Monthly Message

From ELCA.org:

The new LivingLutheran.org

We’re excited to pass along a little early good news this Advent season: the new LivingLutheran.org is live! Set up a free digital membership for perks like a personalized dashboard that prioritizes the stories that interest you, access to members-only content and the ability to save and “like” articles — all with a welcoming, easy-to-access format.

Living Lutheran tells the stories of the ELCA, bonding us as a church across congregations, synods, states, regions and countries. Get informed, inspired and equipped with perspectives to deepen your faith and connect with the broader Lutheran community!

Holiday shopping with ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, choose from over 60 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones this Christmas! Each gift goes on to make a difference in the world and share the love of Christ with our neighbors in need. Give online and you can personalize free, printed cards to be sent directly to your loved ones. Find several special-edition Christmas cards for select gifts now.

A night of storytelling with the National Day of Racial Healing

In partnership with Augsburg Fortress, the ELCA is observing the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing with a free online and in-person evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20. “Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA” will highlight storytelling as a sacred practice that invites deep listening and reflection. Learn more.

Have you ever heard a whisper? | Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry

In his Christmas message to the church, Bishop Curry delivers a children’s sermon, describing the night when Jesus was born.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

FEATURED RESOURCES

2025-’26 ELCA Fund for Leaders Annual Report

The ELCA Fund for Leaders (FFL) plays a vital role in supporting ELCA seminary candidates, currently funding one out of every three in some capacity. Learn more about FFL’s scope and impact.

READ

Living Lutheran Advent series

During Advent, Living Lutheran will offer a weekly prayer, Scripture and accompanying activity. Each week’s Advent activity can be completed with a group or as a solo project. Use it to create a space for reflection, community and celebration as you anticipate the joy of Christmas.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Drawn from centuries-old traditions of prayer, petition and hymns, the 2026 resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invite us to embrace our shared heritage and delve more deeply into our fellowship in Christ.

DOWNLOAD

Living Lutheran Winter Flipbook

Check out the winter 2025 flipbook from Living Lutheran, and be sure to sign up for a free account on the new LivingLutheran.org for access to exclusive content.

FLIPBOOK

BULLETIN BLURBS

A new newsletter from ELCA Faith Foundations

In partnership with ELCA Children’s Ministry and ELCA Youth Ministry, the Youth Gathering is excited to introduce “Faith Foundations,” a new quarterly newsletter for volunteer and paid youth ministry leaders. Each issue brings practical resources, ministry insights, resource highlights and tools you can use right away in your context. Sign up now and get the first issue emailed to your inbox in spring 2026.

New enhanced search with guided exploration

The ELCA’s new Enhanced Search tool provides an easier way to search through ELCA materials, meeting you where you are in your faith journey. Check it out, and share it with your congregation! In early 2026, the Enhanced Search tool will replace the current search tool on ELCA.org. We are excited to provide new technologies that make your online experience more efficient and thoughtful.

Get ready for the Annual Congregation Report

Every year, the Annual Congregation Report invites ELCA congregations, synod-authorized worshiping communities and new starts to provide information about their people, finances and resources. The system for online submission of Form A, accessible at elca.org/congregationreport, will open to receive 2025 data in mid-January 2026. To access the system, you will need your congregation ID and password. This information will be sent to you in a letter from the ELCA churchwide organization, arriving by mid-January. This letter will be the only mailing sent. For more information, visit the Annual Congregation Report webpage.

Lutherans Restoring Creation: In-person retreat

Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center in Arden, N.C., Jan. 23-25, 2026

In our sacred creation story in Genesis, God asks us to “replenish” the earth and “multiply” our community. The time has come to do just that: make disciples for the good of all our co-creation! Lutherans Restoring Creation is hosting “Multiply!,” an in-person retreat to revitalize your creation care work — learn more and register today.

Save the Date: Rostered Ministers Gathering

All ELCA deacons, pastors and bishops are invited to the Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 6-9, 2026, in Indianapolis, Ind. Join for a time of intentional connection when you can renew your strength, enjoy camaraderie with colleagues and reflect on the Holy Spirit’s work among us. Participants will gather under the theme “Woven Together” and consider a thread of that theme each day: “Woven Together With God,” “Woven Together for Creation,” “Woven Together as Community” and “Rostered Ministers Woven Together.” Mark your calendar today and watch for more information in coming weeks.