“To share what you have been given, to encourage some glimpse of the caring God – that is all part of the ministry of God’s people in this place,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Platz who was celebrated with a worship service at the Memorial Chapel of the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., on [...]
Author Archives: MDC Synod Communications
Girl Matches Crochet Skill with Need in Namibia
April 20, 2012 – 3:46 pm
Amanda Humphreys was looking for a project she could do that would use her crochet skills and help her earn a Gold Award – the Girl Scouts’ highest honor.
As a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, Amanda learned from her pastor about the children who live in sparsely populated areas of Namibia [...]
Lutheran Christians in Namibia and U.S. to hold Consultation
April 20, 2012 – 3:18 pm
When Lutheran churches of Namibia and ELCA synods who share Companion Synod ties there meet May 17-20 in Namibia, Bishop Richard H. Graham and a delegation of 12 members of local congregations will be part of the event.
“More than half the population of Namibia are Lutheran Christians,” says the Rev. Bob Allard, synod Global Missions [...]
In the news: Gaithersburg Congregation in Pennsylvania
March 26, 2012 – 12:11 pm
Pensylvania is “close to home” according to the Rev. Dave Sonnenberg in coverage by WPMT on March 25, 2012, of rebuilding efforts in Lebanon County. Members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, Md., travelled to the region with Pr. Sonnenberg to join volunteer cleanup efforts of damage left by floods there seven months ago. Both Hurricane [...]
Sorting through discord: Update from Jerusalem
March 2, 2012 – 9:53 am
“People here have said that if you’re here for a week, you want to go home and write a book about it; for a month, you want to write an article; for a year, you’re too frustrated to write anything at all,” relays Michelle Steiner of her experience in Jerusalem with the ELCA Young Adults [...]
In the news: Contemporarizing phased in for church building
March 2, 2012 – 9:04 am
Any outdated features in your church building? Renovations to churches were highlighted in Construction Executive magazine, including a project at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean, Virginia.
Front and center in the piece was an inviting picture of the church’s glowing entry on an evening’s street view.
The economic downturn delayed dreams for many worshipping communities that wanted to expand or [...]
In the news: Taking ashes to the bus stop
February 27, 2012 – 11:29 am
About 20 members of Christ Lutheran Church and Zion Baptist Church met near 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW to offer prayers and ashes to commuters waiting at bus stops on the morning of Ash Wednesday.
Using ashes as a sign of repentance is an ancient practice, often mentioned in the Bible*. The imposition of ashes is often [...]
Placing ourselves in Street Sense to face HIV/AIDS crisis
February 17, 2012 – 12:40 pm
Want another reason to hand $1 to a Street Sense vendor this month? Helping our community overcome the HIV/AIDS epidemic is pledged in “An Open Pastoral Letter to the Residents of Washington, DC from Your Lutheran Neighbors” published in the newspaper’s current edition.*
Last year, a group of ELCA Metro D.C. Synod congregations and others stepped [...]
In the News: Neighborhood diversity reflected in Alexandria congregation
February 2, 2012 – 2:49 pm
“Every Sunday, the corridors of Peace Lutheran Church become an international hub of spirituality,” opens the article by Hamil R. Harris in Saturday’s The Washington Post (1/28/12). The hallways referred to are of Peace Lutheran Church in Alexandria.
“I see the dream of Martin Luther King and others,” the article quotes Nan Apuku saying. “We have [...]
Hope and purpose stands in 2012
January 4, 2012 – 1:40 pm
Advocacy is a faith act you share with Moses, Esther, the Prophets, Luther and many Christians around the world.
Advocacy is living our Lutheran belief that good government is a gift.
Advocacy is pushing aside toxic politics to make space for others unheard.
Advocacy is talking about your volunteering, projects and ministries to your public officials.
Advocacy is your [...]