Raising Awareness about Modern Day Slavery

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. During the month of January, congregations are encouraged to raise awareness about this crime with their members and communities.

Human trafficking, or modern day slavery, is the second largest and fastest growing illegal trade in the world. People in this country and worldwide are in bondage through fraud, force or coercion.

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Journal of Lutheran Ethics Celebrates Eight Years

Energy and the ethics involved in decisions about energy use are the focus of the November 2009 issue of Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE).

For eight years, JLE has promoted awareness of, study of, and conversation about Christian ethics in the Lutheran tradition.

November 2009 issue  |  About JLE

A Letter from Carlos Peña

Carlos Peña, ELCA vice president, asks members to think of the actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly "as a catalyst to further strengthen our church and our relationships with each other."

The "resurrection" Peña experienced in Galveston after Hurricane Ike inspired him to write a letter to the ELCA, reminding the church of its mission in God’s world.

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Assembly Adopts UMC Full Communion

The 2009 Churchwide Assembly adopted a full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) by a vote of 958-51. 

This is the ELCA's sixth full communion relationship and the first for the UMC.

UMC Bishop Gregory D. Palmer said, "God has brought both our churches to a broad place where Jesus calls us ... to all be one."