Multi-generational Odyssey

This Great Idea is a mash-up of emerging resources around Homer's Odyssey, as the major motion picture that brings it to life takes the box office by storm. Why discuss Homer's The Odyssey in church? The movie is a hit that engages…

Powerful Invitations – Volunteers & Beyond

This Great Idea comes from a training by Elizabeth Andress, co-facilitator of the ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools. Elizabeth led a one-hour training two weeks ago with the following outline [(c)…

Climate Connections for Youth

Thanks to MNIPL for creating and sharing and facilitating this Great Idea - which is an invitation to youth across Minnesota! From the Youth N' Power page: 'Youth N' Power supports the organizing power of young people across the state…

TAP Retirees for Creation Care!

Thanks to the NW MN Synod of the ELCA for sharing this Great Idea!! Here's the entire write-up: 'The Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) employs skilled, retired professionals to provide facility assessments,…

Clergy Call: Protect Elections

This is far more than a Great Idea. This is an urgent call to all clergy - across denominations, faiths, and geography. America's elections are under serious - and growing - threat. Nearly every day we hear about a new form of election…

Winners and Losers

Thanks to Rev. Marilyn K. Levine and Rebecca Solnit for writing the core of this Great Idea. In her Meditations in an Emergency post of June 21, 2026, Rebecca Solnit shared Winners and Losers: A Hell of a Week in the US of A. It outlines…

Preparing July 4th Worship

Thanks to Illustrated Ministry founder, Adam, for sharing both the thinking behind the materials and the actual resources to Prepare 4th of July Worship. Adam was part of the Wisconsin Council of Churches webinar on Preparing July 4th Worship:…

Inclusive Youth Ministry: Gut Checklist

Thanks to Deborah Jodrey at Illustrated Ministry for writing up this fantastic planning checklist for building Inclusive Youth Ministry: Planning with Marginalized Youth in Mind (Illustrated Ministry blog; 06.08.26) Deborah writes, 'Now is…

Something Huge Just Happened!

This Great Idea is a response to the incredible UN decision to uphold last year's International Court of Justice decision, 'that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions', underscoring, 'Member…

The AI Encyclical

Thanks to Rev. Cameron Trimble for expressing the need: this isn't so much a Great Idea as a call to create one. On May 15, 2026, Pope Leo XIV signed his AI encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. The news cycle being what it is, most of us probably…