ELCA Blogs » Blog Archive - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Nov 14, 2025

Gratitude Shared with Federal Elected Leaders for Reopening of Government

After a record-setting 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations with a bill signed by President Trump on...

Nov 13, 2025

Fall Updates: State Edition

Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list...

ELCA Racial Justice

Nov 13, 2025

Observing Native American Heritage Month: ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations events

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month which is celebrated in the United States in November, we share the following...

ELCA World Hunger

Nov 13, 2025

Women Empowerment on the Island of Nias!

Agusiang Zebua is a newly ordained pastor in the Protestant Christian Church (BNKP) on the island of Nias in far...

Nov 12, 2025

For what shall we pray?

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in...

ELCA Advocacy

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Gratitude Shared with Federal Elected Leaders for Reopening of Government

Nov 14, 2025 - After a record-setting 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations with a bill signed by President Trump on...

Fall Updates: State Edition

Nov 13, 2025 - Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list...

Hunger Advocacy Fellows Join Faith-based Advocacy Voices

Oct 20, 2025 - By Zachary Olson, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow ELCA Advocacy is excited to introduce the six new leaders in the 2025-2026...

Farm Bill Engagement Updates

Oct 10, 2025 - STATUS ON CAPITOL HILL | ACTION ALERTS | RESOURCES AND WEBINARS | OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE The Farm Bill, which guides...

ELCA Racial Justice

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Observing Native American Heritage Month: ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations events

Nov 13, 2025 - In celebration of Native American Heritage Month which is celebrated in the United States in November, we share the following...

Native American Heritage Month: Events from ELCA Indigenous Ministries

Nov 4, 2025 - November is Native American Heritage Month. Racial Justice Ministries seeks to lift up the voices and work of our Indigenous...

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Oct 6, 2025 - In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated in the United States September 15- October 15, we share...

The National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools: Learning more about the ELCA’s Truth and Healing Movement

Sep 30, 2025 - In observation of National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools which is observed in the United States September 30,...

ELCA World Hunger

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Women Empowerment on the Island of Nias!

Nov 13, 2025 - Agusiang Zebua is a newly ordained pastor in the Protestant Christian Church (BNKP) on the island of Nias in far...

Interview with Filmmaker and “Intersections” Editing Producer, Mikayla Irle

Sep 17, 2025 - On September 22nd, 2025, ELCA World Hunger will officially release our short educational documentary, “Intersections: Justice Ministry with ELCA Partners,”...

Interview with Young Adults in Global Mission Alumna, Ashlyn Rhyne

Sep 16, 2025 - On September 22nd, 2025, ELCA World Hunger will officially release our short educational documentary, “Intersections: Justice Ministry with ELCA Partners,”...

ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants

Jul 31, 2025 - The 2025 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grant application cycle is now open! Hunger Education and Networking Grants...

ELCA Worship

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For what shall we pray?

Nov 12, 2025 - “For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in...

Partner Organization Resources and Events

Nov 10, 2025 - Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work...

For what shall we pray?

Nov 5, 2025 - “For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in...

Worship Resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers

Nov 3, 2025 - Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources from...

Faith Lens

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November 16, 2025 – My Greatest Fear… Realized

Nov 12, 2025 - Prepare This lesson from Luke comes just as Jesus turns toward the cross. The dark times he alludes to are...

November 9, 2025 – How Jesus Handles Loaded Questions

Nov 5, 2025 - Prepare This reading begins with a question about the afterlife from the Sadducees, a group of leaders who did not...

November 2, 2025 – A Simple Act, a Lasting Change

Oct 29, 2025 - Prepare Luke is the only gospel in which we find the story of Zacchaeus. Luke often shares stories of people...

October 26, 2025 – Approaching God: Who is Worthy

Oct 23, 2025 - Prepare In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people lived under Roman rule. Even though Jews were allowed to worship Jehovah, the...

Administration Matters

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Index of the September 2025 Issue of Administration Matters

Sep 15, 2025 - Issue 101 of Administration Matters Living Lutheran is back in print! Throughout the past few months, the staff of Living...

Index of the July 2025 Issue of Administration Matters

Jul 15, 2025 - Issue 100 of Administration Matters Online hearings – 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly The 2025 Churchwide Assembly hearings will be held...

