Join us on September 18th at 10 AM for the Founders’ Day Lecture, “Listening in the Darkness,” with Mark Yaconelli, a respected writer and spiritual director. Discover how faith can guide us through uncertainty and failing systems. This event is sponsored by California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Register now to attend in person in Berkeley or virtually via Zoom.
Read MoreThe August 2024 of ELCA’s Seeds Monthly is out, featuring: Living Lutheran: “Greetings From the Heart”; ELCA World Hunger: Generation Zero-Hunger; Gathering Remix; calendar items; featured resources, and bulletin blurbs.
Read MoreJoin the ELCA’s Virtual Discernment Event on Sunday, September 15th, 2024, to explore your call to ministry. Representatives from all seven ELCA seminaries will guide you through discerning your next steps. Register today to take part in this unique opportunity!
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation announces the extension of Gabrielle’s fellowship through 2024 and begins a Strategic Planning process to shape its role in the ELCA. Join us in celebrating Pr. Nick Utphall’s walk on the Ice Age Trail and participate in upcoming events like “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday and our August Connection Call on the Season of Creation. Read the news in full in their August 2024 Great Green News.
Read MoreThe 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans was a tremendous success, with nearly 17,000 participants raising close to $100,000 for Generation Zero-Hunger. As we celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger, we reflect on our church’s deep commitment to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty. Explore the resources available for this milestone and consider joining an upcoming immersion trip to Colombia. Learn more about these events and how you can get involved in the August 2024 issue of ELCA World Hunger's Go and Do News.
Read MorePhoto: Delegates from 12 LWF member churches take part in 2nd meeting of the Climate Justice Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean
New commissions to further dialogue with Roman Catholics and Pentecostals
Explore the transformative stories and impactful work featured in the Inside Out Network’s Summer 2024 Newsletter. Discover how faith-based initiatives are making a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals and learn how you can support this vital mission. Read the full newsletter online or in this PDF.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Men in Mission 2024 Summer Ambassador-Gram is available by clicking here. You can also view the LMM page where Ambassador-Grams (including this one) are archived.
Their summer Foundations newsletter is also available via PDF and contains valuable info, including their cover story, Fighting Human Trafficking One Mile and One Meal at a Time: “Cyclists in Iowa rode 200 miles to raise over $2 million to combat human trafficking, supported by Lutheran Men in Mission and congregations like Emanuel St. John’s in Lytton. Their journey reflects the bold and daring challenge of living out faith through action.”
Read MoreIn the August 2024 LECA Mission Support Memo, we hear about how the ELCA Youth Gathering is both a place of faith formation and empowering each of us to share faith and inclusion in our church. You also have a great opportunity to attend Stewardship Kaleidoscope in September, even online so check out the memo to find out more. Find the memo here in Living Lutheran too!
Read MoreOn Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.
Read MoreDiscover how to vividly convey your community's mission through our step-by-step webinar on creating Narrative Mission Plans. Led by Pr. Tim Brown on September 9th, this session is perfect for anyone looking to transform their budget into a compelling story of impact. Register for this Zoom event here.
Read MoreDiscover how your congregation can go solar with insights from Interfaith Power & Light’s recent webinar on solar financing. The session covers various financing options, federal incentives like Direct Pay, and real-life experiences from a congregation that has successfully navigated the process. Access the webinar recording and additional resources to start your solar journey today.
Read MoreJoin us on Thursday, September 12, for a vital Zoom presentation with Michele Harbeck Haley, CPA, who will demystify clergy taxes and housing allowances. This session is essential for anyone looking to confidently navigate the unique tax challenges clergy face. Register today to secure your spot!
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff spent a morning volunteering at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop on August 13, 2024. Our team was inspired by the dedication and community spirit of the shop’s 350+ volunteers, who have helped raise over $10 million for ELCA missions and local non-profits, including our office. The experience deepened our appreciation for this vital ministry, and we look forward to returning soon to continue supporting their incredible work.
Read MoreLWF World Service, the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation, is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional assistance in 26 countries worldwide. With a focus on serving the most vulnerable, LWF World Service is renowned for its field presence in hard-to-reach areas, linking local community needs with global advocacy and peace work.
Read MoreMembers of the Office of the Bishop celebrate the Ordination of Julie Gerrish at Esperanza on Aug 24, 2024 at 11 am and work on day to day operation.
Read MoreJoin the “Living into a New Story” retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, January 23–26, 2025, to explore the intersection of Christian theology, Earth-based wisdom, and the natural sciences. Led by Pastor Ron Rude and Sharon Reinbott, this retreat offers a unique blend of worship, reflection, and learning in the serene surroundings of Carefree, Arizona. Register now to secure your spot and discover a reimagined Christian faith grounded in science and nature.
Read MoreDiscover how you can make a difference and save on taxes with an IRA charitable rollover. If you’re 70½ or older, this special opportunity allows you to give up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity, like your ELCA congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, without paying income taxes on the amount. Connect with Lisa Higginbotham, our Regional Gift Planner, to learn more about this impactful and tax-efficient way to support the ministries you care about.
Read MoreRev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development for the Grand Canyon Synod, has earned the prestigious Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. This accomplishment enhances our synod’s capacity for sustainable growth and reflects a collective commitment to nurturing a culture of generosity.
Read MoreDaniel Volkmann will be ordained on Friday, 9/13/2024, at 6pm at United Dr. Martin Luther Church in Shiner, Texas. Volkmann will be called to serve as the Associate Pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
All rostered ministers are invited to robe and process. The color of the day is red. Rev. Christopher Heinold will be preaching. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will be presiding. The service will be live-streamed on the Shiner Lutheran Church Facebook page; no RSVP is necessary.
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