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Be not afraid. We will not let the nightmare this world often is keep us from carrying out the words of Jesus, who told us to be a neighbor to those in need.
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in defense of Syrian refugees seeking a safe haven in the U.S.
” LSA launches initiative
Lutheran Services in America (LSA) has launched the “Great Plains Senior Services Collaborative,” a three-year project aimed at helping improve the lives of seniors living in rural communities. The initia- tive will bring together the proven models of senior services provided by Lutheran Social Service of Min- nesota and Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota and will implement those programs in more than 50 underserved rural communities in those states. The goal of the collabor- ative is to reproduce those programs across the LSA network.
A farmer’s welcome
Dillon Breyer, 22, a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Birnamwood, Wis., received a surprise welcome home by a parade of tractors from nine area farms after being released from the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Breyer was hospitalized after nearly losing his hand in a farm accident in late September. “It was just overwhelming,” his father, Doug, told the local newspaper about the welcome. “[Dillon] was just totally blown away. ... There is a real sense of community here. We’re always thinking of the neighbor, and what they need. You support them and do what you can. That’s basically what it comes down to.” Dillon’s brother, Derek, 19, drove the lead tractor in the parade.
Megachurch changes
Megachurches are seeing more par- ticipants in worship than ever, but individual attendance is down to once or twice a month—or less. One in 10 Americans who typically wor-
Confronting Racism
Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for “Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning,” a live webcast.
Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. CST
Visit
www.ELCA.org/webcast for details.
ship at a Protestant church attend a megachurch (2,000 or more in week- end attendance), according to a study by the Leadership Network. But these large congregations still have similar challenges to smaller ones. “[People] think ‘regular attendance’ is ‘I get there when I can,’ ” said sociologist Scott Thumma, director of the Hart- ford Institute for Religion Research and co-author of the study. “Today, people are seekers and shoppers looking for a temporary experience of worship, not a long-term commit- ment.” The study also showed that megachurches are still being built, but with smaller main sanctuaries and more campuses.
Service day 2016
The ELCA’s dedicated day of ser- vice, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sun- day, will take place Sept. 11, 2016. The date will also mark the 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. The day of service provides ELCA members the oppor- tunity to join together and extend the work they do in their communities, ranging from preparing and deliver- ing meals, cleaning up public spaces and thanking first-responders.
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