Beloved in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we write to you in this moment of national and global tension with clarity and conviction. Our faith compels us to stand where Jesus stands—with and for those whom society often seeks to exclude, erase, or diminish.

Our shared confession that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) grounds us in the conviction that all people possess inherent dignity. The incarnation of Jesus Christ reveals God’s profound solidarity with humanity—especially with those who are marginalized or oppressed. The gospel we proclaim insists that our neighbor’s need is the occasion for our love and that our public life is shaped by justice, mercy, and a commitment to the common good.

Further, we have a shared tradition in our social teachings which grounds us. The ELCA’s Social Message on Immigration reminds us:

“We are to respond to newcomers as we would to Christ—welcoming them, meeting their immediate needs, and advocating for justice in our laws and policies.”

Likewise, our recently adopted Social Statement Faith and Civic Life affirms that Christians are called to be “a public witness, holding leaders accountable when they fail to protect the vulnerable.”

We are living through a time when vulnerable communities are being scapegoated and attacked. Immigrants and refugees are vilified, though Scripture commands us to welcome the stranger. People of color continue to bear the devastating weight of racism woven into the fabric of our society. Transgender people, beloved by God, are being targeted with laws and rhetoric that deny their dignity and even their right to exist. These assaults on our siblings are not political abstractions—they are deep wounds in the body of Christ.

In this time of division and fear, we, as people grounded in our faith, insist on love. This commitment flows from our faith in Christ crucified and risen—the One whose love breaks down barriers, confronts hatred, and transforms hearts.

Love insists on the dignity of every human being.
Love insists on justice for the marginalized and oppressed.
Love insists that the church must reflect God’s diverse, life-giving community.
Love insists that we listen, speak, and act with respect, even in disagreement.
Love insists on hope, trusting that God’s kingdom of justice and peace will prevail.

This love also compels us to speak clearly against Christian Nationalism, which our Churchwide Assembly named as a distortion of the Christian faith and an unhealthy form of patriotism. Christian Nationalism confuses the Gospel with political power, turns God into a mascot for the state, and privileges some people over others based on race, religion, or birthplace. This is not the way of Jesus. The kingdom of God is not a nation, not a culture, not a political ideology—it is God’s reign of love, justice, and mercy for all people.

Therefore, as bishops of this church, we declare that the ELCA cannot be silent. Our call is clear:

• To proclaim the God-given dignity of every human being.
• To resist systems and ideologies, including Christian Nationalism, that oppress, dehumanize, or erase.
• To stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are targeted or harmed.
• To bear public witness that the love of Christ is stronger than fear, stronger than hatred, and stronger than death.

We call on all members of the ELCA to join us in prayer, advocacy, and action:

• Pray for those who are vulnerable and for all who work for justice.
• Advocate in your communities, legislatures, and Congress for laws that protect migrants, advance racial justice, and safeguard LGBTQIA+ people.
• Engage in the holy work of hospitality, creating spaces of safety, affirmation, and belonging for all God’s children.
• Model respectful dialogue in a polarized world, seeking understanding rooted in love.
• Hold fast to hope, trusting that the Spirit is still at work renewing creation and reconciling the world to God.

In baptism, we are marked with the cross of Christ forever. That cross is not only a sign of our hope—it is also a summons to follow Jesus into solidarity with those who suffer.

In the power of the Spirit, let us be bold. Let us be faithful.

Let us Insist on Love—in our words, our actions, our public witness, and our life together.

Together in Christ,

Bishop Kevin Strickland Southeastern Synod
Bishop Susan J. Briner Southwestern Texas Synod
Bishop Becca Middeke-Conlin Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod
Bishop Vivian Davila Caribbean Synod
Bishop Donna Simon Central States Synod
Bishop Bill Gohl Delaware-Maryland Synod
Bishop Anne Edison-Albright East Central Synod of Wisconsin
Bishop Pedro Suarez Florida-Bahamas Synod
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Grand Canyon Synod
Bishop Paul Erickson Greater Milwaukee Synod
Bishop Felix Malpica La Crosse Area Synod
Bishop Stephen R. Herr Lower Susquehanna Synod
Bishop Wayne Miller Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Bishop Katrina D. Foster Metropolitan New York Synod
Bishop Philip C Hirsch Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod
Bishop Jen Nagel Minneapolis Area Synod
Bishop Scott Alan Johnson Nebraska Synod
Bishop Nathan Pipho New England Synod
Bishop Christa Compton New Jersey Synod
Bishop Emily K. Hartner North Carolina Synod
Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas North/West Lower Michigan Synod
Bishop Kevin Jones Northeastern Iowa Synod
Bishop Amy Odgren Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Bishop Laura Barbins Northeastern Ohio Synod
Bishop Christopher deForest Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Bishop Katherine Finegan Northern Great Lakes Synod
Bishop Stacie Fidlar Northern Illinois Synod
Bishop Erik Gronberg Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod
Bishop Meggan Manlove Northwest Intermountain Synod
Bishop Martin Halom Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee Northwest Washington Synod
Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin Northwestern Ohio Synod
Bishop Kristen Papson Northwestern PA Synod
Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar Oregon Synod
Bishop David Nagler Pacifica Synod
Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni Rocky Mountain Synod
Bishop Jeff R. Johnson Sierra Pacific Synod
Bishop Ginny Aebischer South Carolina Synod
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Bishop Amy Current Southeastern Iowa Synod
Bishop Bryan Penman Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Bishop Brenda Bos Southwest California Synod
Bishop Melissa L. Stoller Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Bishop Keith Marshall Southwestern Washington
Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
Bishop Craig Miller Upper Susquehanna Synod
Bishop Lee M. Miller II Upstate New York Synod
Bishop Phyllis Milton Virginia Synod
Bishop Scott Dalen Western Iowa Synod

One of my favorite things about living in Nevada, especially in the fall, is our incredible access to thousands of acres of public lands. Before heading into the office today, I went for a hike and caught a breathtaking view high above Carson City.

