Lutheran congregations worldwide are joining in celebration on Tuesday for the 525th anniversary of the baptism of protestant reformation founder Martin Luther.

The worldwide “Baptism Festival” on Nov. 11, the day after Martin Luther’s birthday on Nov. 10, 1483, will see at least 270 baptisms in 249 congregations celebrating baptismal remembrances in 13 countries.

As many as 25 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are registered to host remembrances. more >>

The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is urging people of faith to speak out publicly on the vital issues facing the nation and the world and to exercise faithful civic engagement.

“In the Lutheran community of faith we value both public and private discourse, because we believe God works in vital and redemptive ways with human words,” expressed the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of ELCA, in a pastoral letter to the denomination.

“The words uttered by those seeking office and those voting have power, not only to provide the substance necessary for good decision making, but also to bring hope,” he added. more >>

The United Methodist Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will ask its members to approve “full communion” between the two bodies starting this spring.

Church leaders agreed to take another step toward unity between the two major church denominations during their last round of dialogue in December.

Full communion essentially means “acknowledging one another’s ministries as valid,” and wanting to be involved in mutual decision-making, explained the Rev. W. Douglas Mills, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, according to the United Methodist News Service. more >>