This Earth Day, I write in celebration of God’s creation. I am an early bird. I enjoy the pre-dawn quiet. I especially enjoy the emergence of birds and their song as darkness gives way to light.
By far, my favorite bird is the scarlet tanager. Their breeding ground is in the eastern United States, where I was blessed with a few glimpses of the bright and exotic red bird with black wings. I can vividly recall those moments.
Read MoreWe thank the 70 active and retired rostered ministers who checked in with Bishop Hutterer via our annual rostered minister reports. Your feedback is crucial in weaving the fabric of our synod. And your answers to financial questions help us promote the financial health of our leaders.
There’s still an opportunity to respond. Send in your report today! It takes just a few minutes.
Read MorePastor Pam Reynolds was installed at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, on Saturday, February 6, 2021.
We reprint an inspiring letter Pastor Reynolds wrote just before she was ordained from the church’s newsletter, Lifelines. Read it below or in this PDF.
Read MoreI used to sell insurance. During that time, I learned that most car accidents occur within five minutes of home. Why? We’re overconfident in a familiar place. The most common collision isn’t caused by another person: it is us driving, on autopilot, into a neighbor’s parked car. Ask me. I’ve done it.
At this point in the pandemic, I believe we are in a similar situation. As we return to “normal,” we think we’re safe, and our old habits return. Tired from a year of pandemic, we stop practicing the vigilance and best behaviors that kept us safe on our long and strange journey.
Read MoreAnother Easter arrives, and again, we proceed with hesitance and fear. We struggle with our beliefs. We are unsure how to celebrate. We can feel isolated and separated from each other, wondering if we should leave our homes. In a time of political unrest, we are unsure of the stories we are hearing from the outside world.
And in these circumstances, we are blessed to experience Easter in the same way as the first followers of Christ.
Read MoreA Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.
Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.
Read MoreArchbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated, forty-one years ago, March 24, 1980. He is a saint to Catholics and Lutherans, and the unofficial patron saint of the Americas and El Salvador.
I became aware of Archbishop Romero while in Mexico City. I was a student at Luther Seminary at the time, and our class watched the movie Romero. His story continues to impact my view of the world and the church.
Read MoreThe Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) held its online meeting March 4-5, 2021. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary. Bishop Hutterer serves on the executive committee.
Read MoreA Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.
Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.
Read MoreDuring this Lenten season, I am discovering new meanings in the Lord’s Prayer. This common prayer, known to so many throughout the world, yields new treasures upon repetition.
When I prayed this prayer today, I was profoundly moved how each petition turns our attention away from heaven and toward our neighbor on earth. This is a justice prayer.
Read MoreA reminder to rostered ministers to use the quick and easy online form to send in your report to the bishop. She’s only received a few dozen so far.
These constitutionally required reports are a great way to connect, and Bishop Hutterer looks forward to your feedback.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is inviting you for an hour of conversation with Bishop Deborah Hutterer and Dr. Karen Kibler to review the year of Covid and where what might be in store for the coming months on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 6 pm.
This is open to congregation councils, pastors, and deacons. Please register here by March 21, 2021.
Read MoreA year ago, congregations gathered as usual and began the Lenten journey. Many of us attended midweek services, and shared soup and bread.
All was interrupted with the arrival of the coronavirus. Most of us did not imagine this fast of physical gathering would last a year, let alone become a new and strange “normal.”
Read MorePastor Pam Reynolds will be ordained by Bishop Hutterer at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Watch the service on their YouTube page, posted within 24 hours.
“The whirlwind of directional change around my first call has been amazing and there is only one entity responsible: God,” says Reynolds.
Read MoreI ask you consider what our church is missing when all the members of God’s world are not represented in our church. We are not whole when our church becomes a wall to our neighbor.
We are created in God’s image, and to see the pageant of humanity around the globe is a way to glimpse God.
Read MoreThe Nevada Legislature opened on February 1, 2021, with a prayer from Bishop Hutterer and an invocation from Rev. Dr. Leonard Jackson.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) offers a video on how to engage with the Nevada Legislature. In the video, Bishop Hutterer talks about the importance of keeping engaged with government. View the whole video or just Bishop Hutterer’s message.
Read MoreAll are welcome to attend the installation of Pastor Annemarie Burke at Esperanza Lutheran Church, Phoenix, by Bishop Deborah Hutterer on Saturday, January 30 at 3 pm MST, 2 pm PST. The ceremony will be conducted on Zoom.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting, and view/download the Service of Installation as PDF.
Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain pastors, especially Pastor Annemarie Burke, 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 MoreThe annual Report to the Bishop is an opportunity for active and rostered ministers to connect directly with Bishop Hutterer, who looks forward to your responses and feedback.
Completion of this required report is one of the commitments rostered ministers are invited to make upon entering the synod. The report is due back to Bishop Hutterer by February 19, 2021. Access the form online or offline here.
Read MoreJoin people of faith throughout Arizona as we virtually celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Monday, January 18 through Monday, January 25, 2021. Bishop Hutterer will present Tuesday, January 19.
Daily devotions, videos, and prayers will be posted in this Facebook event. This is a time for all Christians to come together as an ecumenical community to pray for peace.
Read MoreAs the season of Lent quickly approaches, we come full circle on a year of worship during a pandemic.
You have found new and surprising ways to celebrate all of our major church seasons and festivals except one—Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Some of you have asked, during a pandemic, how should we handle the imposition of ashes?
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