Thanks to ELCA World Hunger, Sentongo Abdul says, “My future and that of my siblings is surely brighter.” | more »
Health
ELCA congregations have the privilege and the responsibility to offer a Christian presence to those with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. | more »
How do we encounter that gift of abundant life in times of sickness? | more »
A small ELCA congregation in Jacksonville, Fla., helps make a big difference through their donation to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. | more »
Here are some ways a pastor and congregation can help those who are in the muddle or crisis of midlife. | more »
Stephen Martin, an ELCA chaplain, spent a year helping his sisters and brothers in the armed forces cope with the effects of war. | more »
There are a couple of reasons for the stunned reaction on the part of the group, one that is spoken of in the text and one that is not. | more »
The ELCA Malaria Campaign gets creative to change attitudes about malaria prevention in southern Africa. | more »
Grace Lutheran Church finds itself on a journey of faith, facing the challenge of how to demonstrate the love of God to new neighbors. | 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 »
St. Stephen Lutheran Church in South Plainfield, N.J., opens its doors to neighbors after Hurricane Sandy. | more »
As a member of The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA helps fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in Mozambique. | more »
A Wisconsin congregation raises over $17,000 for the ELCA campaign to help contain the disease in Africa. | more »
We all know that to feel that “I matter” is important throughout our life, regardless of our means of evaluating such things as “success” and love. | more »
They know that there may be a difference between professed faith and operational faith and that the crisis of hospitalization may uncover that gap for the first time. | more »
Because people with the disease have limited energy, numerous choices must be made every day on how to spend that energy.
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For many, it’s a reminder of lost loved ones, personal disappointments and dreams left unfulfilled. | more »
Help make this Christmas special for those who are terminally ill.
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Imagine there’s a gift under the tree that could free up some of your day or week. What would you do that you can’t now? You might also want to read: The sabbath is a gift of time Christmas, a... | more »
We are responsible not only for our own keeping of sabbath but also for how our actions affect the ability of others to keep sabbath. | more »
Serving others may go unnoticed to most in the world, but it won’t go unnoticed to the one being served (or to God). | more »
Congregations of Golden, Colo., and their parish nurses have come together to serve the community in a joint health ministry. | more »
ELCA missionary Mark Jacobson, the director of a Lutheran medical school in Tanzania, says that through its graduates we become the healing hands of Christ. | more »
It only takes one accident to have tragic economic and emotional consequences. | 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 »
When someone you know is going through a difficult time — perhaps a terminal illness — the natural inclination might be to pull back. “I have enough difficulties in my own life without absorbing more from another person.” But with... | more »
Many of us don’t need to visit a doctor to find out what we can do to promote better well-being for ourselves. | more »
A Medford, Wis., congregation has been infused with new energy and is focusing on the ELCA Malaria Campaign. | more »
It seems that just when you think you’ve adjusted to your current stage in life, there are big or subtle changes and you have to begin the process again. Whether young, middle-aged or older, things keep changing and you have... | more »
What in your daily schedule seems to be the sponge that soaks up more time than the activity is worth, leaving less time for more important things? Is there a way to restore some balance? You might also want to... | more »
Every 45 seconds a child in Africa dies of malaria. To help save lives, ELCA congregations are supporting the ELCA Malaria Campaign in some creative ways. | more »
Do you put up a wall of silence or do you rant and rave, venting your anger and frustration, possibly making a bad situation worse? No matter where you are on the spectrum, did you choose to be like that?... | more »
Do turning leaves make you think of a cozy bed and breakfast? Do sunny, crisp fall days mean a road trip to follow your football team? When summer turns into fall, where do you like to go? You might also... | more »
Maybe you always do, but more likely it’s an occasional feeling. Either way, is the cause something specific or more general? Is your relationship with God a factor? You might also want to read: Holy karaoke! Life in community Delight... | more »
Is it the daily effort of trying to keep all the balls in the air? Is there something specific draining your energy? What would help turn the situation around? Has prayer helped you cope and move toward a solution? You... | more »
Edna Johnson knew about miracles, but she had never seen one until she became an ELCA missionary in Africa. | more »
What stirs your blood and emotions and makes you feel alive? Is the source of the passion a central part of your life? Is it valued as much as it should be? You might also want to read: Shining God’s... | more »
