“Where Your Heart Is,” the new stewardship newsletter of the ELCA, continues with their January, 2023 newsletter featuring: words from Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship; upcoming events, and stewardship resources.
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Nelly Chiboi grew up in Mogotio, Kenya in an impoverished village. “I know the pain of poverty,” says Cheboi, now 29. “I never forgot what it was like with my stomach churning because of hunger at night.” Her mom ensured that despite their poverty Nelly received an education. Nelly worked hard in school and received a full scholarship to attend college. She graduated from the ELCA’s Augustana College in 2012.
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If your congregation is open to a more collaborative preaching model (perhaps even developing a cadre of lay preachers), consider this opportunity with the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan (preaching professor at PLTS in Berkeley, CA). Congregational teams consisting of 4-5 lay people and a rostered minister who will journey through the program together, which runs April through June of 2023.
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The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000+ as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. To learn more, visit undforsacredplaces.org.
View an introductory webinar on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community or judicatory) may qualify. Register here!
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The 40 days of Lent are a season to reflect and remember, to look forward and ahead. We invite you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22.
To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources from ELCA World Hunger today.
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During the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field after making a tackle. Medical personnel quickly rushed on field to administer CPR. Both Hamlin’s teammates and opponents were visibly upset as they looked on: some with tears in their eyes, others kneeling to pray.
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There is no doubt that digital platforms allow individuals with similar interests to find one another, help family and friends to share memories and stories, and connect individuals who might otherwise be isolated.
In many cases, life in the digital world is viewed through a filter which either crafts a perfect online image—free from conflict, sadness, or imperfection— or automatically “perfects” the appearance of the individuals or places in the picture.
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Thanks to endowments created in the past for this purpose, Women of the ELCA is able to offer scholarships in two categories: for Lutheran laywomen and for those studying for ordained ministry. Learn more about Women of the ELCA Scholarships.
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The ELCA is pleased to introduce Journi, a web-based tool designed to help people discern their call to leadership in the ELCA. Explore the site at Journi.faith.
"Journi encourages all of us to seek out and inspire gifted people in our congregations and communities to consider a call to ministry of the gospel," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop.
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Just before midnight on November 19, 2022, a gunman entered Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and opened fire. Five people died and at least 18 were injured. .
As a queer person who began coming out just before the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Florida, I am inspired by the bravery of the people at Club Q who confronted the gunman and almost certainly saved lives in the process.
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One timely way we can act as ELCA is to sign on with others to offer pointed comments to decision makers when developments demand. ELCA Advocacy shares this updates list of sign-on letters.
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The December, 2022 edition of Go and Do News, a newsletter from ELCA World Hunger, is available. This edition features Advent resources, a Lifelines article, updates from the Horn of Africa, resources, the Sea-Eye rescue ship, webinar info, advocacy focus, and many more featured resources.
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Shoppers across the country are buying toys for Christmas presents for the children in their lives. While many toy manufacturers have increased the racial diversity of their dolls and action figures, there is a segment of children who still don’t see themselves in the toys they find under the tree on Christmas day. Children with disabilities and medical conditions.
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Attend a 1-hour online briefing on the Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program on Thursday, 12/8/2022, 2pm MST, 1pm PST, to learn how to prepare to apply for Department of Energy grants of up to $200,000 for your congregation’s energy efficiency work. Register here.
As people of faith and conscience, reducing the climate impact of our houses of worship is an opportunity to care for one another and for our common home.
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In recent weeks, our country has been rocked once again by gun violence targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. On the eve of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a lone gunman walked into Club Q—an LGBTQ friendly nightclub in Colorado Springs, CO—and opened fire, killing 5 people and wounding 17 more.
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Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine is a four-week virtual pilgrimage from the ELCA’s Peace Not Walls, Young Adult Ministry, Arab and Middle Eastern ministry, and ALAMEH featuring young adult voices from the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
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Are you looking for stewardship resources to fuel your ministries and your imagination? Here are three places to find guidance and support:
Public figures, from social media influencers to celebrities to politicians, talk about how “woke” they are. The term has developed more layers of meaning in the past few years.
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ELCA Worship shares their news for November, 2022, featuring: Prompts for Prayers of Intercession, Readings for the Assembly (Emended) is available for provisional use; All Creation Sings; Resources for multi-religious ministry; Common prayer at the World Council of Churches, 11thAssembly; Lutheran Summer Music Program; Music that Makes Community, and worship resources from Augsburg Fortress.
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