All Resources
"Your Guide to Inter-Religious Life in the ELCA"
This guide was developed to help you and your congregation gain a hands-on appreciation of inter-religious relations in the life of the church.
NEW – Download "Your Guide to Inter-Religious Life in the ELCA" 
"Your Guide to Ecumenical Life in the ELCA"
This guide was developed to help you and your congregation gain a hands-on understanding of ecumenism in the life of the church.
NEW – Download "Your Guide to Ecumenical Life in the ELCA"
The NEW DVD, “Peace Not Walls: Making a Difference in the Holy Land,” 
offers a dynamic introduction to the ELCA inter-religious work and the Peace Not Walls campaign dedicated to peace with justice in Israel-Palestine.
We reside as Lutheran Christians in a rich pluralistic world where people maintain sometimes conflicting opinions, moral standards, social perspectives, political allegiances, and religious fidelities. When the world encounters times of immense change, it affects our self-understanding: “Given such diversity, what does it mean to be Lutheran?”
Windows for Understanding: Jewish-Muslim-Lutheran Relations – offers opportunities to learn and become more informed. You are invited to explore Windows and grow in your faith. We encourage you to send us your comments and suggestions by filling out the Evaluation Form on back of Windows.
Building Bridges in the Body of Christ
A new resource that can be used in bulletins to assist in the education of parishioners regarding our five communion partners and one interim eucharistic sharing partner.
All inserts are available in both color and black-and-white formats. You are welcome and encouraged to download one or all of the bulletin inserts free of charge, and then make as many copies as you need. We do ask, however, that you only make copies from the original downloaded document in order to preserve the print quality of the insert.
Although there are a variety of ways to utilize this resource, one way is to print your tradition on one side of the insert and the tradition you are learning about on the other. This method will allow for the reader to compare the differences and similarities in the two denominations.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2008
In celebration of 100 years of praying for Christian unity, the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement at Graymoor have launched a website, www.weekofprayer2008.org, that will encourage visitors to learn more about the history of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, share ideas for ecumenical education and celebration, and find out about centenary events planned for both 2007 and 2008.
"Ecumenism has long been at the heart of the Society of the Atonement's mission and what better way to mark this centenary celebration than by inviting Christians everywhere to join with us in prayer," said Fr. Damian MacPherson, SA, Chair of the Graymoor's Centenary Committee and Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs for the Archdiocese of Toronto. "We hope that the sharing of ideas and information on this website will spark renewed interest in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and invite communities that have not participated before in this observance to consider doing so."
Understanding the Roman Catholic Church – 2006
In the U.S. 65 million Roman Catholics are organized into 200 archdioceses and dioceses and more than 19,000 local Catholic parishes. Each year over one million infants and 70,000 adults are baptized in U.S. Roman Catholic churches. Yet for all its great size, influence and long history, many non-Roman Catholics understand very little about the largest Christian denomination.
The 35-minute program is organized into three parts: Roman Catholic beliefs, Church history, Catholic Renewal. The program includes interviews with Roman Catholic theologians, scholars, pastors and lay people. Portions of this program were recorded in Rome, Assisi, Trent and Casino, Italy. Click here to order!
Understanding Islam – Summer 2003 MOSAIC
What do Muslims believe? Who was the Prophet Mohammed? How does Islam relate to the Christian faith? This DVD helps members of your congregation understanding of Islam. Islam is among the world's fastest-growing religions. Since September 11, interest in Islam and the growing number of Muslim neighbors in the United States has skyrocketed. Click here to order!
A Glimpse at the Spirit of Islam – a video resource
Before September 11, 2001, most Americans had trouble getting motivated to learn about Islam. In the aftermath many people were compelled to ask questions about this religion and its followers. This video is designed to give an accurate glimpse at the spirit of Islam in two half-hour sessions.
Session one covers Islamic practices, history and some hopes and fears common to many Muslims. Session two turns to core Islamic beliefs and notes principal differences and similarities with Christianity. The goal is to help Christians move beyond stereotypes and toward loving Muslims in a Christ-like way.
Confessing Our Faith Together: Study and Discussion Guide
This new joint ELCA-UMC study and discussion guide is designed for congregations and other ministry contexts. Lutherans and United Methodists are encouraged to download the "guide" in order to learn more about one another in this period of Interim Eucharistic Sharing between the two denominations. This study process considers seriously the possibilities of full communion at this time. Download the study guide.
Building a Relationship: Best Practices, A Booklet for Starting Grass-Roots ConversationThis new joint ELCA-UMC best practices booklet is meant to launch you, and accompany you, while you ask both the “how” and “why” questions. The booklet moves to specific examples of members of the ELCA and UMC doing ecumenical work, and delineates best practices of building ecumenical relationships for the reader to apply. Grass roots ecumenism is born from this curiosity, this prodding to find the familiar in the midst of difference. As members of the UMC and the ELCA, and people interested in nurturing this new relationship between our churches, you are invited to do some prodding of your own.
Download this booklet.
"Ecumenism and the ELCA" Presentation
Where are the advancements today in the search for Christian unity in the ELCA and in the world? How can your church and other ministry/educational contexts learn and enhance your ecumenical engagement? Where does the Lutheran World Federation feed the poor in the world? How does ecumenical life in the ELCA heal brokenness and division? Download and view this presentation for free and discover answers to these questions and more. You can also order this resource for $2.00 per copy by calling Augsburg Fortress at 800-328-4648, ISBN # 6-0002-1596-7.
Ecumenical Conversation Starters
Ecumenical formation takes place in numerous informal and formal contexts. It takes place in our churches, colleges, universities, seminaries, and other educational/ministry contexts. A new informal resource advised and constructed by seminarians in the ELCA is titled Ecumenical Conversation Starters.
Walk with these seminarians through the search for Christian Unity as they reflect upon numerous written contributions about Christian Unity from leaders throughout the ELCA. Ecumenical Conversation Starters is an informal way of fostering conversation about Christian Unity in the Church. You may be surprised to discover ways in which this resource can also be of benefit to your community of ministry and learning.
Talking Points Series
The ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations is developing a series of Talking Points, sets of reflections and discussion questions on various topics designed to stimulate conversation as part of an ongoing study process within the church. Ideal for use by an adult forum within a congregation or community. You can download the resource or order it from the ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations by e-mail or phone; 800-638-3522 ext. 2610.
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 Talking Points: The Amazing Gift of Your Baptism – Includes reflections on “Baptism and...” nine topics, each presented from the viewpoint of a member in a different denomination. " I think after this study, this group would be willing to move the [Baptismal] font out of the corner to a central place in worship! Imagine that!" – Evaluation comment.
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"Valuing Families"
A new resource from the NCC's Education and Leadership Ministries Commission, is designed to inspire Christian families to honor and prayerfully support families of all shapes and sizes. It may be used by individual families or by congregations as content for family or intergenerational events. The components may be used together or at separate times to nurture integrity within individual families and a strong sense of community. Click here to read more/download.
Get Involved by Subscribing to the following Resources
Ecumenical Worship Guidelines and Resources
Study Materials
Ecumenical News Releases
- Articles from The Lutheran related to ecumenical topics
- News Releases from the ELCA Department for Communication - search for "ecumenical" or other specific topics.
Historic Documents