ELCA leaders' effort to protect families pays off CHICAGO (ELCA) - Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) believe progress has been made with a recent policy change that would keep some families living in the United State...

ELCA presiding bishop supports Syrian church leaders' call for peace CHICAGO (ELCA) - In letters to Christian church leaders in Syria, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), offered his support of the chur...

Palestinian Lutheran pastor to receive 'German Media Award' CHICAGO (ELCA) - Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, will receive the German Media Prize award Feb. 24 for his work in founding educational, cultu...

Lutherans invite students to help end malaria CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The ELCA Malaria Campaign, a campaign of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative will provide new opportunities for college and ...

Lutheran-Anglican-Episcopal meeting a sign of hope for the church CHICAGO (ELCA) - Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopal leaders from the United States and Canada met in December to explore new possibilities for working together and to deepen their sense of unity ...

2011 Christmas message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), shared a Christmas greeting today with the 4.2 million members of this church. H...

Secretary of State Clinton highlights the work of ELCA-related ministries CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted the vital work of Lutheran social ministry organizations in welcoming refugees to the United States, during her Dec. 7 address ...

ELCA, Episcopal presiding bishops remember lives lost to HIV, AIDS CHICAGO (ELCA) - Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Episcopal Primate Katharine Jefferts Schori said World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 is "an opport...

Presiding bishop says ELCA is deeply rooted in God's mission CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In his report to the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said that the ELCA is "a church deeply rooted in God'...

ELCA Board of Pensions announces name change to Portico Benefit Services MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will begin doing business as Portico Benefit Services, effective immediately. The trustees...

ELCA Church Council responds to actions of the 2011 Churchwide Assembly CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) acted on several recommendations in response to actions of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The counci...

ELCA Board of Pensions Trustees announce annuity adjustment for 2012 MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Trustees of the Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) announced adjustments in 2012 ELCA Participating Annuity payments and the interest c...

ELCA bishop visits White House to discuss Israeli-Palestinian conflict CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), attended a Nov. 8 meeting at the White House as part of a group of ecumenical fa...

First ELCA member installed as National Council of Churches president CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Kathryn M. Lohre was installed as president of the National Council of Churches Nov. 9 at a service held at the Lutheran Center here. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Chur...

ELCA bishops call state immigration laws 'shortsighted' CHICAGO (ELCA) - Nearly 60 of 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed their concern over new state immigration laws in Nov. 2 letters to President Barack...

ELCA presiding bishop calls for immigration reform CHICAGO (ELCA) - In Nov. 1 letters to President Barack Obama and members of Congress, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has called for comprehensive immi...

ELCA members respond to record-level rainfall in Central America CHICAGO (ELCA) - Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are responding to record-level rainfall in Central America that has caused flooding and mudslides in rural and urba...

Roth to be installed bishop of ELCA Central/Southern Illinois Synod Oct. 15 CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Dr. S. John Roth will be installed as bishop of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Oct. 15. ELCA Presiding Bishop...

ELCA bishops value ecumenical partners, consider critical mission topics CHICAGO (ELCA) - "We are exceedingly grateful" for the two churches' full communion partnership, the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori told the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELC...

Registration for the ELCA’s 2012 Youth Gathering to open Online registration opens Oct. 9 for the 2012 Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The gathering will be July 18-22 in New Orleans with the theme of “citizens wi...