For Such A Time As This

PRAYER, FASTING AND ACTION (#PrayFastAct): The next “For Such a Time” day of prayer, fasting and action with the Episcopal Church is Friday, July 21. This month, the presiding bishops of both churches urge action to protect funding for the U.S. International Affairs budget. Our country has a rich history of fighting extreme poverty and responding to humanitarian crises around the world. Although it’s less than 1 percent of the federal budget, foreign assistance has saved millions of lives and continues to do so today. With more than 20 million people at risk of starvation globally, and millions more displaced, the need for foreign assistance is as great as it has ever been.

As a church together, we ask our members of Congress to protect funding for international programs that provide relief and support livelihood for the poorest among us. Visit elca.org/PrayFastAct for resources and to learn how to take action.

---

Y’all Means All

#YallMeansAll
Interfaith Lobby Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, August 1

Texas Impact welcomes Bishop Erik Gronberg (Ft. Worth), Presbyter Sallie Watson (San Antonio), Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail (Austin), and mainstream faith leaders from across the state to a day of advocacy for our shared Texas values of love and respect for all.

Transportation and limited travel stipends are available. Email Scott@TexasImpact.org for more information.

Access the Facebook event page here.

---

Why Are We Called to be Involved in Advocacy?

Connecting faith and public life 

As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. God uses our hands, through our direct service work and our voices, through our advocacy efforts, to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good.

ELCA advocacy works for change in public policy based on the experience of Lutheran ministries, programs and projects around the world and in communities across the United States. We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5bXlUXVixg&t=58s)

Join a growing movement 

Together, we achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do otherwise. When we act as a coordinated network of advocates and reach out to officials on relevant, timely issues, we effectively impact public policies. Join thousands of ELCA members — sign up for the ELCA e-Advocacy Network now.

Take action 

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Stand up for policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, and defend God’s creation — visit the Advocacy News and Updates page to find advocacy opportunities now.

Learn more 

On the Advocacy resources page, you’ll find information that will educate and equip you to be a more effective advocate.

Featured Resource for July

 

Reformation Anniversary planning and promotional tools are available on ELCA500.org. These include:

• Anniversary logo for use in official congregation and synod Reformation anniversary activities
• Anniversary ideas for developing activities
• Ideas for promotion, including samples from congregations
• Promotional PDF posters to fill in and communicate activities
• Promotional postcard for communicating the website and social media

Connect with ELCA 500 on Facebook and Twitter.

---

 Save the Date

Public Witness Team Follow-up: Faith, Sexism, and Justice conversation

July 29, 10am – 3pm

We are going to have another Saturday event to discuss the rest of the modules from the Women and Justice study guide. Some of you may be doing these discussions in your home congregations and that is wonderful, but if not, we would like to extend the invitation for you to join us at Shepherd of Life. We will be getting together in the Fellowship Hall. It will work the same way as the event on June 17. We will begin at 10 and break for a potluck lunch at noon, then wrap up between 2 and 3.

Thank you for attending the last event and let’s keep the discussion going.

---

Recent Blog Posts

Bishop Gronberg:

First Lutheran, Waco: Stewards In Mission Together

(https://www.ntnl.org/first-lutheran-waco-stewards-mission-together/ – published Jul 11)

Pr. Totzke:

Pra. Bañales:

---

Where in the world is?

Bishop Gronberg:

• Jul. 20 – Dallas Area Metro North Conference meeting

Pr. Totzke:

• Jul. 23 – Trinity, Wichita Falls

Pra. Bañales:

• Jul. 18 – Advent, Arlington, and Messiah, Weatherford
• Jul. 20 – Stewardship Team meeting, Synod office