The Many Ways to Support the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Support for the ELCA Malaria Campaign has grown in the Southeastern Iowa Synod with congregations and individuals taking on the challenge to end malaria by 2015. Here's a sampling of the many ways people are responding to the call to help others.
- Allison Olson's Lemonade Stand
Allison Olson is a young leader at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Allison, age 5, has been paying attention to the messages about malaria at her congregation lately. Then she took initiative to ask to host a Lemonade Stand after worship. Read More - Malaria Skit
Confirmation students at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa created a skit to raise awareness and funds for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Click here to view. - Simon Estes
At the 2013 Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly, renowned singer, Simon Estes, shared his story about first hearing about the statistic that malaria kills 800,000 per year and how that inspired him to take action. He shared his commitment to end malaria by noting donations, upcoming performances, and CD sales all to sponsor the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Here is the link to Simon Estes' album "Save the Children. Save their Lives." in which a portion of the proceeds goes to fight malaria. www.simonestesfoundation.org/support.php
Is your congregation or individual you know participating in the ELCA Malaria Campaign? Post your stories and pictures on the synod's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/SoutheasternIowaSynodELCADo you have questions about how you or your congregation can support the ELCA Malaria Campaign? Visit www.elca.org/malaria for more information and resources.
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Refugees Find Home on the Farm
Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio Reporter
On a small farm in suburban West Des Moines, Iowa, even the barn is a refugee-an historic structure relocated from nearby Valley High School. The farmers, most of them refugees, are just starting to hoe the land, each one working a 50-foot by 50-foot plot where they'll grow corn, beans, cabbage, eggplant, onions, tomatoes and peppers.
One hot, sunny Saturday in May, about two dozen people lined up to receive transplants and seeds from Donna Wilterdink, the farm assistant from Lutheran Services of Iowa. She's helping them launch Global Greens Farm, a training farm that aims to help refugees segue from growing food for their families to operating small businesses that sell produce at farmers' markets, local grocery stores and to area restaurants.
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Toolkit for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday Now Available
ELCA News
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. On Sept., 8, 2013, let's join together as 4 million members, nearly 10,000 congregations, 65 synods and the churchwide expression for a dedicated day of service.
Download the "God's work. Our hands." Sunday toolkit to help your congregation prepare for their dedicated day of service.
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Online Classes at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Have you ever puzzled over the meaning of the book of Job? Or wanted to know more about the historical background of Paul's letters? Did you ever wonder how understanding Greek could make the Scriptures come alive for you in a new way? Or wanted to know more about Islam? Or the variety of religious experiences in early American history? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there are online classes at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) for you. These classes can be taken as part of a degree program or as a non-degree student. Go to http://www.lstc.edu/lifelong-learners/online-learning.php for more information or contact Scott Chalmers, Director of Admissions at schalmers@lstc.edu or 773-256-0727. |
