Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit | Free Resource on Amplify

The book of Acts is the blueprint for how to live out the Great Commission. In Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit, biblical scholar Matthew L. Skinner explores six key themes that will ignite our imagination about the character of the Christian gospel, the work of God’s people (the church), and the challenges of living faithfully in a complex and changing world.

Matthew L. Skinner was the guest speaker at our 2019 Bishop’s Convocation.

This Church is NOT Closed

While our buildings may be shuttered to combat COVID-19, it’s vital that we live into the reality that the church is not closed. We have just gone deep into the flip side of our existence as God’s people scattered into the world.

Could it be that this is a kairos moment to reconnect with and support our God-given vocations among our families, friends, and community? In this dangerous and unwanted situation, our vocations among family and friends are even more important. 

The ELCA’s Life of Faith Initiative is a grass-roots movement that provides resources and networking to make our many and varied forms of service to neighbors a vital part of our reason for existence. Watch our new introductory video at http://lifeoffaith.info, then check out the resources on the rest of the site.

Upcoming Events



Learning Coaching Skills for Grief and Loss | May 5, 2020
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Central)

Presenter: Dr. Don Eisenhauer, Coaching at End of Life Every day, we receive updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has resulted in another pandemic -- a pandemic of grief. This session will explore how leaders can use basic Coaching skills to be present with individuals in the midst of their grief. The focus will be on supporting our local faith communities, as well as society as a whole. This webinar is open to all.

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Cal Lutheran & PLTS Cares Day | May 6, 2020

On May 6, we will share stories that reveal the many ways in which our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends care for the community, and we hope you will join us for Cal Lutheran Cares Day by sharing your story with us, too!

In addition, your generosity to Cal Lutheran’s Ministry & Leadership programs and PLTS during Cal Lutheran Cares Day will ensure our students have the resources to stay safe and well while continuing to pursue calls and vocations of service in the church and world. No matter our location, a spirit of compassion and resiliency binds the Cal Lutheran community, including PLTS. Thank you for all that you do to keep the university and seminary strong, and for your continued support during this unprecedented time. #CalLutheranCares #PLTSofCLU

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday | September 13, 2020

This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.

• View resources to guide your congregation’s planning, promotion and more.

• For more information, click here.

CANCELLED: Rostered Ministers Gathering 2020

As of April 15, 2020: In light of the uncertainty around COVID-19 and in consultation with the venues and partners in Phoenix, the decision has been reached to cancel the 2020 Rostered Ministers Gathering. Please direct other questions to RosteredGathering@elca.org or 800.638.3522, ext 2590.

Resources

The ELCA Federal Credit Union can be a Paycheck Protection Program resource for your congregation or ministry

With newly enacted legislation providing additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, the Mission Investment Fund has the opportunity to cooperate with our financial partner, the ELCA Federal Credit Union, in offering these loans.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union (ELCA FCU) is now a Small Business Administration-certified lender that can offer loans to congregations and ministries through the Paycheck Protection Program.  These loans can keep your congregation or ministry afloat by covering staff members’ pay and other operating expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Upcoming Webinars from ALOA
Adult Lutherans Organized for Action

Each webinar features a knowledgeable older adult ministry leader covering a single topic and providing information on available resources. All webinars are free and last approximately 60 minutes. If you can't be available for the live webinar, sign up anyway and we will email you a link to the recording and associated resources.

• The Village Model in Faith Communities
  May 21, 2020 – Noon ET
  Carolyn Ross, ALOA Board President and Executive Director of Care Connections Network (CCN), discusses how congregations can adapt the grassroots, community-based Village Model to serve the older adults in their congregations. CCN, a social ministry of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Huntington Beach, CA, offers older adults support so that they are able to age in their own homes and communities as they continue lives of purpose and promise. There will be opportunities for questions. Register now.

• What Makes a Successful Congregational Ministry to Older Adults?
  May 21, 2020 – Noon ET
  Round table discussion with four leaders from diverse areas of the country on what they see as key to older adult ministry in their congregation. The discussion will be moderated and there will be opportunities for questions. More information and a registration link will be available soon on our webinar page.

Check out our past webinar archive at aloaserves.org