We pray for Rev. Robert Jones and the people of Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference. Visit their site at santacruzlutheran.org and their Facebook page.
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Before you review our year-end newsletter, I want to express my deep gratitude for all you have done through your actions and ministries to make our synod and our world a better place. As you scroll through each month’s highlights, I hope you’ll vividly see all the ways we are Church Together.
I also want to thank all of you for your generous giving and support to our synod through your benevolence dollars, half of which goes to our ELCA Churchwide organization. In your name, the three expressions of the ELCA acts around the world, as well as in your local ministries. Your generosity has allowed us to continue the important work of communicating Jesus, connecting people, and creating possibilities.
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Lenny stands next to the bank of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. He can see the U.S. from where he stands in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, but he can’t get there. A former soldier in the Venezuelan armed forces, he decided to leave his home country looking for greater opportunities.
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We give thanks for the gifts of Dr. Jerry Kingston, Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility. Since 2014, he has assisted three Bishops in the placement of pastors from across the country who wish to serve in the Grand Canyon Synod.
At the end of 2022, that era of service will end, and Jerry will continue to do the work of the church through various ministries and by being the one who shows up for family, friends, and youth. Words of thanks for his work can be sent to jkingston@gcsynod.org.
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We pray for Rev. Charles Newman and the people of Crossroads Lutheran Church in San Tan Valley, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at iamcrossroads.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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This article will introduce readers to a newly-published resource titled, “Preaching and Teaching with Love and Respect for the Jewish People.” This publication is a product of the ELCA’s Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations and was written under the leadership of Dr. Peter Pettit.
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This Christmas, we look back on the five years of Advent hymns with LWF member churches and country programs. Since 2018, the Advent hymns were well received worldwide and have been a way of nurturing connection and showing solidarity through faith and hope. For some, the hymns have become a way to mark each day in Advent with family and congregations. The hymns allow us to share in the many joyful expressions of worship.
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In this Christmas season, we extend our warmest wishes and blessings to you and your loved ones. May this special season be filled with joy, love, and peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
We are grateful for the gift of your presence in our synod, and for the ways in which you accompany us in our shared ministries. May the love and grace of Christ continue to guide and inspire you in the year ahead.
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The Church of Lippe (Lutheran Section) sings Hört der engel helle lieder as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land sings Come All Ye' Faithful as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
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For those celebrating Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and all other winter holidays…
For the nativity of our Lord and for all expectant families…
For those who have difficult relationships with family…
For migrants and refugees around the world and at the southern border…
For all experiencing extreme weather conditions, especially dangerously cold temperatures…
For those injured by turbulence during last week’s Hawaii flight…
For victims of gun violence, especially the apartment shooting in Ontario, Canada…
For the families of those killed in the fuel tanker fire in Afghanistan…For those protesting in Peru…
For rescue and recovery efforts following a landslide in Brazil and earthquake in California…
For peace in Ukraine and all countries torn apart by war…
The Office of the Bishop does year-end work, takes vacation time, and enjoys the Christmas season.
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High level counties are Gila, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Santa Cruz, and Yuma.
Medium level counties include Apache, Clark, Cochise, Coconino, Graham, Maricopa, Nye, Pima, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma.
Note: our updates can be a week behind due to our news cycle overlapping with Thursday updates. View the latest CDC and NYTimes updates here.
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We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Rev. Rodney Hutton, who celebrates 45 years on December 26.
Rev. Susan Swanson, who celebrates 23 years on December 27.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) sings Omunene Gwomu Sioni as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
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The Grand Canyon Synod continues to build relationship with the Mexican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM). Bishop Hutterer recently joined Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwest Ohio Synod and President Roberto Trejo Haager for a “get to know you” tour to discuss ways we can journey with ILM.
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This summer Pastor Miguel will be walking the Camino de Santiago once again, and this time will lead others who wish to experience this incredible journey for themselves.
The group will start their journey in Sarria, Spain and end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. If you are interested in learning more, please email Pr. Miguel at miguel.gomezacosta@gmail.com by January 2, 2022. Click here for preliminary itinerary.
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Warm hearts and wide smiles perfectly balanced the chilly Rock Point, Arizona winter air on December 15th, 2022, at the Mission 2022 Christmas Program.
39 Mission students in traditional Navajo finery and costumes sang Christmas carols and told the story of Jesus' birth so many years ago. Read more of the newsletter in this post.
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Registration prices for the Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) are increasing on January 4, 2023! Have you registered your youth group yet? Registration prices increase $100 - so be sure to register today!
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