A pastoral word on the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s trial
The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minnesota police officer charged with the killing of George Floyd, has riveted our national attention these past weeks, and now a verdict has been reached. Together with people around the world, we have anticipated the jury's decision with troubled hearts. As members of...
A statement from Bishop Eaton addressing racial justice
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24 NRSV). The last 16 days have been a microcosm of the original sins of racism and white supremacy in the United States. This has included the trial of Derek Chauvin in the killing of George...
Earth Day statement from Bishop Eaton
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.—Psalm 104:24Throughout Scripture, God promises to restore God's people to health and wholeness, a promise that includes the renewal of all creation. This promise is depicted dramatically in the final...
Bishop Eaton issues statement on gun violence
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24).Dear church, As a nation we have lived through a very difficult two weeks following the mass shootings in Atlanta...
Bishop Eaton issues statement addressing anti-Asian racism
My enemies trample on me all day long, for many fight against me. O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:2-4).As a nation,...
ELCA and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) resume dialogue
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have resumed a bilateral dialogue that will define a new ecumenical relationship for common mission and ministry.
Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have issued a statement in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.
ELCA Conference of Bishops holds spring meeting
The ELCA Conference of Bishops held its online meeting March 4-5. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary.
ELCA leaders call on Congress to pass U.S. Citizenship Act
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined more than 500 ELCA rostered ministers and the CEOs of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Lutheran Services in America (LSA) in calling on Congress to support the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
Statement on anti-Asian Racism
The Asian and Pacific Islander Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a statement addressing the increase in violence directed toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Louise Johnson named Executive for Administration
Louise N. Johnson, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has been elected by the ELCA Church Council as the executive for administration, a position that is coterminous with the term of the presiding bishop. She begins in this role on March 15, 2021.
ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission cancels volunteer placement for 2021-’22
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause uncertainty within the United States and across the globe, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has decided to cancel sending Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers for its 2021-22 program year.
ELCA presiding bishop joins NCC leaders in letter to vice president, Cabinet and Congress
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders from the National Council of Churches (NCC) in an open letter to Vice President Mike Pence, members of Congress and the Cabinet, calling for the removal of President Donald Trump from office.
ELCA presiding bishop post-election video message
ELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton speaks to the church about healing and unity in this post-election video message. The transcript follows:Dear church,Elections are an opportunity to remember that no matter the outcome, we belong to God whose love is steadfast and whose grace is with us always. No human candidate...
ELCA presiding bishop and ecumenical partners address racism and white supremacy in Advent message
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders of The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada offer an Advent message that addresses racism and white supremacy.
ELCA Future Church design affirmed by ELCA Church Council
The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has affirmed the proposed Future Church design that is focused on a renewedpurpose to activate the entire church so that more people may know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love. The council, which serves as the ELCA’s board of directors and legislative authority for the church between churchwide assemblies, held its electronic meeting Nov. 12-14.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Election Message
ELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton speaks to the church about the election in a video message.Transcript below.Today, the uncertainty of this election is causing anxiety and stress for many, not only in our church, but also across our nation and around the world. Even in the midst of a pandemic,...
Christopher deForest elected bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
The Rev. Christopher deForest, Kutztown, Pa., was elected Oct. 24 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
ELCA presiding bishop issues election statement
This coming Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, I will join many other religious leaders in theHolding On to Hope National Prayer Service, to be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Please join me for this special occasion to pray for the good of our nation on the eve of Election Day.
ELCA receives grant through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the "Congregations Lead: Innovation Denomination" initiative.