[Seeds Monthly] Faithful civic engagement

World Food Day and 50 years of ELCA World Hunger

For 50 years we have joined together as Lutherans to address the root causes of hunger and poverty through ELCA World Hunger. On Oct. 15 a special online event will celebrate World Food Day and the 50th anniversary. The event will be hosted by the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, vice president of the ELCA. Tune in to hear firsthand stories from partners at ELCA World Hunger projects — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile that was founded over 40 years ago, and Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban-farm system in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. Learn more and register.

Living Lutheran: “An extraordinary Lutheran love story”

“David Schaeffer’s book Letters from Sweden (Mercer University Press, 2023) isn’t an ordinary love story. For one thing, it’s told mainly in letters, most of them written by the author’s father, Bill, to his fiancée, Mary. For another, it’s all true. In the book we are invited to read over Mary’s shoulder as she gets to know the man she agreed to marry, after a whirlwind engagement in 1947, as he travels to Sweden to continue preparing for Lutheran ministry.”

In an interview with Living Lutheran, Schaeffer talks about the ways this project moved him, from the impact it had on his faith to the many new details he learned about his parents. Read more about this Lutheran love story.

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. The statement is available in English and Spanish. The proposed statement will be considered at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Access the draft and share your feedback.

WATCH THIS

Civic engagement and loving-kindness

In anticipation of Election Day in the United States, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “civic engagement through political and nonpolitical processes is how we live into our baptism and share Christ’s love as we work to make a difference in our communities and strive for justice and peace across the globe.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year? Webinar series	Draft social statement on civic life and faith Public comment period closes
World Food Day Event Celebrating 50 years of ELCA World Hunger	Forgotten Luther Symposium Discipleship in a Democracy

FEATURED RESOURCES

Thrive

Gathering Remix

Civic Engagement Guide

In the latest edition of “Thrive,” learn about the hope, healing and renewal made possible by your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response.

PDF | FLIPBOOK

Under the theme “Created to Be,” Gathering Remix is a digital resource with 10 lessons featuring Mass Gathering recordings, exclusive interviews, discussion guides and more.

BROWSE

This resource from ELCA Advocacy encourages, empowers and equips voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values.

BROWSE

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.

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.

Truth and Healing

The Truth and Healing Movement provides opportunities to learn the true history and current realities of Indigenous people. It is these truths, truths that have been ignored by most for hundreds of years, that will bring healing for both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people.

Visit the Truth and Healing Movement page at ELCA.org/TruthAndHealing to learn more, get involved and share the movement with others. Follow our ELCA and Living Lutheran social media channels for more stories and updates.