Links

ELCA Links

Many portions of the ELCA Web address contain useful material for simplicity ministries that you might engage in. The following pages are included as examples. Spend time navigating in global mission and stewardship pages for other insights about "simple living" in your congregation.

ELCA World Hunger Program
The “home” where this site eventually links back to, this Web URL for the entire ELCA World Hunger Program helps Web visitors put “simplicity” into perspective, connecting the notions of simple living with hunger and justice matters. Of special interest: Several new resources for congregational leaders who want to introduce simplicity into their congregational emphases.

Simple Living Calendar
This site accompanies a unique resource—a family calendar—that promotes simplicity in family conversations at any time of year. The resource can be ordered from Augsburg Fortress, but this Web site adds layers of value with discussion questions and other activities for families or small groups.

Stewardship resources
Stewardship theology in the ELCA has always included "stewardship of life", an integral part of an overall stewardship program. Spend time at this Web address to see new and continuing resources for simple living that are tied to the church's stewardship practices.

Hunger sermon starters
If you want to see how hunger and justice concerns connect with the themes of the weekly Bible readings in Lutheran congregations, this little feature of the ELCA Hunger Program home page will be helpful.

Global mission connections
Throughout the world, this church combats hunger and injustice through its partner churches and its global mission personnel. The Gospel of Christ takes its words and deeds into the lives of people who are poor, and God's will is done.

Links to Other Sites

Connect to any of these links to find organizations or enterprises already fully engaged in matters of simplicity. Some offer resources, others connectivity to people like you. Remember that you are part of a growing “cloud of witnesses” that understands God’s economy, God’s will, God’s love. When it comes to simplicity, you’re never alone. Try these links to see how that works. (Note that these link off of this site and will open in a new window).

Alternatives for Simple Living
This is the premier faith-based organization dealing with matters of simplicity. For over thirty years, Alternatives has been an extensive source of personal, family and congregational resources for simple living and its connected areas of interest. A young adult emphasis now also characterizes the organization.

Holden Village
The programs and people of this Lutheran retreat center, located deep in the Cascades of Washington state, are named as a continually regenerating experience for the author of Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal. The long-standing commitment of Holden Village to principles of simplicity has made this year-round center a favored locus for the personal transformation for many leaders, lay and clergy, and their families.   

Simple Living America
A project of the CRESP Center for Transformative Education at Cornell University, this Web site—and its associated services—is one of the cornerstone addresses for connectivity to the world of simplicity. A noteworthy feature: An online “simple living survey” that is gradually forming itself into a reliable measure of simplicity. The site is also a primary connection to “Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska,” whose PBS television series has continued to grow in importance as a medium of instruction and encouragement in simplicity.

Take Back Your Time Day
A major U.S./Canadian initiative that challenges the stubborn epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that continues to threaten our brains and bodies, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment. (So you know: October 24th Is Take Back Your Time Day.)

The Simple Living Network
One of the first and most highly respected organizations in the simplicity movement, The Simple Living Network draws together almost all of the major partners in the growing family of simplicity enterprises. The network’s URL is one of the portals to the classic simplicity resource, “Your Money or Your Life” and its associated benefits. Of special interest: The number of local “simplicity circles” operating around the country, with this organization as its hub. The bookstore offers a wide array of study and reading materials for use in groups and for individual reflection.

The Simplicity Forum
A fascinating think-tank of simplicity thinkers, including academics, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and authors. A good place to enter the world of simplicity that prospers outside of the church. The Forum features a growing collection of research papers, unique Web addresses and partnerships.

(NOTE: Many of the organizations listed here are interconnected with or peer into other universes in which simplicity is central. This list is only a small sampling of simple living enterprises. If you want to visit others, try your search engine!)