Join Rev. Rodger Patience in this webinar as we explore how the journey of addiction and recovery helps us better understand Lent. And, how the spiritual practices of Lent can be a part of our journeys of recovery.
Thursday, 2/24/2022, 10-11am MST, 9-10am PST, with follow-up 30-minute Zoom discussion. Register here.
Read MoreWe thank the 78 active and retired rostered ministers who checked in with Bishop Hutterer via our annual rostered minister reports. Your feedback is crucial in weaving the fabric of our synod. And your answers to financial questions help us promote the financial health of our leaders.
Send in your report today! It takes just a few minutes.
Read MoreLutheran Schools Week is March 6-12, 2022, and the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) shares information and resources on their website. In this post we also share a letter from Cory Newman, Executive Director of the ELEA.
Read MoreAll are welcome to join Thriving Leadership Formation staff, church leaders, and lay people for a time of spiritual renewal and contemplative practice via Zoom. Sign up to attend at: www.tinyurl.com/TLFcommunity.
Times of spiritual renewal and contemplative practice via Zoom are available February 22, and March 27, 2022. The March session has Spanish-language interpretation.
Read MoreRev. Barbara Bengtson, retired, celebrates 28 years on February 20, 2022.
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality, celebrates 13 years on February 22, 2022.
Rev. Robert Kleinke, Central Lutheran in Arizona City & Casa Grande, celebrates 41 years on February 20, 2022.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s Lutheran in Glendale, celebrates 25 years on February 23, 2022.
Rev. Paul Block, New Song Lutheran in Henderson, celebrates 21 years on February 24, 2022.
The Gift of Years retreat helps you transform your story of aging with mastery and purpose and learn to live abundantly in your remaining years. February 28–March 2, 2022 at Spirit in the Desert. Learn more and register here.
“Our spiritual obligation is to age well, so that others who meet us have the courage and spiritual depth to do the same.” –Joan Chittister
Read MoreNew coronavirus cases have declined more than 80 percent from their peak in mid-January. Still, daily case reports remain well above 100,000 per day in the US.
Fully vaccinated rates remain at roughly 60% of our synod’s population. All counties are at extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff attends many leadership meetings across the synod and ELCA in the coming days. Photos from Bishop Hutterer’s visit to Covenant Lutheran in Quartzite are also in this post.
Read MoreFor those impacted severely by climate change, especially parts of the Western United States experiencing “megadrought” conditions…
For the escalating situation at the Russia/Ukraine border…
For state and local leaders navigating ongoing decisions about Covid-19 response and mitigation efforts…
For all parents of children under age 5, continuing to wait for Covid-19 vaccine authorization for their children…
For the people of Tonga as they continue to deal with the destruction and trauma inflicted by January’s volcano and tsunami…
In gratitude for the generous and faithful stewardship of all who donated to ELCA World Hunger through the Big Game Challenge 2022…
Tish Harrison Warren’s opinion article, Why Churches Should Drop Their Online Services, drew a huge response, which she followed up with in her next article, 7 Thoughtful Reader Responses on Ending Online Church. Read the full articles in The New York Times, and excerpts in this post.
Read MoreOver the past two years a refrain has become common in churches and other religious communities: “Join us in person or online.” I was a big proponent of that “or online” part. Now I think it’s time to drop the virtual option. And I think this for the same reason I believed churches should go online back in March 2020: This is the way to love God and our neighbors.
We pray for Rev. Matthew Wiswall and the people of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at rlc-scottsdale.org and their Facebook page.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University invites applications and nominations for the position of University Pastor. Cal Lutheran is a forward-facing, private liberal arts and sciences, faith-based institution in the mid-21st century. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we are searching for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to and success working in diverse multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-racial communities. Download a profile of the position as PDF. Applicants may apply here.
Read MorePart two of the “Talks at the Desk” video series celebrates youth ministry and mentorship in the Black Church. Black men and boys speak about their connections across generations. They reflect on how their faith communities and mentor relationships have guided them and nurtured their passions. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.
Read MoreIn honor of Black History Month we celebrate the historic ministry and contributions of all members of the ELCA African Descent community who make up the American Lutheran tradition.
Read MoreThe notion of enemies is all over the news. There’s military buildup at the Ukrainian border with Russia, making enemies of global neighbors. Many countries are enacting diplomatic boycotts of the Olympics, making enemies of athletes who often train together, regardless of their national origins.
What I’ve found fascinating are the stories of people whom we might consider enemies behaving rather friendly.
Read MoreWe give thanks for the marriage of Pastor Randy Winsand & Alicia Gaston, who were married Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley.
Eternal God, without your grace no promise is sure. Strengthen Pastor Randy Winsand & Alicia Gaston with patience, kindness, gentleness, and all other gifts of your Spirit, so that they may fulfill the vows they have made. Keep them faithful to each other and to you. Fill them with such love and joy that they may build a home of peace and welcome. Guide them by your word to serve you all their days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Benjamin Bergren, Rev. Brian Ward, and the people of Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at communitylv.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Read MoreUnder the theme Stirred up in the Spirit, we gather at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, June 10–11, 2022 for our annual synod assembly.
Registration is now open, and only voting members need to register. Visitors can view via livestream at no cost. Lay voting members and rostered ministers (active and retired) all use the same registration. Click here to register. $140 early bird registration through 4/22/2022, with $160 registration through 5/27/2021.
Read MoreOpen Space rebuilds after a hiatus during the pandemic. Read their latest newsletter as PDF or in this post.
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