This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Deacon Mary Jayne Baker, who celebrates 12 years on April 22.
Rev. Stephen J. Hammer, who celebrates 42 years on April 25.
Rev. Debra Slifer, who celebrates 37 years on April 25.
Submit your resolutions for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly by April 22, 2024. Ensure they align with procedural guidelines for a chance to shape our collective direction. Details on submission and review process inside.
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Thank you to the 130+ rostered ministers who have submitted their annual reports, reflecting active engagement in our synod. We encourage remaining ministers to complete their reports, aiming to surpass last year’s total and strengthen our community bonds.
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Discover how to create and live out a meaningful land acknowledgement in your congregation with Wartburg College's Land Acknowledgement Workshop on April 22. Gain insights, resources, and inspiration to honor the history and people of the land. View this PDF for more info and use this link to connect via Zoom.
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The Office of the Bishop invites synod members to share their uplifting stories of faith and community. Inspired by the vibrant narratives from our spring gatherings, we look forward to celebrating your experiences and the remarkable ways God works through us. Submit your stories at gcsynod.org/share and let's inspire each other.
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As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Isak Tranvik, Uncivil Religion, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.
Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr. has entered the pantheon of American heroes, to be sure. But his legacy is contested, especially in his relation to the assumptions of American civil religion, the common ideals of the nation. Perhaps King pushed beyond these assumptions and challenged them to the core with his concerns for the poor and the radical nature of love. —Isak Tranvik
"Christian Leadership for a Tech-Shaped Culture" workshop on April 25th, 2024, offers faith leaders essential tools to navigate the digital age, ensuring technology enhances rather than hinders spiritual growth. Through interactive learning and practical coaching skills, this course empowers leaders to create meaningful digital spaces for their communities.
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Carol Devine of Blessed Tomorrow urges clergy to weave creation care seamlessly into their sermons, advocating for an approach that melds personal encounters with nature, scriptural insights, and current environmental realities to inspire congregational action towards climate justice.
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The Office of the Bishop attends a variety of leadership events and also celebrates the Installation of Rev. Carol George, Apr 17, 2024, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley. We also share photos from a First Call Theological Education event and Bishop Hutterer’s travels.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Charles Newman, who celebrates 19 years on April 15.
Rev. Nelson Sulouff, who celebrates 65 years on April 16.
At University Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry, a commitment to advocacy led to the annual Offering of Letters event, supporting Bread for the World's mission to tackle hunger through federal assistance programs. This year's focus was the pivotal Farm Bill, impacting SNAP funding and food access nationwide. The congregation's letter-writing party fostered community involvement, educated members on policy, and encouraged direct action. Read more on the LAMA website.
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April's Good Green News from Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) offers a slew of engaging opportunities for congregations to become proactive in creation care, from formulating action plans to participating in national climate discussions. Dive into this month's offerings and see how your faith community can contribute to a greener, more sustainable world.
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On the most recent episode of Respecting Religion, the podcast from BJC (the parent organization of Christians Against Christian Nationalism), co-hosts Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman explain why the Bible doesn’t need anyone’s endorsement. You can listen to it wherever you get your podcasts or on BJC's website.
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Lutherans Restoring Creation is grateful for the bounty of amazing people who are part of our Creation Care Ministry circles. We encourage you to invite others to hear Good Green News and help us make more if it. Please explore the work that we have accomplished together in our Annual Report.
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Celebrate Earth Day this April with Blessed Tomorrow. Dive into the joy and sacredness of spring as we recommit to creation care and climate justice. Discover three powerful ways to engage your congregation and community in meaningful climate action, from participating in the National Faith + Climate Forum to joining One Home One Future and becoming a Climate Ambassador. Let's honor Earth Day and ensure the beauty of our planet for future generations.
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When others said “no” to Alexis, we said “yes!” It’s been life-changing for her.
The post The Right People, Supports and Environment Are Life-Changing can be found on Mosaic.
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Take advantage of early bird registration for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly and secure your place at a discounted rate. Join us from June 13-15 for a gathering full of worship, fellowship, and decision-making. Act now—early bird rates end April 15, 2024.
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The 2024 Synod Assembly is honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins as a special guest and speaker. With her extensive experience in ministry, education, and reconciliation, Dr. Toni's participation promises to inspire and challenge us to embrace a future filled with hope and transformation.
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As part of the Lenten Challenge across the synods of Region 2, a whopping 717 individuals from 148 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, daily decluttering, daily wellness activities, or a donation of a dollar or more a day for ELCA World Hunger.
Region 2 raised an estimated $56,135 — meaning, more is coming in — for anti-hunger efforts through ELCA World Hunger. Thank you! Read more on the LAMA web site.
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On April 1st, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars was interviewed by José Ángel Galavis, senior multimedia journalist for Telemundo Arizona. The news network broadcast a story about the recent passage of HB2502 & HB2503, both harmful bills that if passed, would cause additional barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Read the full article on the LAMA website.
Autumn testified against these bills in a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 12 (see article), along with colleagues from Arizona Food Bank Network and the William E. Morris Institute for Justice. Through multiple action alerts, the entire LAMA community has been advocating hard against these bills, but nonetheless, they passed on March 28th.
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