Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
2d ago
Kelsey Green, Baltimore MD
Warm-up Questions
In a world plagued with violence and death, what does resurrection in our current time and place look like to you?
How do you know “Jesus lives”?
What You See, Isn’t Always the Truth
Friends, I’m tired. I don’t know if I’m the only one, but the current state of the world has me shuffling between images of pure terror and mind-numbing silence most days. I’m worried about my neighbors, worried about the future, worried about what to say to you. I’m sitting here hoping that this reflection might bring you whatever it is ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
2d ago
“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
Prayer prompts:
For victims of the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore, MD and for e ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director
Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: March 2024
FEDERAL BUDGET | YES IN GOD’S BACK YARD ACT | RECOVERING AMERICA’S WILDLIFE ACT | UYGHUR POLICY ACT OF 2023 | CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE, RESTORATION OF UNRWA FUNDING | SOLIDARITY WITH ANNUNCIATION HOUSE
FEDERAL BUDGET: The House and Senate passed the first tranche of 2024 spending bills, including funding for agriculture and housing programs. The bipartisan deal reached in both chambers in time to avoid a shutdown of many key federal agenci ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
In honor of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited the Rev. Aimée Appell, MDiv DMin to share some thoughts about the Triennial Assembly of the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice and their work to end racism and dismantle white supremacy.
The Triennial Assembly of EDLARJ (the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice, newly changed to White Lutherans for Racial Justice) was held in Minneapolis, Minn., March 1-3. A large part of our time together was spent in a pilgrimage to George Floyd Square ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
Prayer prompts:
For peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially lifting up Pale ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
Sarah Fryman, Bayonne, NJ
Warm-up Questions
What has it looked like for you when the anticipation of an event was better than the event itself? Worse than the event itself?
What about when the event doesn’t even end up happening?
An…wait for it…ticipation!
I am notorious for putting the cart before the horse (or maybe the cart before the donkey???). I get really excited about new things or adventures. I build up all this anticipation. And then the Thing happens…and it wasn’t what I expected. Or, even worse, the Thing doesn’t happen at all.
The past couple of years have been fille ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
The following is taken from the 2024 ELCA World Hunger Lent Study. The full resource can be ordered as a hardcopy or downloaded as a PDF in English or Spanish at the link here.
Week 5 — Resurrection ••• Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard.” —Hebrews 5:7
Thus far in our Lenten journey, we have considered what it means to encounter God in experiences of reconciliation, transfiguration, crucifixio ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
by Rev. Peter Heide
At the 2024 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza, several firsts occurred surrounding Disability Ministries. It had a more central place than in the past because, rather than offering the one 75-minute workshop we anticipated, in the end, our Disability Ministries (DM) advisory team, represented by coordinator Rev. Lisa Heffernan, Anita Smallin, Rev. Brian Krause, and Rev. Peter Heide, provided three 75-minute workshops, offered a revised Thanksgiving for Baptism service, and participated in a panel discussion with Rev. Jonathan Vehar, DEM for the South Dakot ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
1w ago
Welcome!
This new page is being populated to create visibility of election engagement activity happening across ELCA. Stay tuned as we update with ELCA-connected efforts in civic engagement in this election cycle and beyond.
  ..read more
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Blog
2w ago
Issue 92 of Administration Matters You’re not late, everyone else is just early!
Final call for registration for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, and the tAble in New Orleans! Registration will close on April 15. Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to provide a waived registration fee (which includes program, housing and food) for our pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event and the tAble! To learn more, visit: elca.org/Gathering.
Church Mutual update
The churchwide organization is aware of the difficulties currently facing the entire property insurance marketplace and the ..read more