Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective articulates the teaching of the ELCA on the church’s relation to society and its public presence and responsibilities. The statement begins with the claim that the witness of the church in society flows from its identity as a community that lives from and for the gospel. It sets forth the basic affirmations that structure how faith is active in a love that calls for justice in relationships and structures of society. The statement also identifies as basic commitments the church’s institutional witness in society, the baptismal vocation of individual Christians, and the church as a community of moral deliberation. This document was the first ELCA social statement, adopted in 1991.

As the longest night approaches on Dec. 21, National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is observed. The ELCA and other faith groups signed a letter to Congress urging support for homeless assistance and affordable housing in the FY26 spending bill. “Annually on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, which coincides with the December 21st dark winter solstice, we somberly remember those who died while experiencing homelessness over the past year. During the cold winter months, people living outside in our country are at the highest risk of dying from treatable health conditions or overdoses. We are concerned this risk will suddenly increase this winter if funding gaps cause service disruptions to HUD’s homelessness programs,” it reads in part, continuing: “We urge you to support including a provision in the next T-HUD bill that directs HUD to renew all existing Continuum of Care grants expiring during calendar year 2026 for one year.”

Here is a refresher on how a bill becomes a law!

Global Refuge is proud to announce Faith Alliance, a new safe welcome training for faith communities. The multipart program explores the Biblical roots for welcome, immigration basics, and tangible ways communities of faith can carry out the work of welcome. We look forward to sharing the full program soon…coming in time for Lent 2026!

First, the U.S. government canceled flights for thousands of approved and vetted refugees already booked for travel to the United States. Now, it is poised to relitigate the status of those already here and delay or block their path to permanency—a profound betrayal of the safety and security offered by a longstanding U.S. humanitarian program.

Urge your senators and representative to speak out and advocate to keep refugee status intact and ensure refugees can remain in their new homes!