ELCA experiencing growth in the number of missionaries
Fifteen new missionaries will begin service this July, and a number of ELCA pastors and lay members will return as missionaries as well. See www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column). To learn about new opportunities for service, see www.elca.org/globalserve.
Papua New Guinea: Another day, a new day!
Walk with missionary Nancy Anderson as she begins her day in the equatorial country of Papua New Guinea. See www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Summer 2012 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.
South Sudan: Resilience amid uncertainty
"But what do you do to cope?" I asked my new friend, Anne, who coordinates Lutheran World Federation refugee programs. With a sparkle in her eye, she said "Every night, we dance." Read more.
Japan: What does faith mean?
Learn what ELCA missionary Christine Eige learned from the Japanese language and a Japanese colleague about the meaning of faith. See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.
Japan: Sponsors sought for missionary
You can sponsor Christine Eige, ELCA missionary teacher serving in Japan (and author of the blog entry noted above). Sponsors from the Northern Illinois and Central/Southern Illinois Synods are especially welcomed to minimize her travel time and maximize her impact while on home assignment. Contact missionarysponsorship@elca.org or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657.
From Minnesota to South Africa
When Tessa Moon Leiseth, campus pastor at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., saw a notice on Facebook, she and her family began a journey that led them to South Africa. See 'Startled' by the good fit.
ELCA cultivates students' passion into action to help end malaria
Next year college students plan to play flag football, educate one another, and use a variety of creative ways to raise money for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. See www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
Take the 100 Wells Challenge!
Youth are helping to raise $250,000 for water projects of ELCA World Hunger in many different ways, including dunk tanks, water pledges, balloon tosses, water bottle sales and noisy offerings. See www.elca.org/100wells.
New Orleans: Sunday morning offering at ELCA Youth Gathering to benefit four ministries
The offering collected at closing worship at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, July 18-22, will be split among ELCA World Hunger, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, missionaries working with the young adult program in South Africa, and new and emerging congregations in New Orleans. Read more.
Geneva and Taize: Take the Plunge into a deeper spirituality
Young adults are invited to experience the global faith community at the ecumenical centers in Geneva, Switzerland, and Taize, France, May 29-June 9, 2013. See www.elca.org/localevents.
Global resource on ecology available for young people
Learn about and work for ecological justice with this 2012 guidebook from The Lutheran World Federation. "LWF together – green and just" contains games, background information and Bible studies for youth groups, student groups and camps, written by people from four continents. See www.elca.org/localevents.
Glocal Mission Gathering in Milwaukee, Aug. 24-25
Equip yourself for God's work in today's global and local realities. Find more information and registration at www.elca.org/glocal.
In our prayers
Pray for Nicole Lequia, an ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission volunteer serving in England in the areas of youth and community outreach. (This prayer for June 26 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)