ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 15 ruling that employment discrimination on the basis of a worker’s sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “The court’s decision is an important recognition of equal protection under […]
Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a statement on anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that have recently been introduced in the United States. “As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly […]
The last place I would have imagined I would finally respond to the still, small voice of God calling me into ministry would be at a Pride event. For years, I had entertained the thought of being called. But I continued to be resistant until my faith and identity were reconciled. Like when I attended […]
Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer from the ELCA resource Prayer ventures, which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer life as together we pray for the needs of the world and give thanks for the ministries of our church. Sunday, Jan. 29 Reconciling in Christ Sunday Give […]
Many congregations looking to embody an evangelizing celebration of their LGBTQIA+ leaders, members, visitors and neighbors more actively have more actively turned their attention to pronouns. But what are pronouns, exactly? How do they work? And how can we use them in our congregational contexts? There are many kinds of pronouns; in this case, we’re […]
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 ELCA community in Baltimore, though, there has been growth—and hope—during uncertain times. In early 2020, after being called by the Delaware-Maryland Synod to be a […]
Series editor’s note: Throughout 2022, “Deeper understandings” will feature biblical scholars sharing some of their favorite books of the Bible. Next month, Katherine A. Shaner will continue this theme. —Kathryn A. Kleinhans, dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, on behalf of the ELCA’s seminaries Many passages inspire and some ask the […]
With nearly 9,000 congregations across the United States and in the Caribbean, the ELCA’s ministry encompasses the geographic diversity of the country. For some congregations, their distinct location plays a part in shaping their ministries. Whether they’re in physically remote locations or an area where simply being Lutheran might feel singular, they exemplify the expansive […]
Several years ago I was having an over-the-fence conversation with my neighbor. My garden lay at the edge of my property line, and her children’s play set stood at the edge of hers, so we’d exchange chitchat now and again as neighbors do. On this afternoon, she peeked over the pickets and said somewhat breathlessly, […]
Ballard First Lutheran Church, Seattle Beverly Cleary Endowed Professor in Children and Youth Services and chair of the library and information science program at the University of Washington, Seattle; co-founder and board chair, Camp Read-a-Rama; church violinist and vocalist; Girl Scout troop leader I grew up in a Baptist church in South Carolina. My husband […]
