Category: Protestant

Members of the Saibi Samukop Village, Mentawai Islands   In the quiet hamlet of Sua, Saibi Samukop village, Mentawai Islands, Ibu Dewi is a humble farmer, tending to her family’s small plot of land. For years, she followed traditional farming methods, without realizing the potential her land held. Everything changed when she joined an organic farming training program organized by the Indonesian National Committee of the LWF (KNLWF). The program opened her eyes to a new technique that not only promised a healthier harvest, but also a sustainable way of life. With dedication, Ibu Dewi transformed her land into a…

By: Rahel Mwitula Williams Rahel Mwitula Williams, the author, inside the oldest ELCA church, Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands “Infrastructure is the dream!” stated one of the members of an inner city congregation. In my last blog, I spoke about the concept of innovation as a way to continuously reinvent ourselves, finding new ways to communicate the gospel and serve our brothers and sisters in an ever-evolving world. However, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to acknowledge that innovation is a privilege. Yes, to try something new and test a…

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.   This week, those in the United States marked ten years since the murder of the Emanuel Nine at Mother…

June 17th is Emanuel Nine Commemoration and Day of Repentance. The following are shareable resources you can use within your local context for commemorations, services, and personal development. Further information and resources can be found on the ELCA’s Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine – June 17 webpage. The following paragraph describing this commemoration could be provided for congregations in resources such as service folders. Emanuel Nine, martyrs, 2015 On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed…

The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT)— a joint American and Canadian ecumenical body—oversees the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a schedule of biblical passages read on Sundays and festivals in congregations of multiple denominations in North America and other parts of the world. The ELCA is one of more than 20 member denominations. At its April 2025 meeting, CCT approved a provisional update to the RCL. This update reexamines passages of Scripture that have historically been misused to justify discrimination and violence against the Jews. This process involved extensive study and consultation with biblical experts, church historians, and liturgical leaders, including a forum…

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.   Next week, those in the United States mark ten years since the murder of the Emanuel Nine at Mother…

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers in a monthly blog post. Music that Makes Community Rooted in Christian contemplative and activist traditions, Music That Makes Community envisions a liberative culture that empowers individuals and communities to claim and use the power of singing to heal our spirits, nurture our common lives, and work for justice. We offer resources,…

A blessed Pentecost to you all! As noted in a previous post, our grant applications have been open now since May 15th. Here is an overview of the description of the grants for 2025 and guidelines/expectations for applications. This year we will be giving a total of $ 35,000 in grants (Applicants can apply for a grant up to $ 10,000.) For instructions on how to register and apply, please go to: https://www.elca.org/our-work/grants/impact-church-ministry after reading the description here. We’re excited to see God at work in your projects and plans! Peace, Rev. Lisa Heffernan, ELCA Disability Ministries,coordinator Grant applicants are…

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.   In the coming weeks, those in the United States will mark two significant anniversaries: five years since the murder…

Greetings, everyone! It is a privilege to introduce Pastors Mack Patrick and Mary Ann Harrison to the ELCA Disability Ministries advisory team. They join me, Chris, Pastor Brian, Anita, and Pastor Peter as we prepare for a great new period in the life of Disability Ministries in the ELCA. Read below for greetings and some background from these wonderful servants of Christ! Peace, Rev. Lisa Heffernan ELCA Disability Ministries, coordinator   Pastor Mack Patrick (he/they) is currently serving as Assistant to the Bishop in the Northern Illinois synod, where he oversees communications, stewardship, and youth ministry. With a deep passion…