|
 |
 |
Congregations Lead Initiative
The world continues to change and grow more complex. What does this mean for ministry, today and into the future? The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. If you’re excited about more new, young, diverse people knowing a life in Christ, then your congregation might be a great candidate to apply for this initiative. The cohort application is open until Aug. 15. Learn more and apply.
|
|
Living Lutheran: “Tear Down Magical Walls”
Church doors have magical properties that welcome insiders with feelings of renewal and hope but repel outsiders who think they aren’t worthy or knowledgeable enough to belong. In the June/July issue of Living Lutheran, Craig L. Nessan shares his take on these magical doors and the church’s initiatives to encourage outsiders to become insiders. By hiding our faith, he writes, “we neglect the most critical factor: our baptismal calling as members of the body of Christ to take faith out of its hidden compartment and share it through our words and actions in our everyday roles and relationships.” Read more on how we can break down these magical walls and connect our faith with our everyday life here.
|
 |
|
 |
Prepare for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
On Sunday, Sept. 12, congregations of the ELCA will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, a dedicated day of service. As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if these acts of service take place from our homes, outdoors or from a safe distance because of ongoing pandemic concerns. As you explore opportunities to participate, visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for planning resources including a tool kit, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn for the day. Plan your day of service.
|
|
WATCH THIS
We are Lutherans
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton introduces us to some of our Lutheran family from across the globe.
|
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
|
FEATURED RESOURCES
|
|
|
|
|
Getting Ready Materials
The ELCA Youth Gathering
shares this curriculum to help you
and your group ponder the theme
of the 2022 Gathering as you
build relationships with one
another. Each unit of the Getting
Ready Materials will center on
one of the daily themes.
DOWNLOAD
|
River of Life vacation Bible school
This year’s vacation Bible school
program, “River of Life,” focuses
on the importance of water,
highlighting how ELCA World
Hunger is working with our
neighbors around the world
on clean water projects.
DOWNLOAD | ORDER
|
Hunger at the Crossroads
Join ELCA World Hunger for an online opportunity to learn about the intersections between sexuality, gender identity, hunger and justice
LEARN MORE
|
|
BULLETIN BLURBS
These snippets are available for you to copy and paste into your bulletins.
Webinar with Tithe.ly: How your sites can connect with people post-pandemic
In some ways the church world is entering a “new normal,” but in other ways it will never be the same. The pandemic has brought many changes to congregations, including how we hold worship services, gather and share our offerings. As we return to in-person services, one thing that will remain is connecting with people through your congregation’s website. Would you like to learn more about reaching people online? Tithe.ly will host a webinar on connecting post-pandemic. It streams live July 27 at 1 p.m. Central time; register at https://hello.tithe.ly/elca-webinar.
Time to register for Addiction & Faith Conference
The Center of Addiction & Faith will hold its third Addiction & Faith Conference, Oct. 7-9 in Bloomington, Minn., to give faith communities tools for responding to the addiction crisis. Registration is open for in-person and virtual attendance at www.addictionandfaithconference.com. Register by July 31 for early-bird pricing. The center grew out of the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy. The Rev. Ed Treat was an active Lutheran pastor in 2018, when he held the first Addiction & Faith Conference. The success encouraged him to leave parish ministry after 25 years and dedicate himself full-time to the Center of Addiction & Faith, which became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2020.
Faith Over Fear
Educators and congregational leaders are invited to participate in a free, four-part virtual training course specifically designed for educators and community leaders who are committed to countering anti-Muslim discrimination and Islamophobia in their communities. The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign is excited to offer this unique opportunity to ELCA members and other partners. Register today — sessions will be held July 27and August 3, 10 and 17.
|
|
|
|
You have received this email as a leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
To ensure that you continue to receive these emails, please add constituent.care@elca.org to your address book or safe list.
Did you receive this email as a forward from a friend? Subscribe to Seeds Monthly.
© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4101 800-638-3522
Home | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe
|
 |
| |