Posts in High Country Conference
Shepherd of the Hills Youth Ministry Update
Shepherd of the Hills Youth Ministry Update

Allie Papke-Larson provides this update from the Shepherd of the Hills Youth Ministry in Flagstaff, which “has been discovering how to be a youth ministry in a time of COVID-19.”

“We have been gathering once a week as a middle school and high school group over Zoom, playing games, checking in with each other, and praying together. We began a youth community art project based on Micah 6:8, written letters to seniors living in lockdown, and are staying connected through sharing pictures and videos on a social media platform. While this time has been challenging, it has also allowed for connecting in new ways.”

Read More
High Country Conference, Stories of HopeBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Hills Flagstaff, Allie Papke-LarsonComment
Allie Papke-Larson: A time of sacrifice
Allie Papke-Larson: A time of sacrifice

I see the sacrifices you are all making: giving up birthday parties, giving up attending funerals, sacrificing your freedoms by staying inside, giving up certainties and plans you once had about your futures, regular schedules that help keep you sane, getting together with those you love.

We are sacrificing these things for our community, to keep each other and ourselves healthy. In a very real way, we are protecting our neighbors.

Read More
High Country Conference, LettersBrian FlatgardAllie Papke-LarsonComment
Grand Canyon Synod stories of hope: April 2020
Grand Canyon Synod stories of hope: April 2020

Synod members shared various stories of hope with us recently, and please remember to share yours. Some highlights:

Pastor Robert Jones with Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, Tucson, shares a Facebook album of a "Six Car Easter Parade," with 14 drive-by visits to homebound members and friends in neighborhoods on the west side of Tucson.

Pastor Carol Breimeier with Esperanza Lutheran Church, Ahwatukee, notes that the Ahwatukee Foothills News highlighted efforts by Esperanza folks for sewing masks and providing meals for healthcare workers.

Carol Brezina, Outreach Chair at Christ Lutheran, Sedona, let us know that 288 personal care kits were packed there on behalf of Lutheran World Relief.

Finally, Claire Crum, Church Council President at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman shares they are creating CDC approved face masks utilizing their own material, machines, and, of course their time and talent.

Read More
Stories of Hope, Fiesta Conference, High Country Conference, Colorado River Conference, Kino ConferenceBrian FlatgardSanta Cruz Tucson, Esperanza Ahwatukee, Lutheran World Relief, Christ Sedona, Grace KingmanComment
Sedona's places of worship adapt to social distancing
Sedona's places of worship adapt to social distancing

“Just like everyone else, the impact changes from day to day but the church is still the church even when we aren’t meeting — in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from getting the COVID-19 virus,” said Pastor David Brandfass, of Christ Lutheran Sedona.

“We exist to share the gospel, but we know we also exist for the sake of the world. During this time of what seems to be a lot of hoarding, we continue to follow our Lord’s pattern of giving his life away for the sake of our world and our neighbor in need.”

Read More
High Country Conference, In the News, Covid-19Brian FlatgardChrist SedonaComment
Prayers for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Flagstaff
Prayers for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Flagstaff

We pray for the people of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.

We lift up: Pastor Adam Barnhart; Randy Colvard, Sanctuary Choir Director; Allie Papke-Larson, Youth Director; Emily Stice, Nursery Coordinator; Donna Natseway, Pianist and Accompanist; Marie Zelenka, Pianist and Contemporary Worship Team Leader; Sheryl Vrba, Organist; Glenda Odegaard, Physical Property; and Rachael Dingman, Church Office Manager.

Read More
High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Hills FlagstaffComment
Installation of Pastors Linda and Cliff Hanus at Mt. Cross, Payson
Installation of Pastors Linda and Cliff Hanus at Mt. Cross, Payson

The Installation Service for Pastors Linda and Cliff Hanus to serve as pastors at Mt. Cross Lutheran Church in Payson will be on Sunday, 3/1 at 9:30 am.  

Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain Pastors Linda and Cliff Hanus, that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people. Grant that together they may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Read More
High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardMount Cross PaysonComment
New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions

From Allie Papke-Larson: Now that Christmas day has come and gone, the presents opened, the second turkey of the season stuffed and eaten, and 25 million tons of packaging and old Christmas trees are in our landfills, it’s time for Americans everywhere to consume the next thing: our New Year’s resolutions, plumped up and stuffed by our self-help culture. 

