ELCA Global Links – April 2016 – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rahway NJ

APRIL 2016

ELCA raises up international women leaders
In observance of International Women’s Day on March 8, members of the ELCA celebrated the cultural, educational, political and social achievements of women around the globe. Through the ELCA’s International Women Leaders initiative, the ELCA will provide more than 200 women from global companion churches with scholarships and educational opportunities to support their call to ministry and leadership. You can learn more about the International Leaders program here. We also appreciate your prayers, sharing and giving.

Zambia: Constructing New Churches
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia is growing faster than the space available. The church has 6,000 members and 40 worshiping communities. Most of these communities lack durable buildings to worship in. Through a new initiative, ELCA members are aiming to raise $500,000 to build 15 permanent church buildings in Zambia.

Calling all Thrivent Choice members!
We are thrilled to share that ELCA Global Church Sponsorship has recently been added as an organization that is available to receive funds through the Thrivent Choice program. If you are a Thrivent member, consider supporting ELCA Global Church Sponsorship with your Thrivent Choice dollars.

The campaign update
The ELCA’s first comprehensive campaign, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, is celebrating the completion of its second year with $80 million in cash gifts and gift commitments, representing 40 percent of the five-year, $198 million goal by Jan. 31, 2019. In addition, the ELCA has received another $17 million in planned gifts commitments to the priorities of the campaign. “This is exciting news about the campaign. At a time when people are concerned about contracting resources, we see the generosity of our members expanding,” said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop. “At a time when some wonder if the church has the capacity to be engaged in the world, we are actually extending our work. Truly, together we can do more.”

The gathering of many thoughts in one place
Hannah Smith is a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) serving in Ayotzinapan, Pueblo, Mexico. In her recent newsletter, Smith reflects on her time spent with a YAGM group at the U.S.-Mexico border. “I found that my lens through which I see the world has been completely altered. I cannot forget what we witnessed, nor do I want to. Every page held a new passage that brought up some emotion I felt during our experience at the border.” Her blog can be found here.

A new church in South Sudan
As part of ongoing work to bring peace and reconciliation in South Sudan, the ELCA and local partners broke ground on a new Lutheran center and clinic in the nation’s capital, Juba, earlier last month. The Lutheran center and clinic, which serves as the launching point for the Evangelical Lutheran Church Africa Mission in South Sudan, will be a place of worship, learning, health care and healing for people of many ethnic and religious backgrounds. Support this project here.

“‘He is not here!'”
Pastor Carrie Smith is serving as pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem and as special assistant to Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Click here to read or listen to her sermon from Easter Sunday. May we continue to proclaim our testimony to the world that: Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Careers
Our career page is online. From long-term global mission personnel to volunteer opportunities, the career page has a list of the positions that are currently available. We invite you to consider the ways in which you may be called to one of the openings. Also, consider sharing this page with others you think may be interested in any of these positions.

On social media?
Do you have a Twitter, Facebook or Instagram account? So do we! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join us on our new Instagram page to stay even more up to date on the stories from the global church.

Give today!
To make an online gift to God’s work around the world, click here. Thank you!

Link to Global Links
Help people to stay informed, be inspired and get involved. Click here to link your website to the latest edition of Global Links.

Learn more
To find out how you can sponsor a missionary or global ministry or support International Leaders through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, visit elca.org/globalchurch.

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