A creative idea at an ELCA congregation in Port Jervis, N.Y., is helping the community one pet at a time. | more »
Volunteering
After Hurricane Sandy ravages their building, an ELCA congregation in New Jersey gets creative about bouncing back. | more »
This year has filled me with so many things that I didn’t know I was missing. I have been filled with hospitality, insight, knowledge, wonder, questions — oh, the questions. | more »
ELCA congregations have the privilege and the responsibility to offer a Christian presence to those with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. | more »
The Lakota Lutheran Center is proud to be "a community of American Indian people who are serving those in need." | more »
ELCA World Hunger helps an ELCA congregation in O’Fallon, Ill., reach out to its neighbors. | more »
Here are a few suggestions on how you can help congregational members and groups develop sustained relationships in service to the needs of others. | more »
Why does prayer matter? We answer that question with: How has prayer helped you?
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It’s wonderful to be reminded that through the ups and downs of feeling comfortable and confident, and lost and lonely — I’m not walking alone. | more »
Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week by recognizing your volunteers and looking forward to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. | more »
I had no idea that, as scary and wonderful and exciting as it was, it's nothing compared to this place, to these people, to this food, and to this life experience. | more »
Camp Victor Ministries in Mississippi transitions from responding to disaster to being prepared for it. | more »
I just want to be here, to honor the sense of call that has led me to this place, this program and these beautiful people. | more »
Here are ideas for volunteering this summer and at other times during the year. | more »
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 »
Every day of the week, Jim Freeman can count on a warm meal delivered to his home, thanks to ELCA World Hunger. | more »
The staff members of La Obra explained that this was not OK and gave the kids a quick overview of their rights so they would be prepared for the next time. | more »
Team Garden has another goal: to grow fresh tomatoes, zucchinis, beans, lettuce and peppers to donate to the local food pantry network. | more »
Because of their commitment to providing a safe and secure environment, they adopted a policy on preventing and reporting abuse. | more »
Seeing this has a beauty to it; it's deepened my appreciation for the role of a mother and or female caretaker in a family and community setting. | more »
God is providing for her a wonderful learning experience that will go with her for the rest of her life. | more »
Here are suggestions that may help establish a long-lasting and better-sounding choir.
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Martin Luther King Jr. was speaking a truth, an ugly truth that did not match the dream. | more »
What has that got to do with the church? When God wants something done, God calls someone in that place at that time to do it. | more »
Has your congregation been involved in a project that made a difference in the lives of others? Or have you been the recipient of the generosity of ELCA members? When have you seen the effect of “God’s work. Our hands.”?... | more »
What does the idea of waiting, patience and all the activities leading up to this one day symbolize?
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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 »
My school holds holiday classes for autistic students during the months of November and December, so I still have plenty of work cut out for me during these months! | 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 »
Experience and the right technique can help spread interest in your congregation. | more »
Is part of your Thanksgiving tradition giving of your time? Do you help out at a free holiday meal or share your own meal and time with someone? Has someone done the same for you when you’ve been in need?... | more »
A goal of "The Potato Project" is to provide fresh produce to food banks and kitchens across four counties in Pennsylvania. | more »
It’s a wonderful thing to feel the urge to become involved — participating because we want to, not because we have to. How has your congregation nurtured this feeling? You might also want to read: The good Samaritans Welcome to... | more »
Over the past year, Lutheran volunteers from several states have worked on Misty Weed’s flood-damaged home in Minot, N.D. | more »
"God is not just with me," says Romi Pierce, "but is pushing me and demanding me to be the best I can be."
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The work we do with our hands sometimes makes it possible for others to do God’s work with their hands. | more »
Even though I grew up with this term, know more or less just what it means, I still think it’s high time to get rid of it. | more »
Erin Gerber, the ELCA's first Young Adults in Global Mission participant, used her year in England to build relationships and continue life-changing work around the world. | more »
Edna Johnson knew about miracles, but she had never seen one until she became an ELCA missionary in Africa. | more »
“God has called me in many ways. But it’s been a process of discovering who I am in order to understand what God has called me to do," says Kristina Diaz.
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Offering prayer and a cup of java on the street is how two ELCA congregations in Rochester, Minn., get to know their neighbors. | more »
An ELCA young adult volunteer learns patience and how to have a conversation in the absence of a shared language.
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For 33,309 kids at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, the face of Jesus was everywhere. | more »
I look back at my year in Malaysia and reflect on the different things that have taken me by surprise. | more »
The vision is to create a place where kids are welcomed and accepted. | more »
To change the world you can start with one person. This was something I learned through my 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering community-life team. | more »
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities close to home, but if you had the opportunity, which country would you like to be of service to? Would the work be related to your career or something entirely different? Does your congregation... | more »
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities close to home, but if you had the opportunity, which country would you like to be of service to? Would the work be related to your career or something entirely different? Does your congregation... | more »
The youth of Trinity Lutheran in Princeton, Minn., practice discipleship and service in Mississippi before arriving at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. | more »
I didn’t come to South Africa to say that I’ve been to South Africa or to say that I’ve lived in another country for a year. I came to experience. | more »
From volunteering hours, donating food to perhaps providing space in your building, how do the members serve those in need of essential food for meals? You might also want to read: Feeding God’s children Good meals leave big smiles What’s... | 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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Many congregations need to update their impressions and expectations of seniors, who no longer are the “been-there and done-that” generation. | more »
The opportunities are many, from small gestures to large, roll-up-your-sleeves projects. Maybe it was such a natural thing to do that you did it without really thinking. How have you recently been an instrument of God’s work? You might also... | more »
Where or how do you like to volunteer? How did you find out about the need? What is it about the work that keeps you coming back? You might also want to read: Building a faithful home Building bridges across... | more »
The Young Adults in Global Mission program offers the opportunity for a one-year journey in international service and learning. | more »
Mark Minnick’s seminary experience revealed that the ELCA was lacking relevance with young adults.
