The 11th Asian Lutheran International Conference (ALIC) was held in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Jan. 12-17, with the theme “Comfort, Comfort My People: Prophetic Justice and Healing.” Sivin Kit, Lutheran World Federation interim director for the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice, spoke to this theme by asking, “Have we lost touch with the experience of pain and suffering in our churches and our world?”
Read MoreLuther Seminary's Faith+Lead Bookhub for February, 2023 is 2/16/2023, entitled Work that Means Something: Experiencing God’s invitation in the ordinary. Learn more and sign up here, and check out the three featured books:
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation shares their February 2023 Good Green News, featuring: The Ants & the Grasshopper Screening; Earth Day Virtual Service 4/23/2023; and upcoming connections calls Lead-Free Superhero, and Pollinator Projects.
Read MoreAt its November 2022 meeting, the ELCA Church Council authorized the establishment of a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) to consist of no more than 35 voting members and directed the Executive Committee of the Church Council to initiate the process of forming the Commission.
Each synod is being asked to submit two nominees. Read more in this post about this process and how to nominate yourself or others.
Read MoreWhat a day! For photos and a full recap, please visit lamaz.org. Highlights below.
Nearly 100 advocates from 23 of Arizona’s 30 districts gathered at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy on January 30, 2023
Sen. Raquel Terán (D), Senate Minority Leader from LD26 and Rep. Tim Dunn (R) from LD25 (Yuma) were featured speakers, along with Ashley St. Thomas, Arizona Food Bank Network; Jessie Gruner, Pinnacle Prevention; and Connie Phillips, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.
Participants met with their legislators in support of anti-hunger bills HB2211 and HB2142
Bishop Hutterer led the invocation in the Senate, advocates were introduced in the House gallery by Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D), LD13 and in the Senate by Sen. Raquel Terán (D), LD26.
Advocates attended the Health & Human Services Committee to hear testimony in support of HB2211, which received a 9-0 due pass recommendation.
The Office of the Bishop travels to Las Vegas as part of Synod on the Move, preaching at various churches and attending the Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering, Feb 4, 2023, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM. We also share photos from last week’s Synod on the Move in the Tucson area and Lutheran Day at the Legislature.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the following ordination anniversaries:
Rev. Katie Langston, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 1 year on February 4.
Rev. Shari Bernau, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 18 years on February 5.
Rev. Pam A. Reynolds, Lord of Life, Sun City West, who celebrates 2 years on February 6.
Rev. Mark Wickstrom, Living Hope, Las Vegas, who celebrates 37 years on February 9.
Deanna Branch is an activist for lead-poisoning awareness. She is a mother, a member of Hephatha Lutheran Church (ELCA) and a resident of Milwaukee, Wis. Vice President Kamala Harris invited Deanna to attend the recent White House Lead Pipe Summit.
Deanna Branch and her sons, Jaidyn and Aidan are featured in "Blessed are the peacemakers," the first episode of the new season of "Talks at the Desk" video series.
Read MoreThe West is faring particularly well, with states like Montana and Utah seeing some of their lowest-ever case and hospitalization rates.
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.
Read MoreLutheran women will gather via Zoom for Living Faithful: Called and Thriving, a new online leadership event, February 16-18, 2023.
The four-hour sessions from Women of the ELCA on both Friday and Saturday will include worship, Bible study presentations, breakout time, Q&A and much more. Prior registration is required. Spanish language translation services will be provided. Learn more and register here.
Read MoreFor the family of Tyre Nichols and the city of Memphis as they experience the trauma of police brutality…
For the city of Jerusalem as it mourns those killed in the recent synagogue shooting…
For victims and families following a mosque bombing in Pakistan…
For labor strikes in the U.K. and for fair working conditions for all…
For the UN, NATO, and all world leaders working in global collaboration…
For warmth and safety following ice storms in the southern and central USA…
For a renewed commitment to seeking racial justice as we enter Black History Month…
For free access to education, and in thanksgiving for all educators…
Watch a video from the Rocky Mountain Synod on Ascension Lutheran’s response to the Marshall Fire.
On Dec. 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire, a destructive wildfire and urban conflagration whipped by sustained winds, swept across Boulder County, Colorado. The fire completely destroyed the homes of several families who are members of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Louisville, including pastor Stephanie Lord’s.
Read MoreFor anyone in our ELCA interested in telling stories—stories of God, ourselves and others—join the ELCA Mission Support Team on Tuesday, 2/7/2023 5-6:15pm MST, 4-5:15pm PST, for “The Story Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us.” Info flyer here, and access the Zoom link here.
Read MoreIt's been a rough few years and it may be time for you to reset. This tour will include a visit to India's Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) which includes visiting the famous Taj Mahal. We will also spend five days in a retreat in the holy city of Varanasi.
Contact Pastor Jose at chaplainjosevalenzuela@gmail.com to learn more and be a part of this small, 10-person tour.
Read MoreAs we enter Black History Month, be sure to visit the ELCA Justice Portal and find worship resources, educational tools and ways you can work toward racial justice in our church and our society.
Read MoreBlack History Month begins this week — and so does a new season of the “Talks at the Desk” video series. This four-part series amplifies and celebrates Black voices across our church.
Wednesdays in February, 6:30pm MST, 5:30pm PST. Watch this and last year’s season videos on YouTube here. For more information and accompanying discussion guides, visit ELCA.org/ADM.
Read MoreCamp ALOMA needs summer staff 18-25 years old and high school volunteers! Learn lifelong skills by spending the summer in the crisp pines of Prescott AZ! If you have a heart for ministry, the outdoors, and children, then we are eager to meet you! See campaloma.com or apply at www.nloma.org.
Read MoreCamp ALOMA summer camp registration is now open for Summer 2023! Hurry on over to sign up for your first choice week with your bff! (And go get those early bird discounts.)
See campaloma.com or register at app.campdoc.com/register/aloma.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. William Timm and the people of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at gloriadecristo.com, and their social media pages on Facebook.com and Youtube.
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