Becoming the Body of Christ - Condemning White Supremacy

The Southeastern Synod, ELCA hosted a conversation around “Becoming the body of Christ where all bodies are valued: A conversation around the ELCA’s resolution to condemn White Supremacy.” Bishop Strickland was joined by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Other speakers included: Pastor Tiffany Chaney, Pastor Ron Bonner, Ms. Roxann Thompson, Ms. Judith Roberts, Pastor Matt Steinhauer, and more.

A Letter Regarding the Executive Committee Meeting on 3/17/2020

Please click “Read More” below to see the letter from Bishop Kristen summarizing the NWIM Synod Executive Committee meeting on March 17, 2020.

Highlights include:

  1. An update on the Regional Gatherings.

  2. An update on the Synod Staff travel ban.

  3. The Committee’s current considerations regarding how the 8-week ban affects Holy Week and Easter.

  4. How to contact synod staff via email and phone as we work from home.

  5. And more.

A copy of the letter is also available for download & printing.

God's Work, Our Hands 2019 - Tri-Cities Summary

God's Work, Our Hands 2019 - Tri-Cities Summary

God's Work, Our Hands is a national ELCA initiative to get our congregations serving within our communities. Since 2016, the three congregations of the Tri-Cities (WA) have worked together for a weekend of service. This year we saw a record number of participants across all four ministry sites: First Lutheran - Kennewick, First Lutheran - Pasco, Lord of Life (Kennewick), and Pasco Latino Lutheran Ministry (PLLM). Approximately 155 people participated in six service projects across the area over the weekend (October 4-8).

ELCA as a sanctuary church: What does this mean?

Dear siblings in Christ,

As many of you know, last week the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution that, among other things, declared the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) a sanctuary denomination. Many of you are asking, “What does this mean?”

Our call to love our neighbor is central to our faith. In our baptismal covenant we promise to strive for peace and justice in all the world. One of the ways we live out this vow is through our commitment to welcoming the stranger. With this declaration, we publicly state that walking alongside refugees and immigrants is a matter of faith.

We have prepared talking points to provide a better understanding and further clarification on what sanctuary means for you and your congregations. We acknowledge this will look different in different contexts across the ELCA.

Talking Points

We also hope this resource will help guide conversations with your parishioners and your community about what our faith says about immigration.

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you,
for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop