Presiding Bishop Messages and Statements

Easter 2024 Message

Easter 2024 Message (Spanish)

Churches Beyond Borders Advent Statement 2023

Bishop Statement on Israel-Hamas War

Bishop Statement on Israel-Hamas War (Spanish)

Letter to Bishop Azar of the ELCJHL

Bishop Statement on Anti-Trans Legislation

Bishop Eaton's Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols

Bishop Eaton and Abrahamic Leaders Condemn Anti-Christian Hate in the Holy Land

ELCA presiding bishop issues message on death of Pope Benedict XVI

New Inter-Religious Resources

Letter of thanks to President Biden for AVH visit

Bishop Eaton’s pastoral message on SCOTUS Dobbs

Bishop Eaton’s pastoral message on SCOTUS Dobbs (Spanish)

World Refugee Day 2022

World Refugee Day 2022 (Spanish)

ELCA Listening Team Report

ELCA Listening Team Report (Spanish)

Sierra Pacific Synod: Bishop’s Report to the Church

Sierra Pacific Synod: Bishop’s Report to the Church (Spanish)

A message from Bishop Eaton

A message from Bishop Eaton (Spanish)

Easter 2022 Message

Easter 2022 Message (Spanish)

Update - Listening Panel regarding Bishop Megan Rohrer

Update - Listening Panel regarding Bishop Megan Rohrer - Spanish

Listening Panel regarding Bishop Megan Rohrer

Listening Panel regarding Bishop Megan Rohrer - Spanish

Ecumenical Response in Lent to the Jerusalem HOC

Pastoral Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to Lutheran partners in Russia

ELCA Joins Ecumenical Family in Condemning Plans to Defile Armenian Christian Sites

Bishop Eaton's Christmas Message - 2021

Bishop Eaton's Christmas Message - 2021 (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton World AIDS Day video message - 2021

Bishop Eaton World AIDS Day video message - 2021 (Spanish)

A pastoral letter from the ELCA presiding bishop regarding the actions of the Reformed Church in America General Synod 2021

Presiding Bishop Eaton urges humane treatment of Haitian and other migrants

Presiding Bishop Eaton urges humane treatment of Haitian and other migrants (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton, other Churches Beyond Borders leaders issue letter on Doctrine of Discovery

Bishop Eaton, other Churches Beyond Borders leaders issue letter on Doctrine of Discovery (Spanish)

ELCA presiding bishop letter on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001

ELCA presiding bishop letter on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001 (Spanish)

ELCA presiding bishop response to DACA ruling

ELCA presiding bishop response to DACA ruling (Spanish)

World Refugee Day 2021

World Refugee Day 2021 (Spanish)

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Bishop Eaton Statement on Mental Health Awareness

Bishop Eaton Statement on Mental Health Awareness (Spanish)

A pastoral word on the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s trial

A pastoral word on the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s trial (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton Statement on Racial Justice

Bishop Eaton Statement on Racial Justice (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton 2021 Earth Day Statement

Bishop Eaton 2021 Earth Day Statement (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton statement on gun violence

Bishop Eaton statement on gun violence (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop addresses anti-Asian racism

Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21, 2021

Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21, 2021 (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton’s letter to President Biden, March 2021

U.S. Citizenship Act - 2021

A Call to Prayer - 2021

A Call to Prayer - 2021 (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton's Christmas Message - 2020

Bishop Eaton's Christmas Message - 2020 (Spanish)

Churches Beyond Borders Advent 2020 Statement

Churches Beyond Borders Advent 2020 Statement (Spanish)

Churches Beyond Borders Advent 2020 Statement (French)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Election Video Message Transcript

ELCA Presiding Bishop Election Video Message Transcript (Spanish)

ELCA presiding bishop issues election statement

ELCA presiding bishop issues statement for Indigenous Peoples Day

ELCA presiding bishop issues statement for Indigenous Peoples Day Spanish

A pastoral word on the grand jury decision in Louisville - September 24, 2020

A pastoral word on the grand jury decision in Louisville - September 24, 2020 Spanish

ELCA presiding bishop responds to disregard for human life and dignity at private detention facility - September 18, 2020

ELCA presiding bishop responds to disregard for human life and dignity at private detention facility - September 18, 2020 (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton Labor Day Message 2020

Bishop Eaton Labor Day Message 2020 (Spanish)

Response to Supreme Court DACA decision

Response to the Supreme Court DACA decision (Spanish)

This is the Day

This is the Day (Spanish)

ELCA / LIRS / LSA letter to Congress addressing COVID-19 and immigrants

Pastoral message on COVID-19 racism and white supremacy

Bishop Eaton's 2020 Earth Day message

Bishop Eaton's 2020 Earth Day message (Spanish)

