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Faith in Action

A parking lot with purpose

Many congregations have parking lots, but most don’t put them to use as havens of care and human dignity, as does Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, Calif. Since…

Mission & Ministry

Worship designed for all

Nearly a century before the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, a Minnesota church chose accessibility over tradition. The result is a functional monument to making worship more inviting to…

Faith in Action

Recycling to serve the neighbor

The football teams start their drills. The marching bands begin marching. And, at about this time every year, college students everywhere begin making their lists: What to bring? Will they…

Mission & Ministry

A legacy of growth

When Peter Friberg was 5 years old, he began attending the Augustana School in Kiomboi, Tanzania. Friberg was born in Tanzania to American missionaries from the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church…

Faith in Action

The greatest gift

When my children were young, I spent way too much money on far too many playthings. With my grandchildren, I had a chance to pull back on the gifting (with…

Faith in Action

Pastoral care

When an ELCA pastor or deacon is installed, the congregation promises to pray for, help and honor its leader and “in all things strive to live together in the peace…

Faith in Action

Lead by listening

A half-dozen years ago, the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Wilmington, Del., asked themselves: “If our congregation were gone tomorrow, who would miss it?” “We could not think of…

Faith in Action

Called to service

Harold “Dutch” Rinker’s ordination as an ELCA pastor on April 9 culminated a 20-year journey that began when he signed up for lay minister training in the Upper Susquehanna Synod….

Faith in Action

A ministry sprung to life

COVID-19 has meant many changes for many people: online school and worship, families balancing work with child care and, in too many instances, saying goodbye to loved ones. For one…

Mission & Ministry

Gen Z and the church

Young people in the church today know what they want from faith-based institutions. If a church offers relationships, mentors, authenticity and political engagement, they’ll stay, often becoming leaders who will…

Faith in Action

Holy invitations

Focal verse “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). Reflection Last fall…

Mission & Ministry

“A win-win-win”

After the closure of St. James Evangelical Lutheran in Coral Gables, Fla., the Florida-Bahamas Synod found itself with nearly $10 million from the sale of the congregation’s property. Without skipping…