News

The ELCA has added $50,000 in humanitarian assistance to its August 2013 relief commitment of $250,000 to help those affected by the violence in the Central African Republic.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, ELCA leaders expressed concern for “the grave state of human insecurity in the Central African Republic.” ELCA leaders urged Kerry and other U.S. elected officials to “continue the aid measures in the Central African Republic, support the efforts of religious leaders to prevent violence and promote peace and harmony among their communities and restore order.”

The Rev. James A. Justman, bishop of the ELCA East-Central Synod of Wisconsin, resigned as bishop of the synod effective Dec. 19, 2013. In a Dec. 20 letter to members of the synod, Justman wrote that it is his hope that “you know how much I have loved this calling, and how honored I have been to share in ministry and mission with you. For personal reasons, the timing is best for me to step away at this time.”

ELCA members have contributed $10 million to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign in their effort to raise $15 million by the end of 2015. Through the campaign, ELCA members have joined with companion Lutheran churches and partners in 13 African countries to prevent and treat malaria, educate communities about the disease and more.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton shared a 2013 Christmas greeting Dec. 19 with the 4 million members of this church.

In response to the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton invites prayer for the healing of families, a community and our nation.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton is encouraging members to join with people of faith to pray for the end of hunger in response to a call from Pope Francis for a world day of prayer Dec. 10 -- Human Rights Day. View her video message athttp://bit.ly/1bj7O5o.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is joining members of this church and "all people of good will throughout the world" in morning the passing of former South Africa President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Episcopal Church are commemorating World AIDS Day on Sunday, Dec. 1, by inviting “Episcopalians and Lutherans to consider increased congregational cooperation” in working toward a future without AIDS.

In a "remarkable act of accompaniment," the Lutheran Church in Malaysia sent $10,000 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to help meet the needs of survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines Nov. 8.

The ELCA is committed to supporting people who live in poverty and are impacted by extreme weather events, such as the recent typhoon that struck the Philippines. Many who live in poverty are disproportionately affected by changes in climate.

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)provided $1 million to support immediate relief efforts for survivors ofTyphoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines Nov. 8. The funds weredisbursed through Lutheran Disaster Response to Lutheran World Relief. “We are showing up,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA presidingbishop. “Lutheran...

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In her first report to the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, said that “We are church for the sake of the world.” The council, the ELCA board of directors, met here Nov. 8-10. As...

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are offering prayers and financial contributions to support immediate relief efforts among communities affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck the central Philippines Nov. 8. The typhoon is the one of the most powerful storms recorded, causing massive...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.”...

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...