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Past issues: 24:10 Returned, Rested, Ready; 24:09 And Now to Work; 24:07 Happy Hour Evangelism; 24:06 It's Pentecost; 24:05 Intro; 24:04 He is Risen; 24:03 Be Of Good Courage; 23:12 A Spiritual Exercise; 23:09 Getting to Know You; 23:07 Joy?; 23:06 Farewell; 23:05 Advice & Call; 23:04; 23:03 The Love of Christ Abounds; 23:02 Need to Find a Way to Love; 23:01 Love, the Universal Glue; 22:12 Advent & Hope; 22:11 Christ's Cycle; 22:09 A New Look at Matthew; 22:08 Perfect In Every Way; 22:06 Shooting; 22:05 A Number of Days; 22:04 Renewal; 22:03 The Transformational Path; 22:02 The Antonine Plague Lesson; 22:01 Chairs instead of pews?; 21:12 Living in Advent; 21:11 Cloud of Witnesses; 21:10 Biblical Basics?; 21:09 Slipping Into the Future; 21:08 We Belong to God; 21:07 It Takes More Than a Village; 21:06 Pentecost-Coming or Going; 21:05 A Return?; 21:04 A Season of Penance; 21:03 Lenten Reflection; 21:02 The Racist Lawyer; 20:12 Look to Fore; 20:10 Where are the Christians?; 20:09 Remember to Laugh; 20:08 The Bonding, the Blessing; To view, click on Welcoming Congregations above. ELCA News CHICAGO — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will celebrate World Food Day and the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger during a special online event, Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, ELCA vice president. "ELCA World Hunger is a great example of how we are church together and church for the sake of the world," said ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. "I have witnessed firsthand the impact of ELCA World Hunger on communities around the world. During a trip to the Yunnan province of China, I had the opportunity to visit with the Lisu people at a farm where they grew crops to help support their families with food and clothing. The partnership with ELCA World Hunger changed traditional farming methods to help lift people out of poverty." "ELCA World Hunger is one of the best things we do as a church," Siddiqui said. "For 50 years, we have embodied 'God's work. Our hands.' by feeding those who are hungry around the world, and we have made a real difference. I look forward to 50 more years — and beyond that — of feeding the hungry and fighting poverty in our country and the world." During the event, participants will hear stories from ELCA World Hunger partners — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile founded over 40 years ago, and more recently established ministries including Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban farm system in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. These partners will talk about their work with ELCA World Hunger and the impact of their ministries on the communities they serve. "We are grateful for the ministry of welcome and dignity Tapestry Farms provides the refugees who make the Quad Cities their home," Current said. "The partnership with World Hunger strengthens their capacity to invest in the lives of the refugees and their families as they seek to build meaningful lives in our community." The world has experienced a decline in hunger since ELCA World Hunger was founded in 1974, but now, 50 years later, the number of people affected by hunger globally is increasing because of rising costs, global conflict, the effects of climate change and the lingering effects of COVID-19. "We are grateful for the generosity of ELCA members and others who have responded to God's promise of a just world where all are fed," Eaton said. "We look forward to the next 50 years of transformational work through ELCA World Hunger." Register here to receive reminders, event information, World Food Day resources and the event recording. - - - The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. CHICAGO — The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Sept. 24-28 at the Lutheran Center in Chicago. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary. In her report to the conference, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton described the work of the churchwide organization framed by God's Love Made Real. Eaton emphasized the vision guiding this work — a world experiencing the difference God's grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation — and its two distinct strategies, the church that is and the church that is becoming. "Some people might think that the wave of the future is no more buildings, no more congregations, but I don't think that's true," said Eaton. "We're going to work with our congregations, but at the same time — and we found this out during COVID — there are some people who will not set foot in one of our buildings or anything that is recognizable as church. Those people need to hear the liberating good news of the gospel." Eaton asked the assembled bishops, "How can we here at the churchwide expression walk alongside you as people start to realize that they are never out of God's sight and that God is at work with them, through them and in them?" To learn more about this work, the conference heard from the Vision team, led by the Rev. Louise Johnson, executive for Vision, and the Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, associate executive for Vision. Eaton established the team in 2024, and its work is guided by the ELCA's vision statement. In conversation with the conference, Johnson and Hinojosa shared ideas for the church to work together to help more people learn about Jesus' love. In key business, the conference issued a statement stressing the need to speak the truth and refusing "to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit. "We, the members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speak with one voice to condemn the hateful, deceptive, violent speech that has too readily found a place in our national discourse," the statement reads. "We recommit ourselves to speaking the truth and pointing to the one who is truth." In other business, the conference:
