Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…
St. James Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore. Professor emeritus of medicine and retired head of General Cardiology, Oregon Health and Science University; marathon runner I’m named after my grandfather, David Ruotsalainen,…
One blustery Ash Wednesday, some pastor colleagues and I went downtown to distribute “ashes on the go.” We spread on sidewalks that ran along towering office buildings and bustling restaurants, dressed in clergy wear…
The timbre of my voice rumbles at the back of my throat, and my mouth opens as a roar of laughter fills the space. Laughter is good for the soul….
You are dust and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19). Atoms in our bodies trace to the remnants of exploded stars. We are stardust. We are alive in the universe. And the…
All of creation has embodied experiences and revelations of God—they are our greatest source for knowing God. Human beings, along with all of God’s created, participate in theopoiesis—making and being…
In November, thanks to support from the Service and Justice unit’s Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities, I was one of 11 delegates to the second All Africa Youth Congress,…
Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us…
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pickerington, Ohio Chief farm operator, Preston Family Farm; co-founder, Winchester Farm Exchange I grew up in a tiny congregation in Centerville, Ohio, Epiphany Lutheran. That congregation eventually…
Editor’s note: On Jan. 18, Lucille “CeCee” Mills, secretary of the ELCA, delivered the sermon for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and commemoration worship service hosted by the Los…
Editor’s note: This article originally ran on Jan. 17, 2022. But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who…
Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rochester, N.Y. Workforce and public affairs specialist, Plug Power, Inc. I connected with Messiah Lutheran late winter, early spring of 2025. I saw the sign and…
You have attempted to access a feature of this website that is only available to members of livinglutheran.org.
A free membership gives you a customized dashboard for curated content based on your interest, the ability to like and save articles, an optional subscription to a weekly email digest “LL Stories”, and more.
Already have an account? log in
If you are a subscriber to the LL Stories email digest from before the introduction of the new website in December 2025, your account is intact, but your password will need to be reset unless you have a login for another ELCA website.
If you have a login for another ELCA website like community.elca.org, directory.elca.org or others you can use the password associated with that login.
Logout
