This Christmas, listen closely. The heaven’s are still whispering: “Jesus is here, God loves you.” Share that love with the world.
Congregation Constitution 101
The ELCA Office of the Secretary has released a recorded webinar and PowerPoint presentation to help congregation leaders better understand and update their constitutions. The hour-long session, “Congregation Constitution 101,” was designed especially for congregation councils and leaders across the ELCA and is now available for on-demand viewing.
Scholarship Funds for Tumaini Lutheran Secondary School
Our companion synod, the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese (UKD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, has a Secondary and Bible school as one of their ministries: Tumaini Lutheran Secondary School. This is a boarding school for boys and girls as they get their first 4 years of secondary education. The school is well regarded and the NWIM Synod has shown great support for the school. As you talk to the leaders throughout the UKD, many have their roots at Tumaini. It is a school that is teaching the leaders for the diocese as pastors, doctors, teachers, evangelists, and business owners. Our support over the years has made a huge difference for the UKD and for the entire country.
Rainbows in the Desert
The prophet Isaiah sings to us on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. Like crocus blossoms it will be abundant with joy...Say to those with fearful hearts, 'be strong, do not be afraid. Here is your God.'"
Thinking about Isaiah's vision, I want to share a story of another kind of flood. A flood of blessing. An abundance of community and care. It also came to a desert recently, and there are blooms of joy and gladness beginning to flourish.
ELCA Church Council Adopts Child Protection Social Message
An Open Letter to ICE Agents
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You have been granted many gifts that prepare you for your work. You are clearly physically fit for the job. You have been trained to detect vulnerable people who match the profile of those you are charged with apprehending. Most of us never even notice vulnerable people, but you do. This, along with a federal government mandate, makes you well suited for your job.
Bishop's Resource Corner
Nov. 30 marked not just the beginning of Advent, but the beginning of a new lectionary year—Matthew for those who follow the RCL and John for those who follow the newer Narrative Lectionary. For several lectionary cycles, my go-to commentary on Matthew has been ethicist Stanely Hauerwas’ commentary in the Brazos section. In conversation with Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship, it helped me draw on the best of Matthew’s gospel—a vision for the church on earth and clarity about what it means to follow Jesus.
In Preparation - A New Liturgical Year
I am ready for the old, old story. It does not matter that I have heard this story, sung this story, seen this story portrayed by artists from across the globe, or told this story countless times. Jesus, Son of God, will be born in Bethlehem and visited first by shepherds, far from the halls of power. He is coming soon, already here among us, and will come again, bringing the shalom that only God can bring.
United at the Font: Partnering for the Future - Recap
Three one-day events were held at Immanuel Lutheran, Moses Lake (Oct. 25), Our Savior Lutheran, Clarkston, WA (Nov. 1), and First United Methodist, Pocatello (Nov. 15). Our CaSTLE Grant from Wartburg Seminary funded our two professional facilitators, Lauren Hackman-Brooks and Rebecca Hoyt, and paid for lunch at each event. But YOU, all of the participants, made these gatherings so hopeful and life-giving!