News - News & Events

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's June 2019 Message

Liturgy is important—not each constituent part—but the basic structure of corporate worship: gathering, word, meal and sending. It’s a discipline Lutherans willingly undertake because it helps individuals and the entire community express our connection with other Christians throughout the world and across the ages.

ELCA presiding bishop, faith leaders issue statement on children in detention

Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are still dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. Carlos, a 16-year-old youth from Guatemala, died May 20 in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Wilmer, a 2-year-old, died May 14, also in the custody of CBP. They were preceded in death by Jackelin, Felipe, Juan and a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador who died in September 2018 but whose death has just been disclosed.

Letter on Abortion from Bishop Eaton

No matter what your views on abortion are, as a church we are made up of members who have had abortions and members who have chosen not to. Among us are pastors, deacons, and others who have counseled with women, girls, and others they love. We are friends, loved ones, and relatives of people who have had to decide whether or not to get an abortion. We are all affected by the divisive discourse and the legal changes.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Well-Being of Children in Detention Centers

Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are still dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. Carlos, a 16-year-old youth from Guatemala, died May 20 in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Wilmer, a 2-year-old, died May 14, also in the custody of CBP. They were preceded in death by Jackelin, Felipe, Juan and a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador who died in September 2018 but whose death has just been disclosed.

ELCA AMMPARO Visits Central America

From March 10-20, members of the AMMPARO Executive Committee, together with the Presiding Bishop and staff from Mission Advancement visited Central America in order to see the work being done by ELCA AMMPARO companions. Read their brief summary of conclusions, here.

Synod Council Creates Sanctuary/AMMPARO Ministry

Answering the call to take care of the stranger among us the Metropolitan New York Synod declared itself a sanctuary synod and a welcoming synod in the ELCA´s AMMPARO Network. At its March meeting the synod council, once again answered a call to care for migrant minors and young adults in our synod by establishing our synod’s Sanctuary/AMMPARO Ministry.

Pastor Lamont Wells

The Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells will be leaving his current position as our Director for Evangelical Mission effective May 1, 2019. Mr. Branden Dupree will serve as the Interim Director for Evangelical Mission.

ELCA Church Council Approves Measures Addressing Sexism, Embracing Authentic Diversity

The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met at the Lutheran Center in Chicago April 4-7. The council, which serves as the ELCA’s board of directors, took action on a variety of matters designed to help move the church’s mission and ministries forward. Council members voted to recommend to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly adoption of the proposed social statement “Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Lutheran Call to Action” and the related implementing resolutions.

Clergy Housing Allowance Ruled 'Constitutional' by Federal Appeals Court

The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued successfully in a Wisconsin district court that the long-standing exemption for religious housing in the IRS tax code violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause. But a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court decision on Friday (March 15).

Trustworthy Servants of the People of God

Comments on the content of “Trustworthy Servants” should be given to the Conference of Bishops through an individual’s synod bishop by Monday, March 18. Bishops may advise the ELCA Church Council if they see cause for a major revision. The council will meet in Chicago April 4- 7.