Meeting God through mindfulness practices

Living Lutheran: “Contemplating the New Year”

“Perhaps you’ve heard these common phrases associated with mindfulness,” writes Meghan Johnston Aelabouni in the lead feature of Living Lutheran’s January-February issue. “‘Let go and let God’ or ‘Don’t just do something—sit there!’ But how do we let go or sit still when we are surrounded by constant pressure to achieve, accumulate and act? That’s where contemplative practices come in.” ELCA leaders and members share practices for contemplation, meditation and mindfulness that have allowed them to meet God in a different way. Read more and download a study guide about how ELCA congregations have implemented these practices and how you can incorporate them into your life.

College Readiness Webinar Series

Dedicated to providing students with the best education possible, ELCA colleges and universities are kicking off 2022 with the free College Readiness Webinar Series, which answers questions students may have about applying to or preparing for college. The series, to be offered throughout February, consists of four different webinars focusing on important topics to help prepare for college, plus an overview offered in Spanish. Each session will be led by representatives from the ELCA Network of Colleges and Universities.

Register today.

Living Lutheran: “Community Ministry Grows Hope”

In 2011, Dylan Pyeatt and Coleman Yoakum purchased a duplex in Pontiac, Mich. In their front yard they posted a sign with Micah 6:8 printed on it: “Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.” At that time they didn’t have a plan to help build a better neighborhood, but they had a vision. In the decade since, they have planted gardens to bring fresh produce to a former food desert, organized volunteer groups to fix damaged property in the area, transformed a closed school building into a community center, and much more. “I’m honored that so many people have brought us into their homes, their lives, their celebrations and their struggles,” Yoakum said. “And I am excited about the lasting impact that our work will have beyond us.”

Read more of Micah 6’s story.

WATCH THIS

Hello, Humble Walk | Humble Walk Lutheran Church

Humble Walk Lutheran Church has been creating community and a space for belonging in St. Paul, Minn., for over 13 years.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Application Deadline Young Adults in Global Mission	College Readiness Webinar Series ELCA Network of Colleges and Universities
Boldly Serving Our Afghan Neighbors Webinar with ELCA Advocacy	“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday Day of service

FEATURED RESOURCES


Weekly video messages from Bishop Eaton Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton releases a new message every week to keep the church connected and share moments to nurture your faith. WATCH	Faith, Sexism, and Justice Study Guide The new study guide for the social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action provides six sessions that guide participants in engaging the social statement and discerning ways to take action. DOWNLOAD	“40 Days of Giving” Lenten resources ELCA World Hunger offers Lenten resources including a calendar, study guide, action guide for congregations and weekly email series. BROWSE

BULLETIN BLURBS

These snippets are available for you to copy and paste into your bulletins.

“Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent”

A new study guide helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” and its accompanying explanation. The declaration was adopted by the ELCA Church Council on June 27, 2019, and presented to the Churchwide Assembly later that year. The study guide provides an avenue to wade deeply into the reality, self-examination and accountability as the church “apologiz[es] to people of African descent for [its] complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally.” The five-part study resource includes a guide and participant materials, and is available at elca.org/Resources/Racial-Justice.

Celebrate Archbishop Tutu’s life and legacy with Mission: JOY

Our friends at The Episcopal Church invite ELCA members and congregations to host screenings of Mission: JOY, a new documentary on the historic five-day meeting between two of the world’s most consequential spiritual leaders — His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You can watch the documentary free of charge anytime between now and Saturday, Feb. 28, by registering here. We thank our colleagues at The Episcopal Church and Roco Films for this opportunity!

Tithe.ly introduces new rate

ELCA congregations using Tithe.ly’s online platform for giving will now enjoy a lower credit card processing rate. Effective Dec. 10, 2021, the rate for processing credit card donations has been reduced to 2.3% for Visa, Mastercard and Discover transactions. As an ELCA preferred vendor, Tithe.ly offers digital tools to engage members, encourage giving and manage congregational membership data, with special pricing for ELCA congregations. This rate reduction was made possible by the high volume of ELCA congregations using Tithe.ly’s suite of products; working collectively through ELCA preferred vendors brings benefits across congregations.

Kick off your church building projects with the Mission Investment Fund

Does your congregation have big plans for the new year? Whether you’re considering a new building project or refinancing an existing loan, the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) continues to offer ELCA ministries exceptionally low rates to help finance their visions. Interest rates are forecasted to rise, so now is a good time to work with us.

Request a free estimate, and a dedicated member of the team will help you explore all your options.

Frolic Storybooks

The Frolic Storybooks, a key component in the “Frolic” curriculum from Sparkhouse, are now available to preorder in paperback! Frolic storybooks present common early childhood challenges encountered by the charming Frolic friends. Using the faith practice of prayer, each friend manages the challenge and finds a solution. You may preorder the paperback editions in five-packs of the same title or in a bundle of 13 different titles.

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