ELCA Churchwide Assembly Declares ELCA Sanctuary Church
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
Elizabeth Eaton Re-Elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
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.
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Christian Leaders Issue statement Against Christian Nationalism
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."
ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gather
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
Caring for Creation – New Resources Available from ELCA Advocacy
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
Responding To Conditions At The Border
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
New Resource Available – “The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness”
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
Lutherans Gather To Set a Welcome Table
Lutherans from across the Commonwealth gathered in the Capital on May 20 to speak up for the hungry, network with statewide advocates, worship, learn about hunger and child nutrition, human trafficking, climate change, prescription drug pricing, the ELCA's proposed Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment with keynote Kathryn Lohre, and more. In
A Letter on Abortion from Bishop Eaton
Dear Beloved in Christ, As most of you are well aware, many states have passed or are considering legislation to restrict access to legal abortion. Talking about abortion has never been easy in this country, and the same holds true in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The members of
Documentary “Emanuel” Screenings In Theaters Nationwide June 17 and 19
The documentary "Emanuel" will be screened in theaters nationwide June 17 and 19. It follows the journey of the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, S.C., after the racially motivated shooting of nine members during a Bible study on June 17, 2015. The documentary features interviews with