How do we encounter that gift of abundant life in times of sickness? | more »
Education
ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient Dione Miller gets her passion for service from her aunt Carolyn, a former ELCA missionary. | more »
When things were difficult, my mother would say, "Son, remember that God is always with you; learn to trust him and trust him even more when you are faced with ugliness." | more »
Contrary to popular perceptions young adulthood is not a carefree time for self-indulgence. | more »
ELCA World Hunger helps people and organizations in Cambodia begin to live sustainably. | more »
Help families move beyond denial; acknowledge the devastating impact of the abuse on all family members. | more »
When anger is left unresolved, it intensifies and may be projected inward or outward to find an expression beyond reason. | more »
Far from dismissing what science has shown us about the natural world, we embrace what science has shown us about the majesty of God. | more »
Here is a sampling of the past 500 years of Lutheranism. | more »
Students at Augsburg College's Center for Global Education get a different view of Central America. | more »
“God’s work. Our hands.” is not just a tag line or even a mission statement. It is, instead, the story of God’s reforming work in the world. | more »
Here are 10 ways to help children and their families dive into God's word. | more »
Children at an Ohio congregation didn’t receive new Bibles from their congregation but rather slightly used — and as a result more meaningful — ones.
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Potlucks can combat world hunger! | more »
For Molly Cook, faith hasn't been that "gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, never-ceasing" experience. Serving in Malaysia, however, seems to be changing that. | more »
Having four basic forces is unsettling for those who seek an elegant unitary picture of the world. | more »
Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for each of us to prepare ourselves. | more »
Ava Aigner, a 10-year-old, left vacation Bible school determined to make a difference. | more »
Many children wonder about prayer. This nondenominational, multicultural book offers answers. | more »
Every day of the week, Jim Freeman can count on a warm meal delivered to his home, thanks to ELCA World Hunger. | more »
It’s about God working through you and the members of your congregation that you might become vibrant witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ. | more »
Attention to health has a positive impact, not just on our own lives, but on the lives of those around us. | more »
Sexual images and explicit word references have become increasingly common among groups that are younger by the year. | more »
ELCA missionaries in the Central African Republic won’t let an emergency evacuation keep them from God’s work. | more »
Attitudes that non-adoptive families have can play an important role in the support, or lack thereof, that adoptive families experience. | more »
The whole Christian community has the privilege and responsibility to celebrate and support God’s gift of baptism in a number of ways. | more »
We asked the ELCA Resource Center directors: What devotional resources would you recommend for individual or small-group use during Lent? | more »
As a member of The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA helps fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in Mozambique. | more »
It is all about God working through you and the members of your congregation.
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For ELCA young adult volunteer Sarah Bolick’s students, learning ballet isn’t just about learning to dance. | more »
The goal should go beyond merely raising enough money to pay the bills. | more »
A Wisconsin congregation raises over $17,000 for the ELCA campaign to help contain the disease in Africa. | more »
ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient Joseph Graumann discovers his calling through the people around him. | more »
Participants in this small-group study are often amazed to discover the contemporary implications of the Large Catechism. | more »
Church historian Martin Marty says learning “where we are” depends in no small part on “where we’ve been.” | more »
We celebrate our 25th anniversary not because we nostalgically long for the past, but because memories give us confidence in God's faithfulness and openness toward God's promised future. | more »
When she was a teenager, Jen Engquist, center, visited Uganda, and since then she's been pursuing her passion for international development and social justice. | more »
For a group of young girls in Palestine, it’s a class in ballet. What pursuit outside your normal routine has created a sense of empowerment for you? You might also want to read: Empowerment takes root in Chile Toward healing... | more »
Here are some interesting ways to celebrate the “coming” of Christ. | more »
We aren’t just a loose federation of churches. We are a communion of churches. | more »
If you haven’t tried it before, maybe this is the year to try to incorporate some child- or youth-led elements into your holiday services. | more »
On three successive nights Nicholas tossed bags of gold through the sisters' window, saving them from being sold into slavery. | more »
ELCA missionaries David and Mary Kuck witness the true meaning of "freed in Christ to serve." | more »
We have to dig deeply to get beneath the commercialized images of gift-giving. We do not shield our kids from Santa and St. Nick but tell their stories. | more »
Congregations of Golden, Colo., and their parish nurses have come together to serve the community in a joint health ministry. | more »
Look to provide opportunities for everyone to grow in a relationship with Jesus in a gracious, welcoming and redeeming community.
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Stewardship is not only about money; it’s also about using the gifts God has given you. | more »
With the help of the ELCA, a village in Nepal becomes a healthier place to live. | more »
Some say that as the generations pass the stories in the Bible are becoming less well known. How are you helping new generations become familiar with them and appreciate them? You might also want to read: Connecting with the Bible... | more »
Oct. 31, the date that Lutherans observe as Reformation Day, is also the eve of All Saints Day (All Hallows Day), commonly known as Halloween.
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Today we remember more than the posting of the 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. | more »
Teachers often say they learn as much, if not more, than the students they teach. What have you learned from the children you’ve taught in Sunday school? You might also want to read: Welcome back to Sunday school! Year-round Rally... | more »
Katharina von Bora Luther farmed, raised cows and pigs and brewed beer, earning almost as much as Martin Luther did as a professor.
