Hymns & Hops Fest

Join Crossroads Lutheran as we come together to celebrate the Gospel through community, song and drink. No preaching, no proselytizing, just a good-old-fashion sing along. Sunday, March 13, 2022, 3-6pm, at 2769 E Combs Rd, Bld D, San Tan Valley AZ 85140. Cost: $5.00 per glass.

This is our 3rd Hymns & Hops and it won't disappoint. So spend the word. Water available. Games and fun for all ages. Funds from this event will support the Crossroads Outreach Summer Day Camp for kids.

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Statements of intent for Mission Support in 2022 are due February 15, 2022

Your valuable partnership through your mission support to the Grand Canyon Synod meant we were able to do many amazing things in 2021. You can read about these achievements in this post.

Your statements of intent (PDF statement of intent in English, PDF statement of intent in Spanish) are due 2/15/2022. Thank you for your gifts and partnership as we are church together for the sake of the world.

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Faith Formation In A Secular Age

You're invited to Faith Formation In A Secular Age: How we can partner with God in reshaping the church in the 21st century, with presenter Andrew Root, Ph.D. of Luther Seminary at Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Saturday, 3/19/2022, 2-5pm MST, 1-4pm PST. Reception to follow. View PDF.

A virtual option will also be available. Space is limited. To register for free, please email aschmidt001@luthersem.edu or call 651-641-3431 by March 11, 2022.

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Camp ALOMA Summer Camp 2022

Camp ALOMA "To The Cross" Summer Camp registration is now open! For more information: campaloma.com, office@campaloma.com, 928-778-1690. Register today at this link: app.campdoc.com/register/aloma.

Check out which one of our seven weeks works for you to join us this summer!! Register before March 15th and receive the early bird discount for your week fee. Register before February 28th and receive the early bird discount for your bus transportation! We hope to see you this summer!

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OMNIA: Striving Towards Beloved Community

More than 50 years ago, Dr. Mary Nelson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Chicago. For several decades, Dr. Nelson was a faculty member of OMNIA Institute’s predecessor organization SCUPE and she continues as an Advisory Board member of the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership.

In an OMNIA podcast, Dr. Nelson talked about the Beloved Community as God’s vision for the city. It is that same vision that animated the founders of SCUPE to prepare pastors to break down all barriers to the flourishing of community. At the beginning of Black History month, it is fitting that we remember the power of this vision.

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Faith Lens: Burned Out

Americans across the country are resigning from their jobs in mass numbers. Though you may not be in the working world yet, chances are that you know an adult who has resigned from their job sometime since March of 2020. Maybe your teacher or your medical provider has resigned.

One of the major reasons cited for resigning is burnout. The feeling of extreme exhaustion due to prolonged stress makes it difficult to take care of oneself and work. While burnout isn’t an official medical diagnosis, it does affect your physical and mental health.

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ELCA World Hunger’s Big Game Challenge 2022!

It’s game time! The Big Game Challenge has kicked off, and our church is racing toward the goal of ending hunger! While you are cheering on your team and celebrating with family and friends— let’s help tackle hunger together!

From kickoff to the final whistle, Team Cincinnati and Team Los Angeles will seek to outdo one another for the sake of the gospel. The fans that donate the most through their team page to ELCA World Hunger by midnight Central time on February 13th will help their synod take home the title of ELCA World Hunger Champion.

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Talks at the Desk: Black Girl Magic Ep. 1

In this first part of the Talks at the Desk video series, Black women from across the ELCA share their experiences as leaders in the church. They speak about their journeys, joys, struggles and hopes for future generations. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.

African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm Central time. Watch them live on Facebook, stream them on YouTube or download them at ELCA.org/ADM.

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Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: February 13, 2022
  • For the people of Ottawa, Ontario as protests against Covid-19 restrictions continue…

  • For justice for Amir Locke and for boldness in countering racism and disrupting implicit bias…

  • For ongoing reformation in the church, especially the rising call to #reformation2022 by women of African descent throughout the ELCA…

  • For lives and property endangered by bushfires in Western Australia…

  • For peace among the nations, especially de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine…

  • For those facing severe hunger after recurrent droughts impacting Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia…

  • For congregations and church leaders experiencing burnout, restlessness, and decision fatigue…

  • We give thanks for Spirit-led commitments to making worship accessible for all people…

  • For the dedication and witness of librarians, authors, and local, independent bookstores…

  • For your wisdom to prevail, O God, as a Supreme Court nominee is chosen…

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Join a live event releasing a new report on Christian nationalism and January 6

Christians Against Christian Nationalism announces a major report on Christian nationalism and the January 6, 2021, insurrection. This comprehensive accounting will be released on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 event at 10 am MST, 9 am PST, featuring the report’s contributors. Register for the Zoom webinar here.

The report offers analysis and commentary from leading experts and a detailed breakdown of the Christian nationalism we saw on display during the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

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Katie Langston: From Mormon missionary to Lutheran pastor

Earlier this year, Religion News Service ran a story on Katie Langston, who ordained and installed at New Promise Lutheran in St. George on February 4.

“Langston ‘tried millions of ways’ to make Mormonism work, but she eventually found peace in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) and began to pursue a path toward ordination. Her parents and husband, who are still Latter-day Saints, were supportive, but ‘they were heartbroken.’”

View the story here, visit her website, and learn about her new memoir, “Sealed: An Unexpected Journey Into the Heart of Grace.

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Lutheran Advocacy Day at the Arizona Legislature 2022 photos and wrap-up

Coordinated by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), 80 Lutherans representing 23 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts made contact with over 20 lawmakers at the bipartisan Lutheran Day at the Legislature on 2/1/2022.

LAMA Director Solveig Muus also announced a new statewide hunger task force to consolidate hunger advocacy efforts in Arizona. The partnership includes LAMA, Bread for the World, WHEAT, Arizona Food Bank Network and the Arizona Food Systems Network.

Speakers included Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, Rep. Jennifer Longdon, Connie Phillips of LSS-SW, Ashley St. Thomas of Arizona Food Bank Network, and LAMA reps Solveig Muus and Mark Engel. View great photos from David Hoye and read more in our post.

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