The Grand Canyon Synod and the Southeastern Iowa Synod are partner synods. For Lent 2023, the two synods are challenging one another to participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent, raise awareness of hunger issues, and raise some money for ELCA World Hunger.
The synod with the most participants wins! Click here to sign up for the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge. Just signing up counts as participation!
Read MoreThese conversations offer an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics about congregational engagement in advocacy. The LAMA Roundtable meets the third Monday of the month at 6:30p via Zoom.
Read MoreHoly Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler invites you to join us for a Discipleship Journey Seminar, February 17-18, 2023. Explore what being a disciple of Jesus means to you. Register here. Keynote speakers include Rev. Charles Newman, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, and Bishop’s Associate Rev. Jacqui Pagel.
Read MoreWorried about your congregation today? Wondering what the future holds? You are not alone.
People throughout the church are experiencing doubts, fears, and uneasiness about the future. Bishop Hutterer would like to talk with you about the worries and wonders you are experiencing. If you are invested in our Church’s future, join the conversation at one of our upcoming 2023 spring gatherings.
Click here to register for spring conferences so our host congregations can plan for this event.
Read MoreBlack History Month started as a week-long celebration in 1926 and has grown to a month-long event. But what does this month mean for us in the ELCA? In this video, Bishop Eaton shares some contributions of a few Black Lutherans around our church.
Read MoreAs part of the latest Stories of Faith in Action, we share a story about the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (view online or as PDF). The ongoing construction of Rwanda’s first Lutheran seminary is sparking excitement among church leaders, but with an important government deadline looming, that excitement has been coupled with anxiety.
View all the Stories of Faith in Action here, and how your offering becomes mission support.
Read MoreHow do Christians address controversial civic issues?
The ELCA invites you and your congregation to explore this and other questions by using "A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." View a video on this question in this post, along with a PDF guide.
Read MoreIn an article and video in this post, Pastor Stephen Hilding, with Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, shares his trip of a lifetime experience going to the Holy Land in 2022.
Click here to learn more about the Grand Canyon Synod’s Scholarship for International Travel Program and apply by March 1, 2023 for the next scholarships of $6,000.
Read MoreJoin us next week on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, when we welcome back the "Wonder-twins" Danielle Groth and Rev. Victoria "Vicky" Lovell. We will focus on this verse from Matthew 22:37-39, "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Wednesday at noon MST, 11am PST. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreWith deep gratitude, we are happy to announce that recent gifts put our total to $675,737 in gifts and pledges to our Growing Generosity Appeal. We have now only $74,263 to reach our $750,000 total. Thank you!
Stay tuned for stories of how these gifts have already been put to use. We invite you to help raise our final $75,000 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop travels and preaches, attends the synod council meeting, and keeps the data flowing. We also share photos from last week’s Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering, at Christ Lutheran in Las Vegas .
Read MoreFor people of Turkey and Syria who grieve death and destruction following a major earthquake, and for all relief and recovery efforts…
For all clergy of color, especially those serving in white contexts and communities…
For continued vigilance, appreciation, and awe for the Black community of the United States during Black History Month…
For all in our nation struggling with rising food costs…
For those watching the Super Bowl today, that they enjoy fun and excitement–or devastation–with friends and family…
For inspiration and strength to show love in deed, word, and acts of art and beauty…
For all experiencing improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health with the lengthening daylight hours…
In thanksgiving for ongoing improvements in the COVID-19 pandemic, while also continued prayers for all affected by the virus…
For world leaders, that they hold their power with humility and care…
Conditions are improving in most of the country, with reported cases and hospitalizations both falling by more than 20 percent nationally in the past two weeks.
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 MoreThe Psalms become our words when we don’t know how or what to pray. They give hope when all we have are sighs. This month, however you’re feeling—at home, work or school—take time to sit with your feelings. Ask your family how they’re feeling, listen to one another and trust that God holds you, no matter how you feel.
Read MoreWelcome to Episode 2 of the series, Talks at the Desk, season 2. We travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands and visit several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere. This episode explores the history and impact of colonialism both past and present.
We meet wise and courageous people of faith who remind us about sacred struggles of the past and the presence of God and ancestors today in the work that remains to be done.
Read MoreLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) is co-sponsor of the Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13th, 2023, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Wesley Bolin Plaza. Complimentary lunch included. Please join us! Learn more on the lamaz.org site.
Read MoreWe had an AMAZING response to our most recent opportunity to receive a grant from ELCA Disability Ministries! Our review team will soon begin the process of narrowing down the first 30 applications we received to the top 5 that will receive grants of up to $10,000.
We also wanted to share that the Youth Gathering will waive fees for the first 200 registrants who attend the tAble.
Read MoreGod, our refuge, come to the aid of all in need following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Give strength to those who search and wait, heal the injured, and soothe with your tender care all who cry out in grief. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Read more resources in this post.
Read MoreImagine measuring congregational vitality by how alive people and faith communities feel in their gathering and in their interactions with their neighbors, instead of determining success by counting the number of people attending worship or the number of dollars collected.
That’s what congregations are doing, or learning to do, throughout the ELCA in programs funded through grants awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. Congregations can apply for the Nourishing Vocation Project.
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