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Queen Elizabeth’s assistance with the Protestant Reformation was invaluable. | more »
Minneapolis vacation Bible school students get a glimpse of what college life is like. | more »
In Africa, it only takes one bite from a mosquito to cause malaria, a disease that claims the life of a child every 45 seconds. | more »
As it turned out, nailing the documents to a church door was the easy part of starting the movement. | more »
There is a new resource available to help pastors walk parents and sponsors through the various parts of baptism. | more »
These activities contribute to the health and well-being of congregations by building
on the strengths and confidence of those who are involved.
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Praying periodically throughout the day reorients us and corrects our worldly trajectories. | more »
ELCA youth groups around the nation are creatively raising money to help bring wells to areas of the world without safe drinking water. | more »
Experience is a powerful teacher. We as parents often want to shield our kids from bad experiences, but some lessons are best learned that way. | more »
In a world that’s continually getting smaller, knowing more than one language is not the luxury it once was. What language would you like to know to be able to comfortably step outside of your familiar culture? What appeals to... | more »
ELCA member Olivia Neubauer is an elementary school teacher who won’t let anything keep her from teaching — not even turning 100. | more »
During the first few months of the academic year the adjustment process takes center stage on campus. | more »
For the youth at MYLE, the ELCA Youth Gathering is a chance to share their cultures with 35,000 other young people. | more »
I remember being very nervous as I walked into the strange classroom. Nothing was like my old school. | more »
Is your Sunday school the traditional model of separate grades with one teacher? Is it a rotation Sunday school with the grades moving weekly to a different subject and teacher? Or perhaps it’s non-traditional and adults and children learn together.... | more »
Do you have a child just starting kindergarten for whom everything will be new? Do you have an older child making the last lap through high school for whom the year will be a series of “last time” moments? Is... | more »
It’s called “animate. Faith” and isn’t your typical devotional for small groups. | more »
The dirt road leading to the ELCA summer camp took Kwame Pitts on a journey she never thought she’d take. | more »
August is quickly sliding by, and Rally Day will be here soon. What creative ideas has your congregation used to kick off Sunday school? What have you found the children like most? You might also want to read: Education fundamental... | more »
The traditional Rally Days brought hope, expectant hope. Hope that in the end disappointed. | more »
Sarah Rossing is one of 19 Fund for Leaders scholarship recipients, thanks to the generosity of John and Mary Satter.
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Her grandmother, mom, daughter and mentor helped Jessica Arneson learn to care for the poor, which has made her a stronger Lutheran and advocate. | more »
The vision is to create a place where kids are welcomed and accepted. | more »
Susie Delgado heard racial slurs as a teenager. When it continued with her sons and grandchildren at school, Susie's faith motivated her to end it. | more »
There are many authors who provide a satisfying read. But when you’re willing to come back for a second visit, or even a third or more, you know you’ve found a treasure. Which author do you find yourself returning to... | more »
From the King James Version to contemporary paraphrases, such as “The Message,” the choices for personal Bible reading are many. Which versions do you find enrich your understanding and enhance the reading experience? You might also want to read: What... | more »
Today is Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that the slaves in Texas were told they were free. It’s officially recognized as a holiday in a majority of the states. How is it celebrated where you live? You might also want... | more »
How we worship reflects our commitment to God's saving mission for the whole world. | more »
Soon to retire, Elizabeth Platz in 1965 became the first woman to be ordained in the Lutheran church. | more »
More time to read in the summer? Wishful thinking, perhaps. But if you do have more time, what books are you looking forward to devouring? You might also want to read: Some good reads for the summer Rest, relaxation and... | more »
Education is an important faith practice of the ELCA because it belongs to our Lutheran baptismal vocation and is fundamental to the church's mission in the world. | more »
We believe that all people are created in God’s image and that many of the things we as Christians hold dear are sacred in traditions other than our own. | more »
Walter had a rare gift for working collegially and encouraged me and so many others as valued partners in the common work of discovering and sharing the gospel. | more »
Fill the awkward gap between the end of Sunday school in May and the end of public school in June with global exploration! | more »
Instead of living off of the encouragement, hope, strength and sustenance that God gave us yesterday, we can receive a fresh helping of God’s goodness each and every day. | more »
“If I knew then what I know now” — does that thought come to mind when you think of those who are graduating this spring and stepping out into new pursuits? If so, what would you like to tell high... | more »
Those assembled saw, “Why” -- a mission drama and had a Birth Day Party and committed themselves “in the Unity of the Spirit” to “One Church Made New.” | more »
For members of Holy Trinity in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., caring for God's creation can begin in small ways.
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Everyday, hard-working teachers do their best to educate our youth. But some schools still fall short while others excel. Whether the public schools in your area are struggling or thriving, what do you think they need to become better? You... | more »
What an incredible journey. I have been pulled at like taffy, nurtured in the dusty sunlight, and filled up with good news and hope. | more »
People over 55 will soon make up over a third of the U.S. population, but few congregations focus on this emerging area of ministry. | more »
Brach Jennings, one of 19 ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipients for 2012, wants to reach out to people who only know a Lord of anger. | more »
Over a period of four weeks, emphasis is placed on God, the creator of all; Christ, the redeemer of creation; and the Spirit, the sustainer of life.
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Must you choose either faith or science, or are they different disciplines that can strengthen each other? | more »
It kills more people than war, malnutrition or heart disease. We as a church have decided to do something about that.
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I have to admit that I took a sort of gossipy pleasure in reading the salacious details of his life. | more »
A clear and compelling call is driving the Leiseths to accept a new journey overseas. | more »
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