Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Navigating with Grace: February Series at Community of Grace
Navigating with Grace: February Series at Community of Grace

Join Community of Grace on February 7th for their first 'Aging with Grace' series. This week, Ms. Nicolle Tannaz, MSW, will delve into the everyday challenges faced by the elderly, offering insights into available resources, advocacy, and referrals. An informative session on self-care is also included. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to navigate aging with grace and dignity.

For a deep dive into each weekly topic and to connect with valuable resources, visit the full series details at Community of Grace or in this PDF.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardCommunity of Grace Peoria, Cactus Conference, Older AdultComment
Mohrenweiser Lecture 2024: Planning for Life’s Unpredictable Turns
Mohrenweiser Lecture 2024: Planning for Life’s Unpredictable Turns

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites you to the insightful 2024 Mohrenweiser Lecture, exploring the intersection of health crises and ethical decision-making. Join online as renowned speakers Rev. Herbert Anderson, Ph.D., and Margaret McLean, Ph.D., delve into these timely topics on February 7th.

To attend in-person, please register at this link. To attend on Zoom, please register at this link.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, NewsBrian FlatgardCalifornia Lutheran University, Pacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryComment
Discover the Divine in Nature with Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
Discover the Divine in Nature with Rev. Sara Olson-Smith

Embrace a day of spiritual growth and eco-conscious learning with Rev. Sara Olson-Smith’s Bible Study, "Scripture and nature: Teachers of faith," on February 3, 2024, 9:30 am, at American Lutheran Church. Dive deep into how weather, creatures, rivers, and food can enhance our faith and kinship with the earth. Register now for a transformative morning followed by fellowship over lunch. For more information and to register, please visit GrandCanyonwomen.org/Events.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Women of the ELCA (WELCA), Grand Canyon WomenComment
Las Vegas Faiths Unite for Prayer Service at Christ Church Episcopal
Las Vegas Faiths Unite for Prayer Service at Christ Church Episcopal

Experience unity in faith at Christ Church Episcopal in Las Vegas for a prayer service dedicated to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with Bishop Deborah Hutterer and other leaders. Join us on January 26 at 7:00pm for an evening of ecumenical prayer, followed by a community reception.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardColorado River Conference, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Office of the Bishop Updates: 1/26/2024
Office of the Bishop Updates: 1/26/2024

We begin our Spring Gatherings with the Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering, Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10 am at Good Samaritan at the Lakes (map), and while in Las Vegas attend the Prayer Service at Christ Church Episcopal, 7pm PST on January 26, 2024, (map).

We also share many photos from the Receiving Faithful Teaching, Receiving Faithful Teaching Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue, 2024 Lutheran Day at the Legislature, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service, Spirit of Grace’s 75th Anniversary, and our in-person staff meeting.

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News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
Ordination celebrations: January 26 – February 1, 2024
Ordination celebrations: January 26 – February 1, 2024

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. David Sivecz, Grace, Phoenix, who celebrates 6 years on January 27.

  • Deacon Carol Arnold, who celebrates 42 years on January 27.

  • Rev. Janice Von Rappard, who celebrates 19 years on January 30.

  • Rev. Paul Nordeen, who celebrates 47 years on January 30.

  • Rev. Jose Valenzuela, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 15 years on January 31.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Streamlined Annual Congregation Reports for ELCA are now open
Streamlined Annual Congregation Reports for ELCA are now open

The ELCA has revamped the Annual Congregation Report for 2024, consolidating it into a single, more readable form, Form A. This effort simplifies the reporting process, which is now open and accessible, aiding in our mission to understand and plan for the church's future. Your timely submission by March 1 enables us to assess our vitality and resources, so we invite you to contribute to this essential task. Access the easy to use forms and worksheets here.

