A Pastoral Word on the Grand Jury Decision in Louisville
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ― Ephesians 2:14In response to the grand jury decision in Louisville, Ky., we offer a word of prayer and healing following the...
Bishop Eaton and Rick Steves host ELCA World Hunger virtual fundraiser
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with Rick Steves, guidebook author and travel television host, and the Rev. Shelley Bryan Wee, bishop of the ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, will host “Hunger in the Time of COVID-19: Life for Today, Hope for Tomorrow” to benefit ELCA World Hunger.
Presiding Bishop responds to gross disregard for human life and dignity at private detention facility
"As Christ on the cross did not lose his dignity, but in fact revealed himself fully in vulnerability, every human who is being mistreated retains the image of God that confers dignity. A society should not deny a person's dignity for any reason." —ELCA social message "Human Rights," p. 4On...
Laura Barbins elected bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod
The Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins, Mentor, Ohio, was elected Sept. 12 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Survey to assess pastoral needs for ministry in a multireligious world
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is conducting a survey to collect the experiences and needs of the church for ministry in a multireligious world. The survey is a first step in the development of guidelines for the church as outlined inA Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment: A policy statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,adopted by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The declarationreflects the longtime inter-religious commitments of the church.
ELCA congregations participate in annual day of service
On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will observe "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ELCA members will mark the annual day of service by helping make a positive change in their communities, building and deepening relationships and sharing God's love.
Amy Odgren elected bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Minnesota Synod
The Rev. Amy Odgren, Walker, Minn., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Joy Mortensen-Wiebe elected bishop of ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
The Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, Kewaskum, Wis.,was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Tessa Moon Leiseth elected bishop of ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod
The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth, Moorhead, Minn.,was elected Aug. 16 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Amy Current elected bishop of ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod
The Rev. Amy Current, Dubuque, Iowa,was elected Aug. 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
ELCA commemorates 500th anniversary of Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s treatise The Freedom of a Christian. To observe this milestone, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invites the church to read, study and reflect on this Lutheran witness of the Christian faith.
Virginia Aebischer elected bishop of ELCA South Carolina Synod
The Rev. Virginia S. Aebischer, Columbia, S.C.,was elected July 25 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Craig Schweitzer elected bishop of ELCA Western North Dakota Synod
The Rev. Craig A. Schweitzer, Bismarck, N.D.,was elected July 17 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
ELCA Unveils New Design for Future of the Church
This week, the ELCA unveiled a new, innovative design for the future of the church that will ensure the answering of God’s call to invite more into the way of Jesus. This design will focus on attracting young, diverse people to position the ELCA for the future.
ELCA Joins Faith Communities in Calling for Day of Mourning for Hagia Sophia
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), calls on the church to join with theGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America andfaith communities around the world for a day of mourning on Friday, July 24.
ELCA Joins Ecumenical, Interreligious Partners in Calling On the Turkish Government to Maintain Hagia Sophia as a Unifying Heritage Site
Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help,as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary(Psalm 28:2). On Friday, July 10, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey announced his decision to convert the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from its long-term status as a...
Season of Creation devotions offered by four heads of communion
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.
ELCA presiding bishop praises SCOTUS decision on LGBTQIA+ rights
"ELCA social teaching supports human rights for all people, regardless of their sex (biological), gender, or sexuality. This stance is rooted in respect and welcome for all people as created in the image of God and evident in the ELCA's longstanding commitment to protecting civil and human rights" (Faith, Sexism,...
ELCA presiding bishop responds to Supreme Court decision on DACA program
June 18, 2020This church urges "flexible and humane ways for undocumented persons who have been in this country for a specified amount of time to be able to adjust their legal status." — ELCA social message, "Immigration" (1998)Today I rejoice in the renewal of dreams and the transformation of heartbreak...
Emanuel Nine Commemoration
June 17 marks the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where nine people were killed during a Bible study. To honor this day, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution to establish June 17 as "Emanuel 9 Day of Repentance."