Photo: Delegates from 12 LWF member churches take part in 2nd meeting of the Climate Justice Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean
New commissions to further dialogue with Roman Catholics and Pentecostals
Explore the transformative stories and impactful work featured in the Inside Out Network’s Summer 2024 Newsletter. Discover how faith-based initiatives are making a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals and learn how you can support this vital mission. Read the full newsletter online or in this PDF.
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The Lutheran Men in Mission 2024 Summer Ambassador-Gram is available by clicking here. You can also view the LMM page where Ambassador-Grams (including this one) are archived.
Their summer Foundations newsletter is also available via PDF and contains valuable info, including their cover story, Fighting Human Trafficking One Mile and One Meal at a Time: “Cyclists in Iowa rode 200 miles to raise over $2 million to combat human trafficking, supported by Lutheran Men in Mission and congregations like Emanuel St. John’s in Lytton. Their journey reflects the bold and daring challenge of living out faith through action.”
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In the August 2024 LECA Mission Support Memo, we hear about how the ELCA Youth Gathering is both a place of faith formation and empowering each of us to share faith and inclusion in our church. You also have a great opportunity to attend Stewardship Kaleidoscope in September, even online so check out the memo to find out more. Find the memo here in Living Lutheran too!
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On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.
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Discover how to vividly convey your community's mission through our step-by-step webinar on creating Narrative Mission Plans. Led by Pr. Tim Brown on September 9th, this session is perfect for anyone looking to transform their budget into a compelling story of impact. Register for this Zoom event here.
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Discover how your congregation can go solar with insights from Interfaith Power & Light’s recent webinar on solar financing. The session covers various financing options, federal incentives like Direct Pay, and real-life experiences from a congregation that has successfully navigated the process. Access the webinar recording and additional resources to start your solar journey today.
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Join us on Thursday, September 12, for a vital Zoom presentation with Michele Harbeck Haley, CPA, who will demystify clergy taxes and housing allowances. This session is essential for anyone looking to confidently navigate the unique tax challenges clergy face. Register today to secure your spot!
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The Office of the Bishop staff spent a morning volunteering at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop on August 13, 2024. Our team was inspired by the dedication and community spirit of the shop’s 350+ volunteers, who have helped raise over $10 million for ELCA missions and local non-profits, including our office. The experience deepened our appreciation for this vital ministry, and we look forward to returning soon to continue supporting their incredible work.
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LWF World Service, the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation, is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional assistance in 26 countries worldwide. With a focus on serving the most vulnerable, LWF World Service is renowned for its field presence in hard-to-reach areas, linking local community needs with global advocacy and peace work.
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Members of the Office of the Bishop celebrate the Ordination of Julie Gerrish at Esperanza on Aug 24, 2024 at 11 am and work on day to day operation.
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Discover how you can make a difference and save on taxes with an IRA charitable rollover. If you’re 70½ or older, this special opportunity allows you to give up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity, like your ELCA congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, without paying income taxes on the amount. Connect with Lisa Higginbotham, our Regional Gift Planner, to learn more about this impactful and tax-efficient way to support the ministries you care about.
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Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development for the Grand Canyon Synod, has earned the prestigious Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. This accomplishment enhances our synod’s capacity for sustainable growth and reflects a collective commitment to nurturing a culture of generosity.
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Daniel Volkmann will be ordained on Friday, 9/13/2024, at 6pm at United Dr. Martin Luther Church in Shiner, Texas. Volkmann will be called to serve as the Associate Pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
All rostered ministers are invited to robe and process. The color of the day is red. Rev. Christopher Heinold will be preaching. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will be presiding. The service will be live-streamed on the Shiner Lutheran Church Facebook page; no RSVP is necessary.
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Rev. Doug Dill will be installed Sunday, 9/15/2024 at 10:30 am at Mountain View Lutheran Church (11002 South 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044).
Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
The installation will be live streamed as part of the 10:30 am Worship Service on Mountain View’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/mvlutheran. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. No RSVPs are necessary; all are welcome!
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Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley is hiring a Director of Youth Ministry to lead our Middle School and High School programs. This full-time role involves dynamic leadership, collaboration with the Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, and Family, and managing key youth ministries. Apply today at www.orovalley.org.
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TVLC is seeking a part-time worship leader to provide instrumental and vocal leadership for our 10:30 am modern worship service. If you are passionate about contemporary Christian music and leading others in worship, apply today on Indeed.
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West is offering grants to local non-profit organizations that are doing extraordinary projects, through its Benevolence Fund. The minimum grant amount is $10,000. These funds may be requested through a grant review process for projects not currently supported by the church’s budgeted benevolence, Mission Endowment Fund or monthly Gratitude Gift program. View more info on their website and download a PDF brochure here. Benevolence Requests should be submitted by Monday, 9/9/2024.
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This week’s Synod Spotlight highlights Lutheran Services in America, a national network of 300 faith-based organizations that serve over 6 million people annually across the United States—one of every 50 Americans. In Arizona and Nevada, their impact is felt through member organizations that provide critical care and support to more than 64,000 people each year. View their fact sheets for Arizona and Nevada.
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For 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 those attending or participating in the Democratic National Convention, and for all leaders in government…
For any countries experiencing political unrest and turmoil, especially Bangladesh…
For the care, safety, and well-being of women and girls around the world…
For those in the path of Hurricane Ernesto…
For the northeastern United States in the midst of record flooding…
For healing and protection in the wake of a new COVID variant and the Mpox virus…
For those experiencing extreme heat throughout different regions…