What are some adjectives that we use to describe our Egg Hunt and Resource Fair? Well it was wild and it was joyful.
We were able to serve about 380 children from 240 families with multiple resources! It was on the local news on NBC channel 3, CBS channel 8, and Fox 5 (see clip here). Thanks to everyone that made this happen; it was an example of many people coming together to help under served families and children. View a video recap here.
Read MoreThe ELCA mission support memo for March, 2023 is available as PDF, as a Word doc, or in this blog post. They also provide access to a presentation on Where is Mission Interpretation Now. Click here to view the presentation with this passcode $3xKqLkn.
Read MoreAs part of the Lenten Challenge between the Southeastern Iowa and Grand Canyon Synods, more than 200 individuals from over 70 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, daily decluttering, daily wellness activities, or a donation of a dollar or more a day for ELCA World Hunger. Individuals raised nearly $7,000 for anti-hunger efforts through ELCA World Hunger. Thank you!
Ultimately, the Grand Canyon synod won the challenge with more than 120 participants. A trophy, along with a video message from Southeastern Iowa’s Bishop Amy Current, will be awarded during the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop continues to plan for assembly, and travel to various congregations and ministries around our synod.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Charles Newman, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 18 years on April 15.
Rev. Nelson Sulouff, who celebrates 64 years on April 16.
All of our synod’s counties are at at low levels.
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 Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has announced the launch of the ELCA's Truth and Healing Movement. The focus of the initiative is to increase the church's understanding of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in past generations and in the present.
To learn more, read this post below, visit ELCA.org’s Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations page, the Truth and Healing Movement page, and watch Bishop Eaton’s announcement.
Read MoreFor peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Yemen…
For victims of gun violence, especially those who died in recent shootings in Nashville and Louisville…
For legislative bodies to summon the courage to enact meaningful gun safety laws…
For vulnerable families and adults who are losing their Medicaid and SNAP benefits…
For coastal communities threatened by rising sea levels…
For all facing the effects of natural disasters, including the volcano eruption and earthquake in eastern Russia…
For victims and those grieving following military airstrikes in Myanmar…
For all migrants, and especially for rescue operations of two migrant boats in the Mediterranean Sea…
For the work of Lutherans Caring for Creation, and for all organizations that advocate for sustainable practices…
For Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Orthodox Christians in the midst of holy observances…
We pray for Rev. Steven Kruse and the people of New Covenant Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at newcovenantaz.church, and their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Read MoreCentral Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) provides more than just a safe place to sleep. The chaplaincy program at CASS cares for people experiencing homelessness who have a spiritual hunger.
Lay and rostered leaders are encouraged to volunteer their time with the chaplaincy program at CASS to teach Bible Studies and serve as outreach coordinators. Volunteer duties take two to three hours per week. Contact John Thurston john.thurston39@gmail.com or check out azchaplaincyforthehomeless.org to learn more.
Read More“[Science] is glimpsing God’s mind and being in awe of it.” —Francis Collins, to the Templeton Foundation
Read MoreThe first episode of Faith+Lead's Pivot Podcast season 4 is available, and they’re kicking off the season by exploring the rise of micro-Christian communities and their impact on the traditional church model. Listen here.
Read MoreLuther Seminary’s Faith+Lead offers Dare to Lead for Church Leaders, and it’s based on the research and teaching of Dr. Brené Brown. Over six immersive sessions, our facilitator, Rev. Sarah Ciavarri, will apply these Dare to Lead principles to church leadership. Click here to learn more and register.
Read MoreBlessed Tomorrow shares their April, 2023 newsletter. Blessed Tomorrow is a coalition of diverse religious partners working to advance climate solutions in faithful service to God. Learn more.
Read MoreOur current news cycle is full of debates around the validity and protections of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly our transgender siblings. While no one’s lives and identities should be used for political fodder, we many shape these conversations around demonizing trans folks, and more specifically weaponizing what God thinks about the diversity God has created.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Phillip Shuart, Rev. Mari Larson and the people of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at standrewlv.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Read MoreJoin The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) and presenter Casey Salas for a Zoom event, The Jewish Expulsion from Spain: Rethinking Religion and Society, Tuesday, 4/25/2023 at 6:30pm MST/PDT, 7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Read MoreOur synod’s ELCA Foundation planners—Lisa Higginbotham and Josh Kerney—share their monthly charitable giving tip. This month: blended giving! Considering a gift now that complements a gift at death can be requires just the right recipe which is personal to you.
Read MoreFaith+Lead is excited to announce a brand-new way to learn about faith from anywhere at any time with the first on-demand Faith+Lead Academy course: The Gospel of Matthew. Experience the life and teachings of Jesus through art, reflection, and application. Sample the Gospel of Matthew Course here.
Led by author, theologian, and cartoonist Steve Thomason, this is more than a course, it’s an experience of refreshment and connection with God.
Read MoreThe North East Valley Consortium and the Grand Canyon Synod are hosting an upcoming event, Leading Faithful Innovation, with Lutheran Seminary on Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1-5pm, at Living Water Lutheran Church, 9201 E. Happy Valley Road Scottsdale, AZ 85255. View more in this post or this PDF flyer.
To register for free, please visit bit.ly/3Z8ErQh or follow the QR code by April 18, 2023. A virtual option will also be available. Please call 651-641-3431 with questions. Join us at Living Water Lutheran Church for an afternoon of learning, led by Luther Seminary Vice President of Innovation and Professor Dwight Zscheile.
Read More
