Click here to read the summer edition of ELCA Advocacy Connections from the Washington office, featuring policy notes, action alerts, featured resources, and dates of note.
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Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest provides services to a variety of needed community members, from children navigating the foster care system, families at risk of homelessness, to newly arrived refugees. We are able to take our support to our community a step further through the help of churches and other community members.
Our organization is in need of generous donors who wish to donate needed school supplies to our clients who receive services through us. Help your community receive school supplies so they can be successful in their upcoming school year! Visit lss-sw.org/backtoschool or view this PDF flyer for more info. Supplies are needed by 7/24/2024.
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Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix needs volunteers for painting the exterior of church offices and assisting elderly members with house and yard work. Join property manager Dave Koschney in this vital effort to support our community. All materials and tools provided. Interested? Call Dave Koschney at 602-625-3605 to make a difference.
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Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. Sessions include topics like corporate social responsibility, abortion, and climate crisis, led by knowledgeable speakers. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.
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Kristin Johnston Largen, president of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, shares about the impact of theologian Jürgen Moltmann on her own spiritual outlook. Moltmann, a professor of systematic theology at the University of Tübingen in Germany, died June 3.
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Christians Against Christian Nationalism is calling our community to action against the rise of Christian nationalism. Utilize their new toolkit to host a community meeting, engage in meaningful dialogue, and develop strategies to combat this divisive ideology. Download the toolkit, organize a local meeting, and join them in protecting the core values of our faith and democracy. Visit their website for full details and support materials.
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Lutheran Summer Music invites you to livestream over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services throughout the entire month of July. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 to explore the schedule and access the livestream and video archive
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The idea of retirement can bring up many questions and emotions. Portico offers a series of 30-minute, prerecorded, online workshops called the Retirement Readiness Series to help ELCA Retirement Plan members feel confident about discerning their next steps. Workshops are easily accessible on myPortico. There’s no need to preregister — just sign in and watch.
Want to go deeper? Schedule a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner to understand more about where you are now and how to ensure you’ll reach your retirement goals.
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One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get regular checkups, vaccinations, and screenings. Preventive care is not only essential for maintaining overall health, it’s also one of the best ways to catch unknown health issues early. An annual preventive exam is part of your ELCA-Primary health coverage and this video can help you maximize the time with your doctor so you can live, work, and serve well.
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The ELCA has recently updated its parental and family leave policies, endorsing up to twelve weeks of paid leave to support rostered ministers and church staff in their caregiving roles. This policy revision, part of the ELCA’s commitment to gender justice and equitable treatment, was approved with overwhelming support at the Churchwide Assembly.
The Quality of Call Initiative has assembled a report examining how synod compensation guidelines recommend parental and family leave policies and practices for rostered ministers providing care. View the report and synod maps.
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In an article for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, Autumn Byars, GCS Hunger Advocacy Fellow, shares her experience at the West Valley Community Food Pantry, housed at and run by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale. At the invitation of Associate Pastor for Outreach and Synod Director Of Generosity And Strategic Development, Pastor Dan Potaznick, Byars joined director June Kelsey and her team. Read the full article at LAMAZ.org.
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In the latest Seeds Monthly, we find this summer is full of opportunities for growth and fellowship within the ELCA community. Join us in celebrating Pride Month through engaging stories from our LGBTQIA+ members, participate in the massive ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans from July 16-20, and learn about new initiatives in family leave policies for our ministers.
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From a letter of gratitude from Pastor David Sivecz, “On behalf of Grace Lutheran Church, I extend our deepest gratitude for your generosity in making hygiene kits during the synod assembly. Your thoughtfulness and generosity have significantly impacted our ability to support those in need within the downtown Phoenix community.”
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Join the Grand Canyon Synod and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona in supporting the 2024 Arizona primary elections by volunteering as a poll monitor. View full information in this LAMA article. Training sessions are offered on multiple dates in July by Election Protection Arizona and the Arizona Faith Network. Register now to ensure that every vote is counted and every voice heard in a fair and dignified manner. Let’s live our faith by advocating for justice and integrity at the polls!
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The Office of the Bishop picks up projects after our assembly wrap-up, and travels for meetings and preaching.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Deacon Bernice Johnson, who celebrates 65 years on July 5.
Rev. Arlyn Norris, who celebrates 49 years on July 6.
Rev. Joshua Auchenbach, Tanque Verde, Tucson, who celebrates 18 years on July 9.
Rev. Timothy Nybroten, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 24 years on July 9.
Rev. Daniel Hodgson, who celebrates 57 years on July 9.
Rev. Richard Staats, who celebrates 58 years on July 10.
Join the 2024 Peanut Butter Wars to help fight food insecurity in Las Vegas! From July 1 to August 5, 2024, groups across the community are competing to donate the most peanut butter and raise funds. The event aims to collect $25,000 and 10,000 pounds of peanut butter for Lutheran Social Services of Nevada.
Participate or donate to make a significant impact—every jar counts towards battling hunger. Get involved by emailing martin@lssnv.org and help spread the word using #peanutbutterwars!
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Louis Liss will be ordained and installed at Mount Zion Lutheran Church (4520 West Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85746-9706) on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 11 am. Bishop Hutterer will preside, and Pastor Andrew Schlect will preach. A livestream link will be provided.
Rostered leaders are encouraged to vest and process, color of the day is red. There will be a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
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