News - News & Events

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's January 2019 Message

Ah, a new year! It opens up before us with infinite possibilities like brand new notebooks at the beginning of the school year or the beginning of football season in Cleveland—everyone has a 4.0, everyone is undefeated!At the turn of the new year it seems possible to slough off the failures and disappointments of the past, leave one’s old self behind and start a new life. In this glow we begin to make all kinds of resolutions, not just for the amendment of our lives but for the perfection of our

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's December 2018 Message

Christmas comes at a descending time. The old year is coming to an end, the new year is not yet here. It is too late to accomplish goals set on the previous New Year’s Day, and just enough time to realize that whatever shape or state you are in will be the shape or state in which you end the year. There is a hefty dose of “what might have been.”

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's October 2018 Message

This month marks the 501st anniversary of the Reformation. Last year it was all Reformation all the time. It was our year! News, media and the public paid attention. Hundreds of Reformation-themed events took place. Documentaries were produced and joyful liturgies with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters were held. I have lost track of the number of “Flat Luther” photos that were taken. Even Lutherans in parts of the U.S. where Lutherans are not dense were noticed!

ELCA Conference of Bishops statement on East Jerusalem hospitals

In early September, members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) were saddened and dismayed to hear reports that the U.S. government was planning to discontinue financial assistance to Augusta Victoria Hospital and five other East Jerusalem hospitals.

Preaching and Proclamation Theme for 2018-2019

What are the challenges and opportunities when it comes to preaching in our day? How is preaching ministry different today than in previous generations? The theme of “Proclaiming the Gospel – for Such a Time as This” will be the theme for our various synodical retreats, including the Retreat for our Deans

Lutheran Social Services of New York Serves and Protects Unaccompanied and Separated Children

The unaccompanied children in our care live in a group home or temporary foster care placements that are in a home-like setting, and receive high-quality, trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive services, including mental and medical health care services, case management, bilingual education in all main subjects, socialization and recreational activities. “And it is through our caring staff, volunteers and foster parents that we continue to serve as an example of Christ’s love in action.”

La Obispa Presidente del ELCA responde a la decision de la Corte Suprema

"Me siento consternado por la reciente decisión de la Corte Suprema, concerniente a la autoridad del presidente de restringir viajes hacia los Estados Unidos. Fuertes procedimientos de examinación migratoria ya han sido autorizados por el Congreso, así como revisiones de aplicaciones para posibles enlaces al terrorismo también se han puesto en su lugar. Por lo tanto, restringir a todos los viajeros de ciertos países simplemente porque son ciudadanos de los mismos, es profundamente preocupante."

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Travel Ban

Jun 26, 2018

"I am dismayed by the Supreme Court’s recent decision concerning the president’s authority to restrict travel into the United States. Strong vetting procedures have already been authorized by Congress and reviews of applications for possible links to terrorism are also in place. Therefore, restricting all travelers from certain countries simply because they are citizens of those countries is deeply troubling."—ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Statement form Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on Executive Order

"This executive order will expand the detention of families. The ELCA opposed the detention of families policy during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, and we oppose the policy now. Detention centers are not designed to support families. Community-based alternatives to detention, like ones that Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has piloted, are cost-effective ways to ensure that children and parents can await their court case in a dignified setting."

ELCA Presiding Bishop Issues Pastoral Message on Gaza Situation

May 15, 2018

"Like so many here in our country and around the world, I am appalled and saddened by yesterday’s escalation of Israeli military action against protestors in Gaza. Many reports indicate that at least 60 Palestinians, including six children, have died and more than 2,000 have been injured as a result of Israel’s disproportionate use of force. Our church will support a planned medical mission from The Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem to Gaza to assist the wounded.