Gather

Today, we remember Clara Maass, an American nurse who died as a result of participating in a Yellow Fever experiment. Maass’ fortitude and courage gave her brief life enduring significance for millions. Each August 13, the church commemorates her life as a “renewer of society” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 16).

Learn more about the life of Clara Maass in this JulyAugust 2016 article from Gather.

Called to heal: The journey of Clara Maass - Gather Magazine Late-nineteenth century New Jersey could be a difficult place for […]

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has asked the church to cultivate nonviolence and “build bridges of curiosity and compassion with people who think differently” in our communities. Not sure where to start? Women of the ELCA has compiled a list of resources (Bible study sessions, reflections, sermon helps and events) you can use to encourage community, civility and compassion, not just during the 2024 U.S. election season, but year-round.

Resources for an election season - Gather Magazine Resources for an election season 07/18/2024 | Seasons Summer 2024 “After certainty: A biblical guide” by the Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni A global pandemic, political upheaval, a changing climate… these days, the future is more uncertain than it has ever been. Or is it? For the people of...

The war in Gaza has deeply impacted patients and health care services at Augusta-Victoria, a Lutheran World Federation run hospital that specializes in cancer and kidney care. Learn more in this article from the July/August issue of Gather magazine.

War impacts a Lutheran-run hospital in the Holy Land - Gather Magazine The war in Gaza had been going on for six […]

Does your congregation, Women of the ELCA unit or community organization have a meal ministry? If so, we’d love to hear about the ways you provide meals – and comfort – to those who are hurting.

By July 9, send your submission to [email protected]. Include your name, congregation name, town, email address and contact information.

Tell us... - Gather Magazine Tell us… 07/02/2024 | Reader call Meal ministry Does your congregation, Women of the ELCA unit or community organization have a meal ministry? If so, we’d love to hear about the ways you provide meals – and comfort – to those who are hurting. What impact has your meal ministry had on those w...

Those of us who take pride in our Lutheran roots can celebrate the anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, presented to the Diet of Augsburg on this date in 1530. The Augsburg Confession is one of the central documents of faith in the Lutheran expression. Learn more in this June 2019 Gather article written by Kristin Berkey-Abbott.

The holy month of June - Gather Magazine The holy month of June 06/25/2019 | Seasons by Kristin Berkey-Abbott— For many congregations, summer is a time of reduced activity. Perhaps we move to offering one worship service on Sundays. Many congregations with midweek spiritual development opportunities suspend them for the summer. Some cong...

“Forgiveness is not an event. It’s a lifestyle. God doesn’t expect us to forgive perfectly every time. But God is encouraging us to live our lives with forgiveness as our North Star. In doing so, we honor God, and we help heal the body of Christ.”

Read more of the Rev. Angela T. !Khabeb’s article, “Love my enemies, too?!” which appeared in the July/August 2019 issue of Gather magazine.

Love my enemies, too?! - Gather Magazine Love my enemies, too?! 06/21/2019 | Family, Life by Angela T. Khabeb– Jesus encourages us to us to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). I recently took part in a pastoral leadership class led by a university...

From Santiago, Chile to Toledo, Ohio, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger are making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Read these stories and more in the Spring 2024 issue of LifeLines! https://bit.ly/4bLxL0e

A gathering table built to last - Living Lutheran Trinity Lutheran Church and Pacific Lutheran University address their community's needs through the ELCA’s Congregations Lead Initiative.

"Rest is risky. It’s hard work to move away from responsibilities, to give up control, to give yourself a break. Sometimes it feels easier to keep swimming forward, kicking and stretching, never looking up, stealing breaths when you get a chance. Letting go and letting the waters carry you means not knowing the outcome and being open to new possibilities, to trust in the directions God will take you."

--The Rev. Jennifer Hackbarth, "Faith reflections: Rest and risk," Boldcafe.org June 2022

https://www.boldcafe.org/faith-reflection-rest-risk/

✨Women of the ELCA staff received a total of 11 awards from two religion communicator organizations, including Category Winner and two Award of Excellence awards.🏆

Staff received three DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards from the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) and eight Best of Church Press awards from the Associated Church Press (ACP).

The awards are for work completed in 2023. If you missed any of these award-winning articles, we invite you to enjoy them now! ✨

https://www.womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/women-of-the-elca-publications-win-awards

There’s still time to plan some great intergenerational events this summer! Check out the link in our bio to view leader sourcebooks Good Steward Together and Journey Together for activities that bring all generations together.

https://hubs.li/Q02vn-Qp0
https://hubs.li/Q02vnNKy0

"Transitions always begin with an ending. There is death before there is life. You can’t get to the resurrection without going through the cross." --The Rev. Jennifer Hackbarth, "The spiritual work of transition," Boldcafe.org, July 2023.

This article won awards from the Associated Church Press and Religion Communicators Council at their annual conventions.

https://www.boldcafe.org/the-spiritual-work-of-transition/

Singing beloved liturgies and hymns firmly situates us as God’s beloved people of faith, now and always. What is your favorite liturgy or hymn?
Sign up for the Daily Grace email.
https://www.womenoftheelca.org/blog/daily-grace/finding-our-place-in-the-song

It's such an honor to be recognized by the Associated Church Press and Religion Communicators Council!

✨Women of the ELCA staff received a total of 11 awards from two religion communicator organizations, including Category Winner and two Award of Excellence awards.🏆

Staff received three DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards from the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) and eight Best of Church Press awards from the Associated Church Press (ACP).

The awards are for work completed in 2023. If you missed any of these award-winning articles, we invite you to enjoy them now! ✨

https://www.womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/women-of-the-elca-publications-win-awards

Gather magazine’s three-session summer Bible study: “After certainty,” written by the Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, explores God’s invitation to the people of the Bible - and to us - to take the holy journey beyond certainty to curiosity, community and compassion, where we find abundant life in Christ.
Download and share the study and video supplement with those in your congregation and community!

Summer 2024 “After certainty: A biblical guide” Bible study video supplement Session 1 - Gather Magazine After certainty: Curiosity Jesus’ ministry, during the uncertainty of the […]

LWF congratulates Rev. Sandra Elizabeth Kurtzious-Vieira, who has been elected President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana. She the first woman to serve in this position in her church.

“It is my prayer that God bless Rev. Sandra Kurtzious in her ministry as president of the ELCG,” said Rev. Sonia Skupch, LWF Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean. “May the Holy Spirit fill her with hope, joy and strength in the face of tasks and challenges ahead.”

Rev. Kurtzious is currently serving as a pastor in the Redeemer Lutheran Congregation. She has been a member of the Executive Council of the ELCG, its secretary and Vice-President. Prior to serving as a pastor she was an Attorney-at-law and a judge in the Family Court in Guyana.