News - News & Events

St. John's Journal: Cross Words (March 2020)

Bottom line: You never really know the heart of a person until you ‘slice it open.’ That is precisely what we do during Lent. It is a time of ‘slicing open’ our innermost selves, of laying bare to God what's really at our core. We confess in public fashion (especially on Ash Wednesday) that we are not really so ripe inside, although we would like to be. It is an admission of our humanity, of our imperfect timbre in God's world. But it is also an act of freedom.

Good News: Koinonia has plans for reopening

Corporation members heard many positive reports. In 2019, significant financial gifts to the ministry were made, volunteers contributed many hours of work and a second-opinion mold report gave hope to repairing the buildings. The expectation is that the Camp will begin again its ministry in 2020.

John Weit accepts call as assistant to the bishop, executive for Worship

Deacon John Weit has accepted a call as assistant to the bishop, executive for worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Weit has served in the role in an interim capacity since July 2019.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Issues Response to President Trump's "Peace to Prosperity" Document

I call upon President Trump to develop a different plan that would involve all parties, and to pursue efforts that would adhere to international law and human rights conventions. This plan should ensure the protection and preservation of internationally recognized human rights and realize, for Palestinians and for Israelis, two viable, secure states living side by side in peace.

Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Death of Herbert Chilstrom

With sadness I bring you the news that Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom died at home early this morning. Bishop Chilstrom was the first presiding bishop of the ELCA. Many of you knew him in those early days when the ELCA was just getting started – there was no furniture at the Lutheran Center, files were in boxes, phones were on the floor, and the skeleton staff worked on card tables and folding chairs.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Issues Pastoral Message on Iran Conflict

For our part, we have a window of opportunity to stop the current conflict before it worsens. We should appeal now to our elected officials to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy with Iran — for our sake, for the sake of the people of Iran and for the sake of the world God so loves.

691d55f3-8ee4-4611-a901-067e65114f90-thumbnail

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Anti-Semitic Incidents in New York

In different ways, and for different reasons, this is a time of year when Jews and Christians celebrate the miracle of light. In our prayers and actions, may we be a living presence of God’s sacred light that rouses us all to resistance and righteousness.

Bishop Egensteiner's Statement Against Anti-Semitism

The news of recent anti-Semitic violence on the territory of our synod is disturbing and sad. Over and over again we hear of such attacks. It would be easy to give in to despair and frustration and surrender to the evil around us. But, as disciples of Christ, we know a better way. I commend to you Bishop Eaton’s statement included here and whatever you will do to make a positive difference in this world.

Mensaje de agosto de 2020 de la Obispa Presidente Elizabeth Eaton

La oscuridad no es un símbolo de vacío, ni de abandono de Dios. No es sinónimo de todo lo que es seco y estéril y sin vida.

Mensaje de febrero de 2020 de la Obispa Presidente Elizabeth Eaton

En esta filosofía, no hay asombro en la presencia de lo Trascendental, ni salirse de uno mismo, ni terror a la realidad y los efectos del pecado —y no en el sentido estrecho de los fracasos morales individuales— ni admiración al amor íntimo de Dios demostrado en la encarnación y la crucifixión, ni profunda gratitud por la liberación de la resurrección.