Read More
High Country Conference, LettersBrian Flatgard Comments
Sharing our stories in times of trouble
Sharing our stories in times of trouble

From Allie Papke-Larson comes this reflection. Papke-Larson is Program Coordinator for Lutheran Campus Ministries/Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Northern Arizona University and Youth Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.

When I was in college I studied abroad in Northern Ireland. I was studying under a Northern Irish professor leading me through a semester of study of what some in his country call The Troubles. One of the first things I learned was that if you thought you had it sorted out, you were wrong.

Read More
High Country Conference, LettersBrian Flatgard Comment
Prayers for Living Christ Lutheran, Flagstaff, AZ
Prayers for Living Christ Lutheran, Flagstaff, AZ

We pray for Living Christ Lutheran Church, in Flagstaff, AZ, a community of disciples embraced by God's unconditional love and enduring grace.

We pray for the staff of Living Christ: Kurt Fangmeier, Pastor; Linda Preston, Administrative Assistant; Katie Sheridan, Choir Director/Music Coordinator; Aaron Carney, Pianist; and Webmasters John Cencioso and Dean Garner.

We lift up their church council: Susan Weaverling, President; Joan Ver Douw, Vice-President; Colleen Snyder, Secretary; Mick Koehnstedt, Treasurer, and council members Joan Ver Douw, Dean Garner, Patty Gee, Margie Goulden, Susanna Harget, Mick Koehmstedt, Colleen Snyder, and Susan Weaverling.

Read More
High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardComment
The wild freedom to love each other as God first loved us
The wild freedom to love each other as God first loved us

From Allie Papke-Larson comes this reflection. Papke-Larson is Program Coordinator for Lutheran Campus Ministries/Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Northern Arizona University and Youth Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.

From September 2015 to September 2017 I lived and worked in an intentional community located in the North Cascades of Washington State called Holden Village. My time in the village deeply shaped me and I would like to share with you a piece of what it felt like to begin to leave that place. 

Read More
High Country Conference, LettersBrian Flatgard Comment
Sitting in the belly of the whale
Sitting in the belly of the whale

From Allie Papke-Larson comes this reflection. Papke-Larson is Program Coordinator for Lutheran Campus Ministries/Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Northern Arizona University and Youth Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.

The cooling weather brings the changing and falling leaves, the sun shines with a less direct light, our once long days, shortening. 

This time of year has me thinking about the transitions in my own life. I remember what a friend told me once, she said finding our way can be like being in the belly of the whale: we can’t see that we are moving, growing, crossing an entire sea. It feels like we are sitting still, even though movement and growth are happening. 

Read More
High Country ConferenceBrian Flatgard Comment
Prayers for Christ Lutheran, Sedona, AZ
Prayers for Christ Lutheran, Sedona, AZ

We pray for Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona, AZ. We are grateful for the congregation of Christ Lutheran, for Pastor David Brandfass, for Music Minister and Administrator Jim Buchanan, and for the church council: President Chuck Davis, Vice President Randall Moen, Secretary Nancy Oelklaus, Treasurer: Kay Klein, Harold Gorny, Eben Hartzenberg, Margit Larsen, Vel Marcotte, and Jamiss Sebert.

Read More
High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardChrist SedonaComment
Prayers for Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott Valley, AZ
Prayers for Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott Valley, AZ

We pray for Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Prescott Valley, AZ, an inclusive faith community that seeks to live the Word and Way of Christ's unconditional love.

We uplift: Pastor Tricia Lowe; Adam Bissell, Assistant Director; Cathy Namock, Organist; Gene Fougner, Music Ministry Coordinator; Jon Hust, Praise Team Leader; Mary Jensen, Office Manager; and Kimberly Robinson-Goats, Office Assistant.

Read More
High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardEmmanuel Prescott ValleyComment
Pastor Sharon Brown to serve as the next Dean of the High Country Conference
Pastor Sharon Brown to serve as the next Dean of the High Country Conference

We are delighted to share that Pastor Sharon Brown has agreed to serve as the next Dean of the High Country Conference. Many thanks to Pastor Kurt Fangmeier for serving as Dean these past years and creating a strong sense of collegiality. Please welcome Pastor Brown to this new role. She joined the GCS in October 2018 and serves at Spirit of Joy, Clarkdale.

Thanks to both of these pastors and to each of you for being church together, better together for the sake of God’s world.

Read More
High Country ConferenceBrian FlatgardComment