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NEW! Elections & Civic Engagement: What the ELCA Teaches & How Congregations Can Engage
Join the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin for an online event to learn more about why elections matter, what the church teaches, and what you can do. We’ll explore ELCA social teachings, key election dates, and resources available from LOPPW and the ELCA. Featured speakers include Greater Milwaukee Area Synod Bishop Paul Erickson and Dr. Joyce Caldwell. July 28, 7-8pm.
REGISTER HERE
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NEW! ELCA Task Force Shares Two Important Resources
The task force leading the ELCA in the reconsideration of one section of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is excited to share two important opportunities for you and your congregation to engage with this summer.
The task force is releasing a podcast called Learn and Discern as an educational tool for this church as we journey together through the reconsideration process.
The podcast’s episodes will explore the following topics:
- A history of the ELCA’s social teachings and ministry policy on human sexuality.
- The nuances of Lutheran theological ethics.
- A deeper look at the history of the Lutheran understanding of “the bound conscience.”
- The sources of agreement and disagreement on human sexuality in the church.
- Lutheran approaches to faithful conversation.
This five-episode podcast is a companion to the study “Conscience and Conversation” (described below). Individual episodes will be released in audio and video over the summer at elca.org/reconsiderations.
The task force has released a new study to foster conversation across this church and to generate feedback that will guide its work. The study, ““Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,”” invites reflection on agreement and disagreement through “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3).
Session One looks at what unites us as ELCA Lutherans and explores ways Christians have disagreed faithfully while seeking unity in the Spirit.
Session Two invites deeper reflection on disagreements and agreements regarding sexuality.
Please prayerfully consider leading your congregation or small group in this study. There is a survey link for participants to share feedback with the task force. Your input is essential as the task force prepares a first draft of the reconsidered subsection of the social statement for the church to consider. The survey is open until Sept. 30.
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Give now
Lutheran Disaster Response In Venezuela
Recently two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. Entire communities have been shaken to the ground. More than 1,700 lives have been confirmed lost so far, thousands more are injured, and countless families are now without shelter, safety or access to necessities.
Lutheran Disaster Response is already responding through trusted, long-standing partners in the region, including the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela (IELV). ELCA partners have deployed assessment teams to affected areas, working together to identify urgent needs, provide immediate relief (e.g. food, shelter, water) and coordinate a plan for long-term assistance.
Your gifts enable this church to provide fast and effective support to communities in need and to remain for as long as recovery takes, whenever and wherever a disaster occurs.
Give Now to Lutheran Disaster Response
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NEW! God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday
On Sunday, September 13, congregations of the ELCA will gather for a dedicated day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” Since 2013, “God’s work. Our hands.” has inspired people of all ages to put their faith in action through service projects that share God’s love with all God’s people. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore resources from the ELCA. “God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place.
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NEW! Church Property Resource Hub Webinar: “Social Enterprise and Church Property”
Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 pm
RootedGood supports faith communities in generating new forms of income through social enterprise, developing buildings and land for ministry and aligning money with mission to increase impact. Join us to learn about social enterprises and how to leverage the assets of church property to create something new.
REGISTER HERE
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NEW! Let's Talk About SOGIE Training & Resources
Looking to deepen your understanding of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE)? The Let's Talk About SOGIE training equips church leaders, ministry teams, and congregations with practical tools to engage with hospitality, compassion, and confidence. Participants will explore key SOGIE concepts, learn why LGBTQIA+ inclusion matters in church and society, and discover ways to create more welcoming faith communities.
Learn more, access resources, or register for training to help your congregation continue growing in faithful welcome and hospitality.
Learn more
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NEW! Doing Community Ministry in the Small Church
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership article Doing Community Ministry in the Small Church shows how small churches can make a big impact in the world through partnerships, creative use of resources, and a focus on relational ministry.
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Don't miss these concerts featuring young people from across the ELCA
Lutheran Summer Music Events Streamed Live
Join Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) online through Live from LSM and enjoy more than 30 free concerts, recitals, and worship services streamed live from St. Olaf College. Highlights include a special guest performance by Cantus, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, the Bach Cantata Eucharist, the Festival of Hymns, and joyful performances by the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra.
VIEW SCHEDULE AND WATCH LIVE
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ReconcilingWorks Monthly Bible Study
ReconcilingWorks is starting a monthly online Bible Study, meeting every third Thursday of the month, led by a rostered leader. Upcoming dates include August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19 and December 17. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants two days in advance. The text for the study is for the Sunday 10 days after the Zoom gathering. Sermon notes will also be available on the website. Learn more and register. ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation advocates for the welcome, inclusion and equity of LGBTQIA Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregation, and community. The study is free to participate, as is a book club series.
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Equipping the Church to Dismantle White Supremacy: A 5-part Webinar Series
In partnership with the ELCA Strategy for Authentic Diversity, the Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and the ELCA Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice, presents a 5-part webinar series running May 12, 2026 - January 12, 2027 surrounding the topic of equipping the church to dismantle white supremacy. Register for these remaining webinars:
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Webinar 3: September 8
Dismantle: Using the Devotional in Congregational Life
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Webinar 4: November 10
Now is the Time: Living into our Church’s Declarations and Statements
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Webinar 5: January 12
Commemorating the Emmanuel Nine and George Floyd: Sacred Memory as Call to Action
REGISTER
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