We pray for Rev. Thomas Dunham and the people of Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Sunrise Conference. Visit their site at streamsinthedesert.us, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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We pray for Rev. Michael Johnson and the people of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at ctlcarefree.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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I read an article the other day that suggested that generosity is an early sign of Alzheimer’s. My first reaction was to laugh, because I have often told people that God has early Alzheimer’s. I say that because it tells us in the psalms that God not only forgives our sins, but also forgets them. That is one way that God is generous to us. And that is a good thing.
After I stopped laughing however, I decided that this is something I should think about seriously. Read more in this post or view as PDF.
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During June 8-10, 2023, we gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley and the Tucson area. The exact dates and time may be subject to change.
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The 2022 Churchwide Assembly hearings will be held by Zoom webinar during the week prior to the Churchwide Assembly. Hearings are nonlegislative sessions to hear certain proposals scheduled for assembly action or information sessions at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
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You’re invited to view the worship and work of the sixteenth Churchwide Assembly. Plenary sessions will be streamed live on the ELCA website, at elca.org/CWA-2022, with the full schedule in this post. At this assembly, a live stream of worship also will be provided. View PDF of schedule on ELCA.org.
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The ELCA gathers for its Churchwide Assembly next week, August 8–12, 2022. As I travel to Ohio to attend this gathering, I invite you to pray for all 900 voting members are attending, including ten others who will represent the Grand Canyon Synod: Glenn Austad, Roger Bailey, Pastor David Brandfass, Barbara Carl, Laura Hollengreen, Hannah Manzanares, Pastor Matthew Metevelis, Pastor Charles Newman, Sarah Morris, and Pastor Christine Stoxen.
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We share a video from Denise Rector, part of the pre-events of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2022.
In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24.
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The 2022 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA will honor and celebrate Indigenous people through presentations and worship during this weeklong event.
In addition to opening with a land acknowledgment, on Wednesday, 8/10/2022: participants are invited to wear red recognize and publicize the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo will be remembered; Holy Communion will utilize words and music from Native American sources; and the offering will support the Pine Ridge Reservation initiative.
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A reminder to visit Arizona Corporation Commission, Nevada Secretary of State Businesses, or Utah Commerce Division of Corporations and file your annual report.
Failure to maintain the congregation's corporate status can put contracts, giving, and property ownership in jeopardy, as some of our congregations have discovered. Please check your status now to avoid future complications!
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In this video message, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares information on the upcoming 2022 Churchwide Assembly, asks for our prayers as our church gathers and discerns, and invites us to watch.
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I remember a particular Sunday in October 1962. It was the first anniversary of me being blind, and I was pretty proud of myself. I remember this Sunday so specifically because the sermon text was on the healing of Blind Bartimaeus, and the import of the sermon was, “If you believe strongly enough God can do anything.”
After worship, for the first time I remember, but certainly not the last, I remember the man who came up to me and said, “I know that if you believe enough God will heal you.”
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Excellence in Leadership is an 18-month journey offered online through the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA. Cohorts begin late September, 2022, and are open to rostered and lay leaders. Click here to learn more. Register by 9/2/2022.
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President Joe Biden visited Augusta Victoria Hospital, the first visit of a sitting U.S. president to East Jerusalem. The president announced a $100 million multiyear commitment toward the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN), of which AVH is a member. Support U.S. Funding of Augusta Victoria Hospital! Take action today.
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This week we turn our attention to the Installation of Rev. Erin Morris at Resurrection Lutheran in Oro Valley as well as the Heidi Gerrish Celebration of Life, both on July 30, 2022.
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Rev. Matthew Wiswall, Resurrection, Scottsdale, who celebrates 32 years on July 29.
Rev. Mateo Chavez, San Juan Bautista, Tucson, who celebrates 4 years on July 29.
Rev. Anton Tony Scheer, Spirit of Hope, Mesa, who celebrates 22 years on July 30.
Rev. Rebecca Boardman, U of A LCM, Tucson, who celebrates 18 years on July 31.
Rev. James Schubert, who celebrates 32 years on July 31.
Rev. Clifford Hanus, Mount Cross, Payson, who celebrates 35 years on August 1.
Rev. Sharon Brown, Spirit of Joy, Clarkdale, who celebrates 9 years on August 2.
Rev. Mark Perry, Sierra Evangelical, Sierra Vista, who celebrates 36 years on August 2.
Rev. Thomas McFarland, who celebrates 36 years on August 3.
Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all higher than they have been at nearly any point this summer as the BA.5 variant continues to spread across the United States.
In our synod, a continued wave of high level counties: Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma.
Medium level: Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz and Washington.
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In a July 18, 2022 letter to President Joseph R. Biden, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), expressed gratitude for his July 15 visit to the Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem and his announcement of a $100 million multiyear commitment to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN), of which AVH is a member.
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In gratitude for and solidarity with members of our community living with disabilities…
For communities harmed by earthquakes in the Philippines and threatened by wildfires in California…
For the life of Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, the first Native American woman ordained in the Lutheran church…
For European and world leaders in discernment and negotiations over energy resources…
For volunteer election judges across the country, as they train and give of their time to ensure the integrity of the election process in the U.S…
For farm workers suffering the effects of climate change and recent extreme weather…