January 2025

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Seventy-one percent of victims of human trafficking are women and girls. National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is an opportunity to educate others about identifying human trafficking, prevention and supporting victims. Scroll down to access articles and resources to raise awareness of human trafficking and engage in advocacy in your congregation and community.


#WearBlueDay This year, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11. Learn about Wear Blue Day and get involved.


Polaris Project

Learn how to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking.


National Human Trafficking Hotline

If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking or at risk of being trafficked, help is available. Call 888-373-7888 or Text INFO to 233733 or chat online at https://humantraffickinghotline.org. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.


Women of the ELCA publications and resources to end human trafficking

Since 2005, Women of the ELCA has been actively working to end human trafficking. At the Eleventh Triennial Convention (2021), the voting members adopted a resolution setting the four weeks prior to the annual NFL Super Bowl as a time of prayer to end human trafficking and called on women of this organization to engage in prayer. This year, the 2025 Super Bowl is Sunday, February 9. Download 28 daily prayers to be prayed individually or in a group beginning January 12.  


See a list of articles about the issue of Human Trafficking from Gather magazine.


"Commercial Sexual Exploitation and the everyday" by Elizabeth Hunter, Cafe (Boldcafe.org), January 2013.

Boldcafe Monthly Dinner: Forgiveness for the new year

As a new year begins, have you considered adding forgiveness for yourself and others to the list of resolutions? Join us for the next Boldcafe Monthly Dinner Thursday, January 2, at 7 pm CST. Our host, the Rev. Minna Bothwell, will lead our conversation about starting a new year with forgiveness. Read her article, "Beginning again: Forgiveness and the promise of a new year" in Boldcafe.org.

Register and pass this invitation along:

https://boldcafe.org/dinner

Upcoming Bible Studies in Gather

Get a sneak peek of the list of wonderful writers and topics for the next year of Gather Bible studies!



Upcoming Bible studies.

January Stewardship devotion: Blessings

During this Epiphany season, how is God inviting you to bless others? 


Read the January stewardship devotion.

Did you attend the virtual Blue Christmas Service?

There is still a chance to experience Women of the ELCA's annual Blue Christmas Service. You can watch the video on our website at welca.org.

Apply now for a Women of the ELCA Scholarship

Women of the ELCA Scholarships help women continue their education in ordained ministry, academics and leadership. The 2025-2026 scholarship application process opened December 15.


Learn more.

Applications for Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls Seed Grants are open

We are committed by our purpose statement to promoting healing and wholeness in our church, society, and world. Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls Seed grants embolden women and girls to make a difference where they are. Application materials for the 2024-2025 Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls seed grants cycle is open.


Learn more.

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your spiritual journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless, and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message. Learn more at welca.org/dailygrace.

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