From the Bishop’s Desk: Driven by hope
AN EASTER MESSAGE FROM BISHOP GRAHAM “In your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness...
Laborers into the harvest
A CALL TO PRAYER FROM THE CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his...
St. Dysmas impacts women’s lives with caring volunteers
by the Rev. Gerry Rickel Community of St. Dysmas Lutheran Church is a unique congregation of the ELCA. It currently meets inside five different state prisons in Maryland, and all its members are incarcerated. With her permission, here's a story...
Common Mission with Episcopalians firm locally and nationally
Leaders expressed support and encouragement for continued expression of the full communion between our traditions following both the 122nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (EDOW), held January 28, 2017 in D.C., and the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee...
The good Samaritan
A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP I have been thinking a lot about the parable of the good Samaritan lately (Luke 10:25-37). Parts of it are so familiar—the unfortunate victim, the robbers, the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan—that...
“It’s not what we do”
A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP At the end of the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to John, many disciples who had been following Jesus left him. Looking at the 12, Jesus asked, “Will you also go...
How many loaves for 500 sandwiches?
Here's a creative way to celebrate that in 2017 we're marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! But planning may take some math... by Alan Van Nostrand* A goal of 500 sandwiches to highlight the 500-year celebration of the Reformation...
Life-changing outdoor camp experiences
by Sarah Lefler and Reuben Todd* Thousands of people each year at Caroline Furnace and Mar-Lu-Ridge are touched by the important camping and retreat opportunities they offer. We encourage you to participate in "I Love Camp" Month** during February to...
Immigrant roots familiar to Lutherans
“I’m grateful for the chance to be here to speak in favor of a country that supports refugees and immigrants,” said the Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop, ELCA Metro D.C. Synod, at a Jan. 25, 2017 press conference sharing an...
Human trafficking lifeline
“It’s hard to imagine this horrific crime happening in our own backyards, but the truth is Virginia had the ninth-highest number of reported human trafficking cases nationwide in 2015,” wrote Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring. 1 Human trafficking victims...