[Seeds Monthly] Bishop Eaton addresses Christian Nationalism

New resources for “God’s work. Our hands.”

On Sunday, Sept. 8, ELCA congregations will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayOfService has the resources you need to plan and promote your day, including a toolkit, worship materials, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn.

Browse resources.

Living Lutheran: “I’m a Lutheran: Carolyn Swenson”

In the June “I’m a Lutheran” column from Living Lutheran, Carolyn Swenson shares how leaving the denomination of her youth eventually led her to become a Lutheran, why she felt called to work in nursing and public health, and how she best nurtures her faith. Read more of her faith story.

“To me grace means that nothing can separate us from the love of God — and even our ability to trust in that love is a gift. I’m a Lutheran because it provides an anchor that makes it possible to not turn away from the suffering in the world and to be sustained by the good news of a loving and merciful God.”

Follow along with the ELCA Youth Gathering

Have you been keeping up with the ELCA Youth Gathering? It’s happening this week in New Orleans, La.! Meeting under the theme “Created to Be,” nearly 16,000 youth and adult leaders are participating. The Gathering brings together Lutherans for faith formation, worship, fellowship and service. It’s not too late to tune in to Mass Gathering livestreams July 18-19 from 7 to 9:15 p.m., and July 20 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Follow along on social media @elcagathering on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Watch live.

WATCH THIS

“Christian Nationalism and who is a 'real’ American”

In her video addressing Christian nationalism, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that “what binds us together is not ethnicity, but shared participation in our civic life springing out of our cultural heritages and working for the common good.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

ELCA Youth Gathering Closing worship livestream	Indigenous Thought & Theology Truth and Healing Movement
What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year? Webinar series	God’s work. Our hands. Day of service

FEATURED RESOURCES

“We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism”

Generation Zero-Hunger

Boundless: Summer 2024

ELCA Advocacy provides an overview of Christian nationalism from a Lutheran perspective. Discussion starters can seed conversations as we face this movement that distorts our faith and divides our country.

DOWNLOAD

Build Generation Zero-Hunger by joining youth across the country in the fundraising challenge to support ELCA World Hunger!

BROWSE

In this issue of “Boundless” read about ministries that reach outward, address the root causes of hunger, lift up the next generation of leaders for our church and show up in communities impacted by disaster.

PDF | FLIPBOOK

BULLETIN BLURBS

These snippets are available for you to copy and paste into your bulletins.

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology

Opportunities to learn with the Truth and Healing Movement continue throughout the summer. Indigenous Thought & Theology examines Indigenous ways of understanding, respecting and interacting with this wondrous world we inhabit. Indigenous wisdom should be centered if we want to provide better care for our home and all our relatives. This class is presented by Vance Blackfox, July 25 from 7-9 p.m. Central time. Preregistration is not required to participate. Just click "join the class" to attend at ELCA.org/TruthAndHealing.

Support storm and tornado survivors

Severe storms across the Midwest and South have brought deadly tornadoes and flash flooding to millions of people. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response ensure that survivors don't have to face the road to recovery alone. Find a worship resource for natural disasters and give to support your neighbors at ELCA.org/disaster.

What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year?

As our faith informs our day-to-day lives, Lutherans recognize that “faith is active in love [and] love calls for justice in relationships and structures of society” (The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, an ELCA social statement). We also know the church is called to be a community that prays, deliberates and acts together when it comes to complex social issues. In this election year, how might our Lutheran faith shape our thinking, acting and voting on major issues? Join United Lutheran Seminary to learn and ponder timely social teachings of the ELCA and to learn tips for leading discussions in your community. This informational flyer has more information, including how to register.