Easter 2020 Message

Easter 2020 Message (Spanish)

Women's History Month 2020

Women's History Month 2020 (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Peace to Prosperity Document

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Expanded Travel Ban

Letter on Puerto Rico

Letter on Puerto Rico (SP)

Pastoral message on Iran conflict

Pastoral letter on the United Methodist Church

ELCA presiding bishop responds to anti-Semitic incidents in New York

Statement on Israeli Civilian Settlements

Declaración sobre los asentamientos civiles Iisraelíes (Spanish)

Pastoral Letter to Chile

Carta Pastoral a Chile (Spanish)

Bishops joint letter to President Trump

Pastoral Message to ELCA members about Hong Kong Protests

Pastoral Message to Hong Kong Churches

Letter to President Trump urging assistance for Augusta Victoria Hospital

Letter to President Trump urging assistance for Augusta Victoria Hospital (Spanish)

ELCA, Episcopal, Church of Sweden - Statement

ELCA presiding bishop issues pastoral message on racism and white supremacy

ELCA presiding bishop issues pastoral message on racism and white supremacy (Spanish)

Joint Message on Arusha Call to Discipleship

ELCA presiding bishop addresses well-being of children in detention centers

A letter on abortion from Bishop Eaton

ELCA Presiding Bishop Statement on Synagogue Shooting

Letter to Members of Congress on Aid to Palestinian Civilians

Easter 2019 Message

Easter 2019 Message (Spanish)

Christmas 2018 Message

Christmas 2018 Message (Spanish)

Ecumenical letter on US Policy and Israel/Palestine

ELCA, Episcopal and Catholic Church leaders' statement on East Jerusalem hospitals

Statement on Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Statement on Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (Spanish)

ELCA Letter to The Indonesian National Committee for the LWF

Bishop Eaton Letter to Secretary Pompeo on AVH Funding

Bishop Eaton Letter to Bishop Azar

Bishop Eaton and Faith Leaders Statement on Family Separation

Bishop Eaton and Faith Leaders Statement on Family Separation (Spanish)

Pastoral Message on Gaza Situation

Pastoral Message on Gaza Situation (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton Earth Day 2018

Bishop Eaton Earth Day 2018 (Spanish)

Pastoral statement on humanitarian situation in Syria

Pastoral statement on humanitarian situation in Syria (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton statement on racism

Bishop Eaton statement on racism (Spanish)

Easter Message 2018

Easter Message 2018 (Spanish)

Ecumenical Letter to Congress on Militarization of Middle East

ELCA Presiding Bishop Letter to Congress on Gun Violence Prevention

Letter of concern about recent legal proposals and tax plans affecting churches

Letter to heads of churches at the Holy Sepulchre

ELCA Presiding Bishop’s Pastoral Message on Jerusalem

ELCA Presiding Bishop’s Pastoral Message on Jerusalem (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop responds to Florida high school shooting

ELCA Presiding Bishop responds to Florida high school shooting (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Statement on Dreamers

ELCA Presiding Bishop Statement on Dreamers (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Racist Comments

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Racist Comments (Spanish)

Christmas Message 2017

Christmas Message 2017 (Spanish)

Churches for Middle East Peace Advent Letter

Bishop Eaton's Letter on the US Embassy in Israel

Bishop Eaton's Letter on the US Embassy in Israel (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton's Reformation Message

Letter on Urgent Funding for Augusta Victoria Hospital

Bishop Eaton Statement the End of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

Bishop Eaton Statement the End of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton Statement on Healthcare Debate

National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East

Letter to President Trump

World Refugee Day 2017

World Refugee Day 2017 (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton's Statement on Religious Freedom: Executive Order

Pastoral Statement on Syria

ELCA Easter Message 2017

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers an Easter message for 2017.

ELCA Easter Message 2017 (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers an Easter message for 2017. (In Spanish)

Bishop Eaton's Letter on American Health Care Act

International Women's Day Letter

Ecumenical Declaration in support of refugees

Ash Wednesday statement on refugees and migrants

ELCA presiding bishop responds to attacks on Jewish community

Letter on Refugee and Immigrant Executive Order

Letter on Refugee and Immigrant Executive Order (Spanish)

Letter on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017

Joint Letter to President-elect Trump

ELCA Christmas Message 2016 - PDF

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a Christmas message for 2016.

ELCA Christmas Message 2016 - PDF (Spanish)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a Christmas message for 2016. 

