The Synod Generosity Team offers information, workshops and ideas to help create a culture of year-round stewardship in your congregation.
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2100 York Rd., Jamison
Part 1: How to Equip a Stewardship Team
Part 2: A Plug & Play Fall Generosity Program
Come in-person, or join online.
Get some practical pointers to using an ELCA year-round stewardship resource, then hear an overview (with easy-to-use take-home templates) of a Fall program featuring your own ministry stories in an engaging generosity campaign.
For more information, or to sign up over the phone, please call Pr. Mark Singh-Hueter at 215-256-9941 or use this registration link
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to Congregation Councils and congregational members who do not understand what the synod and ELCA do with the dollars contributed by our congregations. And often our rostered leaders aren’t sure how to teach the compelling stories that arise from the use of these funds in our synod, across the ELCA and Globally.
Help is at hand! Living Lutheran (our ELCA magazine) recently had an article and a teaching guide to help congregations understand the impact of Mission Support. This can be used as a three or four week series in adult education classes, condensed as part of new member orientation, and adapted for confirmation and youth.
It’s attached here so you can download right now!
Larry Smoose,
Synod Generosity Team
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has reached a preferred vendor agreement with Tithe.ly, a company that offers mobile and online tools to enhance financial giving to ELCA congregations and ministries.
As a national organization working with many congregations and denominations, Tithe.ly offers a cost-effective way to increase congregational giving. Congregations that sign-up with Tithe.ly will save more than 25 percent off the vendor’s regular processing fees.
Did you know our synod has coaches? The ELCA recognizes that coaching is important for rostered leaders and for congregations, and with the mission support dollars that our congregations provide help to train coaches.
Coaches are trained in good listening skills and learn to ask powerful questions that help you achieve your goals. Sometimes they can see things that will give new insight for improving ministry. Individuals and congregations can benefit from coaching. (Learn more…)
Bishop Eaton on Having a Coach
People will often ask me what the Synod and ELCA do with our mission support dollars. An example just came to my door – and your door – a treasure trove of resources – if you opened it.
The cover told about ELCA Good Gifts. What better way to help children and adults see the practical ways that the ELCA makes a difference in people’s lives AND encourage generosity. Last year I told each of my grandchildren they had $50 to spend on gifts to others. They carefully went through the Good Gifts catalogue and thoughtfully chose their gift. Some Sunday school classes choose a gift and the members bring in special offerings for it.
Page four encouraged congregations to think about Veterans’ Day and I wondered how many people know of the support the ELCA provides for its military chaplains. And there was an article about the new edition of Stories of Faith in Action — personal, compelling stories of the work of our church, including download bulletin inserts and short videos.
Interested in the stewardship of creation? Page six has resources for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day. Yes, it can be used next year, but there is also a look ahead for Earth Day, 2018.
If focusing on stewardship of time, the article on page seven on the Faith in Action Handbook has 100 ways to make a difference in your community.
Yes, I’m talking about Seeds for the Parish. It’s a rich resource right in front of you, with plenty of examples of the work of our church and ways to make your ministry more creative and meaningful. It comes four times a year. Read it, share it with your leaders. What ideas could help your ministry?
Larry Smoose,
Stewardship team leader
These instructions will help you download a variety of resources for Stewardship (and other congregational ministries) from the ELCA.
This is a valuable source of practical information and knowledge-building material to help strengthen congregational ministry.