News

In a Dec. 11 letter to the Muslim-American community, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said, “I am writing on behalf of many Christians in this country who wish to share a word of solidarity, love and hope with you in these difficult days.”

The ELCA is hosting its first Grace Gathering, an event to help prepare Lutherans for the observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It will be held in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans.

On the 45th anniversary of the ordination of Lutheran women in the United States, "I give thanks for my sisters who were the first women pastors," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA. "I give thanks for all women in ministry. We are doing what Mary, the mother of our Lord, and Mary Magdalene did before us – proclaiming the gospel."

In response to the terrorism around the world and people displaced from their homes and seeking refuge, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton issued a statement Nov. 18 to the 3.7 million member church.

The ELCA Church Council adopted a social message on gender-based violence and adopted an accompanying foundational document designed for in-depth study and analysis when it met here Nov. 12-15. The council, which serves as the ELCA's board of directors, also took action on a variety of matters designed to help move forward the church's mission and ministries.

Lutheran leaders in the United States and worldwide are condemning the Nov. 12-13 attacks that resulted in loss of lives in Beirut and Paris.

As racism remains an enduring crisis in the United States, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton is continuing her call to the 3.7 million member church to address the complexity and implications of the issue in "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" – a live webcast Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. (CST). This is Eaton's second live webcast on the topic of racism.

More than 70 representatives of the ELCA eight seminaries convened Nov. 1 for a two-day session to envision what a "common learning exchange" could mean for the church's theological education network.

Drawing on 50 years of national and international dialogue, Lutherans and Catholics have made available Oct. 30 Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist – a unique ecumenical document that marks a pathway toward greater unity between Catholics and Lutherans.

The Rev. A. Craig Settlage, former director for ELCA Mission Support, died Oct. 21 in Bradenton, Fla. He was 73. A memorial service will be held Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, Fla.

Some ELCA members affected by wildfires in Northern California said that their faith, family and friends sustained them during a difficult time.

Striving in its mission to engage academic populations in the principles of discipleship and relationship-building according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Campus Ministry programs are working to help campus communities address racism.

Lifting up a number of topics that will help move forward the mission and ministry of the ELCA, an Oct. 1-6 meeting here of the ELCA Conference of Bishops was framed by a commitment to engage the more than 3.7 million-member church in deep conversations about Mission Support, theological education and more.

Members of the ELCA offer prayers for all those affected by the devastating flooding in South Carolina. To date, 14 people have died as a result of the storm that began Oct. 1 and has brought the heaviest rainfall in the state since Hurricane Hugo struck in 1989, killing 27.

Recognizing the distinct role faith communities play in helping restore the dignity of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, Asian and Pacific companion churches and organizations of the ELCA gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sept. 21-25 for a conference on HIV and AIDS hosted by ELCA’s Global Mission.

In its commitment to supporting seminary students preparing for ministry, the ELCA – through the ELCA Fund for Leaders – awarded scholarships to students attending the eight seminaries of the ELCA for the 2015-16 academic year.

As the monsoon season comes to an end in Nepal, the ELCA will continue to work with partners there to resume earthquake reconstruction efforts and prepare for the winter season.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, is gathering with North American Lutheran and Episcopal leaders in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24-25 for the annual heads of church meeting. Joining Eaton are the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

As ministers of the European Union consider a plan this week for countries to receive and settle refugees streaming in from the Middle East and Africa, the ELCA continues to support the humanitarian efforts of its European companion Lutheran churches and partners, as they assist people seeking refuge now and anticipate their needs for the coming winter.

In an effort to deepen relationships and strengthen the intersection of faith and social issues, Lutheran and Episcopal U.S. church leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., Sept. 22-24 for an advocacy convening. As part of this event, leaders will meet with more than 60 congressional offices to advocate for federal funding to protect the environment and to highlight the impact climate change has on people living in poverty.