Peace Not Walls shares responses to the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh from Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage, Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, and World Council of Churches. Read and listen to NPR coverage here.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Kim Taylor and the people of American Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at godsplaceforgrace.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreThe May, 2022, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, 4 things you can do to keep your organization cyber-safe, new videos on Portico’s billing process now available, creating a congregation mission statement, a new e-book entitled The Four S’s That Keep Church Leaders Awake at Night, and 10 essentials of severe-weather preparedness.
Read MoreOur unity as Christians is through Jesus Christ, the One who embodies God's grace among us. Every day we dive into our baptism, through which God promises grace and mercy and draws us out to love and serve neighbors.
Yet, there are times when, even in our unity, we do not agree. The people of this church and this country have various and perhaps contrasting responses to the Supreme Court's leaked draft opinion on abortion. Regardless of where each of us stands on the issue, the ELCA's 1991 social statement on abortion speaks to all of us.
Read More“Scatter the Imagination of our Hearts,” at St. Olaf College, Northfield Minn., July 25–July 28 2022. Under the theme “Scatter the Imagination of Our Hearts” (Luke 1:51), St. Olaf College's Conference on Worship, Theology, and Arts (CWTA) invites you to reflect on how the people of God can challenge, change, and inspire others, especially as faith communities imagine new responses to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism.
Read MoreValparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., June 26–July 24 2022. Did you know that few Lutheran Summer Music students actually pay full tuition? Thanks to scholarships and congregational support through programs such as the Young Musicians Partnership, many LSM students receive matching grants that reduce out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships are still available for LSM 2022; nominate or encourage a young musician you know to apply today!
Read MoreGrand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods announce a Lutheran cohort for ASU Lodestar Center’s Best Skills Best Churches certificate program starting in July. View a PDF brochure for more info and click here to register.
Thanks to the Lilly Endowment and funding from our Growing Generosity appeal, we provide this opportunity for rostered and lay leaders for only $150 per student. Act now: space is limited to 20 students from our synod and the deadline to register is June 13, 2022.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of Rev. Christine Stoxen (Holy Trinity, Chandler) who celebrates 22 years on May 14, and Rev. Jonathan Heilner, who celebrates 47 years on May 18.
Read MoreReports of new coronavirus cases have doubled in the past month as Omicron subvariants have spread across the country.
According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels, all of our synod’s counties remain low level: Apache, Clark, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma.
Read MoreIn this report, Rev. Charles Newman of Crossroads Lutheran Church in San Tan Valley shares the Crossroads story in this video.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop team hits the road and attends a number of events in person and virtually, including Pacifica Synod Assembly, Festival of Homiletics, Denver, CO, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Graduation, and the Installation of Rev. John Maroni at Shepherd of the Desert in Sun City.
Read MoreFrom the work of psychologists Drs. John & Julie Gottman we will explore the concept of the Four Horsemen, first published in the book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. We also welcome The Rev. Sara Cutter, Senior Director for Operational Effectiveness in the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA’s churchwide organization. Join us May 18, 2022, 11 am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT, (and every Wednesday). The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreFor people, all creatures, and livelihoods in the path of wildfires in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and elsewhere, and for the safety of those who are fighting the fires…
For the people of Ukraine and people throughout the world who are endangered by violence and warfare…
For students finishing the semester and preparing to graduate…
For people living with mental illness and for all who work to improve access to mental health care and combat the stigma of mental illness…
The Office of the Bishop organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. We thank Tom Vega from Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix for all his great work in making this possible.
In this post we share a wealth of great resources provided by our presenters. Click here to view a recording of the webinar, and use this passcode: ^^8$%JXX
Read MoreCampformation seeks a camp nurse for their week of camp, serving youth from the Grand Canyon Synod. If you are interested in serving or would like to inquire about more information, please contact Rev. Craig Corbin, Dean of Campformation at revcmcorbin@gmail.com.
Read MoreIn this report, Rev. David Chavez shares a video (English with Spanish subtitles) on the joint Episcopal/Lutheran Borderlands ministry, and we also share a slideshow from Cruzando Fronteras and Casa de la Misericordia y de Todos las Naciones.
Read MoreIt can be hard to feel God’s restorative presence in these times. In the midst of violence towards each other and the Earth, I often wonder how the Holy Spirit is realizing God’s promise of resurrection in our lives and in our world.
For me, one answer is with the people and relationships in my life.An opportunity for regenerative relationship in my position as a Hunger Advocacy Fellow comes from my work with the EcoFaith Network of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
Read MoreBishop Eaton shares a message regarding the listening panel which reviewed the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana leading up to and on Dec. 12, 2021, and asks for prayers for all concerned in these matters. Leer en español también.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Ruby Myers and the people of Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at tlcphx.org, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreIn this gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should love one another.” This is a commandment that calls us into a relationship, with both God and one another. It calls us into a relationship of love.
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