ELCA Global Links

GLOBAL LINKS
Connect to the global church through elca.org

LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION ASSEMBLY BEGINS THIS MONTH in Stuttgart, Germany
Join your thoughts and prayers with Lutherans from around the world. Follow the schedule. Sing the hymn. Study the Bible. Read the news. Live out the theme. Find resources for this and more at www.elca.org/lwf and click the links under The Lutheran World Federation Eleventh Assembly in the middle of the page.

AIDS PANDEMIC IN THE WORLD
Globally, the AIDS pandemic is a human crisis of unprecedented scope. Each day, more than 6,800 people became HIV-positive and more than 5,700 people die from AIDS. In countries hardest hit by HIV, life expectancy has declined by 20 years, poverty has deepened, and economic growth has been reversed. Learn more at www.elca.org/AIDS; click on the Learn tab at the bottom and then The AIDS Pandemic in the World.

VOICES OF OUR COMPANIONS
Two men from Colombia - a priest and a young adult from the Green Paradise Youth Cooperative - came to the United States to share stories about Lutheran World Federation projects and to advocate for peace in their country. They also have something to tell YOU. Hear them at www.elca.org/companionvoices.

WALK WITH A NEW PASTOR…TO JERUSALEM
Elly McHan just graduated from Wartburg Seminary. On August 15, she will be ordained at the congregation where her father serves. Then she leaves for Jerusalem to begin her service as a new ELCA missionary with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Learn how you can be part of her journey at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/mchan-28062010/.

YOUNG ADULTS TO SERVE AROUND THE GLOBE
Do you recognize any of the 44 people who will gather in August to prepare for a year of service with the Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) program? Pray for these young missionaries by name: http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/2011-yagms-named-04062010/.

CHICKENS AND MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT
In Lima, Peru, missionary Dana Nelson learned how 20 chickens can aid the "mutual up-building of the saints". See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/pollada-22062010/.

COULD YOUR NEXT POTLUCK END WORLD HUNGER?
More than a billion people around the world are hungry. Many struggle to live on less than $1 per day. What if we could join together to make a difference in the fight against hunger? What if it started at your next potluck? A Month of Potlucks is a movement started by two Lutheran pastors. The idea is simple. Host a potluck, include a talk or activity about hunger and take a collection for ELCA World Hunger. Register your potluck and find great resources at www.amonthofpotlucks.org.

Position open: ELCA REPRESENTATIVE IN TANZANIA
Assist the ELCA Global Mission unit in key areas of relationship, communication, and administration with the ELCA’s companion church in Tanzania. Four-year commitment. Preference given to applications received by September 15. Starts January, 2011. See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom.

GLOCAL MISSION GATHERING in Billings, Montana, August 6-7 Connect with other Lutherans interested in both global and local mission at King of Glory Lutheran Church. See www.elca.org/glocal.

COMPANION SYNOD CONSULTATIONS ELCA synod leaders are invited to periodic consultations with companion leaders in particular countries or continents. For a current list of consultations, see www.elca.org/localevents.

NEW RESOURCES FOR COMPANION SYNOD RELATIONSHIPS
Find information in the updated Companion Synod Handbook on combining service trips with building relationships (p. 21), establishing a congregation-to-congregation program (p. 24), congregations involved in another synod's companion relationship (p. 26), and missionary sponsorship (p. 32). See www.elca.org/companionsynods and click on the English version of the Handbook.

GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)
+ Lutherans Address HIV Epidemic in the Caribbean, Latin America
+ Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Comments on World Refugee Day
+ Bread for the World, Heifer International Leaders Share World Food Prize
+ Top Leaders of ELCA, Church of Christ in Thailand Sign Bilateral Agreement
+ Lutheran's Mobile Phone Technology Project Earns 'Time 100' Honor
+ Young Adults Take Leap of Faith Volunteering Overseas
+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Gaza Ship Convoy Incident
+ ELCA Ministries Benefit from Thrivent Financial Member Vote
+ ELCA Awards Phoebe Herman Scholarships to 15 International Students

IN OUR PRAYERS
Give thanks for all who are concluding service through Young Adults in Global Mission, the ELCA global mission program for young people ages 19-30, especially Sarah Dorman, Sara Higgins, Kaitlin Nelson, Peter Severson, and Katherine Sommer, who served in Mexico. (This prayer for July 2 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)


This issue of Global Links (July 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries. Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to others, use it in publications with attribution, or encourage others to read it or subscribe at www.elca.org/globalmission/engage. Send your suggestions and comments to lanny.westphal@elca.org or to Pr. Lanny Westphal, ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.