Justice Projects

Easy Projects for Individuals and Congregations

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity for Lutherans to reflect on and share stories of faith, particularly in North America as we continue to be faithful witnesses from a diverse variety of experiences of worship, practice, identity and cultural expression.

“Our Lutheran Life” invites and encourages ELCA members to tell contemporary stories inspired by the Reformation about how the power of God’s grace plays out in the complexities of daily life, relationships, work and school. Your story is welcome, whether it addresses complex questions, heals suffering or recounts times of joy.

These stories narrate how Lutherans move in today’s society as Christians connected to the world around them, seeking to live out their faith for the next 500 years and beyond.

At the end of the year, this collection of stories will be compiled for submission to the ELCA archives for future reflection upon the 500th anniversary and recounting the lives of those who honored it with their stories.

Create and submit your story using best practice recommendations provided here. You can find story prompt suggestions from NPR’s StoryCorp here.

You can watch and/or listen to all stories at livinglutheran.org/reformation.

Connection to the Reformation: Martin Luther not only reformed the church, he also is credited for reforming bowling.  With a bowling alley in his house, Luther knocked down nine pins representing the devil. Luther's revelation that all Christians are loved by God regardless of their skill and works, Luther is said to have preached that God can love us even when we throw a gutter ball.

Reformation Celebration Bowl-athon: Alone, or with a group, you can bowl for a good cause.  Raise funds for your cause (we recommend the ELCA World Hunger) asking people to pledge money for your game, or per pin that you knock down.   As you bowl, remember that your faith is not determined by your skill level. 

Connection to the Reformation: Martin Luther's last words, found written at his bedside, were "we are all beggars."  Credited with creating the welfare system as we know it, Martin Luther's congregants all brought bread to church.  The best bread was used for communion, the rest was given away to the hungry as worshipers went home. 

Reformation Celebration PB&J Party: Alone or with a group, make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Then give them to hungry people near you.  It's easy and it makes it possible for everyone to have the daily bread we regularly pray for.

 

 

 

Previous Justice Projects:

 

•  SPS Day of Mission - May 3rd, Fresno - a day of service projects at Hope, Our Saviour's and Trinity Lutheran Churches.
• Elegy for Ghost Ship  - February 23, 2016 - a musical event, featuring spoken word, light and sound installations and interfaith remembering  Terry Estioko, Sabina Luu and Mike Cascino (video projection), Maki Ishi (violin) and Victoria Ehrich (cello) from the SF Opera Symphony), Enrique Ugalde as "Soriah" (Tuvan Throat Singing) w/ Luku of Koichi Tamano Earth Child (Butho Dance), Marissa Lenhardt Patton (opera), Jealousy- Mark Triese (bass guitar trances), S.P.A.Z., Katabatik-Jay Fields (ambient sounds), Oakland's very own The World, Piano Rain (Alexander Archuleta), Judith Lavender Dancer (stilts), Tom Emanuel (poet), The S.O.S. Singers of the Street Homeless Choir, Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, San Francisco ), Middle Circle, The Rev, Lyle J Beckman (San Francisco Night Ministry), The Very Rev. Dr. Malcom Clemens Young (Grace Cathedral, San Francisco), Rev. Claire Chuck Bohman (Sojourn Chaplaincy at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center), Sister Merry Peter (Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.), John M. Brett (Gubbio Project), Darryl Starks (Zen Center)
  Concept by Gabriel Connor  Co-produced by Eveline Darroch and the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer
• October 29, 2016 - Jonathan Rundman Concert:  Join us to kick of the year of celebrations in Sierra Pacific Synod's for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation  (Facebook Info)