ELCA World Hunger: Pursuing justice and food security in Brazil
ELCA World Hunger: Pursuing justice and food security in Brazil

In this video, learn about the CAPA project of Fundação Luterana de Diaconia (FLD), an ELCA World Hunger partner, which accompanies people living in Brazil’s Kilombola communities to work toward gender and racial justice, food security and sustainable livelihoods.

The Kilombola people are descendants of Afro-Brazilian enslaved people and have struggled against inequality and neglect for centuries, often lacking basic needs like running water, sanitation and access to health services. FLD shot and produced this video to tell the story of the Kilombola people they accompany and it is shared by the ELCA with permission. Learn more about ELCA World Hunger’s work with partners around the world by visiting ELCA.org/hunger.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Ordination celebrations: 8/26/2022-9/1/2022
Ordination celebrations: 8/26/2022-9/1/2022

We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:

  • Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 17 years on August 27.

  • Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 28 years on August 28.

  • Rev. Paul Ninnemann, who celebrates 46 years on August 29.

  • Deacon Barbara Sikkink, who celebrates 30 years on August 30.

  • Deacon Janice Zimbelman, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 8 years on August 31.

  • Rev. Renee Geiger, who celebrates 34 years on September 1.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
8/31/2022 Courageous Leadership: Awareness and Dancing Bananas
8/31/2022 Courageous Leadership: Awareness and Dancing Bananas

Did you know that the average person in the United States is exposed to roughly 30 GB of information each day?! In the midst of this onslaught, working with a coach who can help evoke awareness is akin to a superpower. Join us as we hear from ELCA Coach and Rev. David Hively.

Join ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Grief, money narratives, and annual giving: Sharing grief changes reasons for giving
Grief, money narratives, and annual giving: Sharing grief changes reasons for giving

This timely piece by Erin Weber-Johnson from Luther Seminary works with the question: What do we do now?

As someone who guides faith communities and institutions in the work of discerning how to follow God’s call, and how they can best steward their resources to serve their mission in a given context, this question has long held relevance. As we think about raising money and leading congregations – especially when we know that the “now” is riddled with grief – this question feels more relevant than ever.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, faith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: August 28, 2022
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: August 28, 2022

  • For communities in China impacted by drought…

  • For communities in Algeria impacted by wildfires…

  • For victims of gun violence in Washington DC…

  • For resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine as we cross the six-month mark of the war, and especially remembering Ukraine’s Independence Day (August 24)…

  • For those grieving the loss of a pet…

  • For those struggling with debt or financial stress…

  • For those experiencing housing insecurity…

Read More
ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
GCS Hunger Leaders Network meets 8/30/2022
GCS Hunger Leaders Network meets 8/30/2022

Calling all hunger champions! Join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Tuesday, 8/30/2022, 6-7pm MST/PDT, 7-8pm MDT.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, Hunger, Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders NetworkComment
Worship Team Assistant wanted at Desert Hills Lutheran in Green Valley
Worship Team Assistant wanted at Desert Hills Lutheran in Green Valley

Vibrant, large congregation seeks a dynamic Worship Team Assistant to support the worship life of the church by aiding in worship planning, content creation, execution, distribution, and evaluation of worship experiences, both for in person and online services. Read the job description in this PDF and contact the church to apply.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Desert Hills Green Valley, Kino ConferenceComment
ELCA Fund for Leaders awards TEEM scholarships
ELCA Fund for Leaders awards TEEM scholarships

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fund for Leaders will award 375 scholarships to students attending the seven seminaries of the ELCA for the 2022-2023 academic year.

This year the ELCA Fund for Leaders will distribute around $3.5 million through several types of scholarships, including direct full-time scholarships, federal chaplaincy ministries scholarships, mission developer scholarships, and synod or congregation scholarships.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA SeminariesComment
2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly summary of actions
2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly summary of actions

The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly met Aug. 8-12, 2022, under the theme "Embody the Word." The assembly worshiped together in services of eucharist and lament, experienced a liturgy rooted in Indigenous traditions, and heard a public apology in a nonlegislative session to Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina for harm experienced from actions taken by the Sierra Pacific Synod and this church. In this post, read the key actions taken by the assembly.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2022 Churchwide AssemblyComment