- - - The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. In a perfect garden, created by God for the sake of humanity, evil entered in the form of deception and lies. Christians refer to this story, found in the biblical book of Genesis, as the fall of humanity. This foray into human sin began when Adam and Eve, the first humans created in the image of God, were deceived. Humans have contended with the powers of deception ever since. Yet we are a people who know and proclaim the power of God at work in the world. We proclaim the power of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the one who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). We know that the power of truth is greater than the power of deceit. We, the members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speak with one voice to condemn the hateful, deceptive, violent speech that has too readily found a place in our national discourse. We lament the ways this language has led to hate-fueled action. We refuse to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit. We recommit ourselves to speaking the truth and pointing to the one who is truth. We find courage in our collegiality and implore the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as our partners and friends, to join us as we:
Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, may we resist deception and lift up the truth that all members of humanity are created in the image of God. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we respond to the Spirit's invitation into this intentional commitment against deception and for truth. In Christ, The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
CHICAGO — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will celebrate World Food Day and the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger during a special online event, Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, ELCA vice president. "ELCA World Hunger is a great example of how we are church together and church for the sake of the world," said ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. "I have witnessed firsthand the impact of ELCA World Hunger on communities around the world. During a trip to the Yunnan province of China, I had the opportunity to visit with the Lisu people at a farm where they grew crops to help support their families with food and clothing. The partnership with ELCA World Hunger changed traditional farming methods to help lift people out of poverty." "ELCA World Hunger is one of the best things we do as a church," Siddiqui said. "For 50 years, we have embodied 'God's work. Our hands.' by feeding those who are hungry around the world, and we have made a real difference. I look forward to 50 more years — and beyond that — of feeding the hungry and fighting poverty in our country and the world." During the event, participants will hear stories from ELCA World Hunger partners — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile founded over 40 years ago, and more recently established ministries including Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban farm system in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. These partners will talk about their work with ELCA World Hunger and the impact of their ministries on the communities they serve. "We are grateful for the ministry of welcome and dignity Tapestry Farms provides the refugees who make the Quad Cities their home," Current said. "The partnership with World Hunger strengthens their capacity to invest in the lives of the refugees and their families as they seek to build meaningful lives in our community." The world has experienced a decline in hunger since ELCA World Hunger was founded in 1974, but now, 50 years later, the number of people affected by hunger globally is increasing because of rising costs, global conflict, the effects of climate change and the lingering effects of COVID-19. "We are grateful for the generosity of ELCA members and others who have responded to God's promise of a just world where all are fed," Eaton said. "We look forward to the next 50 years of transformational work through ELCA World Hunger." Register here to receive reminders, event information, World Food Day resources and the event recording. - - - The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. CHICAGO — The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Sept. 24-28 at the Lutheran Center in Chicago. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary. In her report to the conference, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton described the work of the churchwide organization framed by God's Love Made Real. Eaton emphasized the vision guiding this work — a world experiencing the difference God's grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation — and its two distinct strategies, the church that is and the church that is becoming. "Some people might think that the wave of the future is no more buildings, no more congregations, but I don't think that's true," said Eaton. "We're going to work with our congregations, but at the same time — and we found this out during COVID — there are some people who will not set foot in one of our buildings or anything that is recognizable as church. Those people need to hear the liberating good news of the gospel." Eaton asked the assembled bishops, "How can we here at the churchwide expression walk alongside you as people start to realize that they are never out of God's sight and that God is at work with them, through them and in them?" To learn more about this work, the conference heard from the Vision team, led by the Rev. Louise Johnson, executive for Vision, and the Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, associate executive for Vision. Eaton established the team in 2024, and its work is guided by the ELCA's vision statement. In conversation with the conference, Johnson and Hinojosa shared ideas for the church to work together to help more people learn about Jesus' love. In key business, the conference issued a statement stressing the need to speak the truth and refusing "to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit. "We, the members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speak with one voice to condemn the hateful, deceptive, violent speech that has too readily found a place in our national discourse," the statement reads. "We recommit ourselves to speaking the truth and pointing to the one who is truth." In other business, the conference:
