Voices of faith LivingLutheran
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Interim editor & director, Jocelyn Fuller publications
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Associate director, Melissa Ramirez Cooper publications & public relations
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Managing editor Julie B. Sevig
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Associate editors Megan Brandsrud
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Erin Strybis
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Manager, graphics Michelle Goodman and artistic direction
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etcher@elca.org
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A new beginning Welcome to Living Lutheran, the new flagship
publication of the ELCA. On behalf of the editorial team, I am delighted to share this labor of love with you, along with our redesigned accompanying website
LivingLutheran.org*. Thank you, readers, for your input and responses to surveys that have influenced these new endeavors. In March, we said goodbye to The Lutheran, but will keep many of its most popular features alive and well in Living Lutheran. In this inaugural issue, our cover story
centers on one of Earth’s most precious resources—water. In his story, Benjamin Stewart contends that April is an appropriate time to consider how water has brought “a sort of springtime renewal to the church’s life.” He offers a pilgrimage to three forms of water: the stream, the flood and the spring. You’ll also find other reflections and stories
about how Lutherans are caring for creation. In “Deeper understandings,” authors Mark Brocker and his daughter, Rachel Brocker Langford, reflect on God’s immersion “in, with, and under the waters of our own baptism.” Soon you will be hearing more about “Called
Forward Together in Christ,” a process that invites all 3.7 million members of this church to have a conversation about our future direction and priorities. To learn more, visit
elca.org/future. May you feel the hope and joy of new
beginnings this Easter season, and may we continue caring for God’s good creation.
Living Lutheran is the magazine of the ELCA
* Sections of the magazine correspond to the website, such as “Voices of faith,” “Congregational life,” “Spiritual practices & resources” and so much more.
We would love to hear from you. Contact us at
LivingLutheran@elca.org.
4 APRIL 2016
By Jocelyn Fuller
EDITOR’S NOTE
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