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- Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preaches at a worship service celebrating the Reformation Day 2017 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
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- Pedro Manuel Suarez was elected bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod on Oct. 13, 2017.
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- Michael Grabow (left), regional bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria; Martin Junge, Lutheran World Federation general secretary; and Kurt Grible, lord mayor of Augsburg, at the ceremony to award the Augsburg Peace Prize.
Eaton preaches at Washington National Cathedral
On Oct. 29, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod sponsored a Reformation Sunday worship service, held at the Washington National Cathedral in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In her sermon, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflected on the service’s Gospel lesson, John 8:31-36: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Suarez elected Florida-Bahamas Synod bishop
Pedro Manuel Suarez was elected Oct. 13 to a six-year term as bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Suarez has served as a pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Pompano Beach, Fla., since 2015. He was the director for evangelical mission for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod from 2011 to 2015 and a pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis., from 2002 to 2011. He will be installed as bishop on Jan. 20, 2018.
LWF leader receives Augsburg Peace Prize
Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, was awarded the 2017 Augsburg Peace Prize this October in Augsburg, Germany. Speaking at the ceremony, Junge underlined the peaceful character of religions and opposed any instrumentalization of faith. In his tribute, César García, general secretary of the Mennonite World Conference, praised Junge for his reconciliation work among denominations and on behalf of justice and peace. Junge said, “Religious communities, including Christian ones, must remain alert and recognize when their potential for conflict is being mobilized instead of their fundamental peace-building orientation.”
News from ELCA Advocacy
When governments from around the world met at the United Nations in September 2015 to approve a “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” their objective was to leave no one behind.
As António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, said in a recent report, the agenda “aims to complete the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals and transform economies and consumption and production patterns, while protecting the environment and the dignity and rights of everyone, everywhere.”
The resulting 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include ending poverty and hunger, reducing inequalities, ensuring quality education, creating opportunities for decent work, caring for creation, and promoting a peaceful and just global community.
The ELCA and the Episcopal Church share a similar vision: a sustainable and sufficient world where there is enough for all to thrive. Because of this, we jointly commit to supporting the SDGs by working through our churches’ service, reconciliation and justice ministries.
During Advent, we are directed to God’s promise of shalom and the signs of God’s reconciliation and restoration in our troubled world. As we await the arrival of the Prince of Peace, Lutherans and Episcopalians nationwide, alongside the churches’ leadership, are praying, fasting and committing to advocate together in support of SDGs as part of our ecumenical “For Such a Time” campaign.
To help, become familiar with the goals and urge governments to implement them, working with all
sectors of society. Learn more about SDGs by visiting globalgoals.org and the ELCA’s “For Such a Time” campaign at elca.org/prayfastact.
