A daily, devotional Lent calendar that members can use at home or with small groups to inspire reflection and support the work of ELCA World Hunger

A four-session Advent devotional that provides reflections on neighborliness. Each entry guides you through ways to strengthen your community.

A new Advent calendar and interactive winter village scene that members can enjoy with their families at home or at church.

An ELCA World Hunger Advent bulletin insert to share in worship with your congregation, inviting them to engage with the new ELCA World Hunger Advent resources and the “Stocking the Streets” activity.

An ELCA Good Gifts card sample, showing one of the many cards you can order to share with loved ones on a variety of holidays and other occasions.

Download the Advent Devotional

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

Dear beloved children of God,

As a church, we collectively continue to celebrate the diversity with which God has created the world. Scripture tells us that, from the very beginning, we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). In the book of Acts, many were gathered in one place when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Each was given the power to witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33). In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, the human body serves as a metaphor, demonstrating that a healthy Christian community relies on the many distinct gifts and qualities of each unique member — emphasizing unity through continuing to be a connected church.   

I am thankful to serve this church in the office of presiding bishop. I am also grateful for my experience as an activist and leader in communities and congregations that are at the margins. Whatever our role and wherever our place in the church, God calls us to develop trusting relationships with our neighbors. In the service of Affirmation of Baptism, the presiding minister asks, “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism … to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 236). Striving for justice involves learning about underlying causes of division and inequity. It is a commitment our church makes because of baptism. 

Celebrating diversity and striving for equity, inclusion and accessibility for all reflect this baptismal call. The words “diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility” and the initialism “DEIA” mean different things to different people. For the ELCA, as church together, these terms reflect our “delight in the fact that the people called, gathered, and enlightened” by God represent such a wide array of identities, backgrounds and life stories (ELCA social statement Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, 1993, p. 3). The terms remind us of the gospel vision of community, in which all are truly welcome. They are terms this church has chosen to include in its teachings and constitutions as reflections of our faith in God, who creates, redeems and sustains all people.  

Everyone matters in this church. I have celebrated with synods and congregations as they build communities that reflect the people and neighborhoods around them. I have worshiped in places where many languages are spoken and people from different backgrounds feel welcome. Together we have expanded our understanding of what it means to be church through relationships with companion churches around the world and through relationships between congregations in rural, urban and suburban settings here in the United States. We are joined together through holy baptism, through which God calls us to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.  “Diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion” and “accessibility” are reflections of justice when it is fulfilled. Like many saints before us have said, justice is the form love takes in society.    

The road is long, but we go forth in faith, trusting in the risen Christ and inspired by one another for the work ahead. Let us continue in the covenant God has made with us, to serve all people in love.

In Christ,

The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Preparation is not prediction. It is faithful stewardship.

In preparation for the midterm election season, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona has created A Congregational Guide for Election-Related Disruption to help congregations prepare for extraordinary circumstances surrounding an election—including uncertainty, misinformation, intimidation, violence or an unexpected armed presence at a polling place.

This 8-page guide is designed for pastors and deacons, congregational councils, polling-site hosts, staff teams, adult forums, youth groups and ecumenical partners. It may be used as a 60- to 75-minute discussion starter, while its final readiness checklist can be completed independently in about 20 minutes.

Begin with readiness

The guide does not assume that disruption will occur. Nor does it replace the ordinary work congregations should undertake after an election: thanking election workers, evaluating voter-engagement efforts, preparing for new legislative sessions and continuing issue advocacy.

Instead, it asks congregations to make several basic decisions before a crisis:

• Who will serve on a small response team?
• Which information sources will the congregation trust?
• Who is authorized to speak publicly?
• How will leaders care for people who may be frightened or particularly affected?
• What election, emergency, synod and community contacts should be readily available?
• What will the congregation say while important facts are still being verified?

The guide explains how to prepare a short “holding statement”—a temporary, factual and compassionate message that acknowledges a situation, distinguishes what is known from what remains uncertain and tells the audience when to expect an update.

