[Seeds Monthly] ELCA Youth Gathering in review

Living Lutheran: “Greetings From the Heart”

In a Living Lutheran article Cindy Uken tells the story of Lona Lee Balduf, who sends out hundreds of greeting cards every month to anyone in need of extra joy. “You might consider Lona Lee Balduf a one-woman Hallmark store — and a whole lot more. Like Hallmark, she cares enough to send the very best — in her case, handmade greeting cards to cheer the sick and older adults. Unlike Hallmark, she does not make a cent.”

Read more about how this greeting card ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Temperance, Mich., is cheering up the community.

ELCA World Hunger: Generation Zero-Hunger

During the ELCA Youth Gathering, participants learned what it's like to be someone facing hunger and poverty through an ELCA World Hunger interactive experience and saw how they can play a role in ending hunger around the world. The youth of our church also collected nearly $100,000 in support of ELCA World Hunger's Generation Zero-Hunger! Now, they’re challenging the rest of the church to do the same. Will you join them? Learn more about Generation Zero-Hunger and donate at ELCA.org/GenZeroHunger.

Gathering Remix

Looking to relive those amazing moments at the ELCA Youth Gathering? Under the theme “Created to Be,” Gathering Remix is a new digital resource with 10-plus lessons, featuring Mass Gathering recordings, exclusive interviews, discussion guides and more, to enrich discussions with your middle school and high school groups. Starting in September, you can explore Gathering Remix on the gLearn platform. This resource is designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, providing you with all the content and support you need to create an engaging and impactful program. Pre-order today.

WATCH THIS

2024 ELCA Youth Gathering - Week in Review | "Created to Be"

For the first time in six years, thousands of ELCA young people from across the country gathered in one place. The ELCA Youth Gathering was held July 16-20 in New Orleans under the theme “Created to Be.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year? Webinar series	God’s work. Our hands. Day of service
Draft social statement on civic life and faith Public comment period closes	World Food Day Event Celebrating ELCA World Hunger 50

FEATURED RESOURCES

God’s work. Our hands.

Living Lutheran: Hymn of the Month

LifeLines

Prepare for a day of service on Sept. 8 with resources including a tool kit, worship material, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn.

BROWSE

Every month Living Lutheran will share history and fun facts behind hymns beloved by Lutherans.

BROWSE

The most recent issue of “LifeLines” newsletter offers stories of how your gifts help communities and families in the U.S. and around the world.

PDF | FLIPBOOK

BULLETIN BLURBS

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

Living Lutheran – Got an Idea for Our Next Great Story?

Living Lutheran is your source for news, reflections and stories from the ELCA and its local and global companions. Living Lutheran belongs to the people of the ELCA and welcomes article ideas from readers.Tell us about those stories of God’s people living their faith at [email protected]. Please include the name of your congregation or your story’s connection to the church.

Draft social statement on civic life and faith

How should Lutherans understand their relationship to civic life — including government — as individuals and as a church? After three years of study a task force has posted a draft social statement on civic life and faith. Between now and Sept. 30 you are invited to study the draft and provide feedback by filling out a survey. That statement is available in English and Spanish. Access the draft and survey at ELCA.org/civicsandfaith.

2024 Addiction & Faith Conference

The Center of Addiction & Faith will host its sixth annual conference Oct. 17-19. This online conference brings the best of science, spirituality, compassion, justice and personal stories to raise awareness about the scourge of addiction. This year’s edition will focus on trauma and the significant role it plays in the addictive process, with seven featured speakers and 30 breakout sessions. The event is open to everyone, including rostered and lay leaders, health care professionals, people in recovery and those who love people affected by addiction. Details and registration information can be found at addictionandfaith.com.

World Food Day: Celebrating 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger

Save the date! Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day and the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger. Tune in on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Central time to hear firsthand stories from partners at ELCA World Hunger projects. This special online event will be hosted by the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, vice president of the ELCA. You’ll see the impact of 50 years of ELCA World Hunger work and get excited and equipped to be part of the next 50 years!