“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God…” (Romans 8:19)

God’s handiwork ties us together with all of creation, from the abundant blessings we enjoy to the many ways we depend on the health of the land and water. As our climate continues to change, more frequent and more severe droughts, flooding, and changing growing seasons all remind us of this relationship and the threat that a changing climate poses for communities around the world. This threat is expected to drive nearly 100 million more people into poverty this decade alone.

The North/West Lower Michigan Synod’s Hunger Team and Environmental Stewardship Task Force will be joined by Ryan Cumming, Ph.D., Program Director for Hunger Education with ELCA World Hunger for a conversation about climate change, poverty, hunger — and the many ways God is at work in the United States and around the world. This webinar will be held Thursday, June 24 at 6:30pm. 

Together, we will learn more about the climate’s impact on hunger and poverty; hear stories of ministries accompanying farmers, migrants, and others impacted by climate events; and share ways the church can work together for a just world —including climate justice — where all are fed. 

To register for this event, please go to this link:  https://bit.ly/3a8Ktss

After you register, you will receive a reminder and a Zoom Invitation to this event a few days before the webinar is scheduled to take place.

For more information about this event, contact Erick Johnson, Hunger Team Chair at erickj74@gmail.com.

The Center of Addiction & Faith is hosting a one-hour free webinar, “Addiction, Grief & Loss, A Conversation with Kelli Nielsen and Gloria Englund,” on June 24, 2021 from 12-1pm ET with follow-up 30 minute Zoom discussion.

Many of us have lost a friend, family member, or other loved one to addiction. That loss may have been slow or sudden,  but the sense of grief and loss is always deep. The ongoing stigma around addiction and overdose can make a difficult grieving process even harder and lonelier. Join us via Zoom for a panel discussion with those who have lost loved ones and learn how to support others who are grieving.

Register Now.

The Mediation Skills Training Institute, part of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will be offering Mediation Skills Training Institute (MSTI) on August 2-6, 2021. This will be a hybrid event and will take place in person and via Zoom.

The Mediation Skills Training Institute is designed for clergy and other church leaders who want to learn how to deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, or other forms of group conflict. More information is available at www.LMPeaceCenter.org. 

Online registration is available now via TicketSpice at www.LMPeaceCenter.org/all-events/.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 12, 2021 when congregations of the ELCA will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Our church continues to live through the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing has changed the way we worship and serve. But the need is great, and God’s church is at work.

Learn More. 

We are in a time of chaos: Political divisions, social unrest, and tensions between and within our denominations. We seek together to be well-grounded in our faith and our several callings so that we might hold a calm presence within ourselves and bring it to others. Led by Sister Nancy Brousseau, OP, this ecumenical retreat offers a time of reflection, sharing and conversation.

This retreat will be held October 5-7, 2021 at the Augustine Center of the Sacramentine Monastery in Conway, MI.

Learn More and Register.

The End of Youth Ministry?

Featuring a presentation by Dr. Andrew Root, this free event will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:30am – 3:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, MI. Lunch will be provided.

Dr. Andrew Root is Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. Learn More about Dr. Root.

Registration information for this event will be available at the end of August.