Engage in the 2024 election year with the ELCA’s robust initiatives and training opportunities. From online workshops like “Crucial Conversations” to the NCC Freedom Summer campaign, there are numerous ways to get involved. Discover resources and reflections designed to inspire and guide your civic engagement. Visit ELCA.org/votes for more information and read the full post from ELCA Advocacy here..
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop spends a day volunteering with staff at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store this week, as well as regularly scheduled activities.
Read MoreExplore an extraordinary Lutheran love story in David Schaeffer’s Letters from Sweden. Through his father’s wartime and postwar letters to his fiancée, Mary, this book unveils a journey of faith, love, and commitment. Schaeffer’s reflections offer insights into the resilience of the “Greatest Generation” and the enduring power of handwritten letters. Read the article in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreThe Arizona Faith Network (AFN) invites you to participate in our “Summer of Listening: Building Bridges for a Stronger Interfaith Community” campaign. Running from June through August, this initiative aims to foster interfaith collaboration and ensure our efforts meet Arizona’s diverse community needs. Your input via our community survey is crucial in helping us build a more inclusive and resilient interfaith community. Take the survey to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. And read more news in their latest weekly newsletter.
Read MoreIn this article in Living Lutheran, Bill Bamford, an aerospace engineer and member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Millersville, MD, shares his journey of faith and service. For 18 years, Bill and his family have been active in their church community, deeply valuing the support and connection they found there. Professionally, Bill works at NASA, focusing on satellite navigation, and believes in the power of community both in his work and faith. His journey from a “Chreaster” Catholic to a dedicated Lutheran highlights his appreciation for forming a personal relationship with God, a key value in his life.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. John Hoelter, who celebrates 57 years on August 9.
Rev. Wyatt Linde, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 1 years on August 9.
Rev. Joseph Dillon, who celebrates 48 years on August 10.
Rev. Paul Campbell, who celebrates 45 years on August 12.
The Rev. Cheryl Fox, St. John’s, Williams, who celebrates 15 years on August 15.
For justice and peace among nations where war and conflict rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Myanmar, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For de-escalation of political protests in Bangladesh and anti-immigration protests in England…
For relief and recovery efforts and for all affected by the path of Hurricane Debby…
For victims of flooding and landslides in China…
For collaboration, civility, and compassion in national and international politics…
For protection for those fighting wildfires in California and the Pacific Northwest, and for safety for all evacuees…
In thanksgiving for the diversity, camaraderie, and international good will demonstrated during the Olympic Games…
In the August 2024 Fuller church Leadership Institute newsletter The Crucible, reflect on Jürgen Moltmann’s influential legacy and his emphasis on finding hope amidst life’s tensions. Enhance your ministry leadership skills by joining the Business of Ministry Cohort with Mike Bonem, preorder Tod Bolsinger’s adaptive leadership series, and attend a practical training event in Colorado Springs.
Read MoreArtificial intelligence is transforming sermon preparation, making it more efficient and accessible. Tools like ChatGPT can generate compelling sermons tailored to specific congregations, enhancing the preaching experience. However, faithful preaching requires more than AI can offer alone. Dr. Karoline Lewis of Luther Seminary emphasizes that while AI can support the homiletical process, preachers must integrate their unique voice and context into sermons. Discover how AI can serve as a valuable co-pilot in sermon crafting, ensuring that the message is both impactful and faithful. Read more on using AI effectively in your preaching in the full post from Ryan Panzer.
Read MoreJoin faith+lead for “Stepping Up to Supervision,” a training series by Susan Beaumont, designed to enhance your supervisory skills within a faith-based context. Starting on August 13, this three-session course covers essential topics like performance management, hiring practices, and effective feedback. Register now to gain practical strategies and theological insights that will empower you to lead your congregation more effectively. Sessions will be held on August 13, 20, and 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Central Time. Enroll for $195 and access the recordings for a year. Enroll Now
Read MoreJoin us on Sunday, October 13th, 2024 following the 9:00 AM worship service at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman, AZ, as they celebrate 60 years of ministry and community. Stay tuned for more details and visit glckingman.com for updates. Save the date and be part of this joyful milestone!
Read MoreIn this story by Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars, discover how Santa Cruz Lutheran Food Bank in Tucson, led by Pastor Bob Jones and Joanie Contreras, extends Christ’s love beyond food distribution. Open every Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm, the food bank offers flexible support, additional services, and hosts resource fairs. Serving southern Tucson and nearby reservations, this holistic approach creates a strong community, addressing broader issues of food insecurity. Explore the inspiring story of Santa Cruz and their dedicated volunteers who make a difference every week on the LAMA website.
Read MoreFrom the latest Blessed Tomorrow newsletter: “Explore how restoring nature can lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives in our new Climate Action Guide. Learn from young climate leaders, discover the role of health professionals in climate advocacy, and prepare to vote with our comprehensive guide. Join One Home One Future for the Season of Creation and stay connected with Blessed Tomorrow for more updates and resources.” Read the full newsletter here.
Read MoreThe 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans was an incredible week of faith, fun, and fellowship. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed, from the city’s warm hospitality to the adult leaders, volunteers, and participants. Highlights included inspiring speeches, engaging activities, and raising nearly $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger’s Generation Zero-Hunger. Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the next gathering in Minneapolis from June 28 to July 2, 2027. Thank you for making this event a success!
Read MoreAugust is National Make-A-Will Month. A will is only one of several ways to ensure your charitable planned giving creates a legacy lasting beyond your lifetime. The post From Summer Workers to Charitable Gift Donors: The Carlson Sisters’ Lifelong Support of Mosaic appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreRev. Nicole Bullock, church planter and ministry innovator, shares her personal journey and offers practical strategies for avoiding burnout in ministry in the latest Pivot podcast from faith+lead.
Read MoreJoin us October 21-23, 2024, at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ, for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering. Featuring Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe, this event will focus on the craft of storytelling with three engaging sessions designed to inspire and equip you for future ministry. Registration includes meals and is available until September 13, 2024. For more information and to register, visit our 2024 Bishop’s Fall Gathering page.
Read MoreBe sure to sign up for “Preaching in an Age of Polarization,” an online workshop on August 22, 2024, from 10am - 11:30 am MST/PDT. This session, led by Rev. Katie Langston of the Grand Canyon Synod, offers tools and insights for preaching with grace and humor in politically charged times. Engage in practical discussions, learn to address hot-button topics, and stay true to your Christian identity amid polarization. Register now at faithlead.org/polarization to secure your spot or access the post-event recording.
Read MoreJoin the NCC Freedom Summer 2024, a faith-based campaign inspired by the 1964 Freedom Summer, focusing on voter education, registration, and mobilization in five key states. The campaign begins the week of Juneteenth and includes the Virtual Freedom Summer Academy and a five-city Freedom Ride, culminating in a Freedom Summit on August 17, 2024. Discover how you can participate and make a difference in communities across the nation by engaging with this pivotal initiative. Visit their sign-up page to get involved and help bring about social change through faith and action.
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