- - - The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. In a perfect garden, created by God for the sake of humanity, evil entered in the form of deception and lies. Christians refer to this story, found in the biblical book of Genesis, as the fall of humanity. This foray into human sin began when Adam and Eve, the first humans created in the image of God, were deceived. Humans have contended with the powers of deception ever since. Yet we are a people who know and proclaim the power of God at work in the world. We proclaim the power of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the one who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). We know that the power of truth is greater than the power of deceit. We, the members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speak with one voice to condemn the hateful, deceptive, violent speech that has too readily found a place in our national discourse. We lament the ways this language has led to hate-fueled action. We refuse to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit. We recommit ourselves to speaking the truth and pointing to the one who is truth. We find courage in our collegiality and implore the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as our partners and friends, to join us as we:
Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, may we resist deception and lift up the truth that all members of humanity are created in the image of God. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we respond to the Spirit's invitation into this intentional commitment against deception and for truth. In Christ, The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt Dear church, The recent national spotlight on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, clearly has fanned flames of hate and stoked threats of violence. The rhetoric has created discord and mistrust of people who have already suffered civil unrest in their nation and been granted legal protection in the United States. History shows us that this kind of hatred often carries negative national and global consequences. Our church teaches that immigrants are children of God, made in God's image and worthy of respect and lives of dignity. God calls us to witness boldly to this truth when people tell dehumanizing lies that perpetuate racist tropes and support white supremacist narratives. As people of faith, we and others look to God's command to "not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). Martin Luther explains: "We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light" (Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Eighth Commandment; Book of Concord, page 353). Recognizing historic discriminatory policies and treatment of African descent immigrants, the ELCA has specific commitments to strengthen advocacy, protection and accompaniment of Black migrants. The ELCA participates in and promotes the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. We stand in solidarity with the Haitian community in the United States. We pray alongside Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt and the Southern Ohio Synod, Wittenberg University and Springfield area congregations responding to hateful speech and threats of violence in their communities. Please pray and take action to stop the spread of hate. As followers of Christ, we are called to love neighbors. Below are resources to support this call. In peace, For more information and resources see: Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent CHICAGO – Christopher (Chris) Johnson has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Portico Benefit Services, a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He will join Portico on Oct. 7. Johnson brings a proven 30-year track record of scaling businesses for growth, along with extensive leadership experience, an innovative approach and a strong connection to the church, making him uniquely qualified to advance Portico's vision for the future. The Rev. Jeff Thiemann, former president and CEO of Portico, announced his retirement on Sept. 12, 2023. Stacy Kruse, who assumed additional responsibilities last fall as interim president and CEO, will continue to serve as chief operating and financial officer for Portico. - - - For information contact: For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us (Ephesians 2:14). Just a few weeks ago in my June column for Living Lutheran I wrote, "I can't think of an election cycle more fraught and divisive than this one. People all across the political spectrum claim that life as we know it is on the line. It's not possible to agree to disagree—one must decide and put a stake in the ground. There is the potential for violence." That potential is now a reality after last weekend's shooting at a Trump campaign rally that killed Corey D. Comperatore and injured other attendees. I am thankful that former President Trump's injury was minor and pray for his recovery alongside those affected. I also wrote, "But division and violence don't have to be our inevitable future." I believe this and that God calls this church to say a definitive "no" to political violence now and in the future. Political violence has a long history but no place in democracy. This church belongs to God, and our unity in Christ is a grace-filled and healing gift in a fractured society. As the ELCA we have theological and community resources to meet this moment through worship, discipleship and civic engagement. In the face of violence, God's resolve for peace in human communities is unshakable. In proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ's forgiveness, healing and new life, the church addresses the ultimate root of violence. God calls us as church together in this moment to hear and embody this good news by embracing our identity as peacemakers through active civic engagement grounded in our baptismal identity and our institutional witness to foster justice, racial and social equity, reconciliation, and healing with compassion and imagination. Last weekend's shooting has distressed and destabilized our nation. Political violence breeds fear and can set in motion cycles of violence that will further shatter us. Consider how, as individuals and communities in our life together, you will:
Our inevitable future belongs to God. In this certainty and bound together in Christian hope, consider how you can join me in ongoing prayer and actions for our nation, a peaceful election season, the safety of candidates for office, and a bold and life-giving witness of our church in the time ahead. In Christ, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Holy God, Resources:
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