Posts in News
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities

Elevate your church leadership and stewardship skills with ELCA's exciting opportunities. Join webinars, seminars, and learning communities starting February 2024, to enhance donor relations, financial empowerment, and much more.

Register today to transform your ministry's financial and leadership capabilities with one of the five offerings: Cultivating the Craft of Asking; African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment; Deepening Our Relationship with the Spirituality of Fundraising; Financial Best Practices Learning Community, and Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardshipComment
Japan: An opportunity for new beginnings
Japan: An opportunity for new beginnings

The Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) has been an associate member church of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) since 1999. In 2021, JLC decided to ordain women as pastors.

Rev. Heeme Yang, one of its first two ordained women pastors, shares her journey from fashion design to studying theology, what it means to be church in an ageing society, and ecumenical opportunities in a Christian minority context. From her Korean Buddhist origins, Anglican college life, to becoming a Lutheran church Vice-President, it’s been 20 years since Rev. Heeme Yang “knocked on the seminary door.” Read more at lutheranworld.org.

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News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardLutheran World Federation, Japan Lutheran ChurchComment
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is becoming Global Refuge
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is becoming Global Refuge

Global Refuge emerges from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, embodying a renewed commitment to global compassion and support for displaced individuals. Maintaining its core mission and Lutheran heritage, Global Refuge stands as a beacon of hope and sanctuary, embracing all regardless of origin or faith. Learn more at globalrefuge.org.

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Global Church, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Immigration and RefugeesComment
POSITION FILLED: Seeking Worship Administrative Assistant for Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix
POSITION FILLED: Seeking Worship Administrative Assistant for Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix

POSITION FILLED: Mountain View Lutheran Church is currently seeking a Worship Administrative Assistant.  The Worship Administrative Assistant is responsible for maintaining worship and discipleship-related functions and provides support to the Director of Communications and Office Supervisor. For a more detailed job description and instructions on how to apply, please visit: www.mvlutheran.org/jobs.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Mountain View Phoenix, Fiesta ConferenceComment
POSITION FILLED: Seeking Office Assistant for Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix
POSITION FILLED: Seeking Office Assistant for Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix

Mountain View Lutheran Church is currently seeking an Office Assistant for the Front Office. The Office Assistant helps maintain the smooth functioning of daily operations and provides crucial support to the Office Supervisor. For a more detailed job description and instructions on how to apply, please visit: www.mvlutheran.org/jobs.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Mountain View Phoenix, Fiesta ConferenceComment
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