New Global Updates

ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP RESPONDS TO GAZA SHIP CONVOY INCIDENT

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Expressing regret for the deaths and injuries that resulted when Israeli military forces intercepted a ship convoy seeking to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), called for "a full, international and independent investigation into the matter," in a June 1 public statement.  Read more at www.elca.org/news.  Read the full statement at http://www.elca.org/bishop/messages.  Find other statements, analysis and background information about Israel/Palestine, including Gaza, at www.elca.org/peacenotwalls.  Learn about the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land at www.elca.org/israelpalestine.

 

MULTIPOINT PARISH – BY BOAT

In North America, pastors sometimes spend hours Sunday mornings driving to the next congregation for worship.  In Malaysia, Pastor Mathius of the Basel Christian Church spends an hour on a river boat through virgin rain forest traveling to one of his congregations.  See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand and scroll down to the story.

 

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD

Watch or download this compelling two-minute video introducing the theme of the LWF Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, July 2010. See www.elca.org/lwf and click the link in the upper right.  Other Assembly congregational resources and information are also available by clicking the blue box in the middle of the page.

 

CELEBRATE. THANK. HONOR. REMEMBER.

Give a gift to dads and grads that says "you mean the world to me" with a donation to support ELCA missionaries (see www.elca.org/4missionaries). To donate and request gift cards "Honoring," "Celebrating," "Thanking" and "Remembering", call 800-638-3522.

 

For the Sake of the World:  ELCA GLOBAL MINISTRIES

This concise six-minute video introduces ministries that make a world of difference: ELCA Mission Support, Missionary Sponsorship, and World Hunger. View and share the presentation to better understand "who does what," how we work together, and where to learn more. Find it at www.elca.org/handyresources toward the bottom of the page.

 

THE LAZARUS EFFECT

Have you seen The Lazarus Effect?"  Find out how 40 cents a day can save someone's life.  Watch it on YouTube - then donate online at www.elca.org/aids to support life-saving HIV and AIDS ministry around the world.

 

GLOBAL MISSION MAP BROCHURE - 2010 version now available 

See how your church is engaged around the world with pictures, stories, and a global map.  Great for classes, congregational meetings, or children sermons.  Find order information at www.elca.org/globalmission/resources.

 

Revised COMPANION SYNOD HANDBOOK for ELCA synods and congregations

This new edition has updates on international funds transmittals (p. 9), companion synod profiles (p. 16), and advocating for your companion (p. 17).  See www.elca.org/companionsynods and click on the English version of the handbook.

 

PROFESSORS SOUGHT FOR MANY COUNTRIES

Professors are requested to teach a variety of academic subjects at seminaries in Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan.  Short-term (3 to 9 months) volunteer opportunities.  See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom.

 

MISSION FESTIVAL in Sandusky, Ohio, Aug. 6-8

Hear speakers Mark Allan Powell (Trinity Seminary) and Jacqueline Bussie (Capital University) at Daybreak:  Renewing Our Hope.  See www.elca.org/localevents and find the link under Synod Events.

 

GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Gaza Ship Convoy Incident (see also above)

+ ELCA Awards Phoebe Herman Scholarships to 15 International Students

+ ELCA Global Seminary Teachers Take Pride in Nurturing Future Pastors

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Meets with African, Asian Church Leaders

+ ELCA Leaders to Respond to Actions, Comments by Lutherans in Africa

+ ELCA Bishops Express Concern for Israeli Orders' Effect on Palestinians

 

IN OUR PRAYERS

Give thanks for the work of Linda Gawthorne among the indigenous Kogi people of Colombia displaced from their land in the Santa Marta Mountains by violence, many now outside of their traditional lands.  Linda provides spiritual nurturing and is helping translate the Bible into Kogi. (This prayer for June 4, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)

 

 

This issue of Global Links (June 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries.  Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to others, use it in publications with attribution, or encourage others to read it or subscribe at www.elca.org/globalmission/engage.