News

Gathering under the theme “We Are Church,” members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are meeting in Milwaukee for the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly — the highest legislative authority of the ELCA

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined Christian leaders in a statement against Christian nationalism.

The Rev. Michael L. Lozano, Sharon, Pa.,was elected June 15 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 13-15 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa.

The Rev. Leila M. Ortiz, Washington, D.C.,was elected June 15 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 14-15 at the College Park (Md.) Marriot and Conference Center.

The Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow was elected June 13 to serve a third six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 13-15 at California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pa.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) introduces "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence," a new resource that invites readers to face the painful truth of gun violence and to work for its prevention as people of God who strive for justice and peace.

The Rev. Richard E. Jaech was elected June 7 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 7-8 at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Wash.

The Rev. James S. Dunlop was elected June 8 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 6-8 at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa.

The Rev. Tracie L Bartholomew, Lawrenceville, N.J., was elected June 7 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, N.J.

The Rev. William T. Tesch, Sioux Falls, S.D.,was elected June 9 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 7-9 at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

The Rev. Susan Candea, Overland Park, Kan.,was elected June 8 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 6-8 at the Marriott Kansas City-Overland Park.

The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Chicago,was elected June 8 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held June 7-8 at the Tinley Park (Ill.) Convention Center.

In this season of Pentecost, as we open ourselves anew to the work of the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), commends to this church the Arusha Call to Discipleship from the World Council of Churches.

The Rev. Laurie A. Jungling, Butte, Mont.,was elected June 1 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held May 31 – June 2 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, Mont.

The Rev. Regina M. Hassanally, Goodhue, Minn.,was elected June 1 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held May 31 – June 1 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn.

The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, Chicago,was elected June 2 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held May 30 – June 2 at the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Convention Center.

The Rev. R. Guy Erwin was elected May 31 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held May 30 – June 1 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

As most of you are well aware, many states have passed or are considering legislation to restrict access to legal abortion. Talking about abortion has never been easy in this country, and the same holds true in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The members of this church have divergent beliefs and opinions about whether or not abortion should be legal.

The Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Sioux City, Iowa, was elected May 4 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the Synod Assembly, held May 3-5 at Sioux City Convention Center.

April 29, 2019On Saturday, the last day of Passover, another shooting occurred at a synagogue — this time, Chabad of Poway, in California. The living had gathered to offer prayers to honor the dead and to close the Jewish festival of God's liberating promise. Once again, worship was interrupted by...