Sometimes we experience a tension in life. We want to see ourselves in a position of superiority, thinking of ourselves as better than “other kinds of people”. But we also feel a pull toward humility and a stance of shared humanity with all people. Resentment may come into play. We are tempted to dehumanize those we resent, maybe even punish them.
Read MoreFor those who are unemployed, underemployed, or experiencing financial hardship…
For those experiencing famine in Somalia and all who experience hunger and malnutrition…
For the people of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras impacted by Tropical Storm Julia…
For nations in leadership or regime transition, and for upcoming elections…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
For musicians, cantors, choirs, and instrumental ensembles who lead our assembly in worship…
We pray for Rev. John Biggs and the people of Saved By Grace Lutheran Church in Pahrump, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at savedbygraceelca.com and their Facebook page.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Brian Cain and the people of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at spiritofjoygilbert.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreWe continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Synod Vice President Barbara Carl.
“At Churchwide Assembly, I gained a deeper appreciation that we of this church, the ELCA, are deeply connected. We are truly church together.”
Read MoreWe share the video and resources from our Creating Communications Connections webinar on Tuesday, 10/11/2022. Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications, presented an overview of communications basics and strategy. Watch the webinar here with the passcode: 0mCcG5?g
View ELCA congregational communication tools and branding, view our synod’s communication guidelines, and this great principles of design article.
Read MoreThe Ordination and Installation of Verónica Alvarez as Associate Pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church/ Iglesia Evangélica Luterana La Fe (801 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85014) will take place on Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 4pm with a reception following. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preach and preside.
Alvarez is the first Grand Canyon Synod Diakonia graduate to be ordained. She graduated in May, 2022 from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Rostered ministers are invited to vest and be part of a procession. The color of the day will be red. Rostered ministers can send RSVPs to worship@faithalive.com for further instruction around arrival time and where to meet.
Read MoreThanks to a gift from Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson, Manna Grants were awarded for new and continuing projects that work to alleviate hunger and address the root causes of hunger within the Grand Canyon Synod. A full list of recipients is in this post.
Read MoreThe Northeast Valley Consortium is hosting "Hope in a Troubled World," an interfaith prayer gathering, on Wednesday, 10/26/2022 at noon MST/PDT, 1pm MDT. Email HopeInOurWorldNow@gmail.com to register and receive the Zoom link.
Agnieszka Godfrejow-Tarnogorska, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, shares powerful stories from the war in Ukraine.
Ryan Cummings, Program Director, ELCA World Hunger, shares inspiring stories about our hunger crisis.
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barker, Executive Education, Congregation Beth Israel, shares hopeful stories of faith amidst troubled times.
Ron Bonnstetter shares Native American flute music.
The Inside Out Network (ION), a ministry birthed in an ELCA congregation and identified as a strategic ministry by the Grand Canyon Synod, is seeking input from congregations that intentionally minister with and to people leaving incarceration. Click here to take the Reentry Congregations Initiative Survey, which takes no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Read MoreSt. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, Ohio: Elementary general music teacher
“Attending church with my mom and grandparents is one of my earliest memories. My grandmother would hold me on her lap and rock me during the church service. Today I still hold this memory close to my heart, as I always felt safe and loved in her arms.”
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop focuses on the Bishop’s Fall Gathering at the Franciscan Renewal Center this week. We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. Jonathan Linman and other events.
Read MoreRev. Daniel Hoeger, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 33 years on October 15.
Rev. Douglas Dill, Central, Arizona City, who celebrates 7 years on October 17.
Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 36 years on October 19.
Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 26 years on October 20.
For the victims and families of the mass shooting at a daycare center in Thailand…
For peace amid the escalating conflict between Palestine and Israel…
For the victims and rescue workers in the aftermath of a landslide in Venezuela…
For the safety of protestors speaking out amid episodes of violence in Pakistan…
For congregations engaged in annual stewardship appeals…
For an end to the continued violence and war in Ukraine, especially amid nuclear threats…
Pastor Jason Adams will be installed at Good Samaritan, The Lakes Lutheran Church (8200 W. Sahara, Las Vegas NV 89117), on Friday, 10/21/2022, at 5 pm, with a reception to follow.
Bishop Hutterer will preach. Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is green.
Read MoreIt is my prayer that each of you had a wonderful Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and that as you looked around you saw more and more non-Indigenous people observing this holiday in ways that lifted up the gifts and beauty of the Indigenous people in what is presently known as the United States.
Read MoreI keep thinking about the people’s determination in the Ukraine. It has been nearly eight months since the invasion began. Ukraine’s population is forty-four million compared to Russia’s one hundred forty-four million. This giant has attacked them, and it has not been as easy as Russia had hoped. What makes the Ukrainians continue to resist?
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