New Connections Ministry Moments

KING OF KINGS 2.0

1 Congregation, 2 Locations

more stories coming soon!

GOOD SAMARITAN

God's Work, Our Hands Making New Connections.

more stories coming soon!

NEW CONNECTIONS @ ABIDING PRESENCE 

Connecting our neighbors to one another, our church and Jesus Christ...

more stories coming soon!

A letter from Bishop Graham... 

Metro D.C. ELCA Can Reverse a National Trend!

Across the country, church attendance and membership of all mainstream denominations has declined at a time when more and more people are desperate for the very things which the Church offers: a sense of belonging, the Promise of hope and redemption, freedom from disparaging and erroneous messages of a self-centered culture.
 
The Washington D.C. metro is one of the fastest growing, transient areas in the United States, increasingly younger and more ethnically diverse than ever before—providing unique opportunities and distinct challenges for congregations serving these communities. The growing communal burdens of broken relationships, addiction, physical and emotional insecurity and instability demonstrate a longsuffering for God’s redemption. We know that Hope; we have experienced that Grace, for which so many people are desperate to find. Let us not withhold it.
 
With commitment and intention to help the congregations of the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod, the synod council has responded to this need with New Connections. The plan aims to grow membership across our synod by 10%, about 3,000 people to join us in our common purpose: God’s work, our hands.
 
New Connections offers support to existing congregations in several ways: through leadership development of rostered and lay leaders, improving the ability of our congregations to share their stories, re-engaging members in meaningful church ministries, and bridging ethnic and socio-economic differences to better appreciate the diversity of the body of Christ. New ministries are part of this plan, too. And just as people young and old can learn from one another, we believe ministries young and old have a perspective to share with one another which can strengthen congregations across the synod.
 
I am pleased to share this plan for the Metropolitan D.C. Synod with you, convinced that God is calling us to rise to the challenges of our communities. I hope you will prayerfully consider how you will join in this effort.
 
             Sincerely,
             Bishop Graham