ELCA Presiding Bishop Tells Young People 'It Gets Better'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a video essay posted on You Tube, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offered reassurance to young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, saying, "You are a beloved child of God." More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4662 For information contact: John Brooks, Director...
ELCA Sends Relief Funds in Response to Indonesia Tsunami
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will send up to $46,280 to provide immediate relief to communities affected by a tsunami that struck the Mentawai Islands off of Sumatra's western coast Oct. 25. The ELCA responded to a specific request for funds from a relief agency...
ELCA Funds Water Purification Equipment for Guatemala Families
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- At least 245 families in Guatemala will have clean water supplies thanks to a gift from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4661 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elcanews Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews
Herluf Jensen, Former ELCA Synod Bishop, Social Activist, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Herluf M. Jensen, former bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and president of the New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, died Oct. 14 of heart failure at his home in Moorestown, N.J. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4660...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Congratulates World Food Prize Laureate
DES MOINES, Iowa (ELCA) -- The 2010 World Food Prize is a testament to the "remarkable leadership" of the Rev. David Beckmann to mobilize citizens to advocate for public policies that help hungry people, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)....
Changing Politics of Hunger 'Holy Obligation' Says ELCA Pastor, Advocate
DES MOINES, Iowa (ELCA) -- God is calling on people of faith to change the "politics of hunger" by convincing members of the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation that will reduce domestic and global hunger and poverty, said the Rev. David Beckmann in a news conference here. Tonight Beckmann, a...
Search for ELCA's James Nelson Suspended at Midnight Oct. 12
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The search for 31-year old James Nelson will be suspended at midnight Oct. 12. Nelson, an employee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide organization, was reported missing Oct. 8 when he did not return from a five-day, 25-mile solo hike at Colorado's Mount Holy...
ELCA Deeply Committed to Revitalizing Congregations
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Cindy Redman was baptized, confirmed and married at Christ Lutheran Church in Catonsville, Md., and so were her children. So the reality of the 102-year-old church closing its doors is "just too sad to think about," said Redman. She and the other 137 members of Christ Lutheran...
ELCA Churchwide Organization Employee Missing in Colorado
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Authorities in Colorado are searching for James Nelson, an employee of the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), who was reported missing while hiking in the Rocky Mountains. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4656 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elcanews...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Announces New Churchwide Organization Design for 2011
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took action Oct. 8 to affirm the concept for a new design of the ELCA churchwide organization in 2011, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in an Oct. 11 announcement to churchwide staff....
ELCA Church Council Commits to 'ELCA Malaria Campaign'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took action Oct. 8 to "focus the commitment of the ELCA to address malaria through a rebranded and prioritized" ELCA Malaria Campaign. It also called on church members to learn about malaria and other diseases intensified...
Lutherans Provide $30,000 in Response to Floods, Storms in Nicaragua
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A tropical storm and severe flooding earlier this fall produced damage in 80 municipalities of Nicaragua, affecting 71,000 people. Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $30,000 to secure basic food provisions, medicines, personal hygiene kits and other items in an effort to meet...
ELCA Secretary Reports Draft Governance Proposals, ELCA Statistics
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Draft proposals for possible changes in governance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) were presented Oct. 2 to ELCA leaders by David D. Swartling, ELCA secretary. Swartling also presented the leaders with current statistics about the denomination. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4651 For information contact: John Brooks, Director...
European American Lutheran Association Holds First Biennial Meeting
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The European American Lutheran Association (EALA) will hold its first biennial meeting Oct. 28-30 at the Wyndham Milwaukee Hotel and Conference Center, Milwaukee. The EALA is the newest and one of six ethnic associations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4650 For information contact:...
ELCA Treasurer Provides Mid-Year Financial Report to ELCA Leaders
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A mid-year budget reduction of $4.2 million in current fund spending by the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has helped the churchwide organization maintain a balance of income and spending for 2010 through Aug. 31, said Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer. However, in...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Tells ELCA Leaders it's Time to Move Forward
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a report to leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, said it is time for the church to move forward and get over being "timid" about mission and ministry. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4648 For information contact: John Brooks,...
ELCA Representative in West Africa Crosses Faith With Community Building
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Willibroad "Willie" Langdji embodies ecumenism. He is Catholic working on behalf of Lutherans among large Muslim communities. As a regional representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in West Africa, Langdji is comfortable talking about and strengthening faith, while helping to support communities in unique...
ELCA Fund for Leaders Honors 2010-2011 Scholarship Recipients
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fund for Leaders in Mission honored 22 seminary students who received full-tuition scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. Each scholarship recipient is enrolled in one of the eight ELCA seminaries. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4646 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Joins Call for U.S. Leadership for Middle East Peace
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined 27 other religious leaders Sept. 29 in issuing a public statement supporting "a new hope for the peace of Jerusalem." More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4644 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or...
Lutherans' Ecumenical Journey Highlighted by Unexpected Moments
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Two Lutherans retracing Martin Luther's 1510 journey from Erfurt, Germany, to Rome report that "unexpected company or hospitality" from people they've met are among the best moments they've experienced so far. The Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson and her husband, Dr. Andrew Lars Wilson, left Erfurt on...
