ELCA Press Releases

The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, April 3-6. The council serves as the ELCA churchwide organization’s board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of a churchwide assembly. The council’s work, grounded in faith in Jesus Christ, focused on actions that will go before the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, July 26-Aug. 2.

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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message for Transgender Day of Visibility. In the video, Eaton speaks out against the inhumane actions by legislatures and executive orders while also speaking directly to the transgender and nonbinary community.

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We stand united as people of faith in our commitments to welcome the stranger and to care for the most vulnerable – commitments rooted in our common understanding of our Creator’s love for all and call to serve our neighbors.

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Recently, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued an urgent plea to the global church, “A Humanitarian Plea From the Churches of Jerusalem: Defending the Dignity andPresence of the People of Gaza.” I write to uplift the timely and crucial words of these beloved siblings in Christ in Jerusalem and to call on our church to respond in prayer, action and solidarity.

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The board of trustees of United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) has voted to transfer the institution’s endowment fund, valued at approximately $100 million, to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Foundation’s Endowment Fund Pooled Trust, also known as the Ministry Growth Fund.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to the executive order on immigration that rolled back guidance to immigration authorities in protected areas such as places of worship, schools and hospitals.

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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to false allegations made by Elon Musk about illegal payments made to Lutheran organizations.

Over the past few days, ELCA leaders and ministry partners have shared with me the immediate impacts of recent executive orders focused on immigration. I have heard about families frightened of being torn apart and from congregations fearful that their churches can no longer offer safety or support to their immigrant neighbors. I have heard from faith partners ordered to stop services to refugees and from businesses upended by workforce disruptions.

On Monday, our nation witnessed the peaceful transfer of power central to our democracy, followed by sweeping actions by the incoming Trump administration. Facing such changes, we receive guidance through Martin Luther's words in the Large Catechism.

In observance of the 2025 National Day of Racial Healing, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in partnership with Augsburg Fortress Press, will host a free online educational event Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time.