Andrea Arey, our Regional Representative from Portico, provides us with updates on 2023 Portico plans. Questions? She can be reached at AArey@porticobenefits.org or 949-338-9573.
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Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! As we celebrate, I can’t help reflecting on what is being celebrated: independence, legacy and identity. As far as my own identity, I grew up, like many Puerto Ricans, hearing the poems and songs that claim we all have a Black grandma hidden away somewhere. There was this shared idea among the people in my life that, no matter how hard we try to hide it, somewhere in our DNA we are all Black.
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The September, 2022, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: Stewardship Kaleidoscope, Sept. 26-28 2022; church accessibility; 2023 Portico annual enrollment reminder; Lutheran Men in Mission’s National Bold Gathering; starting a risk control program; and Tithe.ly All Access.
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For those suffering and battling wildfires…
For peaceful transitions of power, especially in the United Kingdom…
For an end to violence between nations, especially Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Eritrea/Ethiopia, and Armenia/Azerbaijan…
For those in the path of Typhoon Muifa…
For congregational council presidents and all church leaders…
For colleges & seminaries – their students, staff, faculty and boards…
Mackenzie Scott, novelist and former wife to Jeff Bezos, both of Amazon fame, is increasing her reputation for generosity with a significant donation to the California Community Foundation. This week she donated two mansions in Beverly Hills estimated at worth around $55 million. The foundation announced that 90% of the proceeds will go toward providing grants for affordable housing. The remaining 10% is slated to be used for programs for integration of immigrants.
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To respond to the flooding, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is supporting the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to rebuild homes in Owsley County, one of the poorest counties in Kentucky. The homes all belong to families who wouldn’t have been able to rebuild without financial support. Additionally, the synod is replacing septic tanks for 25 families.
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“Embracing God’s call, Mosaic relentlessly pursues opportunities that empower people.” Mosaic’s mission statement encapsulates the ministry of this serving arm of the Church. Visit their web site here.
Born out of the Church, Mosaic’s two legacy organizations–Bethphage Mission, founded in 1913, and Martin Luther Homes, founded in 1925–came together in 2003 with the purpose of greater impact for those who are often excluded and marginalized by society.
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For those participating in ‘God’s Work. Our Hands.’ Sunday and for those they will serve
For church musicians, faith formation leaders, and all church staff and volunteers at the start of the program year…
For those enduring extreme temperatures and power outages in California…
For those suffering and battling wildfires…
For victims and families grieving after stabbings in Saskatchewan…
For world leaders and nations in leadership transition…
For relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake in China…
For first responders and for our nation, as we remember the September 11, 2001 attacks…
The Second Annual IMA-ELCA Fall Educational Event is Monday, 9/19/2022, at September 19, 2022, 10am-1pm MST/PDT, 11am-2pm MDT. Register here for this online Zoom event, and view a PDF flyer here.
Join a panel discussion of leaders—including Rev. Kurt Fangmeier Living Christ Lutheran Church in Flagstaff—who are engaged in innovative leadership. Each panelist will give information about their specific context, and time for personal and in depth conversation will follow.
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A common human experience human is to lose something. Losing something can be very frustrating and produce a lot of stress, especially when you’re in a hurry or it’s a really important item. There are many reasons for why this happens; more often than not, we find the things we’ve lost when least expect it.
But did you also know that it is common for people to “freak out” when they are the thing that is lost?
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As Russian forces advanced on his town in Ukraine’s heavily contested Donbass region, a group of friends helped to save Igor Gusev’s life.
Born with cerebral palsy, Igor has lived independently with some limited support.As bombing and violence approached his home, Igor’s friends packed him and just a bit of luggage into a car and headed west.
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For the United Nations team and all those navigating the dynamics surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine…
For those remembering the life of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who brought the Cold War to a peaceful end..
For peaceful resolution to violent conflicts in Baghdad…
For communities in China impacted by drought…
For communities in Kentucky impacted by flooding and communities in California facing extreme heat…
For safe and equitable working environments for all people…
For the gifts of work and vocation…
In this video, learn about the CAPA project of Fundação Luterana de Diaconia (FLD), an ELCA World Hunger partner, which accompanies people living in Brazil’s Kilombola communities to work toward gender and racial justice, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
The Kilombola people are descendants of Afro-Brazilian enslaved people and have struggled against inequality and neglect for centuries, often lacking basic needs like running water, sanitation and access to health services. FLD shot and produced this video to tell the story of the Kilombola people they accompany and it is shared by the ELCA with permission. Learn more about ELCA World Hunger’s work with partners around the world by visiting ELCA.org/hunger.
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Resurrection Lutheran in Oro Valley seeks a Handbell and Children/Youth Choir Director. Contact info and send resumes to Tanya Elias, tanyavelias@gmail.com. Or apply through Indeed or Zip Recruiter.
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Did you know that the average person in the United States is exposed to roughly 30 GB of information each day?! In the midst of this onslaught, working with a coach who can help evoke awareness is akin to a superpower. Join us as we hear from ELCA Coach and Rev. David Hively.
Join ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
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We share the ELCA Worship Newsletter for August, 2022, which includes "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday Worship Resources for Sept. 11 and Language for God: A Lutheran Perspective by Mary J. Streufert, which explores the ways language and images influence who we are and how we live.
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For communities in China impacted by drought…
For communities in Algeria impacted by wildfires…
For victims of gun violence in Washington DC…
For resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine as we cross the six-month mark of the war, and especially remembering Ukraine’s Independence Day (August 24)…
For those grieving the loss of a pet…
For those struggling with debt or financial stress…
For those experiencing housing insecurity…
Rise and Shine / Levántate y Brilla, a devotional guide for the 2022/2023 school year, is available from the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA). Download the guide in English or Spanish.
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The Strasbourg Ecumenical Institute offers advanced training in ecumenical theology for Lutheran pastors. The next study course will be held online from October 10-14, 2022. Learn more here. Apply today. Registration closes August 31, 2022.
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In this post, find updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month.
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