Posts in News
ELCA Presence in Far-Reaching Efforts of COP28
ELCA Presence in Far-Reaching Efforts of COP28

The ELCA has actively participated in the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) meeting in Dubai, showcasing its commitment to addressing climate change. Six ELCA representatives, including experts in environmental science, policy, and advocacy, joined global leaders to discuss and devise strategies to combat the climate crisis. The ELCA's engagement at COP28 highlights our church’s dedication to environmental stewardship and its role in contributing to crucial global dialogues on environmental challenges.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Spiritual Solidarity: Preparing for Advent in Community
Spiritual Solidarity: Preparing for Advent in Community

Refresh your spirit this Advent with "Journeying Together -- Spiritual Practices in Community." Join Thriving Leadership Formation on Dec 7, 2023, from 10am-1pm MST, 9am to Noon PST, for a free virtual event focused on grounding spiritual practices. Perfect for ministry leaders seeking respite and connection. Register now for a serene start to your Advent journey. Register here. Questions? Email thriving@callutheran.edu.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, NewsBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation Program, California Lutheran University, 2023 Advent and Christmas, Lay LeadershipoComment
Welcoming Rev. Benjamin B. Bergren to the ELCA Church Council
Welcoming Rev. Benjamin B. Bergren to the ELCA Church Council

We're excited to announce the election of Rev. Benjamin B. Bergren to the ELCA Church Council, serving until August 2025. Join us in thanking Pastor Karn Carroll for her impactful service and in welcoming Pastor Bergren, as he brings his ministry experience from Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas and elsewhere to our churchwide leadership.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardCommunity Las Vegas, Colorado River Conference, ELCA Church CouncilComment
North American Church Leaders Call for Peace in Holy Land in Advent Prayer Resource
North American Church Leaders Call for Peace in Holy Land in Advent Prayer Resource

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer.

The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2023 Advent and Christmas, Israel and Palestine, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Standing in Hope: A Call to Support ELCJHL Schools in Need
Standing in Hope: A Call to Support ELCJHL Schools in Need

Join us in supporting the "Standing in Hope" campaign by Opportunity Palestine to aid the ELCJHL schools in the West Bank during the current crisis. With schools closed and families facing economic hardships, your generosity can provide essential scholarship assistance. Learn more about how you can contribute to this vital cause and stand in solidarity with the students and educators during this Advent Season.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Israel and Palestine, 2023 advComment
Lead with Courage: Transformative Insights from the Excellence in Leadership Program
Lead with Courage: Transformative Insights from the Excellence in Leadership Program

Elevate your leadership skills with the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA's "Excellence in Leadership" program. Starting January 5, 2024, this 13-month cohort offers bi-weekly online sessions every Friday morning to nurture courageous, resilient, and faithful leaders.

Explore adaptive leadership, emotional intelligence, and spiritual practices in a community of diverse participants. Transform how you respond to challenges and conflicts, both personally and professionally. Don't miss this chance to journey towards emotional and spiritual wholeness. Enroll now and step boldly into the future, and view a PDF brochure for more info.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardExcellence in Leadership, Rocky Mountain Synod, Region 2, Lay LeadershipoComment
Answering the Call: Advocacy as Spiritual Practice in Advent
Answering the Call: Advocacy as Spiritual Practice in Advent

Embrace the spirit of Advent with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona's inspiring message. This season, delve into the profound ways the Bible encourages us to prepare for meeting God - not just spiritually, but through active service. Explore various ways to incorporate advocacy into your daily spiritual practice, and learn how you can contribute to meaningful change.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2023 Advent and Christmas, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy Comment
Joining the Krewe: Navigating Your Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering
Joining the Krewe: Navigating Your Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering

Join the excitement for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! With over 12,000 young people already registered, it's shaping up to be an unforgettable faith formation experience. Don't worry if you're just starting your planning; we've got tips and a helpful webinar to guide you. Discover how you can bring your group to this life-changing event and be a part of an amazing journey of faith and fellowship.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, Youth and Young AdultComment
Bonhoeffer’s Stellvertretung: A Christ-Like Ecclesial Ethic for Serving “Galilean” Neighbors
Bonhoeffer’s Stellvertretung: A Christ-Like Ecclesial Ethic for Serving “Galilean” Neighbors

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Will Fredstrom, Bonhoeffer’s Stellvertretung: A Christ-Like Ecclesial Ethic for Serving “Galilean” Neighbors, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

“The ideas of America as either a “Christian” or “post-Christian” nation both reduce a complex relationship between church and state to a simplistic one. If the church is, as Bonhoeffer states, a representative of Christ’s redemptive presence in the world, then the church is primarily bound to serving all neighbors, both directly and through cooperation with the state.” —Will Fredstrom

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardCreating Space for Conversations, Word and World, Luther SeminaryComment
Seeds Monthly: November, 2023
Seeds Monthly: November, 2023

The latest ELCA's Seeds Monthly newsletter offers a rich array of resources and opportunities for engagement. Highlights include the ELCA’s Truth and Healing Movement, Jamie Bruesehoff’s inspiring article in Living Lutheran, holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts, and celebrating the 10th anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Additionally, it features important dates like the African-Descent Financial Empowerment Listening Session and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza 2024, as well as resources such as the Fall 2023 issue of “LifeLines,” worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land, and guidance on key cultural shifts in “Pitfalls and Pivots for Church Leaders.”

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeeds MonthlyComment
ELCA Worship News: November, 2023
ELCA Worship News: November, 2023

The latest ELCA Worship newsletter offers valuable resources for spiritual growth and worship. It includes prayers for the crisis in the Holy Land, the Spanish edition of "Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book," and insights from "All Creation Sings" for Advent and Christmas. Also featured are videos from the World Council of Churches' assembly, details of the ALCM’s PONDER ANEW conference in 2024, and the "Sundays and Seasons: Preaching, Year B 2024" guide.

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ELCA, News, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian Flatgard2023 Advent and Christmas, ELCA WorshipComment
Blessed Tomorrow Newsletter: December, 2023
Blessed Tomorrow Newsletter: December, 2023

Blessed Tomorrow's latest newsletter is brimming with opportunities for climate action and community engagement. Highlights include the screening of 'The Letter,' a film documenting the impact of climate change, and the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for both leaders and high school students. Additionally, listen to ELCA's Vance Blackfox discuss indigenous perspectives on climate action and discover how Blessed Tomorrow Ambassador Sharee Wharton is empowering churches through an energy efficiency webinar series.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardBlessed Tomorrow, Climate ChangeComment
Gift a Spiritual Journey: The Unique Power of Faith+Lead e-Gift Cards
Gift a Spiritual Journey: The Unique Power of Faith+Lead e-Gift Cards

Enhance your loved ones' spiritual journey this holiday season with Faith+Lead's e-Gift cards from Luther Seminary. These thoughtful gifts offer access to a wide range of on-demand courses, covering topics like faith formation, leadership, and storytelling. The e-Gift cards are timeless, customizable with personal notes, and connect recipients to a vibrant faith-learning community. It's an enriching and uplifting gift choice for church staff, leaders, volunteers, or anyone seeking to deepen their faith.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2023 Advent and Christmas, Luther Seminary, faith+leadComment