The Office of the Bishop staff attends the Installation of Julie Gerrish at Christ Lutheran in Sedona, Sep 8, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, as well as Prayer Vigils for Peace During the 2024 Election Season with UCC, Disciples of Christ, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and ELCA at Franciscan Renewal Center, Monday, September 9, 4:45 pm.
Read MoreThe September Sumud Newsletter calls Lutherans to speak up for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. Updates include a $250,000 donation from Lutheran Disaster Response to support children’s education in the Holy Land, reflections on the ongoing violence, and Bishop Meghan Aelabouni’s new role in the Rocky Mountain Synod. Join us for the Global Sunday of Mutual Flourishing on October 6th by accessing worship resources at mutualflourishing.com. Read the full newsletter here.
Read MoreThis is a transitional year! Women of the ELCA has an interim executive director. We are going to hit our goal for fundraising for Katie’s Fund! And we are all wondering about the next steps for the future of WELCA. You are invited to participate in a survey to gather ideas about what WELCA is and can be! We will use this time to reflect, dream and prepare together. Take the survey, share the survey and download the QR code!
Read MoreFor those competing and assisting with the Paralympic Games….
For the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the end of all such conflicts….
For the family of Hersh Goldberg Polin and all those who mourn those lost to terror and violence…
For those in Los Angeles affected by mudslides and all those affected by natural disaster…
For those injured or affected by the shooting at the West Indian Day Parade in NYC and an end to gun violence…
For efforts in the English Channel to rescue migrants from a capsized boat…
For wisdom and discernment as we engage with online resources…
The 2024 Election Season Toolkit from Faith+Lead provides essential resources to help church leaders guide their congregations through the political tensions of election season. Learn how to foster empathy, promote peace, and ground conversations in Gospel values. Access the toolkit and subscribe for updates at faithlead.org/toolkit/2024election.
Read MoreThe Campaign for Kindness Preaching Series from the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod is designed to guide congregations through the 2024 election season with messages of kindness, humility, and reconciliation. Starting on a suggested date of October 6, this six-week sermon series encourages pastors to address political anxiety from a faith perspective. Learn more about the resources and join weekly discussions to promote kindness in your faith community.
Read MoreAs some congregations face the difficult decision to close, new opportunities for community and ministry emerge. This article in Living Lutheran explores the emotional and practical aspects of church closures and highlights how congregations can offer support to new members during these transitions. By honoring the past and welcoming the future, both closing and receiving congregations can continue to share God’s love with the world.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is actively working to bring hope and healing to communities impacted by disasters worldwide. In the latest edition of Thrive, discover how your support has made a difference—from aiding wildfire recovery in Maui to providing care for people with disabilities in the West Bank. Read more and learn how your generosity continues to change lives. Read Thrive 2024.
Read MoreThe LAMA website has been refreshed! Prepare for the fall by checking out our "Get Involved" pages for LAMA Liaisons and for the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leader's Network. Read more here.
Read MoreJoin faith+lead’s “Dare to Lead” training starting September 10th, 2024, and transform your leadership approach. This program, inspired by Brené Brown’s research, consists of six live online sessions focusing on essential skills for daring leadership. Led by Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator Sarah Ciavarri, you will gain practical wisdom and tools to lead authentically. Enroll now for $600 and become Dare to Lead Trained, bringing these insights to your faith community. Scholarships available. This popular program is back this year with a fall session starting on September 10th, 2024
Read MoreELCA Advocacy harnesses the power of faith to influence public policy, working on behalf of biblical values like peacemaking, care for creation, and justice for the poor.
Read MoreWe pray for the friends and family of Pastor Colin H. Melby, who died on August 28, 2024 in the Philippines. We especially lift up and pray for his wife Connie Melby.
Read MoreFor José David Rodríguez, what began as a doctoral dissertation is now the first academic history of the Lutheran church by a Puerto Rican.
Rodríguez’s new book, Caribbean Lutherans: The History of the Church in Puerto Rico (Fortress Press, 2024), first took shape through a Ph.D. program in the Department of History at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. An ELCA pastor and professor, Rodríguez had long hoped to put together a history of how the Lutheran mission in Puerto Rico began and evolved. But when he visited the Archivo General de Puerto Rico (General Archive of Puerto Rico) to begin his research, he found no information. Read the full story in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreExplore how Jesus’ encounter with the Syrophoenician woman reveals His human struggles and divine grace. Discover lessons on faith, persistence, and the power of change in this week’s Faith Lens.
Read MoreIn honor of International Day for People of African Descent, which is observed internationally on August 31 each year, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited ELCA Director for Innovation and Ideas Rahel Mwitula Williams to share some thoughts about being a person of African descent. For more information on International Day for People of African Descent, visit International Day for People of African Descent – EN | United Nations. Read the full post on the ELCA blog.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod Grant application opens in September! With $175,000 in funding available, we encourage collaborative, innovative projects that align with our Strategic Plan. Attend our Grants Webinar on September 17, 2024, to learn more. Applications are due by midnight on October 18, 2024. Start planning now to support your ministry and bring new ideas to life! For more details, visit our website.
Read MoreJoin California Lutheran University’s Thriving Leadership Formation team, January 6-10, 2025, for the Executive Skills for Church Leaders retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. This transformative event, designed for pastors, deacons, and church leaders, offers expert-led sessions on Conflict Management, Human Resources, Contemporary Leadership, and Congregations in the Digital Age. Register now to enhance your ministry leadership skills and connect with fellow church leaders in a serene Arizona desert setting. Learn more and sign up at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center’s website or call 480-488-5218. View PDF poster here.
Read MoreJoin the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. September's focus is Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions. Click here to join this Sunday’s webinar.
September 10 New Date! Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:00pm.: Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.
The ELCA invites members to engage with a draft social statement on civic life and faith, reflecting our relationship with government as individuals and a church body. This statement, currently under review, offers guidance on church teaching and policies, serving as a vital tool for discernment on civic issues. Members can contribute feedback through an online survey or synod hearings until September 30, 2024. Post-feedback, the statement will be considered for official adoption at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, potentially shaping the church's stance on civic engagement.
Read MoreThe Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, encompassing nearly 180 congregations across Northern California and Northern Nevada, is a dynamic community dedicated to faith, service, and justice under the leadership of Bishop Jeff R. Johnson. The synod focuses on fostering connections, addressing social issues, and empowering congregations to make a difference in their communities.
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