Lutherans Restoring Creation shares their Good Green News for November 2022, featuring gratitude, an urge to respond to the Climate Care message draft by December 2, 2022, and upcoming Connection Calls.
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The November, 2022 edition of Seeds Monthly is available, featuring: ELCA introduces refreshed brandmark; virtual church; ELCA Youth Gathering news; and featured events, resources, and bulletin blurbs.
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ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response have always been intricately connected, but in recent months global events have reminded us again just how vital the work of God through these shared ministries is for communities around the world. View the latest Fall 2022 edition of Lifelines online or order here.
The depth of the humanitarian and refugee crisis in Ukraine and across Europe will require a yearslong response. Incredible generosity to Lutheran Disaster Response in the wake of the Eastern European crisis and to ELCA World Hunger over the last 18 months has enabled us to temporarily expand our work in impacted regions.
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ALAMEH (Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage) released a issued a statement on current events in Iran. Read it here or in full in this post.
“Zan. Zendegi. Azadi. Woman. Life. Freedom. These are the words Iranian citizens have been shouting from the streets throughout Iran for the last several weeks. Iranians took to the streets to protest the murder of a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini.”
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The Church Council of the ELCA met at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Nov. 10–Nov. 13, 2022. The council welcomed ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui and 18 new members, elected by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
In key action, the council approved a nomination process for the Commission on a Renewed Lutheran Church.
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Retired pastor Lowell Nelson embarks on a three-month experiment, volunteering as a “Grand Canyon Synod Emissary and Encourager.”
Through the end of January, he’ll check in on council presidents and pastors, sharing stories of the Grand Canyon Synod and our common work. These first three months he will be focusing on the Northeast Valley and Capital Conferences, thanking them for being Church Together and providing mutual encouragement.
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In the predawn hours of May 30, 2022, in Valley Springs, S.D., tornado sirens pierced the air, rain poured and windows clattered as they blew off hinges.
Beaver Valley Lutheran, a steadily growing congregation of around 420 active members, was directly in the path of the tornado. The church, more than a century old, suffered significant damage. Its offices, kitchen, fellowship hall and education wing were mangled into unrecognizable piles of debris, said Greg Johnson, pastor of Beaver Valley.
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Executive certificate in religious fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Wednesdays from Jan. 4 through March 8 (except for Ash Wednesday), with a smaller cohort meeting an additional day each week. The course is offered at a steep discount for parish deacons and ministers, at only $550. Contact Rev. Larry Strenge or Rev. Timothy Brown with questions. Learn more here.
“Learning Donor Motivations” stewardship webinar, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 6 p.m. Central time.
Join ELCA Coaching on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 when we will hear from Christina Costa, MSc, a Psychology PhD candidate at University of Michigan. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina goes beyond the "fight" narrative of cancer -- or any formidable personal journey -- to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative (hint: gratitude) to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
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Seven pastors from across the Grand Canyon Synod gathered with Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui Pagel at Camp Pinerock in Prescott, as part of their additional education required after seminary. The group took a deep dive into scripture, explored the topic of money and finances, with time for collegiality and leadership building.
In April, 2023, there will be a gathering at Spirit in the Desert and discuss the relevance of applying Family System Theory to our ministry sites.
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Members of all Grand Canyon Synod congregations and ministries, including active and retired leaders, are welcome to our spring gatherings. Mark your calendars and connect with the people of the Grand Canyon Synod.
Kino Conference Spring Gathering: Jan 28, 2023, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Tucson.
Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering: Feb 4, 2023, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Las Vegas.
Spring Gathering for Cactus, Capital, Fiesta, Northeast Valley & Rio Salado Conferences 1: Feb 19, 2023, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix.
Spring Gathering for Cactus, Capital, Fiesta, Northeast Valley & Rio Salado Conferences 2: Feb 26, 2023, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa.
High Country Conference Spring Gathering: Mar 25, 2023, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona.
The Office of the Bishop travels and preaches, including a visit to Guadalajara by Bishop Hutterer to visit the Mexican Lutheran Church.
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We celebrate Rev. Dr. Mari Larson, with St. Andrew Lutheran in Las Vegas, who celebrates 26 years on November 23.
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Cases and hospitalizations continue to rise nationwide, driven in part by a growing outbreak in the Southwest.
The nation's most rapid growth in hospitalizations with the virus is clustered in our synod, with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico all seeing hospitalization counts increase by more than 30 percent in the past two weeks. Cases in those states are on a similar upward climb, particularly in New Mexico.
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For worship leaders and musicians preparing for Advent and Christmas…
For those traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, those who will spending the holiday alone or with one less place setting this year, and those for whom holiday gatherings bring grief or anxiety…
For those who grow, distribute, sell, and prepare our food, and the land from which it grows…
For those struggling and working to rebuild in the wake of flooding and natural disasters…
For those grieving in the aftermath of the University of Virginia shooting and for an end to gun violence…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
The latest Crucible Newsletter is available from the Fuller Church Leader Institute, featuring their Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast, as well as info on their upcoming Online Adaptive Capacity Cohort. Click here to apply for the fully online cohort starting in January 2023.
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Churches around the world are coming together to participate in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Starting on Nov 25th, 2022, we will be acting, lifting voices, and promoting a more justice world for women and girls.
Please find attached the form to sign up here for your activity during this campaign, and learn more in this post.
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We pray for Rev. Brent Maxwell and the people of Gloria Christi Federated Church in Phoenix, an emerging Federated Community of Faith created by and made up of the former members of Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their new site at gloriachristiaz.org, and their Facebook page.
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Desert Cross Lutheran Church and Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert are seeking a Worship Leader & Choir/Bell Choir Director.
We are seeking a qualified person to fill both roles. However, If a single qualified candidate is not available, we will consider offering two separate positions.
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