The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has 28 colleges and universities. At the churchwide assembly the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities leaders were recognized and Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa, was welcomed back into full membership. Valparaiso (Ind.) University was included as an associate member. Rebecca Ehretsman, president of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, to delivered a governance report. Wartburg’s governance requires the churchwide assembly to act as its college corporation. The leaders of the seven ELCA seminaries were also recognized.
The ELCA at the Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix this week is discussing the adoption of a new Social Statement "Civic Life and Faith." It includes the topics of God's acts for the well being of all, God's calling for us all to have a robust engagement in society in the midst of our differences, politics, the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment to the Constitution, and pastors' and congregations' relationship to civic issues.
Trump has announced FEMA will hand out 600 million in grants for states to build migrant detention facilities. FEMA has enough money to build concentration camps but does not have money to help communities rebuild after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires?
Multiple sources report that on July 24, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets," aimed at addressing homelessness, according to The White House (.gov). The order has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Homelessness Law Center, who argue that it criminalizes individuals experiencing homelessness and those with disabilities.
What can be undone? We CAN continue to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of Mexico. Republicans want to name the Opera House at the Kennedy Center the Melania Trump Opera House. A different Congress and president could refuse that naming. We could restore funds for the National Parks System. But the damage will already have been done. How much more damage will the Trump Administration do?
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What an absolute loss to the country for the current administration and Congress to cut funds for public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS. Filmmaker Ken Burns tells the nation we need public broadcasting.
Cousins Jackson, Aimee and Jennaya at Birdsall's ice cream store in Mason City, Iowa. Four generations of our family have enjoyed ice cream there. Birdsall's opened in 1931, 94 years ago. It has looked the same inside all these years. All the ice cream is home made on the premises. My favorite is a Hot Fudge Sundae.
ICE raids. ICE raids everywhere! And now people who protest the raids are in physical danger.
ICE raids everywhere. Is no where safe? A crime to provide sanctuary? All of us need to be engaged. ICE raids, ICE raids everywhere!
Family gathering in Mason City: Back row: Son Mark from Phoenix, Rachel and Joel with Dad Burton in between. Front row: Mark's daughter Aimee, Norma, and Joel and Rachel's daughter Jennaya
It's the children. We care about the children missing in the floods in Texas. We care about children who will be hurt by cutbacks to food stamps and health care and medicaid. We care about children across this nation hurt by cutbacks to the Department of Education, particularly children with disabilities. We care about children around the world who will die because of cutting USAID. We are a global village called to care for all children.
No tax on tips? Only if you make under $25,000 a year and itemize your deductions. If you itemize your deductions you lose the $15,000 standardize deduction, which means you have been conned.
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