ELCA provides $100,000 to support containing Ebola
In an effort to help contain the Ebola outbreak in Africa, provide food assistance and more, ELCA members have committed an initial $100,000 as of Sept. 25 to support the response efforts of partners and Lutheran companion churches there.
ELCA members advocate for action on climate change
Hundreds of ELCA members were among the more than 400,000 participants in the People's Climate March in New York City on Sept. 21. The Lutheran delegation joined the People's Climate Interfaith Contingent, one of the largest groups in the march.
Lutheran, Anglican, Episcopal leaders offer pastoral message on climate change
The national leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church offered on Sept. 19 a pastoral message on climate change. A PDF version of the letter is available on the ELCA website at http://www.elca.org/Resources/Presiding-Bishop-Messages.
ELCA members gather together for dedicated day of service
Building on the work they do every day, thousands of members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered together Sept. 7 to serve their communities as part of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.
ELCA young adults begin year-long journey of global service
Sixty-three young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have begun a year-long journey in which they will “live and learn and serve” with ELCA companion churches and partner organizations around the world. The young adults are participants in the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program – an international mission opportunity for young people from the ages of 21 to 29.
ELCA campaign nears $25 million mark
TheELCA is celebrating the first six months of its five-year, comprehensive campaign, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, with nearly $25 million raised. The amount as of July 31, 2014, includes $12.6 million for the ELCA Malaria Campaign, which is part of The Campaign for the ELCA, and represents approximately 12 percent of the campaign's total goal of $198 million by Jan. 31, 2019. Approved by the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the campaign seeks to raise funds to sustain and grow the ministries of the ELCA.
ELCA offers prayers for those affected by California earthquake
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offers prayers for all those affected by the Aug. 24 earthquake that struck near Napa, Calif.
Psalm speaks to unrest in Iraq, ELCA leader says
As the 4 million-member ELCA gathers for Sunday worship Aug. 17 and shares in the reading of Psalm 133, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of this church, said the Psalm "reminds us of the goodness and blessing of a life lived in unity with one another."
ELCA presiding bishop urges prayer, peace amid outrage over shooting death
In response to the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., which has triggered outrage among some area residents and others across the country, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, has called for prayer and peace.
ELCA to provide humanitarian assistance for victims of violence in Gaza
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will provide $100,000 in humanitarian assistance to Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem to help support the operation of the healthcare system in the midst of the current violence in the Middle East. The funds will be disbursed through Lutheran Disaster Response to The Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
Women of the ELCA concludes Ninth Triennial Gathering
Meeting under the theme "of many generations," the Ninth Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA brought more than 2,300 women of all ages to Charlotte, N.C., July 24-27 to share their faith through worship, featured speakers, workshop sessions and more.
ELCA leaders call for dignity, compassion toward unaccompanied children
Prior to the U.S. House of Representatives' cancellation July 31 of its vote to provide an emergency response to the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children entering the United States, some ELCA members had worked to contact their representatives to encourage them to "address the issue with dignity and compassion."
ELCA members to put their faith into action
The 4 million members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are being called to put their faith into action and engage in service activities across the country Sept. 7 as part of “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday.
College students surpass fundraising goal for ELCA Malaria Campaign
Students attending some of theELCA's colleges, universities and campus ministries surpassed a matching challenge goal this month of raising $125,000 for the ELCA Malaria Campaign by $6,619.20 and counting.
ELCA presiding bishop offers ‘State of the ELCA’
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, said part of the reason why women now serve as ordained pastors in the ELCA "is because of the work done by Women of the ELCA and predecessor church bodies."
Women of the ELCA concludes Ninth Triennial Convention
The Ninth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA concluded here July 24 with the installation of new officers and members of the Women of the ELCA churchwide executive board. The convention, which took place at the Charlotte Convention Center July 22-24, is Women of the ELCA's highest legislative authority with delegates elected by each of the 64 synodical women's organizations.
Women of the ELCA elect new officers, executive board members
New officers and executive board members of Women of the ELCA were installed July 24, 2014, during the closing service of the Ninth Triennial Convention of the Women of the ELCA, which took place at the Charlotte Convention Center here July 22-24. They will serve a three-year term concluding in 2017.
Kevin Strickland named ELCA worship director
The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, Nashville, Tenn., has been named new director for worship formation and liturgical resources at the ELCA churchwide organization effective Aug. 24, 2014.
ELCA presiding bishop joins call for peace in the Holy Land
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip further escalates, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton expressed her profound concern for members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land in a July 17, 2014, letter to that denomination's bishop, the Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan.
Women ‘of many generations’ gather to share their faith
United in the common mission and purpose of acting boldly on their faith, about 2,000 women will gather in Charlotte, N.C., for the ninth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA), July 24-27, 2014. Under the theme, “of many generations,” women of all ages will share their faith experiences through worship, featured speakers, workshop sessions and more.