Periodically during the 2021 Synod Assembly, a familiar “ping” could be heard and we were quickly aware that a Luthergram story from the ELCA churchwide office was ready for us. From these Luthergram stories, we learned about the work of the ELCA throughout the pandemic and moving into a new church design.

Bishop Eaton shared greetings and information about the new church design. Racial Justice shared how we are answering our Baptismal call to strive for justice and peace in all the world. Worship shared how everyone shifted to make worship accessible to homes across the ELCA when we weren’t able to gather in our buildings for worship due to the pandemic. Leaders shared that scholarships were still awarded and leaders were still being equipped and prepared for ministry despite the pandemic. We learned about the Domestic and Global responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and our partners throughout the world in that response. Finally, we learned that even in the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic, there was unexpected growth in giving and the generosity leaders were able to establish a Covid-19 Response Fund to support synods, congregations, and other ministries as well as expand giving in creative ways to world hunger and disaster response projects.