Having someone who will listen can make all the difference. But finding an effective listener can be difficult. What qualities do you find make a good listener? Are they qualities you remember to offer when someone is in need? You... | more »
How has being able to tend to the members’ physical well-being helped nurture their spiritual well-being? You might also want to read: A ministry of healing and hope Ministering to the whole person The congregation’s response to health and wellness... | more »
The later years of life can be good at Beth-Anne Place, a community for seniors started by an ELCA congregation on Chicago's West Side. | more »
Does a whitewater-rafting trip down the Colorado sound like fun? How about a week in the rainforests of Costa Rica? Touring New England in the fall on a bicycle might be nice. What adventure vacation do you have on your... | more »
Do you remember the last time? Is laughter part of your daily life? If it isn’t — and if it’s hard to remember your last good laughing fit — do you know the reason? What needs to change? You might... | more »
A vacation is not just a fun thing to do, it’s vital. It’s a way to remember what’s important and who we love. | more »
Walter and Delila Weind's story is one of a living faith that transcends disease, war and even death. | more »
While Lutherans are indeed supportive of health care and healing for all, I don’t believe our theology supports compulsory giving toward it. | more »
The layoffs, reduced pay checks and underwater mortgages brought on by the recession have created a lot of pain and suffering. If your life has been affected, has something positive emerged from the negative? If your financial security has decreased,... | more »
Lack of safe water and sanitation kills over 1.6 million children a year. | more »
The sky is blue. The temperature and humidity are just right. A gentle breeze is refreshing but not annoying and, best of all, you have the free time to enjoy it all. How do you like to celebrate such a... | more »
When we become guides or teachers, we often find that the students teach us more than we teach them. Special-needs children can excel at this teaching the teacher. How has your life been enriched by such children? You might also... | more »
Our certainty in Christ is that even when we take our last breath and life, as we know it, ends, we have a sure and certain hope. | more »
My boys have shown me that being different is ultimately OK. Everyone is different. | more »
We have many foundations besides the ones supporting our homes. They support our personal, social, work and faith lives. Small foundational cracks can grow if ignored and can threaten the entire structure. Which of your cracks need attention? You might... | more »
Often the pastor can help in ways that mental health professionals or even close family members cannot. | more »
Giving up tobacco is an obvious candidate and one that many people struggle with. But many other things can enslave us. Have you decided that you needed to make a change? Did you succeed? Did your faith help provide the... | more »
“A day of rest? Sure, if you give me eight days!” many would say. Since that’s not going to happen, are you able to rest on the seventh day? It might not be a day of complete leisure, but are... | more »
The ELCA Malaria Campaign is seeking to expand the fight against the disease in Africa to Liberia. Malaria kills a child in Africa every 45 seconds. A $10 donation buys a mosquito net that can save a life. How are... | more »
Are we are all rushed, tired, harried and harassed? It seems like it. | more »
Today is World Malaria Day. For people living in parts of the world not prone to the disease, malaria can become faceless, something others have to contend with. But as the ease of world travel increases so do the opportunities... | more »
Global neighbors remind ELCA missionaries like Sam and Cindy Wolff that we all have much to be thankful for. | more »
There’s probably the garage, the windows of the house and that mess in the basement you keep walking around. But how’s your personal life? Are there areas there that could also use some tidying up or reducing down? You might... | 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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Jesus knew all too well what the coming days would mean and how they would end. In our own ways we too face periods of trial. How has putting yourself in God’s hands helped you at such times? You might... | more »
Podiatrists, medical students and pastors will be among those ministering to the people who live on the streets of Philadelphia. | more »
Although many people have enjoyed a mild winter, spring is still likely welcomed with open arms. New life is starting up and the days seem full of possibilities. In what ways does the return of spring give you renewed energy?... | more »
We all have our times of trials. It may be an occasional struggle or, unfortunately, a daily occurrence. When have you been faced with basic choices about where your life will lead? Were you tempted to leave God out of... | more »
Was the fast for medical or spiritual reasons? What was it like when you could break the fast? What did you learn from the experience? You might also want to read: Welcome to Lent Las Vegas, Opus Dei and Lent... | more »
Is your congregation able to offer the services of a parish nurse? If so, how has the nurse been able to help you and other members find a holistic approach to your physical and spiritual needs? You might also want... | more »
Is there a fear, big or small, that controlled you until you took a stand and stared it down? What helped you decide to take control? Did your faith help you find the extra strength to prevail? You might also... | more »
For most of us, it probably varies depending on the day and the specific need. But generally, when you need to rejuvenate, do you look inward or outward? Whichever route you choose, what role does your faith play? You might... | more »
We’re not talking late New Year’s resolutions here. Those usually don’t work. But as part of an ongoing effort, is there a trait or habit you would like to lose? Has it become an unwelcome guest — you keep trying... | more »
Rarely does a day go by for most of us that we don’t yearn for a little peace. It might be peace of mind or just some peace and quiet. When your mind and body need that break, what do... | more »
I believe that all of us need to be healed and washed clean at some time and all of us, like Naaman, need to learn to trust. | more »
Experts recommend about eight hours a night for adults. Do you get close to that? If once you didn’t and now you do, do you feel better during the day? How were you able to make the change? You might... | more »
Recharging a phone is easy — just plug it in. Recharging our personal lives or the faith that helps guide us is sometimes not so easy. When your charge is running low, how do you get back to full? You... | more »
Sometimes a vacation is great because of its destination. Others are good because they come at the right time to provide a much needed break. What has been your best vacation and did you find yourself energized and renewed when... | more »
Do you take your exercise inside if the weather turns colder? Or do you embrace the season and make the weather your friend? Either way, some winter days can make a simple walk not so simple. Perhaps you get frustrated... | more »
Change will come from a shared conviction that health is a gift from God and that we are the stewards of the gift. | more »
An acquaintance beamed when announcing the first grandchild. A father was pleased when a son made the team. Whether big or small, what recently has brought you a special moment of happiness and celebration? You might also want to read:... | more »
Are you by nature optimistic, or do you tend to take the more pessimistic view of a situation? How do you think this has affected important choices you’ve made? Is that point of view something you have intentionally developed? You... | more »
I haven't felt like I needed to go pitch a tent somewhere to speak out against this particular inequality. | more »
Unrealistic portrayals of ideal body weights and shapes in the media are threatening an increasing number of young people. | more »
Quitting smoking? A more healthy lifestyle? A more authentic life of faith? Which resolution do you yearly embrace only to find that it too quickly slips away? You might also want to read: New Year’s retirement resolutions Resolving my resolutions... | more »
The Christmas message of a Savior is born is always memorable. But the day, like any other day, can range from very good to — nicely put — not so good. If yours was very good, what was special that... | more »
Bob first traveled to Tanzania on a companion synod trip hosted by the Nebraska Synod in 2001. He’s still there. | more »
Unlike the shorter nights of summer, the long nights around the winter solstice can lead to introspection. When the dark becomes much longer than the light, what do you wish for? You might also want to read: Santa Lucia, a... | more »
The joy of Christmas can come with a healthy dose of stress and frustration. What is the big stress factor in your preparation? What ways have you found to avoid or reduce it? What helps you keep the distractions in... | more »
Messages about HIV prevention do not reach people like O. Mae, who is 78 years old. | more »
In the presence of AIDS, how has your life or that of someone you know been changed by the example of Jesus’ healing love that he offered to those in need? How did bringing that love help dispel the discrimination... | more »
Does going from one season to the next leave you longing for what’s gone or do you anticipate what is yet to come? Are you able to enjoy the season that is at hand, or do you spend your “off... | more »
Finding the time and the right outlet is not easy. But if you have found both, how is your life richer and better balanced for the volunteer work you do? What satisfaction do you get that you wouldn’t, or don’t,... | more »
This last month, I’ve learned a little more about sharing the sadder side of life. | more »
The AIDS crisis called the ELCA to an even higher level of commitment in its focus on health care.
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I wanted my children to have church and the baby Jesus at the center of their memories. | more »
If you’re like most of us, the list is way too long. But is there one you encounter regularly? Have you prayed about it? How? You might also want to read Strength through weakness Blessed and dysfunctional Alcohol use and... | more »
I needed to be reminded that what's harmful to one is harmful to all. What's healing to one is good for the whole. | more »
In a neighborhood some call “blighted,” an ELCA congregation sees rich soil and opportunity to plant the seeds for change. | more »
The price of many food items keeps rising while some paychecks have stagnated, shrunk or even vanished. What changes have you had to make in the meals you put on your table to accommodate those rising prices? You might also... | more »
With the very real need for food justice in the world, how ought ELCA members talk about food? | more »
How do you prepare for your day? Is it a period of prayer and meditation or a strong cup of coffee? Maybe it’s both? Does exercise put you in the right frame of mind? Or do you prefer to hit... | more »
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