Did you know that nearly 63% of Nevada’s land is public land—owned by all of us? These lands are protected from unchecked development and exploitation, including destructive mining practices.

Here at LEAN, we’re committed to protecting and expanding public access to these lands, ensuring they remain places of beauty, recreation, and belonging for generations to come.

God of refuge and strength, we observe this day marking two years since the crisis in the Holy Land began.

We grieve the loss of every life — Israeli and Palestinian — and the deep suffering that continues.

Amid rubble and despair, stir in us your resolve for peace with justice.

Be near to those who mourn, those who wait for loved ones and those working to heal and rebuild. We pray for ceasefire negotiations and for leaders taking their part.

Turn the hearts of all leaders and peoples toward mercy, truth and ending the suffering.

Strengthen the work and witness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and all who labor for peace.

Grant us the courage to seek your justice and the faith to trust your promise of a new day.

Through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Working with and through our congregations in the U.S., Lutheran churches around the world, and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger support sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn More. 

Ready to get started? From education to fundraising, using calendars, studies, congregational action guides and more — you will find resources for all ages and group sizes. 

Seasonal times of the church year like Advent are ideal seasons to raise awareness for issues surrounding hunger and poverty. Use these resources to plan educational and fundraising events at your congregation.

Action Guide for Congregations 2025

This guide is designed to equip you with some of the newest and most popular ELCA resources to activate your congregation as you continue your ministry. Through this work and together as a church, we are achieving things on a scale and scope we could never do otherwise. FREE and free shipping. 16 PG, 65 MB.

​ELCA World Hunger’s Advent Calendar 2025

Create the feeling of a welcoming hearth with this year’s interactive Advent calendar. The calendar activity includes a 11″x17″ standing nativity scene, ready to be colored throughout the season. Alongside each day’s craft activity is a hymn, Bible verse, learning opportunity or information about how ELCA Good Gifts make a difference in the world. If ordering, this resource includes all 3 pieces. FREE and free shipping.

​ELCA World Hunger’s Advent Study 2025

This season’s ELCA World Hunger study guide provides reflection questions for engaging the brand-new, ELCA World Hunger-produced short video documentary “Intersections: Justice Ministry With ELCA Partners.” The video and study guide ask viewers to think differently about the root causes of hunger and poverty, making complex issues seem manageable through our collective action as the church.

We prayerfully invite your household and congregation to light your own stable lamp to warm you for your ministry under the starry sky and among the crying stones. Note: If ordering, this resource comes in packs of 10. 1 = 10 studies. FREE and free shipping.

Congregational Resources for the 2025 Advent Season

Helpful resources to get your congregation more involved with the Advent theme for 2025m A Stable Lamp Is Lighted.

• ELCA Good Gifts Catalog. The 24-page ELCA Good Gifts catalog offers many ways to honor friends and loved ones with gifts that will make a difference in the world. With more than 60 giving options – from 10 little chicks to help a family escape poverty to a scholarship to help a young leader attend an ELCA seminary – there’s something for everyone on your list. The catalog is also a great resource for your congregation. Sunday school classes, youth groups and adults can use it for special fundraising events. Shop the catalog online at ELCA.org/goodgifts.
• “Stocking the Streets” Bags. Use these instructions to participate in ELCA World Hunger’s “Stocking the Streets” activity this Advent. “Stocking the Streets” is an effort by ELCA World Hunger and your community to care for all our neighbors, some of whom lack a roof over their heads. A “Stocking the Streets” bag includes the items most frequently requested by individuals facing homelessness. .149MB. Download here.
• Social Media Graphics. Use these social media graphics to invite others to join ELCA World Hunger for Advent, share instructions for the “Stocking the Streets” activity, share the theme verses for each session of the Advent study, and invite people to share photos of their colored Advent nativity scenes. There are sizes suitable for Facebook, Instagram and stories. 29MB. Download here.
• Bulletin Inserts. This bulletin insert can be distributed in your congregation to learn more about the new ELCA World Hunger Advent resources and the “Stocking the Streets” activity. .509MB. Download here.
• Powerpoint Slides. These PowerPoint slides can be used in your congregation to learn more about the new ELCA World Hunger Advent resources and the “Stocking the Streets” activity. You can also customize the blank slide with information about your congregation’s participation in the ELCA World Hunger Advent activities. 23MB. Download here.

Word is around that a special session could be called in November. The issues could range from the special tax credits for the movie industry, addressing shortfalls caused by recision reductions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, or possibly the crime bill. We should know in the weeks to come.