Letter to Obama about UN Membership for Palestine

Bishop Eaton’s Statement on Standing Rock

Bishop Eaton’s Statement on Standing Rock (Spanish)

Bishop Eaton’s Veterans Day Letter

Bishop Eaton’s statement on the Dakota Access Pipeline

Bishop Eaton’s statement on 9/11

Bishop Eaton’s statement on police shootings

Bishop Eaton’s call to be present, July 7, 2016

Bishop Eaton’s call to be present, July 7, 2016

Charleston shooting anniversary statement

Charleston shooting anniversary statement (Spanish)

ELCA Letter on Orlando Shooting

ELCA Letter on Orlando Shooting (Spanish)

2016 Days of Prayer for Colombia

Atlanta Church Summit

Atlanta Church Summit document

ELCA Easter Message 2016 - PDF

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a Easter message for 2016. 

ELCA Christmas Message 2015 - PDF

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a Christmas message for 2015. 

Open letter to Muslim American community

ELCA statement on U.S. response to refugee resettlement

Letter on Iran Nuclear Agreement

Letter on Supreme Court Decision

ELCA statement on the Charleston shooting

ELCA statement on Pope Francis encyclical

Letter on Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty

Tribute to the Reverend Dr. James Robert Crumley Jr.

ELCA Message on Racial Justice

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a message on Racial Justice. 

ELCA Christmas Message 2014 - PDF

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a Christmas message for 2014. 

ELCA Video Script Racial Justice 2014-12-05

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers a message about how the church can respond to issues surrounding racial justice. 

Pastoral Word on Ferguson

ELCA Letter to President Obama

Pastoral Letter on Global Climate Change

Pastoral Letter on Iraq

Letter to Bishop Younan

Joint Statement on EPA's Rules: Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

A Word on the Overland KS Shooting

A Message of Solidarity with the Church in South Sudan

A Call to Peace and Prayer for Ukraine

Christmas Message 2013

2013 Call For Prayer to End Hunger

Federal Minimum Wage Letter To US Senate

2012: Message on Racial Justice in the Wake of Trayvon Martin's Death

2012: Ascension Day Sermon: Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly

2012: ReconcilingWorks Keynote Address

2012: 150th Anniversary of Gustavus Adolphus College Keynote Address

2012: Installation of Bishop James Gonia Sermon

2012: Conference of Bishops Sermon

2012: Church Council Sermon

2012: Celebration of Ecumenical Ministry Sermon

2012: Message on the ELCA's 25th Anniversary

2011: Trinity Lutheran Seminary Commencement Address

2011: Comment on President Obama's Middle East Speech

2011: Statement on the US Veto of the UN Resolution on Israeli Settlements

2011: Message on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

2011: Churchwide Assembly Sermon

2011: Churchwide Assembly Report Part 2

2011: Churchwide Assembly Report Part 1

2011: Message on the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

2010: Zion Chaplain Conference Sermon

2010: World AIDS Day Message

2010: Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly Sermon

2010: Statement on the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS

2010: Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Law Letter to the Secretary of State

2009: Letter to Rostered Leaders about the Assembly Actions on Sexuality

2009: Holy Land Visit Reflection

2009: All Saints Sunday Sermon Celebrating Full Communion with the United Methodist Church

2009: Churchwide Assembly Opening Worship Sermon

2009: Churchwide Assembly Report

2009: Churchwide Assembly Closing Remarks

2008: Statement on Gaza Violence

2008: Report to the Lutheran World Federation: Melting Snow on Kilimanjaro

2008: Joint Statement for Peace in Sudan

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 11, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 4, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 28, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 21, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 21, 2022 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 14, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 14, 2022 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 7, 2022

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 7, 2022 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 31, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 31, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 17, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 17, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 19, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 19, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 12, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 12, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 5, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 5, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 29, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 29, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 22, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 22, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 15, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 15, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 11, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 11, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 1, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 1, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 24, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 24, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 17, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 17, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 11, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 11, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 3, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 3, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 27, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 27, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 20, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 20, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 13, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 13, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 6, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, August 6, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 30, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 30, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 23, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 16, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 16, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 9, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 9, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 2, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 2, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, June 25, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, June 25, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, May 21, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, May 21, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, May 14, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, May 14, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 30, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 23, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 23, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 16, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 16, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 9, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, April 9, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 26, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 26, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 19, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 19, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 12, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, March 12, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 26, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 26, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 19, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 19, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 12, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 12, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 5, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, February 5, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 29, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 29, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 22, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 15, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 15, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 8, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 8, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 6, 2021

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, January 6, 2021 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 13, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, December 6, 2020

Bisho Eaton's post-election video transcript

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 29, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 29, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 20, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 20, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 13, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 13, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 6, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, November 6, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 30, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 30, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 16, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 16, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 9, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, October 9, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 25, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 25, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 11, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 11, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 4, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, September 4, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 31, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 31, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 24, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 24, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 10, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, July 10, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, June 24, 2020

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, June 24, 2020 (Spanish)

Presiding Bishop Weekly Video Message, June 12, 2020