News - News & Events

A Search for Moral Leadership

Jun 02, 2020

We are called to do as Jesus did: focus on all those who need our help and our care and our compassion. Let us lift up the voices of our black and brown siblings so they may be heard, and let us learn how white members of our church can create safe spaces for the lives, voices and souls of our siblings of color.

ELCA Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Racism and White Supremacy

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reaffirms its commitment to combating racism and white supremacy following the recent murders of Black Americans.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls on Church to Observe National Day of Mourning

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton has called on the church to join with faith communities across the United States in lament and remembrance, and on our elected leaders to observe Monday, June 1, as a day of mourning to honor the more than 100,000 people who have died from COVID-19.

Bishop Egensteiner's Response to President Trump's Statement Regarding the Reopening of Churches

OUR PRIORITY IS YOU and your well-being. Protecting the health and safety of ALL members of our community is both our truth and our precedence as the Office of the Bishop. Being at the epicenter of this pandemic and in order to protect our flock, we advise that congregations remain closed until more accurate and uniform information is provided. We know we are essential, but it is not essential to gather in person at this time.

The Continuing Crisis: Bishop Egensteiner's Response to the Persistence of Racism

The fact that the consequences of this disease fall more heavily on certain predictable groups are manifestations of the persistence of racism and white privilege in our society. This disease is exposing deep and long-standing fault lines in our world and in the United States in particular that we, as followers of Christ, must find intolerable and contradictory to the kingdom Jesus announced and established in his life, death and resurrection.

ELCA Statement on Illinois Anti-Semitic Messages

We, the ELCA bishops in Illinois, publicly denounce this bigotry here and wherever it occurs. Anti-Semitism is contrary to the irrevocable promise of God and “a violation of our hope and calling” as witnesses to God’s peace.

United in Baptism, a message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

In the deepest, truest sense, we are connected to one another. In baptism we are united with Christ and are members one of another. Baptism makes a difference and makes us different. We are no longer lone travelers making our way through this life. We don’t have to go it alone. In fact, we cannot, because, in Christ, we are knit into one body.

Koinonia Good News: Moving Forward Together

The Management Team and Board continue to work toward reopening, while following the NYS guidelines regarding the Covid 19 pandemic. Many Koinonia congregations and supporters have been affected by the pandemic, from losing loved ones to difficulties coping with changes in daily routine with or without family members. We are all moving forward together to re-open Koinonia with strong vision, finances, and outreach.

Bishop Eaton Issues Earth Day Message

Looking past this anniversary, we gladly accept the monumental assignment of refocusing, renewing and raising our efforts as we embrace our role as stewards of creation and look with hope and promise toward years to come.

ELCA Church Council approves special COVID-19 fundraising appeal

Responding to the wide-ranging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the ELCA Church Council approved a special fundraising appeal during a teleconference meeting that convened April 8.