Posts in Spotlight
Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop staff will be engaged in candidacy work, preaching and leading worship, supporting conference gatherings and ministry conversations, and preparing for synod assembly and upcoming events. Alongside this, the team will continue core operations including communications, financial reporting and audit support, governance participation, and strategic planning for congregations and synod leadership.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For the Artemis crew and all who are guiding the mission…

  • For protests in the West Bank against death penalty laws…

  • For victims of a Russian military plane crash in Crimea…

  • For casualties of a migrant boat capsize near Turkey…

  • For families of those killed in gang attacks in Haiti…

  • For Pope Leo XIV, the Dali Lama, and all faith leaders speaking hopes for peace in the world…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…

  • For support, visibility, and civil rights for transgender individuals…

  • For all who have experienced religious trauma and feel alienated from the church…

  • For the church in every place as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ…

  • For Jewish siblings during the observance of Passover…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For Dame Sarah Mullally and her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury…

  • For the families of those killed in hospital attack in Sudan…

  • For safe working conditions for all workers, especially in wake of car parts factory fire in South Korea…

  • For victims of the Air Canada runway crash at LaGuardia Airport…

  • For all who know the trauma and pain of sexual assault, abuse, or exploitation…

  • For elections and political transitions, local and global…

  • For those affected by flooding in Hawaii, and all impacted by natural disasters…

  • For travelers, especially those facing airport delays and uncertainties, and for TSA workers…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For ongoing energy crises and rising fuel costs…

  • For pastors, church musicians, and congregational leaders preparing for Holy Week…

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Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop staff will gather with leaders and congregations in Tucson for the Kino Conference Spring Gathering while continuing preaching, teaching, and relationship-building across the synod. Alongside these shared ministries, staff will advance key internal work—including assembly planning, financial and audit preparation, leadership development, and ongoing communications—supporting the synod’s mission in both public and behind-the-scenes ways.

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Lutheran World Federation newsletter
Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing key synod work, including participation in the High Country Conference Spring Gathering in Flagstaff, preaching and congregational visits, and meetings focused on congregational vitality and faith formation. Staff will also advance preparations for Synod Assembly, manage communications and upcoming events, and support the synod’s annual audit and financial close.

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Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Timothy Hansen, New Journey, Fountain Hills, who celebrates 39 years on March 8.

  • Rev. Stephen Talmage, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 41 years on March 10.

  • Rev. Patsy Koeneke, Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, who celebrates 19 years on March 11.

  • Rev. Bruce Ayers, who celebrates 64 years on March 11.

  • Rev. Steven Crittenden, who celebrates 17 years on March 12.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, conflict, and uncertainty, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…

  • For escalating tensions in Iran and Lebanon and the safety of civilians and military personnel…

  • For partisan cooperation across divisions and elected leaders to seek the welfare and dignity of all…

  • For protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For those living with uncertainty and grieving loss of life in Jalisco, Mexico, and neighboring states in the wake of recent gang-related violence…

  • For those without adequate shelter during recent snowstorms in the northeast US…

  • For the recent shootings in Macon, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Kansas City, Missouri; and for an end to gun violence…

  • For those experiencing heavy rains and flooding in southern Peru…

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