Six scenarios for discussion

Participants are invited to consider how their congregation might respond to six possible situations:

1. No clear election result—and pressure to declare a winner.
2. Widespread election denial.
3. Intimidation or disruption at a polling place.
4. An unexpected armed, militarized or federal presence at a church polling location.
5. Violence, vandalism or property destruction.
6. A peaceful result that nevertheless leaves the congregation deeply divided.

Each scenario includes questions about what is known, who may be at risk, whom to contact, what the church can responsibly do and what it should refrain from doing.

Grounded in Lutheran faith

This is not simply an emergency-management guide. Its theological anchors draw from Scripture, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment and ELCA social teaching—including Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-Being of All and For Peace in God’s World.

That social statement describes the church as a community that “disturbs, reconciles, serves and deliberates.” In an election-related crisis, the church may be called to expose deception and injustice, sustain communication across differences, stand with people at risk, seek justice and create space for responsible discernment.

Being nonpartisan does not require silence about intimidation, racism, dehumanization, violence or attacks on democratic participation.

Becoming trusted messengers

Congregations often possess something especially valuable during a confusing or frightening moment: relationships of trust.

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry’s message, “A Call to Be Trusted Messengers in This Election Season,” reminds church leaders that they can help neighbors find accurate information and participate confidently.

The guide encourages trusted messengers to lead with care, name their sources, distinguish verified facts from allegations and opinions, correct errors without humiliating people and say “we do not yet know” when facts remain incomplete.

Use the checklist now

Congregations do not need to complete every discussion scenario before beginning. Start with the final checklist. Name a response team, record essential contacts, choose trusted sources, identify a spokesperson and review emergency procedures.

Churches that serve as polling locations should also clarify responsibilities with their local election office before Election Day. Election officials—not congregational volunteers—direct polling operations and control voting equipment.

This guide is intended for education, conversation and congregational organizing; it does not constitute legal advice. Election procedures and state laws vary, so churches should consult their state and local election offices and qualified legal counsel when necessary.

Additional nonpartisan resources are available through the ELCA Civic Engagement webpage.

Applications for ELCA World Hunger’s 2027 Daily Bread Matching Grants now open!

Solidarity for a Just World. In 2025, an unprecedented amount of Daily Bread Grant Applications were received, over 1000, demonstrating the need across the United States for additional support of feeding ministries. 670 ministries were awarded across all 65 synods. Together, ELCA’s feeding ministries, our Domestic Hunger Grant partners and our Advocacy work in Witness in Society, are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger – for good.

ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants support congregations and their partners as they work toward a just world where all are fed. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations with feeding ministries are eligible to participate. ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants are one way our church accompanies communities throughout the United States and Caribbean as they respond to hunger and poverty. These grants provide daily bread for neighbors experiencing hunger by supplementing existing food-based ministries.

Who is eligible to apply?

• ELCA Congregations
• New starts
• SAWCs
• Strategic Ministries
• Congregations in Development
• SAOMs
• ELCA Campus Ministries

You may submit a request for a Daily Bread Grant beginning October 1st. Feeding Ministry funding requests will be accepted beginning October 1st on a rolling basis for $500 each until all the funds are expended or for two weeks minimum, closing October 21st at midnight central time. Funding is for ELCA Congregations with a feeding ministry.

A Microsoft Word version is available upon request, please email hunger@elca.org. Otherwise, applications will only be accepted via this online form beginning October 1st: Feeding Ministry Funding Request – Fill out form

Application Timeline:

• Letter of inquiry form open: Thursday, October 1st – Wednesday, October 21st 2026
• Award notifications shared with applicants: November 2026
• Banking & Payment dispersal: December, 2026

Thank you for all you do to work creatively and courageously toward a just world! If you have any questions about the process or about ELCA World Hunger, please reach out to the Hunger team at Hunger@elca.org.

Apply for a grant! Spanish Application!