GLOBAL LINKS
Connect to the global church through elca.org
PAKISTAN FLOODS DISPLACE FOUR MILLION PEOPLE
The worst floods on record have brought destruction to communities across five provinces of the country. See www.elca.org/disaster for more information, a bulletin insert, a video, and an opportunity to give.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE SIX MONTH LATER
Six months have passed since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the land of Haiti. See www.elca.org/disaster for a report on the work being done to restore the lives of over two million people.
PEACE TALKS TO BEGIN AS FRESH VIOLENCE ERUPTS
Follow breaking news surrounding the gathering of Palestinian and Israeli leaders in Washington. See www.elca.org/peacenotwalls
GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)
+ Well-known ELCA Missionary to Tanzania, J. David Simonson, Dies
+ ELCA Missionary Witnesses Miracles in Liberia
+ Two ELCA Congregations Give $830,000 to Support Global Ministries
+ Lutherans Learn that Eight Tons of Stone Builds a Hospital
+ ELCA Provides $235,000 for Disaster Recovery Efforts Overseas
+ ELCA Commits $100,000 for Pakistan Flood Response
+ ELCA Commits Additional $110,000 for Pakistan Floods
+ Haiti Still in Crisis, ELCA Members Continue Response
+ Devastation in Haiti Far Worse than Imagined, Says ELCA Leader
+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
+ Lutherans Begin Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Retrace Luther's Steps
+ ELCA Churchwide Organization Details 2010 Budget Reductions
+ Jackson-Skelton Elected LWF Treasurer, Vice President LWF North America
YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION
Four young adults are traveling across the country this fall to recruit applicants for next year's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program and other Global Mission international service opportunities. To learn more or to schedule a presentation, seewww.elca.org/globalmission.
STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION FOR DEBT CANCELLATION
Congregations are encouraged to hold a Jubilee Sunday on Sept. 19. For a Christian Worship and Action Resource guide, see http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Congregational-Resources/Act-Now.aspx
GLOBAL MISSION ANNUAL
Find out how to receive a copy of the 2011 Global Mission Annual, featuring photos of current ELCA missionaries, at www.elca.org/handyresources.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIXING AND FIXED
The Rev. Nathan Bowman, an ELCA missionary serving in Japan, offers an inspiring blog post at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/bowman-30082010/
RICHARD YOUNG: ELCA MISSIONARY, PASTOR, PHYSICIAN
Some pastors wear a cross. But the Rev. Richard Young wears a stethoscope. Serving as missionary pastor of six Lutheran congregations in Guyana, Young is also a physician. See www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Hand in Hand newsletter for Fall 2010.
SIFA AND SONS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Last October, fighting between rebel forces and the Congolese government came too close to home for Sifa Munyaba and her family. Sifa and her five-year-old son, Isaac, and one-year-old son, Henock, fled to a nearby community where they took refuge in a church. See www.elca.org/hunger/stories.
SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH
Erika Randall begins her day with a short commute (about 15 steps) followed by greetings ("Good morning, Teacher!") and hugs from her students. It's a quick commute to a job that's actually very far from home. The 23-year-old Minnesota native teaches English to children in Malaysia at the Grace Center, a program run by the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia. See www.elca.org/stories click on Outreach.
GLOCAL MISSION GATHERINGS: two in October
Enhance your connections with local and global Lutherans at a Glocal Mission Gathering at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Oct. 1-2, or at West Linn Lutheran Church, West Linn, Oregon, on Oct. 8-9. Seewww.elca.org/glocal.
NOW register in Spanish at www.elca.org/glocalspanish.
MISSION FESTIVAL: September 19 in Ohio
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann, Northwestern Ohio Synod, is the guest speaker at this festival hosted by St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Pemberville, Ohio. Seewww.elca.org/localevents under Synod Events
IN OUR PRAYERS
Thank God for the witness of the 44 participants in Young Adults in Global Mission who just completed orientation and are now moving into one-year positions in Argentina, Uruguay, Jerusalem/West Bank, Mexico, Slovakia/Hungary, South Africa and United Kingdom. (This prayer from September 1 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)
This issue of Global Links (September 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. Send your suggestions and comments to lanny.westphal@elca.org or to Pr. Lanny Westphal, ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
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Rev. Linda Anderson-Little
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
6325 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117
314.721.6974 (w)
314.581.6365 (cell)
www.stmarkselca.com
