Bishop Hutterer visits Cruzando Fronteras, Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta preaches at Epiphany of Christ Lutheran in Apache Junction, and Rev. Jacqui Pagel preaches at Community Lutheran in Bullhead City. Read all the updates from the staff in this weekly post.
Read MoreRight now, far away from some of us but near to others, Russian has invaded Ukraine. Confronting power hungry leadership and complex socio-political tensions, the global community watches and waits. Ground invasion and the startling aftermath of dropped bombs consume our collective conscious. War brings heightened anxieties and unanswered questions; it leaves people displaced and refugees fleeing. The journeys of our refugee siblings are filled with uncertainty.
Read MoreFor all in crisis as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues…
With gratitude for the first combined heart and thymus transplant, for all advances in the field of organ transplantation, for all organ donors…
For all who suffer in the wake of deadly US tornadoes…
For the people of Peshawar, Pakistan as they mourn those killed during the bombing of a Shiite Muslim mosque in their city…
For the United Methodist Church, as it continues to grapple with divisions…
For those wrestling with Long Covid, for Covid researchers, for all those preparing now for the rise of future variants…
For all unsafe in their own homes, for all without a home…
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares some of the ways the ELCA, Lutheran Disaster Response and our partners in ministry are responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe by providing support for refugees and internally displaced people. Please keep our companions in your prayers during these turbulent times. God of life, give us your peace.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companions in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as well as such ecumenical partners as Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to the crisis. These partners provide refugees with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water and hygiene kits. You and your congregation or organization can donate by clicking here.
Read MoreRev. Rachel Eskesen, ELCA Area Desk Director for Europe, and Associate in Ministry Rev. Zach Courter provide updates from Budapest, Hungary. In this post, we share a video update, an expanded letter (read in this post or view as PDF), and a bulletin insert (PDF).
For those of you wishing to financially support our partner churches who are doing the work on the ground to respond to the needs of refugees, you can donate here.
Read MoreIn this sacred season, we turn inward, reflecting on our dependence on God’s grace. Marked by ashes at the start, we enter the 40 days of Lent with penitent hearts and awareness of our need for God’s mercy. Repentance and self-reflection are important practices, but it’s easy to stay here, forgetting that the season is about so much more than our own self-examination.
Martin Luther captured this well. Luther defined repentance in two ways: “contrition…and in taking hold of the promise.” Read more in this post in English and Spanish.
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation’s latest newsletter has many posts about the war in Ukraine and other topics:
Ukraine: Lutheran churches in neighboring countries provide shelter and support
A pall of ashes covers Ukraine: Christians join prayer for peace
Ukraine: Lutheran churches across the world call for Peace and Support
Lutheran Church of the Foothills in Tucson is seeking a professional Administrative Assistant for part-time employment. The Administrative Assistant will work closely with our pastor, as well as with other staff and members of the Church Council. View job description and how to apply in this PDF.
Read MoreWonderful part-time and flexible opportunity in central Tucson, ideal for students, recent retirees, and others. Our Saviour's in Tucson is seeking a part-time Campus Caretaker. Please see full position description in this PDF. Interested applicants please send a letter and/or resume and at least two references to Pastor Amalia Vagts (pastoramalia@lutherantucson.org). You may call the office at 520-327-6521 for more information.
Read More“I am appointing a listening panel of three people to review the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana, particularly on December 12, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to make recommendations to me.” Read more in English and Spanish in this post.
Read MorePrayers for Pastor Tim Wright and his wife Jan, as Jan begins chemo treatments for cancer. Pastor Wright is the senior pastor at Community of Grace Lutheran in Peoria.
Almighty and merciful God, you are the only source of health and healing; you alone can bring calmness and peace. Grant to us, your children, an awareness of your presence and a strong confidence in you. In our pain, our weariness, and our anxiety, surround us with your care, protect us by your loving might, and permit us once more to enjoy health and strength and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Sandra Jones and the people of Bethany Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at bethanyscottsdale.com, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop is steadily working to build a relationship with the Iglesia Luterana Mexicana (ILM, Mexican Lutheran Church).
In this post we share photos of the pastoral home of the Santisima Trinidad congregation. The Grand Canyon Synod is working with others to rebuild the home after extensive earthquake damage.
Read MoreWELCA celebrates Women’s History Month by telling the story of bold women of faith. A three-part series starts on Thursday, March 10, by exploring the life of Emmy Carlsson Evald (1857-1946). Advance registration is required for this free webinar.
Emmy's best known as the founder of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Augustana Synod. But did you know she was a suffragette? And a social activist?
Read MorePastor Lars Hammar writes: “We have our spring schedule planned out for once (minus the once a month hikes), and we’re going to be getting back to our roots a little, investing time in regular fellowship and community, sharing highs and lows, and doing some devotions and/or prayer. We’ve been apart for so long, hobbling along through Covid closures, and it’s time to get back to our basics.”
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Keith Lingwall and the people of Abounding Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Sunrise Conference. Visit their site at agtucson.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreFirst and second grade students at Navajo Lutheran Mission Preparatory School are enjoying their hybrid classrooms where they receive a balance of direct and asynchronous instruction. Chromebook laptop computers for each child have made it possible to have our students in school full-time, learning and exploring the world.
Read MoreRuth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Program Director for Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, writes: “A new – but deemed to be landmark – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report was finalized on Feb. 27, “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” (IPCC Report). Unfortunately, the message is not new.
Yet while the report re-emphasizes the dire situation the global community faces, it also emphasizes hope: The climate we remember is gone, but we can dramatically limit the damage and reduce our risk by adapting to the new climate.
Read MoreRetirement may feel like (or even be) a long way off. Having a plan for retirement can increase confidence and peace of mind about the future. For those that missed the live Retirement Readiness Series workshops hosted by Fidelity, access to condensed video presentations is available here on myPortico.
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