Connecting St. Luke's to People Worldwide: ELCA Global Missions

by Matthew Bishop

St. Luke's is connected to people across the country and around the world through ELCA Global Missions. Every ELCA congregation participates in the work of ELCA Global Missions; it just so happens that St. Luke's has its own personal connection . . .I work in ELCA Global Mission's Diakonia team.  We administer World Hunger grants internationally to other Lutheran Churches worldwide and to other organizations with which we partner or are a part, such as the Lutheran World Federation or Church World Service. My role is primarily in interpretation of this work and in accountability standards. (This is more fun than it sounds!)ELCA Global Mission engages in a variety of other ways, primarily in church relations, international scholarships, calling and sending of mission personnel (long term, short term, YAGM) and supporting companion synod relationships.Domestically, Global Mission engages congregations and communities through Glocal Mission Events, which help globally-minded Lutherans connect international and local issues to gain a thoroughly global (or glocal) perspective, and learn how to act on that perspective in alignment with accompaniment, the ELCA's model of engagement. These events are a great way to better get to know Lutherans in your local community while thinking constructively and creatively about global issues.

Members of the St. Luke's community are invited to participate in the ELCA Mission Gathering, taking place Friday and Saturday, September 14-15, to see and hear more about the work of Matt and his colleagues. The event will be held at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615. The one-and-a half-day event costs $35 per person.  Online registration and more information are available at www.elca.org/glocal.