ELCA members contact Congress in support of anti-hunger programs
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an effort to ensure that families across the United States receive adequate access to food, some members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are asking members of Congress to oppose the proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The proposed changes...
ELCA bishops discuss identifying, raising leaders for the future
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- Lifting up a number of topics that will help move forward the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), an Oct. 3-8 meeting here of the ELCA Conference of Bishops was “framed by the welcoming of 13 new (synod) bishops, while saying...
Scholarships help future ELCA leaders say "yes" to the call for ministry
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- As part of its commitment to supporting seminary students preparing for ministry, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- through ELCA Fund for Leaders -- has awarded scholarships to 21 students attending the eight ELCA seminaries for the 2013-2014 academic year. “What this means is...
Elizabeth Eaton installed as ELCA presiding bishop
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Marking a new, historic season of ministry in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), more than 1,500 people gathered Oct. 5 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel here for the installation of the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as ELCA presiding bishop. Eaton is the ELCA’s...
Hanson delivers final report as ELCA presiding bishop
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- In his final report to the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the 4-million-member church, said several initiatives underway in the denomination will have a “significant impact on the future of this church.”...
Mary Froiland elected bishop of ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mary Stumme Froiland was elected Sept. 28 to a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Froiland was elected during a special synod assembly Sept. 27-28 in Madison, Wis. Froiland is pastor of Luther...
ELCA assesses needs in response to flooding in Colorado, New Mexico
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Following a record-breaking rainfall September 2013 that produced flooding in 15 Colorado counties, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its partner affiliates are working to assess the immediate and long-term needs of people and communities affected. According to reports, at least 6 people have died...
ELCA members called to prayer for the people of Syria
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are called to pray Sept. 7 for the people of Syria, the Middle East and throughout the world. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) -- one of the ELCA’s six full communion partners -- offered prayer petitions supported by the...
ELCA commemorates 25 years with 'God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Celebrating 25 years as a church that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will participate in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, Sept. 8 -- a dedicated day of service in which this church’s 4 million members...
ELCA presiding bishop calls for diplomacy over military strike in Syria
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a possible U.S. military strike against Syria, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), urged President Barack Obama to strengthen international diplomatic efforts to resolve the civil war in Syria. In a Sept. 3 letter to...
ELCA presiding bishop calls for renewed commitment to equality for all
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In light of this week’s marches in Washington D.C., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said the observance “cannot only be about...
Elizabeth Eaton to be installed as ELCA presiding bishop Oct. 5
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton will be installed as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Oct. 5 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago. The installation is open to the public; tickets are not required. Worship begins at 2:00 p.m. (Central); doors open at...
Lutheran Disaster Response receives $1.9 million from the Red Cross
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received a $1.9 million grant from the American Red Cross to support the ELCA’s commitment in meeting the needs of thousands of people who continue to rebuild their homes and lives following Hurricane Sandy, which struck the U.S. east coast...
ELCA assembly makes decisions to move church forward
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, gathered Aug. 12- 17 at the David L....
Two top Lutheran leaders ask U.S. president to stop atrocities in Egypt
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The United States and its president have a role to play to stop the atrocities in Egypt and allow for the self-determination of that nation to be practiced, according to top Middle East and U.S. Lutheran church leaders. In a joint Aug. 19 letter to U.S. President...
New ELCA secretary installed, assembly closes with worship
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- William Chris Boerger, a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish, Wash., was installed as secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 17 during the closing worship of the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The 952 voting members and others of the 4-million-member...
ELCA assembly acted on Israel and Palestine proposals and more
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and took measures to ensure that commitment Aug. 17 during the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly here. The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA,...
Proposal for ELCA's first ever major fundraising campaign is approved
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved with a 671 to 242 vote a proposal for the ELCA’s first major fundraising campaign. The five-year campaign, to begin in 2014, is designed to increase this church’s capacity to renew...
ELCA assembly elects William Chris Boerger secretary of the ELCA
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- William Chris Boerger, a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish, Wash., was elected Aug. 16 to a six- year term as secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly here. “I am aware of the tremendous responsibility,...
ELCA assembly adopts social statement on criminal justice
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries” -- a social statement on criminal justice -- Aug. 16 with a 882 to 25 vote. The 952 voting members and others of...
