September 16, 2019
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). “Racism — a mix of power, privilege, and prejudice — is sin, a violation of God’s intention for humanity” (Freed in Christ: Race,...
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August 15, 2019
Gathering under the theme “We are church,” voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met August 5-10 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee....
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August 14, 2019
At the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, gathered in Milwaukee August 5-10, voting delegates adopted a social statement focused on sexism and gender justice: “We believe all people are created equally in the image of God. Every individual is dependent upon God, and all share in the God-given vocation to contribute their gifts to help all...
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August 8, 2019
In a key action, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to approve a memorial that declares the ELCA a sanctuary church. The ELCA is the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church body. As a sanctuary church the ELCA is committed to serving and supporting migrant children and families in communities across...
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August 8, 2019
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was re-elected presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6 at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. On the first ballot, 897 votes were cast and 670 votes were needed for election. Eaton received 725 votes, which is 81.19% of the vote. Eaton is the first ELCA...
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August 2, 2019
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined Christian leaders in a statement against Christian nationalism. “Whether we worship at a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, America has no second-class faiths,” their statement reads. “All are equal under the U.S. Constitution.” You are invited to join...
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August 1, 2019
The 2019 ELCA World Hunger Leaders’ Gathering was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 18-21. The ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering takes place every 18 months and gathers the national network of ELCA World Hunger leaders, congregations and ministry partners for a time of networking, idea sharing and planning for our shared work. Those assembled focused...
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July 9, 2019
ELCA Advocacy recently shared a host of new resources that are posted on our LAMPa website under Creation Care. The materials were introduced at the ELCA Advocacy Convening. The theme this year was “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change”. The rubric of the convening was shaped deeply by...
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July 8, 2019
Recent news stories of appalling conditions at immigrant detention centers and of deep human sorrow on our country’s southern border have many of us desperate to be part of change. Mary Campbell, ELCA’s Director of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) invites any faith leader (not just ELCA – rostered and...
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June 12, 2019
In this critical time in history, “The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness”, this volume argues that what is urgently needed is a cogent, clear, biblically based and theologically grounded rationale for the manner in which the church speaks and acts in the political arena. Lured at times into other-worldly quietism because of...
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