In Fall 2024, Rev. Amy E. Reumann, ELCA Senior Director for Witness in Society, led a six-week study on civic engagement intersections and opportunities in our faith journey. Recordings of these sessions are available to watch on our YouTube channel.
Session Resources
Please note that the ELCA is in the process of reorganizing their website and so some links may have changed.
Session 1 – God’s Call to Civic Engagement
- ELCA Worship Resources for a National Election
- ELCA Civic Engagement Guide
- ELCA Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”
- “Intergenerational Conversation Starter”
- “Fact & activity sheet on race and voting”
- “Addressing Polarization and Building Cohesion in Your Community” Reprint from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America
- Video series with ELCA young adults – “What does voting mean to you as a person of faith?”
- Draft ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith
- Prepared to Vote Checklist
- “Being a Public Church: Guidance for Churches and Clergy Participating in the Electoral Process”
- Bible study: Faith in Action
- Talking Together as Christians Tough Social Issues
- ELCA Election Activator Network
- General ELCA Advocacy Updates
- Election Engagement Updates
- “God’s works. Our hands.” Toolkit
- ELCA Witness in Society Resources:
Session 2 – Addressing Polarization and Building Cohesion in Your Community with Silas Kulkarn
Lutheran faith communities can be places of conversation in a polarized nation. We have people who are both liberal and conservative. How can we talk to each other?
- Braver Angels
- National Institute for Civil Discourse
- BridgeUSA (For Students)
- One America Movement
- Interfaith America
- ELCA Advocacy Resources
- Contact Silas Kulkarni
Session 3 – Social Teaching is Our Superpower
ELCA social statements and social messages provide theological grounding and guiding principles to inform our service and justice-seeking.
- All ELCA Social Statements
- Draft ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith – Feedback period is open until September 30!
- Augsburg Fortress Book Series: Reengaging ELCA Social Teaching
- ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Tips for finding CSR resources in the refreshed ELCA Resource Center page:
- Under topics – SELECT “Corporate Social Responsibility”
- Under subcategories – SELECT what you’re interested in such as “Screens” or “Issue Papers” or “Selective Purchasing”
- Tips for finding CSR resources in the refreshed ELCA Resource Center page:
- Political and Civil Human Rights: Equal Access and Participation” – ELCA Social Criteria Investment Screen
- Sample Living Lutheran Article: “Credibility and integrity: An investment in social responsibility
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
Session 4 –Government: A Gift from God
A new social statement draft provides opportunity to go deeper into a Lutheran theology of government and how it is lived out in the United States and globally.
- Worship Resources for a National Election
- Video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (Sept. 17, 2024): “Civic engagement and loving-kindness”
- A new Bible reflection among ELCA resources – The Magnificat Can Be a Dangerous Song
- Lutheran World Federation (LWEF)
- Isaiah Toroitich, Head of Global Advocacy, Lutheran World Federation Action for Justice
- Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC)
- The Lutheran representation to the United Nations. LOWC is a joint ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
- ELCA AMMPARO
- LWF Symbols of Hope
- ELCA Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith – Submit Feedback by September 30
- Highlighted Portions:
- Christian Nationalism
- Polarization
- Misinformation
- Highlighted Portions:
- We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism
Session 5 – Accompaniment and Advocacy
Accompaniment is a model for mission that rests on values of mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment, and sustainability to inform relationships, service and work for justice.
- ELCA Land Acknowledgement Guide
- ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations
- ELCA Global Mission
- ELCA Companion Synod Program
- North/West Lower Michigan Companion Synod Information
- ELCA Sumud
- ELCA AMMPARO
- Presiding Bishop Eaton Video Message: Praying for Peace Amid Ongoing War in the Middle East
Session 6 – Civic Engagement in an Election Year
Panel of state public policy office directors on civic engagement models, best practices, election year work pre and post election and addressing Christian Nationalism.
- List and Map of ELCA-Affiliated State Public Policy Offices (SPPOs)
- Peter Severson, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Colorado
- The Rev. Sara Lilja, Executive Director of Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministries, New Jersey
- Tracey DePasquale, Director of Lutheran Advocacy in Pennsylvania
- Kim Bobo, Co-Executive Director of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
- Deacon Nick Bates, Director of Hunger Network in Ohio
- The Rev. Erin Jones, Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager at Lutheran Advocacy in Pennsylvania
- https://lutheranadvocacypa.org
- Lutheran Volunteer Corps
- Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire
- An offering for congregations from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania and the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section
- ELCA Resources for Civic Engagement