Celebrate Lutheran Heritage with Summer Music, Worship, and Educational Clinics

This July, the ELCA Worship blog highlights a diverse lineup of events and resources aimed at enriching Lutheran worship practices. From the Lutheran Summer Music Academy’s 30+ livestream events to Augsburg Fortress’ free summer music clinics across the U.S., these offerings are designed to support worship leaders and musicians in deepening their practice and faith. Special features include educational resources and transformative music workshops. Dive into these opportunities to enhance your ministry and personal faith journey by visiting LSMacademy.org/2024 and registering for upcoming clinics and workshops.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 9, 2024ELCA WorshipComment

ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Report

Join Vance Blackfox, Justice Nichols, and Wanda Frenchman for a video update on ELCA Indigenous Ministries.

Changing Church Culture Through Spiritual Practices

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast from faith+lead, Dr. Jinna Jin shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for overwhelmed pastors.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2024Pivot Podcast, faith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment

Know Your Voting Rights: A Comprehensive Guide

ecoAmerica has developed the Know Your Voting Rights Guide — an essential resource to help you understand your rights, detect and address voter intimidation or deception, and guarantee broad participation in our democracy. By protecting voting rights, we enable ourselves to elect leaders committed to climate solutions that benefit everyone. Share this guide to empower voters and safeguard our democracy. Explore the guide here.

Community Spotlight: Grand Canyon Food Pantry

Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn traveled up to the Grand Canyon to tour and volunteer at the Grand Canyon Community Food Bank— the ONLY food bank in a national park! Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona website.

Celebrate Inclusion with the Latest Issue of Promise Magazine from Mosaic

Mosaic believes it’s extremely important to include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. Inclusion not only enriches the lives and overall wellbeing of those we serve, it also enriches communities by teaching humility, understanding and selflessness, and it highlights the significant need to advocate for those who might otherwise be marginalized.

In the newest issue of Promise magazine, enjoy reading three stories about individuals who came to Mosaic under different circumstances and how they achieved—and continue to achieve—what they want for their lives. Learn more here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2024Disability Ministries, MosaicComment

ELCA Advocacy Connections: June/July 2024 Edition

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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2024Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment

School Supplies needed for students in your community

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.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2024Lutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment

Community Call: Paint and Care with Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix

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.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2024Trinity Phoenix, Capital Conference, Help Wanted, ClassifiedsComment

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: Join the Social Teachings Series

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.

Living Lutheran: The legacy of Jürgen Moltmann

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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024Living Lutheran, Wartburg SeminaryComment

New Toolkit Available for Hosting Anti-Christian Nationalism Meetings

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.

Livestream LSM 2024 throughout July

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

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024Lutheran Summer MusicComment

Staying On Track with Retirement Planning

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.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024PorticoComment

Time for a Mid-Year Checkup?

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.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024PorticoComment

ELCA Strengthens Commitment to Gender Justice Through Enhanced Leave Policies

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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024Comment

Monthly news from ELCA Worship

In the latest monthly update from ELCA Worship, highlights include: “God’s work. Our hands.”; Update From Consultation on Common Texts; Living Lutheran “Hymn of the Month”; and Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinics.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024ELCA WorshipComment

Community Spotlight: West Valley Community Food Pantry

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.

Seeds Monthly: Celebrating Diversity and Strengthening Faith: Key Updates from the ELCA

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.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024Seeds MonthlyComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter: 7/5/2024

News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2024Lutheran World FederationComment