They call her “Big Mama.” It’s probably not the most common of titles used by church members for their pastors, but it works here.
Mary Louise Frenchman might be “Pastor Frenchman” in professional circles. In more formal settings, some might introduce her as “the Rev. Mary Louise.” But to those who gather for worship and greet her almost daily on the streets of Phoenix, it’s “Big Mama.” Read more in this profile in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreWe start a series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with a “live update” from Glenn Austad, created by the creative team at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West.
Each week we will share a 2022 CWA reflection on how we are church together by our synod voting members. View all our 2022 CWA posts here.
Read MoreLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona reminds us that October 11, 2022, is the big cutoff date for registering to vote in Arizona general election. Check your registration status, check your friends and loved ones’ status, check, check, check! Read more in their post: How to register to vote in Arizona.
Read MoreIn this post and video we explore Growing Fervent Voices: Planting seeds for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona and Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $641,431 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal. We invite you to consider a gift. Please visit our pledge page for more info.
Read MoreCohorts come together with the intent of creating nurturing and empowering times, spaces, and relationships. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices. Membership is open to rostered and non-rostered leaders in ELCA Regions 1 and 2. Explore the cohorts for this year and find one that works for you!
Read MoreClick here to view the October 2022 ELCA monthly Insights newsletter, featuring: what’s missing from your estate plan; Oct. 17-23 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week; avoiding the most common estate-planning mistake; the upcoming webinar Planning Your Legacy; and info on the ELCA Ministry Growth Fund.
For more info, contact our synod’s ELCA Foundation planners, Lisa Marie Higginbotham and Josh Kerney.
Read MorePlease pray for Miriam and the family of Wayne Perry, who died Thursday, 9/29/2022. Wayne is the father of Rev. Peter Perry of St. John’s Lutheran in Glendale.
Grant Wayne rest eternal, O Lord! And let light perpetual shine on him. Services at St. John's in Glendale will be announced soon.
Read More“We should look to see what God is doing in our lives but with the knowledge that God isn't out to get us but God is there to guide us, comfort us, perhaps sometimes to challenge us but always to be leading us in the right direction and caring for us along the way.”
View this month’s Cup of Generosity in this post or in this PDF.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Andrea Cain, Rev. Thaddeus Book and the people of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe and Gilbert, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at desertcross.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop does some traveling this week for meetings, conferences, and preaching.
We also share photos from the Synod Council and Dean Retreat last weekend at Ascension Lutheran in Paradise Valley, where our guests and presenters included the ELCA’s Vance Blackfox, Native American Urban Ministry’s Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman and Wanda Frenchman, as well as Patterson Yazzie and Patty Charley with Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission.
Read MoreWe celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 3 years on October 5.
Rev. Kimberly Sterner, Lord of Life, Sun City West, who celebrates 36 years on October 5.
We pray for Rev. David Drach-Meinel, Rev. Diane Drach-Meinel and the people of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at cslconline.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreThe Rocky Mountain Synod shares this upcoming interview with Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers, on Wednesday, 11/2/2022, 5:30pm MST/PDT, 6:30 MDT. Register for The Rise of Christian Nationalism webinar here.
Read MoreLuther Seminary’s faith+lead presents a free webinar featuring Andy Root and Ryan Panzer on October 12, 2022, 11am-noon MST/PDT, noon-1pm MDT. Get more info and register here. Registration will be capped at 300 participants.
Read MoreIs your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? These four fast-paced and creative training sessions jump start the process, starting 10/6/2022 through 11/17/2022.
Register for free here. For more information, please contact Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, miguel.gomez-acosta@elca.org.
Read MoreThe Planning Team shares a letter of invitation to the Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix next summer, July 17-20, 2023. You’re invited to join colleagues under the theme of "Rekindle the gift within you" (2 Timothy 1:6).
If you like to welcome people, help with registration, or have the gift of hospitality, please connect with Pastor Doug Dill: pastordoug@centrallutheranaz.org or 402-235-6969.
Read MoreIf you love to sing, join the Central Arizona Guild of Organists and La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church for a free hymn sing at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale.
The hour-long “Hymns for Him: a Hymn Festival Sing-Along,” will feature guild members playing La Casa de Cristo’s 91-rank Berghaus Pipe Organ, which, with its 5067 pipes, is among the largest pipe organs in the Southwest. A reception will follow the hymn sing.
Read MoreWe still have a few rooms open for active rostered ministers and any retired pastors actively serving in a congregation at the 2022 Bishop’s Fall Gathering. Learn more and register here by Sunday, October 2, 2022.
Interns serving in your congregations are most welcome! Partial scholarships are available, and we can assist you in pairing you with a roommate if needed.
Read MoreA 58-inch conference table is available from All Saint's Lutheran in Phoenix. Please call Shari Clark, Parish Administrator at602-866-9191 ext. 103 if interested.
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