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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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!
Read More
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.
Read More
The Office of the Bishop attends Pastor Steve Beyer’s Farewell & Godspeed at Lord of Life, Sun City West, preaches at various churches around the synod, and participates in First Call Theological Education in Prescott.
Read More
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Lowell Nelson, Christ the Lord, Carefree, who celebrates 13 years on April 10.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Learn how to transform church properties into affordable housing at the Incubator Academy workshop on April 10th and 11th by Vitalyst Health Foundation and Corporation for Supportive Housing, featuring expert guidance and successful case studies. View this PDF for more info.
Read More
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…
As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.
Read More
Happy Easter from your friends at Lutheran Summer Music! Please enjoy this musical offering of Paul Basler’s , performed by the LSM 2023 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle. Learn more about LSM @ LSMacademy.org.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read MoreMy 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