico’s EmployerLink sign-in process will be changing as part of their ongoing commitment to data security and privacy protection. If you’re a registered EmployerLink user, later this summer Portico will walk you through setting up a new way to access your account that includes two-step phone verification every time you sign in.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Larry Stiles, who celebrates 41 years on June 19.
Rev. John Groh, who celebrates 57 years on June 19.
Rev. Norbert Schroeder, who celebrates 63 years on June 19.
We're excited to announce an important development in our ministry in northern Arizona. Reverend Michael Girlinghouse, the former Bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the ELCA, will be serving as the Interim Campus Chaplain at LCM|Canterbury at NAU, effective from August 1, 2023.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Mark Rossman, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 35 years on June 18.
Rev. Paul Hansen, who celebrates 34 years on June 18.
Rev. Glen Stadler, who celebrates 45 years on June 18.
Rev. Raymond Christenson, who celebrates 55 years on June 18.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Ralph Livdahl, who celebrates 72 years on June 17.
Rev. Daniel Megorden, who celebrates 44 years on June 17.
Rev. Richard Bosse, who celebrates 67 years on June 17.
Rev. Daniel Storvick, who celebrates 50 years on June 17.
It’s been six long years since we all came together and explored the All Anew theme. Bring the hopes and fears born of the last six years to Phoenix this September as we explore God’s call to Just Love.
If you can’t join us in Phoenix, you can still explore the Just Love theme by participating online in worship and plenary sessions. Visit welcatg.org for more info and to register. Guest include Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, and Dr. Kelly Glow.
Read MoreEach month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Read more at ELCA.org.
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