Pacifica Synod, led by Bishop David Nagler, is a vibrant Lutheran community encompassing Hawaii and Southern California. With 110 congregations and nearly 25,139 baptized members, this synod is committed to faith, service, and social justice.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carlyle Smith, who celebrates 60 years on August 23.
Rev. Naomi Barcanic, who celebrates 27 years on August 24.
Rev. Nathan Bowman, Hospice of the West, who celebrates 39 years on August 25.
Rev. Sandra Jones, Bethany, Scottsdale, who celebrates 17 years on August 25.
Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 19 years on August 27.
Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 30 years on August 28.
Rev. Hildegardo González Gómez, who celebrates 25 years on August 28.
Rev. Paul Ninnemann, who celebrates 48 years on August 29.
Rev. Carol George, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 25 years on August 29.
How to End Christian Nationalism is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it. Five years into leading the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, Amanda Tyler unpacks key truths we can share with others: Patriotism is not the same as nationalism. Religious freedom means little if it's not for everyone. Christians follow a gospel of love, not the idol of power. Learn more and order the book here.
Read MoreJoin the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. August’s focus is Corporate Social Responsibility with Rev. Kaari Reierson. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.
Read MoreThe FBI has reached out to the Office of the Bishop with vital resources to combat the rise in hate crimes during election years, offering support and emphasizing community safety and civil rights protection.
Read MoreIn the month of September, the Season of Creation is celebrated in churches around the world. The first Season of Creation was celebrated in 2000, under Norman Habel’s leadership at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Adelaide, South Australia. Habel wrote, “For four weeks we relived the great creation stories in the Bible. The children loved it. We also confessed what we have done to creation and how God is working to renew creation. It was an exciting beginning!”
Join One Home One Future for a Season of Creation resource kit plus access to a robust resource hub, connections to over 100,000 people of faith, events, programs, and ongoing support.
Read MorePhoto: In an urgent appeal for peace, the LWF warns “there is everything to lose through an escalation of the conflict” in the Middle East region. Photo: Wafa / APAImages (CC-BY-SA)
India: Theology that embraces tolerance and prioritizes justice, by Rev. Anup Indwar
Soreo, a service of Mosaic, has doubled its service capacity in Arizona, expanding its in-home care for aging individuals and people with disabilities to nearly 950 people. This growth through the acquisition of Prileo reflects Mosaic’s commitment to expanding its mission and ensuring high-quality care across the state.
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation (LWF) unites over 77 million Lutherans across 99 countries, embodying our shared commitment to faith, justice, and service. As we highlight the global Lutheran community, we celebrate the rich history and ongoing impact of Lutherans worldwide, from the Reformation to the present day. Learn more about how the LWF addresses global challenges and how you can be part of this global mission.
Read MoreThis week’s Synod Spotlight celebrates the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), highlighting its formation in 1988, its three-part structure of congregations, synods, and churchwide organization, and its significant role in the global church through partnerships and advocacy. The ELCA continues to unite Lutherans in worship, service, and community, shaping our shared mission locally and globally.
Read MoreRegion 2 of the ELCA connects five synods—Grand Canyon, Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, and Rocky Mountain—across a vast and diverse territory. As one of the nine ELCA regions, it plays a crucial role in uniting the work of over 600 congregations, offering support and resources that strengthen the mission of the church in varied cultural and environmental contexts. This Synod Spotlight highlights the vital connections and collaborative efforts that define Region 2’s role in our shared life in the ELCA.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA is a dynamic network of Lutheran congregations across Arizona, Southern Nevada, and St. George, Utah, dedicated to doing together what we cannot do alone. This spotlight highlights our synod’s vital role in connecting and supporting congregations, fostering collaboration, and empowering our communities to live out their faith.
Read MoreIntroducing Synod Spotlight, a new feature in our blog and newsletter dedicated to celebrating the everyday work of our congregations, ministries, and partners. Join us in highlighting the diverse and vibrant activities within our synod, Region 2, ELCA, and the global church.
Read MoreEsperanza Lutheran Church (2601 E Thunderhill Pl, Phoenix, AZ 85048) is seeking a part time choir director to supplement our worship experience and partner with the congregation in giving glory to God. For more information, please contact the church office at esperanza@myesperanza.org and view this job description (PDF).
Read MoreAt the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering where the theme “Created to Be” inspired young people to be their brave, free, authentic, disruptive, and discipling selves, there was a place in the Interactive Learning space that invited them to be “Drawn In! Moving Out!” It was an absolute joy to once again bring the vision of a worship learning experience I brainstormed in 2016 to life for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. We staffed the booth with an incredible team from the ELCA Worship Staff, Lutheran Summer Music, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the ELCA Spiritual Renewal Team.
Read MoreFor those caught in the midst of warfare and conflict, especially in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Haiti, Russia, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For protection for all in the path of Tropical Storm Ernesto…
For those affected by wildfires in Greece…
For safety following the earthquake felt in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon…
For victims of stabbings in London, England and Eskisehir, Turkey…
For those grieving plane crash victims in Sao Paulo, Brazil…
For the United States and other countries preparing for government elections…
For those beginning or preparing for a new school year…
For those affected by the earthquake in Los Angeles and the wider area…
For the protection of creation, wildlife, and water sources…
The Office of the Bishop travels for work and vacation, and keeps the day-to-day and week-to-week operations flowing.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Mark Powell, who celebrates 44 years on August 17.
Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 20 years on August 18.
Rev. Brent Maxwell, who celebrates 17 years on August 19.
Rev. Kurt Fangmeier, Sierra Evangelical, Sierra Vista, who celebrates 23 years on August 19.
Rev. Marilyn Ascarza, who celebrates 34 years on August 19.
Rev. Scott Hackler, Spirit of Grace, Surprise, who celebrates 35 years on August 20.
Michael Purcell, who celebrates 46 years on August 20.
Rev. Barbara Rapp, who celebrates 31 years on August 21.
Rev. Martha Neff Stum, who celebrates 14 years on August 21.
Rev. Loren Swanson, who celebrates 53 years on August 22.
Rev. Gary Garvey, who celebrates 42 years on August 22.
Discover new resources and events for worship leaders and musicians this fall! From workshops hosted by Music that Makes Community to the latest video interviews from the Center for Church Music, explore ways to deepen your worship leadership. Plus, mark your calendars for ALCM’s 2025 Summer Conference and revisit LSM 2024 performances online. Read the full list of resources and events highlighted by ELCA Worship here.
Read MoreUnited Church of Christ presents a Community Safety Training Series via Zoom on August 19, September 9, 23, and 30, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Register for Zoom info here.
How can congregations build an ecology of community safety that is rooted in care, investing in each other, believing in each other, and trusting each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us? What community safety practices can we engage in now that also help us build the world we long for? Our experienced trainers will expand on our “Ecology of Community Safety” guide to offer practical skills, psycho-social care practices, planning tools, and analysis of current conditions.
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