Living Lutheran Weekly Email Digest

A mosaic of identities, one loving God Editor’s note: This year the ELCA celebrates 50 years of Lutheran women’s ordination in the United States, 40 years of the ordination of Lutheran women of color, and 10 years of Lutheran+ … continue ELCA presiding bishop praises Supreme Court decision on LGBTQIA+ rights ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's June 15 ruling that employment discrimination on the basis of a worker's sexual orientation or … continue I'm a Lutheran: Kate Hanmer Elkins Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta Early childhood professional—preschool director and teacher I believe God is love abounding in depth and width far beyond the capacity of our human … continue

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Looking into the lectionary - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Looking into the lectionary - 5th Sunday after Pentecost: This week we are grateful to pastor John Wurster for providing a guest lectionary reflection. 5th Sunday after  Pente cost  ...

ABCUSA Enewsletter June 2020

June 2020 ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA American Baptist Churches USA Survey Assesses   Impact of COVID-19 A survey regarding the impact of the global pandemic was sent to all of the American Baptist regions via each region's executive minister in May. On behalf of local churches, the person most knowledgeable was asked to complete the survey. Originally requested by the members of the National Executive Council and Regional Executive Ministers Council, the survey of American Baptist congregations was aimed at assessing the impact of COVID-19. A total of 414 congregations responded to the survey. A summary of the quantitative results is shown below. The survey results summary looks at the overall impact of COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on worship and ministry, future outlook related to COVID-19, and areas impacted by the virus. Read the summary here. Acts of Racial Injustice - A Letter from American Baptist Churches Interim General Secretary On May 29, 2020, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods published a letter to American Baptists with a message centered around justice and more specifically, racial justice. Read the letter in English here. Read the letter in Spanish here. American Baptists Invited to "Imagine" at the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit Planning is well underway for the American Baptist Churches USA 2021 Biennial Mission Summit to be held June 25-27, 2021, at the San Juan Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In a new video, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods introduces and gives an update on planning for the event. We encourage you to watch the full video here or below to learn more about the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit. A version of the video is available in Spanish, here. New Discoveries and Learnings Document, Resources Available   In recent months, the American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary has shared many resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic on the website at www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus.   Most recently, a Discoveries and Learnings from the Global Pandemic document was shared, as well as a Discussion Guide for reopening church buildings (available in English and Spanish) and resources from an organization-sponsored webinar held by Church Mutual Insurance on Reopening Safely.   Additional helpful resources have also been added, covering a variety of topics. We invite you to visit this resource page at www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus. Manarin Called to Lead DCBC as Executive Director/Minister The District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) announced on June 15 that Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin has been called to serve as its next Executive Director/Minister. DCBC's Board of Directors voted to approve the Search Committee's recommendation to hire Dr. Manarin during a regularly scheduled board meeting held last week. Dr. Manarin, who currently serves as Executive Coordinator with Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will be entering into her new position as the Executive Director/Minister of the DCBC on August 17, 2020. Read more.  This Ecumenical Stewardship Center resource is available at no cost to you. ABCUSA has purchased licenses for American Baptist churches who would like to use this online subscription for the 2020 theme Faithful, Hopeful, Loving. This complimentary subscription based on 1 Corinthians 13:13 includes the Giving magazine and 9 categories of digital files to enhance your congregation's emphasis experience. Every congregation in North America practices stewardship. The question is whether they do so well, or not so well. Giving magazine vol 22 no 1 focuses on year-round stewardship and provides thoughtful, practical, and inspirational articles on all these topics and more. Request your subscription today and receive not only this issue, but three more on faithful generosity, hopeful generosity, and loving generosity-a great companion to the Faithful, Hopeful, Loving stewardship resource. Email ABCResources@abc-usa.org to request your complimentary subscription today! ABCUSA Together: We are American Baptists #abcusatogether

American Baptist Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482

Today in the Mission Yearbook - How does PDA respond to a disaster during a pandemic?

Today in the Mission Yearbook - How does PDA respond to a disaster during a pandemic?: With travel and contact restricted, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance turns to virtual response to disasters, COVID-19 June 29, 2020 ...

NCC Newsletter: Seeing Hope

NCC Newsletter: Seeing Hope: Seeing Hope NCC Newsletter June 26, 2020 From Jim: In the Storm, Seeing God's Light of Hope Although I g...

Dismantling Racism – Join the Town Hall Discussion July 1

The UMC's response to the coronavirus  »

July 1 Town Hall: A dialogue about history   Join with United Methodists from across the connection at noon CDT July 1 for a Town Hall event to explore the history of the United States and The United Methodist Church, racial (in)justice and where God is calling us to go next. The Town Hall is the next step in a denomination-wide initiative announced June 19 titled “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom.” If you missed the announcement from United Methodist bishops or the June 24 service of lament, check out umc.org/endracism, where you can still watch them, as well as tune in on July 1.   Read more

Advertisement   Books about racism for children   Adults aren’t the only ones who can educate themselves about racism. Introducing kids to books on the topic can help a younger generation be part of the solution to dismantling racism.   Read  »

Where was John Wesley born?   Yesterday, June 28, was John Wesley’s birthday. While you may have known the date, do you know where the birth of the father of Methodism took place? Ask The UMC answers the question.   Read  »

From lemons to lemonade: Coping with coronavirus cancellations   As plans and events, including weddings and graduations, cancel because of COVID-19, United Methodist experts offer coping tips for when life gives you lemons.   Read