Commitments and confessions to Indigenous communities

ELCA issues declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native people

As the United States paused on Oct. 11 to honor and celebrate the Indigenous people who first settled on the land thousands of years ago, the ELCA released “A Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to American Indian and Alaska Native People.” The declaration is a direct result of the social policy resolution “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery,” which was passed by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

Included in the statement is a confession to American Indian and Alaskan Native communities in the ELCA and in the United States. Among other things, it confesses to treating these communities as a minority group rather than as sovereign nations and failing to do more to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery after the formal repudiation was passed. Read more about the declaration.

Living Lutheran: “Generations of Faith”

“If we’re going to truly be the body of Christ, we need to have all generations in ministry,” says Linda Staats in “Generations of Faith,” the lead feature in October’s Living Lutheran. “God is present in every generation. When we don’t have each generation participating, we’re missing perspectives and values. It all comes down to being the body of Christ.” Read more about how ELCA congregations are using intergenerational ministries to bring people together and connect members of all generations.

Throughout October, Living Lutheran will be sharing more stories on the theme of connecting generations. Follow along on our social media, using the hashtag #LLGenerations, to read more about these ministries.

Prepare for Advent with ELCA World Hunger

Celebrate the excitement, anticipation and wonder of Christ’s birth with new ELCA World Hunger Advent resources! As congregations across the ELCA find creative new ways to worship online and in person and continue to support the work of important ministries, we are eager to equip leaders with useful resources this season. ELCA World Hunger offers an Advent calendar, weekly study guide and Congregation Action Kit for use in your home or church. Browse resources.

WATCH THIS

Advocating for Children | Presiding Bishops Eaton and Curry

Presiding Bishop Eaton and Presiding Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church traveled to Washington to advocate for children and families through a series of bills before Congress.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Hidden Evangelists
Virtual gathering

Early-bird registration deadline
ELCA Youth Gathering

FEATURED RESOURCES


Living Lutheran: “Deeper Understandings” Throughout 2020 and 2021, Living Lutheran’s series “Deeper Understandings” has engaged the ELCA’s commitment to authentic diversity. READ MORE	“Stories of Faith in Action” “Stories of Faith in Action” has launched a digital storytelling platform designed to highlight how important your weekly offering to your congregation is in sustaining and growing God’s mission. GO \| DOWNLOAD	Free resource "Thriving Beyond COVID" arrives! “Thriving Beyond COVID” is a Scripture-based resource to encourage and inspire congregations to embrace opportunities and face challenges once the "post-COVID" journey begins. This customizable small- and large-group study is available for free download and includes leader and participant guides, videos and PowerPoint slides. WATCH \| DOWNLOADS

BULLETIN BLURBS

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

Are you a hidden evangelist?

Do you come home from a trip with a new best friend? Have you ever prayed with someone in line at the grocery store? Do you know the life stories of all of your Lyft drivers? Do you talk to your neighbors about Jesus? If these scenarios ring true for you, you might be a hidden evangelist! Join us for a virtual gathering and a lively conversation with people who have a similar passion for sharing Christ’s love. Join Phil Hirsch, ELCA Executive Director for Christian Community and Leadership, and Louise Johnson, ELCA Executive for Administration, on Zoom Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Central time. As the ELCA seeks to engage new people, discern how you can share your gifts of interpersonal connection to help activate your community. Register today.

Does this sound like someone you know? Share this invitation with them!

Catechism resources from Augsburg Fortress

Studying Luther’s Small Catechism is a great way to prepare for Reformation Day! Whether you want the pocket edition of the Small Catechism, the version with African-descent reflections, the study edition, the bilingual version or the gift edition, we have options! If your whole congregation will be studying the Small Catechism, consider using the “By Heart” curriculum, which will generate meaningful conversations about the biblical and historical context of the Small Catechism, its link to the church’s faith, and its connection to Luther’s life and your life today.

6 Weeks on Money: Growing into a healthy relationship with money

"Helping people grow in their relationship with money so that they live healthy, whole-hearted lives as followers of Jesus is a key challenge today," says Rev. Larry Strenge, ELCA interim director of congregational stewardship. "‘6 Weeks on Money’ comes at this by looking at our values and continues to provide insights on our money relationship so that we can experience the joy of generosity!” The ELCA has partnered with "6 Weeks on Money" founder Tim Schuster to provide ELCA members with a lower-cost option to take this six-week, online, self-directed course, individually or as a group. Visit www.sixweeksonmoney.com/ELCA to learn more, and enter ELCA-20 at checkout to save $20 off the $80 price.

This month only: New, low rates on auto loans from the ELCA Federal Credit Union

Great rates on auto loans are just one benefit for members of the ELCA Federal Credit Union. For the month of October, auto loan rates have been reduced to as low as 1.79% APR.* That’s 55% less than the national average.**

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, the ELCA Federal Credit Union shares the values of this church while sharing its profits with members. ELCA members and employees of congregations and ministries are eligible to join and take advantage of these rates and other membership benefits, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans and more.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that shares its profits in the form of lower fees and better rates — helping you and the ministries you love do more with your money.

*Multiple rates and terms available for purchase and refinance. APR = annual percentage rate.

**Rate for 60-month new auto loan with autopay is 1.79% fixed APR compared to the national average of 3.95% reported by Bankrate on 9/15/21.

This advertisement is brought to you by the ELCA Federal Credit Union. Offer ends 10/31/2021. Offer not valid on existing ELCA FCU loans. Final rate and terms are subject to creditworthiness. The ELCA Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.

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