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"As Christ on the cross did not lose his dignity, but in fact revealed himself fully in vulnerability, every human who is being mistreated retains the image of God that confers dignity. A society should not deny a person's dignity for any reason." —ELCA social message "Human Rights," p. 4On...

The Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins, Mentor, Ohio, was elected Sept. 12 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is conducting a survey to collect the experiences and needs of the church for ministry in a multireligious world. The survey is a first step in the development of guidelines for the church as outlined inA Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment: A policy statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,adopted by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The declarationreflects the longtime inter-religious commitments of the church.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will observe "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ELCA members will mark the annual day of service by helping make a positive change in their communities, building and deepening relationships and sharing God's love.

The Rev. Amy Odgren, Walker, Minn., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

The Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, Kewaskum, Wis.,was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth, Moorhead, Minn.,was elected Aug. 16 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

The Rev. Amy Current, Dubuque, Iowa,was elected Aug. 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s treatise The Freedom of a Christian. To observe this milestone, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invites the church to read, study and reflect on this Lutheran witness of the Christian faith.

The Rev. Virginia S. Aebischer, Columbia, S.C.,was elected July 25 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The Rev. Craig A. Schweitzer, Bismarck, N.D.,was elected July 17 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

This week, the ELCA unveiled a new, innovative design for the future of the church that will ensure the answering of God’s call to invite more into the way of Jesus. This design will focus on attracting young, diverse people to position the ELCA for the future.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), calls on the church to join with theGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America andfaith communities around the world for a day of mourning on Friday, July 24.

Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help,as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary(Psalm 28:2). On Friday, July 10, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey announced his decision to convert the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from its long-term status as a...

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.

"ELCA social teaching supports human rights for all people, regardless of their sex (biological), gender, or sexuality. This stance is rooted in respect and welcome for all people as created in the image of God and evident in the ELCA's longstanding commitment to protecting civil and human rights" (Faith, Sexism,...

June 18, 2020This church urges "flexible and humane ways for undocumented persons who have been in this country for a specified amount of time to be able to adjust their legal status." — ELCA social message, "Immigration" (1998)Today I rejoice in the renewal of dreams and the transformation of heartbreak...

June 17 marks the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where nine people were killed during a Bible study. To honor this day, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution to establish June 17 as "Emanuel 9 Day of Repentance."

"Out of my distress I called on the Lord" (Psalm 118:5).We are a nation in distress. We are a church in distress. The coronavirus has killed 103,000 of us. The virus of racism has taken hundreds of thousands more throughout our history. Now these two deadly viruses converge. Under...

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has called on the church to join with faith communities across the United States in lament and remembrance, and on our elected leaders to observe Monday, June 1, as a day of mourning to honor the more than 100,000 people who have died from COVID-19.