Navigating Biases for Community Care: ELCA Coaching's Insightful Session

Discover the profound impact of biases and power dynamics in shaping our communities and relationships. Join ELCA Coaching for an enlightening one-hour session with anti-bias consultant Janelle Scales on Wednesday, 4/10/2024, 11 am MST/PDT. Login information on the ELCA Coaching website.

Delve into the intersectionality of power, the unique adult-child dynamic, and the path towards using radical compassion to foster deeper connections. Whether you're an educator, parent, or anyone committed to social justice, this session promises insights into practicing more inclusive community care.

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And the winner of the Lenten Challenge is … Grand Canyon Synod!

As part of the Lenten Challenge across the synods of Region 2, a whopping 717 individuals from 148 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.

Region 2 raised an estimated $56,135 — meaning, more is coming in — for anti-hunger efforts through ELCA World Hunger. Thank you! Read more on the LAMA web site.

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Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars Interviewed by Telemundo Arizona about harmful SNAP Bills

On April 1st, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars was interviewed by José Ángel Galavis, senior multimedia journalist for Telemundo Arizona. The news network broadcast a story about the recent passage of HB2502 & HB2503, both harmful bills that if passed, would cause additional barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Read the full article on the LAMA website.

Autumn testified against these bills in a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 12 (see article), along with colleagues from Arizona Food Bank Network and the William E. Morris Institute for Justice. Through multiple action alerts, the entire LAMA community has been advocating hard against these bills, but nonetheless, they passed on March 28th.

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Tackling American Christian Nationalism: AFN's Webinar Series Continues

Don't miss out on the chance to support Arizona Faith Network through Arizona Gives Day—donations are welcome year-round! Plus, dive into enriching online discussions with our upcoming events, including AFN Monday Meditation, the insightful webinar series on dismantling American Christian Nationalism, and more in their weekly newsletter.

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Shepherd of the Hills in Flagstaff is seeking a Youth and Family Director

Shepherd of the Hills is a joyful, growing, multi-generation congregation in Flagstaff, AZ that is looking for a half-time Youth and Family Director to join our staff. The qualified candidate will have experience working with all ages of youth, lots of joy and organization, and a passion for bringing people together to grow in intergenerational relationships and faith. View job description here.

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Camp ALOMA Summer Camp Nurses Needed

Camp ALOMA needs some volunteer nurses this summer. Come stay a week (or two) in the forest taking care of kiddos. Camp nurses are so important to the health and safety of ALOMA’s ministry that we’d be truly lost without them. So, if you or someone you know might be interested in more information, please reach out to us at 928-778-1690 or office@campaloma.com!

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Camp ALOMA Grades 9-12 Junior Servant Training

Looking for 9th-12th graders who are on fire for God. Spend your summer making lifelong friends, exploring the great outdoors, and making an impact for Jesus! Becoming a Junior Servant is also great for community service hours. Camp could not survive without JS's!!! Head on over to campaloma.com to sign up today! June 2-7; June 30-July 5; July 14-19, 2024.

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Faith Lens: What You See, Isn’t Always the Truth 

In this week’s Faith Lens, Mariah Mills explores the post-Easter contemplation of "What now?" after celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. As followers grapple with witnessing ongoing injustice and evil in the world, the story of the disciples and Thomas post-resurrection provides a reminder of Jesus' peace amidst fear and doubt. Mills encourages us to recognize the "marks of the resurrection" around us as signs of hope and to live as Christ's body in the world, embracing our role in spreading this hope amidst challenges.

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Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes to Enlighten 2024 Synod Assembly with Bible Study Insights

Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes, Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity at California Lutheran University, joins the 2024 Synod Assembly as a special guest and Bible study leader, bringing her extensive experience in Lutheran higher education and commitment to fostering faith communities.

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Camp ALOMA Early bird registration ends 4/5/2024

Join Camp ALOMA this summer for one of our 7 weeks full of adventure and good times! Hurry - Early bird discount ends Friday, April 5th! We also have financial assistance - we want everyone to be able to experience camp.! So help us eat some s’mores, learn about Jesus, and have a good time this summer!

Phoenix transportation provided by Jet Limo for $60 roundtrip. Please call 928-778-1690 or email office@campaloma.com if you have any questions! campaloma.com Register at http://app.campdoc.com/register/aloma.

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Installation of Rev. Carol George

Pastor Carol George will be installed Wednesday, 4/17/2024 at 6:15pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church (11575 N 1st Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85737). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white.

A dessert reception will follow (please RSVP the church for the reception, not not for the installation). A livestream will be available on Resurrection Lutheran’s YouTube channel.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…

  • For relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake in Taiwan, and for those injured and those grieving the loss of family members and friends…

  • For all aid groups who risk their own safety as they deliver food and supplies, especially World Central Kitchen as they grieve the killing of 7 workers in Gaza…

  • For health care workers and epidemiologists as we continue to understand, treat, and prevent COVID, bird flu, and other diseases…
    For high school and college seniors as they discern where God will lead them after graduation…

  • For all people in recovery from alcohol abuse in this Alcohol Awareness month…

  • For all communities grieving gun violence, especially Vantaa, Finland, after a school shooting…

  • For journalists in places where the press’s freedom is threatened, and for consumers of the news in places where misinformation is rife…

  • For our praise to rise at the wonders of creation, especially for the solar eclipse this week…

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Lutheran World Federation's Easter Message 2024

Resurrection brings action: Today, the Easter message comes from the Gospel of Mark 16:1-8. Mark gives an account of the resurrection. In the tomb, a young man dressed in a white robe conveyed two messages to the women. First, Jesus is risen, and second: tell the disciples and Peter to meet him in Galilee.

Easter Message by Rev. Chang Chun Wa, Ben, LWF Vice-President for Asia. He is a former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong.

“Go, therefore and, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
– Matthew 28:18-20

When God is absent and silent: In his Large Catechism Martin Luther talks about a God who is like “a kind father who cares for us so that no evil may befall us.” To believe that we are created and cared for by a benevolent God rings true to our experience when things are going well, and we do indeed feel loved and cared for. View original post at LWF, or read PDF in English, German, Spanish, or French.

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Lutheran World Federation's Good Friday Message 2024

When God is absent and silent: In his Large Catechism Martin Luther talks about a God who is like “a kind father who cares for us so that no evil may befall us.” To believe that we are created and cared for by a benevolent God rings true to our experience when things are going well, and we do indeed feel loved and cared for. View original post at LWF, or read PDF in English, German, Spanish, French.

Good Friday message by Rev. Dr Arnfríður Guðmundsdóttir is LWF Vice-President for the Nordic Countries. She is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland and a Professor of Theology at the University of Iceland.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me,
from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.
— Psalm 22:1-2

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