A Message from Bishop Eaton on the California Wildfires
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2). Dear church, The images of leaping flames, smoke-choked skies, and the
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Syria
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.” —Isaiah 9:2 Dear friends in Christ, Last week, much of the world was surprised to hear that the people of Syria were awaking to
A Pastoral Message from the ELCA Bishops of Pennsylvania
Advent 2024: A Season of Waiting and Hope Dear Pennsylvania Lutherans and Partners in Ministry, As we begin the season of Advent, we are reminded of the holy call to wait with hope and expectation. In this time of preparation, we recall the promise of God’s presence among us—Emmanuel, God with us—and
Take the LAMPa Network Survey
As we look forward to 2025 and beyond, LAMPa is ready to accompany you and our ELCA Lutheran ministries across the Commonwealth as we live into our baptismal call to strive for justice and peace. This biennial survey helps us discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us for public
ELCA Conference of Bishops Emphasizes the Need to Speak the Truth
In a perfect garden, created by God for the sake of humanity, evil entered in the form of deception and lies. Christians refer to this story, found in the biblical book of Genesis, as the fall of humanity. This foray into human sin began when Adam and Eve, the first
Bishop Eaton addresses hate toward the Haitian community in Ohio
You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:19). Dear church, The recent national spotlight on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, clearly has fanned flames of hate and stoked threats of violence. The rhetoric has created discord and mistrust of people who
“God’s Work. Our Hands. Our Voices.” Take the Peace Pledge.
"By equipping the faithful to act for peace in all their communities, the Church contributes to earthly peace. In recalling our identity in baptism, in gathering in peace around the Lord’s Table, in telling the biblical narrative, in teaching faith, hope, and love, the Church provides the basics of peacemaking
Bishop Eaton Addresses Political Violence
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us (Ephesians 2:14). Just a few weeks ago in my June column for Living Lutheran I wrote, “I can’t think of an election cycle
LAMPa Condemns Political Violence at Butler Rally
On Saturday, June 13 at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, gunshots were fired. As of this writing, there are not many details, but at least two people have lost their lives - the shooter and one rally participant, according to the Associated Press. LAMPa
Find LAMPa at the NYG; Win a Week at Camp
LAMPa will be at the National Youth Gathering! Quentin Bernhard, Hunger Advocacy Fellow, will be with ELCA Advocacy national staff at the Witness in Society booth (F9D) in the Interactive Center. Pennsylvania congregations and youth are encouraged to stop by to learn about how they can use their voices to