Index of the May 2025 Issue

May 20, 2025 - Issue 99 of Administration Matters Online Bible Studies — 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Join ELCA Churchwide Assembly voting members in...

Index of the March 2025 Issue

Mar 15, 2025 - Issue 98 of Administration Matters 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place July 28–Aug. 2...

Disability Ministries

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Churchwide Assembly Recap: Disability Ministries

Sep 9, 2025 - For five days, hundreds of ELCA Lutherans descended on Phoenix, AZ, for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This gathering is...

Reflection: Disability and Mental Health Advocacy

Sep 9, 2025 - John Christensen is a life-long ELCA Lutheran, currently working with the World Council of Churches as a Project Officer in...

Disability Ministry Report

Jun 11, 2025 - In our churchwide organization’s recently released God’s Love Made Real strategic recommendations report, research from the Barna Group and Fuller Seminary...

Resources Available for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Print-Disabled

Jun 11, 2025 - Hi friends! Today’s post links with our upcoming newsletter. Be sure to check out Rev. Peter Heide’s interview below, and...

SUMUD

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Sumud Summer Newsletter 2025

Jul 9, 2025 - Click here to read Sumud’s 2025 Summer newsletter.

2025 ELCA Sumud Lenten Series Resource Guide

Feb 26, 2025 - Dear Sumud community, Thank you for your patience in receiving this Sumud Lenten resource. Below you will find a link...

My American Christian Voice

Feb 20, 2025 - How can we use our voices for justice in Palestine and Israel as American Christians?

Sumud Lent Series 2025

Feb 17, 2025 - This Lent, join ELCA Sumud with a six-week series in which Palestinian Christian theologians and pastors will weave together the...

AMMPARO

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And Moved into the Neighborhood

Jun 25, 2025 - And Moved into the Neighborhood By: Deacon Erin Brown – Lutheran Office for World Community The Word became flesh...

What Can Congregations Do to Prepare for Immigration Raids?

Apr 1, 2025 - What Can Congregations Do to Prepare for Immigration Raids? April 1, 2025 The information shared here does not constitute...

The Latest: Know Your Rights Information

Dec 17, 2024 - Know Your Rights Information Everyone in the United States has certain rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration...

World Refugee Day, A Day to Proudly Practice Solidarity

Jun 20, 2024 - By Giovana Oaxaca World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20th. This is a time to honor the courage...

ELCA Innovation Lab

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Innovation Is a Privilege—Let’s Make It a Right

Jun 20, 2025 - By: Rahel Mwitula Williams “Infrastructure is the dream!” stated one of the members of an inner city congregation. In my...

No One Is Prototyping a New Jesus: Innovation in the ELCA

Mar 4, 2025 - This year marks two years in my role as the ELCA Director of Innovation and Ideas. While I’d love to...

Blog Series: Parents, Pressure and Passing on Faith – Communicating Shared Values

Nov 20, 2024 - This blog post “Communicating Shared Values” is part two of a series designed to spark conversation! To read the previous...

Blog Series: Parents, pressure and passing on faith (or not)

Oct 31, 2024 - This blog post is part of a series designed to spark conversation! To read future posts in the series, you...

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Perspectives

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Addressing Anti-Judaism: A Proposed Update to the Revised Common Lectionary

Jun 17, 2025 - The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT)— a joint American and Canadian ecumenical body—oversees the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a schedule of biblical passages read...

New Study Guide on the Joint Statement on the Filioque

Apr 25, 2025 - This post is shared jointly on the Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Perspectives blog and the ELCA Worship blog. 1700 years ago,...

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Guide to 2024

Jan 17, 2024 - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is upon us once again. To commemorate this time of collective witness we’ve...

Preview the Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation

Sep 6, 2023 - One week from today the Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation will begin in Krakow, Poland. The Assembly will...

Lutheran Disaster Response

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Nominate a Leader in Your Life for the Inaugural Building Resilient Leadership Cohort

Jun 2, 2025 - The ELCA Building Resilient Communities (BRC) team invites nominations of adult leaders, ages 18-and-older, to participate in the inaugural Building...

Mud on my Boots on Ash Wednesday

Mar 4, 2025 - Cleaning the mud off my boots after a recent flood response, I noticed the grittiness of it. It reminded me...

