We pray for Rev. Steven Crittenden and the people of Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church in Apache Junction, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at epiphanyofchristlutheran.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreMackenzie Scott, novelist and former wife to Jeff Bezos, both of Amazon fame, is increasing her reputation for generosity with a significant donation to the California Community Foundation. This week she donated two mansions in Beverly Hills estimated at worth around $55 million. The foundation announced that 90% of the proceeds will go toward providing grants for affordable housing. The remaining 10% is slated to be used for programs for integration of immigrants.
Read MoreWith the congregation of Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Mesa, we pray for the friends and family of Rev. Tony Scheer after the passing of his wife, Carol Scheer, due to heart complications on Monday, September 12, 2022. She was 56 years old.
Visitation is Sunday, 9/18/2022, 6-7 pm, at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 400 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206.
Funeral services are on Monday, 9/19/2022, 11 am, at Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, 2605 South Signal Butte Road, Mesa, AZ 85209.
Read MoreTo respond to the flooding, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is supporting the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to rebuild homes in Owsley County, one of the poorest counties in Kentucky. The homes all belong to families who wouldn’t have been able to rebuild without financial support. Additionally, the synod is replacing septic tanks for 25 families.
Read More“Embracing God’s call, Mosaic relentlessly pursues opportunities that empower people.” Mosaic’s mission statement encapsulates the ministry of this serving arm of the Church. Visit their web site here.
Born out of the Church, Mosaic’s two legacy organizations–Bethphage Mission, founded in 1913, and Martin Luther Homes, founded in 1925–came together in 2003 with the purpose of greater impact for those who are often excluded and marginalized by society.
Read MoreFor those participating in ‘God’s Work. Our Hands.’ Sunday and for those they will serve
For church musicians, faith formation leaders, and all church staff and volunteers at the start of the program year…
For those enduring extreme temperatures and power outages in California…
For those suffering and battling wildfires…
For victims and families grieving after stabbings in Saskatchewan…
For world leaders and nations in leadership transition…
For relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake in China…
For first responders and for our nation, as we remember the September 11, 2001 attacks…
We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Rev. Corazon Aguilar, who celebrates 27 years on September 9.
Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 30 years on September 10.
Rev. Bill Voris, who celebrates 62 years on September 11.
Deacon Ardie Senft, who celebrates 25 years on September 12.
Rev. Jill Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 24 years on September 13.
Rev. David Brandfass, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 27 years on September 13.
Rev. Richard Mauthe, who celebrates 36 years on September 14.
Rev. Carl Mangold, who celebrates 47 years on September 14.
The Office of the Bishop team processes info and action items from a recent staff retreat, and also attends meetings and events like the Installation of Pastor Greg Hartman at New Spirit Lutheran in Tucson. We also share photos from Bishop Hutterer’s visit to American Lutheran in Sun City.
Read MoreNote: the start date for this position is extended to October 1, 2022. The 2022-23 Hunger Advocacy Fellow placed with LAMA will serve as a member of the staff of this ELCA-affiliated State Public Policy Office as a full-time contract employee. Find out more here.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Kenneth Truckenbrod’s family and friends after he passed away on July 15, 2022.
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. Click here to register online. Or click here to download and print the paper registration form.
Scholarship opportunities available. The deadline to receive applications is 9/23/2022. View a fillable application form here.
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 MoreThe Second Annual IMA-ELCA Fall Educational Event is Monday, 9/19/2022, at September 19, 2022, 10am-1pm MST/PDT, 11am-2pm MDT. Register here for this online Zoom event, and view a PDF flyer here.
Join a panel discussion of leaders—including Rev. Kurt Fangmeier Living Christ Lutheran Church in Flagstaff—who are engaged in innovative leadership. Each panelist will give information about their specific context, and time for personal and in depth conversation will follow.
Read MoreExtraordinary Lutheran Ministries welcomes Rev. Abel Arroyo Traverso as co-chair of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries Board of Directors. “Abel’s commitment to ELM living into being an antiracist organization, while continuing to serve LGBTQIA+ leaders in our church, is a gift to the board and our broader community.”
Pastor Abel also serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation in the Southwest California Synod.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Gary McCluskey and the people of University Lutheran Church in Tempe, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at ulctempe.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
Read MoreOur campus ministries from Arizona State University and the University of Arizona went to San Diego for the 43rd Annual Labor Day Weekend Retreat.
As always we are lodged in different locations (okay, we sleep on church floors) and get together for beach time and a Mission Bay breakfast followed by a form of Yoga done to various Bible verses, then interactive get-acquainted activities.
Read MoreA common human experience human is to lose something. Losing something can be very frustrating and produce a lot of stress, especially when you’re in a hurry or it’s a really important item. There are many reasons for why this happens; more often than not, we find the things we’ve lost when least expect it.
But did you also know that it is common for people to “freak out” when they are the thing that is lost?
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Naomi Hartman and the people of Lutheran Church of the Foothills in Tucson, part of the Sunrise Conference. Visit their site at foothillslutheran.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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