In his Daily Meditation of February 6 on 1 Corinthians 12, Rev. Richard Rohr writes “Humanity consistently has to face the problem of unity and diversity. We’re not very good at understanding it. We habitually choose our smaller groups, because we don’t know how to belong to a larger group. That demands too much letting go.”
Read MoreJoel McKinnon Miller is an actor. A lifelong Lutheran, he currently isn’t a member of an individual congregation but continues to be affiliated with the ELCA.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network shares a video for their synod assembly report.
“Arizona Faith Network is a interfaith organization dedicated to bringing people together to promote peace and understanding through interfaith education and dialogue as well as healing of the world through collaborative social action.”
Read MoreWe are on for June 26-29, 2022, at the Dumas Bay Center in Federal Way, Washington. Staff, please fill out this form to register. Synod folks, encourage the staff in your part of the world to join us for this important and life-giving event!
Read MoreSynod council member Sue Jensen shares how an annual rummage sale at Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson transformed during the pandemic into a yearlong ministry that provides goods to local social service agencies.
Read MoreAll Creation Sings includes a fully bilingual setting of Holy Communion (Setting 11/Liturgia 11). To support use of this liturgy as well as Evangelical Lutheran Worship Setting Seven: Santa Comunión, Sundays and Seasons now provides many more hymns and songs in Spanish.
Most hymns from Libro de Liturgia y Cántico are available for download to Deluxe subscribers. Service music (#181-274) is available to both Standard and Deluxe subscribers.
Read MoreThe ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) hosts a webinar series entitled Building an Anti-Racism Team: Next Faithful Steps on three upcoming Wednesdays: 9/7/2022, 10/5/2022, and 11/2/2022. Register in advance here. More info at edlarj.org/events and Facebook event.
This series is for anybody in the ELCA, specifically interested in connecting with other folks building or working at a synod, campus or congregational anti-racist team.
Read MoreSave the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier.
Featured speakers include: Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni, who will lead a Bible study via Zoom from Jerusalem, Rev. Rebecca Boardman, University of Arizona Campus Ministries; and Carolyn Tonneson, with Peter’s Hope/Bamburi Women’s Empowerment Center (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa).
Read MoreOn March 31st, 2022, the ELCA Church Council adopted “A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community,” uplifting our commitment to friendship and solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The idea that the ELCA should develop “A Declaration to the Muslim Community” has been around for some time, especially since the Reformation commemorations of 2017, when there was renewed focus in a variety of forums on Luther’s attitudes toward the religious Other.
Read MoreThis week’s ordination anniversaries are:
Rev. Charles Newman, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 17 years on May 15.
Rev. Nelson Sulouff who celebrates 63 years on May 16.
Deacon Mary Jayne Baker who celebrates 10 years on May 22.
Rev. Stephen J. Hammer who celebrates 40 years on May 25.
Rev. Debra Slifer who celebrates 35 years on May 25.
Revs. David and Diane Drach-Meinel, Christ the Servant, Henderson, who celebrate 35 years on May 26.
For people facing violence in the Donbas region of Ukraine…
For Orthodox Christians celebrating Easter this week…
For interfaith peace and understanding as people of different faiths observe this holy time of year…
For wisdom and compassion to treasure and preserve our planet, God’s own beloved creation…
For our Jewish neighbors as they observe Yom HaShoah and for people facing genocide throughout the world…
This week, the Office of the Bishop team preaches at various congregations, attends board meetings, and keeps the business of the office moving through yearly scheduled audits. We also include photos from First Call Theological Education.
Read MoreLutheran Church of the Foothills, Tucson shares a video for their synod assembly report. The congregation received a grant from the Grand Canyon Synod to construct their audio/visual booth.
Read MoreRead the 2022 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post.
“Like all of you, we found ourselves facing parallel crises: the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, an influx of vulnerable immigrant children at our border, and the devastating refugee criss in Afghanistan. While it was an incredibly difficult year in many ways, it was also one of the most inspiring in our 83-year history.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 ELCA Federal Credit Union synod assembly report as a PDF.
“The ELCA Federal Credit Union, founded in 2016, provides a full suite of financial products and services to members, congregations and ministries of the ELCA. We are the first of the ELCA’s financial ministries to offer loans to individuals. The Credit Union offers a rich variety of products—from savings and checking accounts and CDs ... to loans, lines of credit and credit cards.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Mission Investment Fund synod assembly report as a PDF and watch a report video.
“The Mission Investment Fund, a financial services ministry of the ELCA, provides a strong, stable, faith-based way for individuals, congregations, and ministries to achieve their financial goals. We put investments to work to fund building and renovation loans for congregations and partner ministries, including social service agencies and outdoor camps.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Portico synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post, and watch the report video from Andrea Arey, Regional Representative for Regions 1 and 2.
“As the benefits ministry of the ELCA, Portico cares for those who serve. We walk with you in times of joy and in times of challenge.”
Read MoreRead the 2022 Mosaic synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post.
Mosaic serves more than 5,200 people in 13 states and 750 communities, including Phoenix, Prescott, and Tucson. Services are tailored to meet individual needs and goals, allowing people to be as independent as possible. Services are designed for people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults.
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