Humanitarian Response Training in Indonesia

Dec 18, 2024 - Asia is one of the most disaster-hit regions in the world, with floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. Unplanned...

Faith through the Storm: Rebuilding Together in Christ’s Strength

Nov 14, 2024 - By Pastor Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop, Florida-Bahamas Synod Republished from the Florida-Bahamas Synod E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter ...

ELCA Youth Gathering Blog

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Scenes from a Street Car: Created to be Disciples

Jul 21, 2024 - Saturday, July 20 – Created to Be Disciples Today was our closing worship for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, and...

Scenes from a Street Car: Created to be Disruptive

Jul 20, 2024 - Friday, July 19 – Created to Be Disruptive Today, the final full day of the Youth Gathering, was a whirlwind...

Scenes from a Street Car: Created to be Free

Jul 19, 2024 - Thursday, July 18 – Created to Be Free Today, over 5k Gathering participants in bright orange shirts launched into the...

Scenes from a Street Car: Created to be Authentic

Jul 18, 2024 - Wednesday, July 17 – Created to Be Authentic Today, the spirit of authenticity radiated through the streets of New Orleans...

ELCA Young Adults

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The Wolf Shall Lie Down With the Lamb: #NoPlasticsforLent

Mar 15, 2021 - The Word Genesis 1:29-30 29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the...

Creation Care on Campus: #NoPlasticsforLent

Mar 11, 2021 - A Starting Place Creation care looks different at different stages of our lives. College is a transitional time for many...

Local is Global: #NoPlasticsforLent

Mar 4, 2021 - The Word “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to...

Justice Alongside Indigenous Peoples : #NoPlasticsforLent

Feb 23, 2021 - ‘Wild’ Places I have been interested in environmental activism, indigenous justice, and decolonization since I was a kid (I was...

Congregational Vitality: Stories and Learning

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Reviving hope in Memphis

Dec 18, 2019 - by Rev. Antoinette Robinson, Peace Lutheran Church, Memphis Peace Lutheran Church, Memphis, formed Trinity Ministries in partnership with two...

Reclaiming faith with LGBTQIA+ community in Los Angeles

Dec 11, 2019 - ADORE LA is seeking new and creative ways to do church in the city of Los Angeles. This LGBTQIA+...

Communing with Christ in the strawberry field

Dec 11, 2019 - The faith community of Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz communes with Christ in a strawberry field of Santa Maria, Calif....

CV Training Event Travel and Logistics – San Diego – February 2020

Dec 4, 2019 - Congregational Vitality Training Event — San Diego Travel & Logistics for Training Event & Pre-Events: February 17-21, 2020 TRAINING EVENT...

Stories from the Global Church

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Helmut and Rotraut Diefenthal: Service in Malaysia and Tanzania

Apr 8, 2015 - Franklin Ishida The son of a Jewish father, Helmut Diefenthal and his wife, Rotraut, survived Nazi Germany and World...

Nurturing the church in Japan

Mar 31, 2015 - Nathan and Sharonette Bowman New playground equipment is enjoyed at the kindergarten. The Rev. Nathan and Sharonette Bowman accompany...

Hunger

Mar 24, 2015 - Kirsten Fryer The Rev. Kirsten Fryer serves as pastor at St. Andrew’s United Congregation in Cairo and is also pastoral...

Women’s Sunday in Kenya

Mar 17, 2015 - Leslie Weed-Fonner and Michael G Fonner Women’s Sunday worship March 1 at the Nairobi International Lutheran Congregation. The Rev....

Blog Latino

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Mensaje navideño

Dec 25, 2016 - Jesús es nuestro verdadero hogar. Esa es nuestra esperanza en Navidad y durante todo el año. Nunca estamos lejos de…

Reflexiones sobre las elecciones recientes

Dec 6, 2016 - Video de reflexiones sobre las elecciones por parte de la reverenda Elizabeth Eaton, obispa presidente de la ELCA

Obispa presidente de la ELCA emite declaración sobre Standing Rock

Nov 14, 2016 - CHICAGO (14 de noviembre de 2016) – La reverenda Elizabeth A. Eaton, obispa presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en...

Una mirada mayor al Catecismo menor

Nov 10, 2016 - Por Elizabeth Eaton, Obispa presidente de la ELCA, columna de octubre de 2016 en Living Lutheran Nota del editor: Esta es...