Watershed stewardship
In the creek that flows behind our church in Waldorf, Maryland, Peace Lutheran Church is going to host a cleanup this year. Remnants of a shopping cart and bike won't litter the shore of Peace Creek...
Coming to terms with the times
Creating programs, chasing youth trail telling the love of God A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP When I’m out and about in the church, I’m often asked what I plan to do to save small congregations, reverse the...
Discard money-talk reluctance
“I believe the journey of raising money is holy work,” says Rebecca Jorgenson Sundquist in a “Best of” tips article sifted out from her capital campaign work.* “Conversations about money are holy conversations. Head straight in!” ...
Subtle shift to works righteousness
Jesus didn’t die to change behaviors, political systems, institution A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP We are in the middle of Lent—the season of spiritual warfare, or at least really good intentions. Many of us now engage in...
We need to talk
Church the appropriate place for deep, honest, even painful conversation about race A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP This summer and fall our country was shaken by violence—the violent encounters between police and young African-American men in Ferguson,...
Stories from border immersion
Group hears stories from border patrol official. (Photo credit: Kate Davidson) Standing at a border will always refocus horizons. A group from our synod has spent the past week (Feb. 2-9, 2015) on a Border Immersion...
Cabin fervor
by John Handley Sun on his back and gratitude in his heart - that's a 9 year old John (though not at Caroline Furnace). I can clearly remember my first trip to Caroline Furnace at the...
February is I LOVE CAMP month
In February 2015, we have a special opportunity to join congregations across our Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod to celebrate the beauty of creation, to recognize the importance of retreating, and to honor relationships that are fostered through outdoor ministry at...
Baptism begins real new year
Resolutions will always come up short in our attempts to remake ourselves A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP A new year. Time to start over. A fresh set of possibilities. Out with the old, in with the new....
From the Bishop’s Desk: Allegiance
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BISHOP GRAHAM Brothers and sisters, The Christmas story is embedded in a story about empire. The Emperor Augustus wants to know how many people live in his empire and where they belong (Luke 2:1). Pregnant as...