A Statement from Bishop Eaton on the Conflict in the Holy Land

​Dear church,

The ELCA's commitments call on us to denounce unequivocally any attacks — past, present or future — by any party that lead to civilians becoming victims. Our hearts are with all those who have been killed or injured, and with their families and friends.

With an anticipated ground invasion, the most urgent need is for an immediate cease-fire to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gazans. Our advocacy as a church continues, guided by our long accompaniment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and our commitments as a church to peace, justice, and ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and collaboration.

In these days of continued grief and distress over the horrific attack by Hamas on Israelis and the largely indiscriminate Israeli military response affecting civilians in Gaza, we lament with all who mourn and live in fear.

We believe that God is the one who makes "wars to cease to the end of the earth" (Psalm 46:9).

In Christ,        

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

Here are worship resources and ways that you can be involved in advocacy. Join a prayer vigil hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace.

- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org