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ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Faithful Discernment: Embracing the ‘Election Sermon’ Tradition for 2024
Faithful Discernment: Embracing the ‘Election Sermon’ Tradition for 2024

Rev. Dr. Jim Antal’s blog post, featured by Blessed Tomorrow, a faith-based environmental advocacy group, revives the tradition of the ‘Election Sermon’ to guide faith communities through the 2024 elections with integrity and compassion, underscoring the importance of political participation as a reflection of our core spiritual values. Read the post on the Blessed Tomorrow web site.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Upcoming AFN Events: From Christian Unity to Protecting Voting Rights
Upcoming AFN Events: From Christian Unity to Protecting Voting Rights

Join AFN’s array of January and February events, from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to Environmental Day at the Capitol. Engage in meditative practices, advocate for voting rights, celebrate Black History Month, and more. Sign up for the newsletter to stay connected and read all the news here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith NetworkComment
Disruptive Compassion: Autumn Byars’ Vision for a Kinder Election Cycle
Disruptive Compassion: Autumn Byars’ Vision for a Kinder Election Cycle

In her poignant reflection, Autumn Byars, an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow with the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona, part of our Grand Canyon Synod, calls for a disruption in the exhausting cycles of the federal election process through the power of compassion. Byars challenges candidates and constituents alike to approach the political arena with understanding and grace, fostering solutions grounded in our shared humanity rather than divisive rhetoric.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, LettersBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Creating Space for Conversations Comments
Introduction to the National Fund for Sacred Places webinar
Introduction to the National Fund for Sacred Places webinar

Attend an information session webinar on Thursday, February 1st at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community or judicatory) may qualify.

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. To learn more, please visit us at fundforsacredplaces.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsGrand Canyon SynodNational Fund for Sacred Places, Partners for Sacred SpacesComment
Further Your Discipleship Journey with Holy Trinity's Walking Wet Discipleship Day
Further Your Discipleship Journey with Holy Trinity's Walking Wet Discipleship Day

Join Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler for the Walking Wet Discipleship Day on February 3, 2024. A day of learning, fellowship, and faith exploration, featuring keynote speakers Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta and Rev. Peter Perry. Registration includes meals, with childcare available upon request. Dive deeper into your faith journey with us! Register now at bit.ly/discipleship2024.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHoly Trinity Chandler, Fiesta Conference Comment
Rereading Niebuhr’s The Kingdom of God in America
Rereading Niebuhr’s The Kingdom of God in America

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Mark A. Granquist, Rereading Niebuhr’s The Kingdom of God in America, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

This seminal work, now eighty-six years old, by American theologian H. Richard Niebuhr, remains a crucial text informing Christians about how they should understand the kingdom of God, especially as it relates to the Chris- tian faith. Niebuhr emphasizes how this concept refers to the primacy of God’s sovereignty in the world over all other allegiances.—Mark A. Granquist

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardCreating Space for Conversations, Word and World, Luther SeminaryComment
Colorado River Conference Kicks Off Annual Spring Gatherings
Colorado River Conference Kicks Off Annual Spring Gatherings

Join us for our Spring Gatherings themed “Embody the Word,” starting with the Colorado River Conference on Jan 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. Watch livestream at goodsamlv.org or YouTube.

These gatherings are not just meetings, but an opportunity for spiritual growth, learning, and community engagement, centered on the transformative message of John 1:14. Don't miss this chance to deepen your faith and connect with your synod community.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Spring Gatherings, Colorado River ConferenceComment
Aging with Grace: February Series at Community of Grace
Aging with Grace: February Series at Community of Grace

Join Community of Grace for their "Aging with Grace" Adult Education Series every Wednesday in February, where expert speakers will guide you through the various aspects of elder care, from navigating daily challenges to end-of-life care. Bring your lunch and engage in meaningful discussions followed by a Q&A session.

For a deep dive into each weekly topic and to connect with valuable resources, visit the full series details at Community of Grace or in this PDF.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardCommunity of Grace Peoria, Cactus Conference, Older AdultComment