07/17/2014

ELCA Global Links for August 2014-Connecting You with Our Mission Around the World

ELCA advocates for unaccompanied children entering U.S.
An estimated 80,000 unaccompanied children will seek safety in the United States this year. The ELCA and its partners “are pursuing both the short-term efforts at achieving safety and relevant social services for these children of God, as well as long-term systemic solutions to stem the flow of children cast adrift,” said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive director, ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/7677.

Philippines: ELCA adds $1 million to Typhoon Haiyan aid
The ELCA provided a second contribution of $1 million to Lutheran World Relief to support the next phases of disaster response work in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan struck Nov. 8. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/7674.

Mission of the Month: Working with children in South Africa
While serving with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program, Rachel Swenson has come to some amazing conclusions about her reason for being there. Inspire your congregation with her story! For a colorful Word document to use in your congregation's bulletin board, bulletin or PowerPoint presentation, visit www.ELCA.org/resources/globalchurch.

Rwanda: The YAGMs are coming!
Six young adults will be breaking new ground when they arrive in Rwanda in August for a year of service through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program — the first to serve in Rwanda. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/HandInHand/431 and www.ELCA.org/Living-Lutheran/Stories/2014/06/140625-New-pictures-of-Rwanda.

Burundi: Better health care saves lives
Through the ELCA Malaria Campaign, people such as Filip Ndabihaze in Burundi are saving lives in their communities because they have been trained to give personal care to those with malaria. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCAMalariaCampaign/233.

Celebrate Global Church Sunday 2014!
This fall, ELCA congregations and ministries are invited to celebrate our church's connection and common mission within Christ's global church by sponsoring a Global Church Sunday. A toolkit of ideas will be released in August. Until then, find resources at www.ELCA.org/resources/globalchurch and http://resources.ELCA.org/Products-Global_Mission.html or contact globalchurch@elca.org.

Support our global brothers and sisters in thriving congregations
Many Lutheran congregations around the world are growing rapidly and are deeply connected to their communities. Members gather for worship and fellowship, seek justice, restoration, education and healing each day in the name of Jesus Christ. Read how you can help support the global church at www.ELCA.org/GlobalMinistries.

Now you can make automatic monthly gifts by becoming a Monthly Partner
Support the ELCA global missionaries, scholarships and ministries that mean the most to you through withdrawals from your credit card or bank account. View a list of ministries and sign up now at www.ELCA.org/monthlypartners. You can also sign up over the phone and choose a specific missionary or ministry to support by calling 800-638-3522, ext. 2638.

Helping women leaders bloom!
Women of the ELCA have designated half of the offering at their Triennial Gathering’s closing worship July 27 for International Leaders-Women, a priority of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. Gathering participants who visit the ELCA Global Church Sponsorship table at this event in Charlotte, N.C., will receive a packet of flower seeds to thank them for their support. The International Leaders program provides scholarships for members of our global companion churches. Learn more at www.ELCA.org/InternationalLeaders.

Explore Lutheran identity in Latin America, Oct. 23-37
Worship with Lutherans in Mexico City on Reformation Sunday during four days of site visits and hear engaging lectures on “Lutheran Identity in a Latin American Context.” Experience the realities of poverty, globalization, ecumenism and spirituality with an emphasis on the role of Lutheran and Protestant churches in Mexico. See www.facebook.com/GlobalLinks.

Global songs for children from Augsburg Fortress
"Children Sing Around the World" is a collection of global songs that spans the church year for singers aged 8 to 12. The collection includes the score with accompaniment for the director and a reproducible melody line version for the singer. It's available in print at http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/19749/ChildrenSing-Around-the-World?c=285662 or as an instant download at http://preludemusicplanner.org/.

Tanzania and India: Health-care volunteers needed
Do you have medical skills that could be used in the global community? Iambi Hospital in Tanzania needs an ear, nose and throat doctor, and there are several opportunities in India and Tanzania for nursing instructors and mentors. Contact Ruth Reko at Lutheran.Health@elca.org for more information.

U.N. conference discusses climate change
Mary Minette, ELCA director of environmental advocacy, was in Bonn, Germany, for a U.N. conference on climate change. For some of her thoughts and impressions, see www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCAAdvocay/89.

Download a PDF version of this Global Links newsletter at http://elca.org/Resources/ELCA-Global-Church-Sponsorship.