ELCA Resource
All of the ELCA sites below have a large selection of areas and links
for a wealth of information and interest from the national and local
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
8765 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
Tel:.... 800/638-3522 or 773/380-2700
Fax:... 773/380-1465
The E.L.C.A. (Evangelica Lutheran Church in America) is a vast source of information and help. Their website has many, many areas and links to much more.
Presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
* See page 2..... for a special letter from Bisop Hanson regarding the victims of natural disasters throughout our country and what we can do.
Here is a link to the ELCA site: http://www.elca.org/
However, on our main menu appearing along side each of our site's pages, you will find a wonderful means of bringing some of the most helpful material right to you.
Midway down our main menu, you will see a box of articles from the ELCA. site. These are articles of different subjects relating to lutherans..... and are all LINKS!
Clicking on any title will bring it right to you to read.
Note the "previous" and "next" buttoms on the bottom that will bring you even more articles.
Clicking on the very top "header" with the ELCA icon will also take you directly to their site where you will find seeminly endless links to help, information and inspiration.
There is a "topics" drop down box on the top right corner of the ELCA site to make navigation a little easier to a specific area of interest.
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Director for Evangelical Mission in Toledo |
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|
 Rev. Tom Schutt |
THE NORTHWESTERN OHIO SYNOD MISSION STATEMENT
"MARKED BY THE CROSS OF CHRIST FOREVER, WE BELONG TO THE
CONGREGATIONS, AGENCIES AND MINISTRIES OF THE NORTHWESTERN
OHIO SYNOD WILL WITNESS TOGETHER TO GOD'S CREATIVE A
REDEEMING WORD TO ALL THE WORLD."
Mission Partner
for the sake of sharing the Good News of Jesus."
http://archive.elca.org/bishop/messages/m_080620.html
Pastoral letter from Bishop Hanson
(Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
With a swiftness that we could not have imagined only weeks ago, the waters have brought chaos to a large area of the central United States. The flooding that is moving south in the Mississippi River valley follows unusually destructive tornadoes in several states and the humanitarian crisis after an immigration raid in Postville, Iowa. The scope is broad.
Tornadoes have caused fatalities in fifteen states, and at least eleven synods currently are involved in relief operations with ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, an unprecedented number in our history.
In the midst of these disasters, Scripture speaks to us.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult." (Psalm 46:1-3)
God remains faithful. God's Spirit is at work, moving over the face of the waters to renew life and hope. This hope will not disappoint, because God's love is being poured out through the Holy Spirit.
I write to ask you to join me in prayer and action. Please pray for all who are facing adversity, including the hidden challenges that seep in after media attention leaves:
-the destruction of this year's crop and the productivity of cropland for years to come;
-the loss of homes and neighborhoods;
-the severing of ties from each other and histories in particular places; and
-the troubling emotions and thoughts that erode confidence and faith.
Pray that God's Spirit sustain them in the hope of God's faithfulness, shown to us in Jesus Christ.
An ELCA Disaster Alert is being sent to you as I write with information about howyou can help in recovery. Please join me in an outpouring of love that is equal not only to the depth of the waters, but even more to the fullness of Jesus' life in us and to the Spirit's renewing work in the world.
-We will be the body of Christ to those who yearn for a comforting presence.
-We will be the gentle hands that hold those who yearn for the healing that Jesus brought.
Through our service God will speak their names and hold them as a treasured possession.
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you,
O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name,
you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire
you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)
Mark S. Hanson
and other, go to: http://www.elca.org/