God’s work. Our hands.

In churches across Metro D.C., people strengthen one another in struggle, celebrate life's joys,
engage their faith and find vision and guidance. Identify an ELCA congregation near you.

  • We can SEEEEEE you

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    As promised, the Together in Mission (TIM) team has posted video of the 18 minute presentations on best ideas for better following Jesus in the 21st century given in January 2014 to YouTube. Erik Backus' day-job is as an Engineering Planner at George Mason University. But as a member of a local Lutheran congregation, he talks with us about sustainability and green practices and what they mean to us as people of faith in his TIM-Talk. His talk is just one example of what is available from: www.youtube.com/channel/UCS_KDcETFpEdBKDOhkLyR7w. Learn more from the TIM team's website and network with the community on

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  • Remember that you are dust

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    Catch sight of any smudged crosses on foreheads of fellow commuters or coffee shop patrons? On Ash Wednesday, we enter Lent with reflection. A poem by Lutheran pastor Keith Spencer may open your heart to the richness of this church season, "Now is the acceptable time!" Lines include: "...That we must all face our finitude despite the seeming greatness within our grasp, the dreamy potential of achievement, to make a name, to leave our mark, to acquire the prestige whereby others nod their heads in our direction and that our footfalls on this earth shall endure despite the wind and rain and time that soften their impressions.  That our time has in aggregate meant something, to someone, somewhere...." Linger on the full text posted to

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  • Keeps table neat & teaches too!

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    Global Church PlaceMaps are a FREE resource newly redesigned and made available for use as dinner placemats, displays or coloring sheets by ELCA Global Missions. Download an 11 x 17 copy at www.elca.org/resoures/globalchurch. Request 100 or 200 in pre-printed pads from 800-638-3522 or ris@elca.org (free shipping & handling). Larger quantities can be ordered at www.elca.org/globalmission-resources (shipping & handling charges will

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  • The faces that launched the Campaign

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    The Campaign for the ELCA was announced by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on Feb. 3. Notice on ELCA.org, five of the 11 photos featured in the launch are members of Metro D.C. Synod congregations! "Through faith, we can do mighty things together; indeed, we are called by God to do so," she said. "Today marks day one in the first-ever, five-year comprehensive Campaign for the ELCA. In our first 25 years together as the ELCA, there is much to celebrate. And yet, we know that God is calling us to do more." See

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  • Summer dreams during cold snap

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    Through the pane at both Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center (Fort Valley, Virg.) and Mar-lu-Ridge Camp & Retreat Center (Jefferson, Md.) you may SEE snow, but you will ENVISION s'mores, wildflowers and flipflops. "Camp played a significant role in my spiritual life as I grew up. I accepted Christ at camp. I learned to have a quiet time at camp. I learned to recognize God's Spirit speaking to my heart at camp. I learned to work out my faith at camp," wrote Nancy Backues in her blog last summer (There Is Grace, 7/24/13). "At some point, your child will choose to either make your faith their own or reject it entirely. You can't make that choice for them, but you can give them opportunities along the way." Check out

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Is there a Combined Federal Campaign or United Way drive in your workplace? Lutheran-sponsored organizations which share a common mission of answering the Lord's call to aid people in need are listed on this compilation from the synod's Gifts of Hope program.

CFC & UW #s

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