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Podiatrists, medical students and pastors will be among those ministering to the people who live on the streets of Philadelphia. | more »
For Ron Glusenkamp, senior pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, reading is fun, as long as it doesn't involve Thing 1 and Thing 2. | more »
Lindsey Bulger believes "we are able to catch glimpses of God in our relationships to one another."
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Leslie Abell felt called to go to Antarctica to do her small part to help the scientists there who are combating global climate change. | more »
Something extraordinary happened in New Orleans last summer, as so many ELCA youth experienced the public church. They participated in a church that has a mission in the world. | more »
Bob first traveled to Tanzania on a companion synod trip hosted by the Nebraska Synod in 2001. He’s still there. | more »
There are times when things are frustrating, but it is much better to look at the positive things and be grateful for all that I have.
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Larry is eager to ride his bicycle, especially if the mission supports Outreach for Hope — an organization that funds ELCA congregations that serve the poor.
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It was all about the amazing people that have welcomed me into their family, and that is what I am thankful for. | 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 »
Cristina Kinz has learned that God is “suffering, living, dancing, hoping, crying and walking with and among us in each moment of our lives."
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Through ELCA Disaster Response, we reach out to those impacted by disasters in the United States and around the world. | more »
Watching children soak up knowledge can make a teacher smile. That smile can grow to at least a chuckle when their well-meaning responses are amusing. When has a student unknowingly brought more than a smile to your face? You might... | more »
Supporting Kevin Jacobson in his work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname is a mutually beneficial relationship for two ELCA congregations. | more »
Elizabeth Hartwell realized that being a family-law attorney was her answer to God's call for service in the world.
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Working with Habitat for Humanity through Lutheran Volunteer Corps has been a good fit for Chris Schei. | more »
“Once you combine an interest with a gift, serving can be very gratifying and rewarding,” says ELCA member Linden Olson, a farmer and pork producer. | more »
Unless I missed something, we’ll be looking forward, with no disrespect to the past or present intended. | more »
Vacation Bible schools bring the gospel stories alive, often for children who have not heard them before. | more »
Since joining the staff at Imago Dei Village, an ELCA outdoor ministry program, Dara Stull still feels a bit awestruck at her good fortune.
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An award-winning video highlights a summer camp's week of welcoming foster children from Lutheran Services Florida. | more »
The stigma of HIV and AIDS was enough that even her closest friends and family members were afraid to care for her. | more »
Many senior ELCA members are not ready to sit back in the rocking chair. Why not put them to work? | more »
The story of a homeless man who was changed after being touched by Angel Network (of Honolulu, Hawaii). | more »
In this prize-winning video, Western North Dakota congregations are living Lutheran and freed to serve amid the 2011 spring floods.
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Laura Holck in her blog today remembers her Uncle Mike. He always put others first. “He gave away his connections and his time and his expertise. He gave his very self,” she says. His life wasn’t about himself but rather... | more »
Canceling a worship at two ELCA congregations is an invitation to service. | more »
We started with a volunteer pastor, zero assets, a box of wine, homemade bread and a little rent money. | more »
What's cooking at a Boston-area soup kitchen? Tonight's special: respect. | more »
I've never been in a war zone, but I've a feeling tornado-damaged Joplin is at least as bad as the worst of war zones. | more »
Servant Sundays at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C., are filled with teachable moments. | more »
What did Andy Berry want to be when he grew up? It took the communion of saints to help him hear the call. | more »
It’s not about some people being irrelevant. It’s about “how God is becoming relevant to new people and how we can all get behind that,” says Bjorn Peterson. | more »
Bethany Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Cherry Hills Village, Colo., will cancel its worship service on May 22 . Its members that day will go out to work and help in their community. Does your congregation have a creative... | more »
Half-cooked goat liver, lousy cross-country skiing and joy in serving. | more »
Strolling around Listening Walk at Halfway Creek has become a symbol of renewal for the congregation, confirming that God is "near and here." | more »
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service helps America's newcomers by resettling refugees, reuniting families and rekindling dreams. | more »
Two years after flooding, a pastor and his family help complete a home rehab. | more »
Fern Lee Hagedorn writes in a blog entry that Jesus asks us to BE the neighbor to those around us. How have you been a neighbor to others in your community, in your congregation or in your family today?... | more »
One of the ways we can fulfill God's work with our hands is by joining an online advocacy network. | more »
These hands don't lift weights; they move mountains. | more »
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