Partner Resources for Worship Leaders: Music, Training, and More
Partner Resources for Worship Leaders: Music, Training, and More

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from Lutheran and ecumenical partners who support worship leaders, musicians, and congregations. This month’s updates include a new free hymn arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music, the upcoming Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music (October 19–21), training and events from Music That Makes Community, and new resources from Journey to Baptismal Living.

These partners share in the ELCA’s mission of equipping the church’s song and strengthening our worship life together. To explore all the details and access links to resources and registration, click here.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Bishop Eaton: “God Calls Us to Say No to Political Violence”
Bishop Eaton: “God Calls Us to Say No to Political Violence”

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has released a statement following the September 10 shooting in Utah that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk. Eaton calls the church to say a definitive “no” to political violence, reminding us that our unity in Christ is a grace-filled gift in a fractured society. She urges Lutherans to be peacemakers, embodying Christ’s message of forgiveness and healing through civic engagement and active witness. To read her full message, click here.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardBishop Eaton Letters, Church and Society, Gun ViolenceComment
ELCA Condemns Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Racial Profiling
ELCA Condemns Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Racial Profiling

In response to the Supreme Court’s September 8 ruling permitting racial profiling in immigration enforcement, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls the decision unjust and inhumane, rooted in the sin of racism. Speaking directly to the Latino community, she affirms their dignity as children of God and calls the church to advocacy, urging leaders to reverse discriminatory practices and protect constitutional safeguards. Resources from AMMPARO and ELCA social teaching are provided to help congregations stand with vulnerable neighbors. To read the full statement, click here.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardImmigration and Refugees, Bishop Eaton Letters, Church and SocietyComment
Rocky Mountain Synod Responds to School Shootings with Prayer and Action
Rocky Mountain Synod Responds to School Shootings with Prayer and Action

The Rocky Mountain Synod has released a special pastoral message in response to two recent school shootings in Evergreen, Colorado, and Orem, Utah. Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, along with local pastors, offers prayers, words of comfort, and a call to faithful action against the ongoing reality of gun and political violence. Worship resources, prayers, and litanies are also available to support congregations in lament and healing. To read the full message and resources from the Rocky Mountain Synod, click here.

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Region 2, LettersBrian FlatgardRocky Mountain Synod, Church and SocietyComment
Christians in Jerusalem Call for Peace, Justice, and Equal Dignity for All
Christians in Jerusalem Call for Peace, Justice, and Equal Dignity for All

Christian leaders in Jerusalem—including Emeritus Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan—have issued a letter calling for peace, justice, and equality for all people in the Holy Land. Declaring that “to stay is to bear witness,” they affirm their continued presence in the land as a spiritual act of love and resistance, rooted in the Gospel. Their message urges pastors to walk closely with their people and reminds the global Church of its call to solidarity with Christians in Palestine/Israel. View as PDF.

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ELCA, Global Church, LettersBrian FlatgardChurch and Society, Israel and Palestine, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy LandComment
Latino Ministries Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Immigrants’ Rights | Ministerios Latinos Responden al Fallo de la Corte Suprema sobre los Derechos de los Inmigrantes
Latino Ministries Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Immigrants’ Rights | Ministerios Latinos Responden al Fallo de la Corte Suprema sobre los Derechos de los Inmigrantes

La Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA emitió un comunicado rechazando la reciente decisión de la Corte Suprema que permite a ICE detener inmigrantes en el sur de California sin sospecha razonable. La Asociación advierte que este fallo amenaza la dignidad y la justicia, invita a la oración y la solidaridad, y comparte recursos en inglés y español para las familias inmigrantes.

The Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA has issued a statement condemning the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows ICE to stop immigrants in Southern California without reasonable suspicion. Calling the decision a threat to dignity and justice, the Association urges prayer, solidarity, and provides resources in English and Spanish for immigrant families.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAsociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA, Immigration and Refugees, Church and Society, EspañolComment
Youth Night of Connection: Oct. 26 at Love of Christ, Mesa
Youth Night of Connection: Oct. 26 at Love of Christ, Mesa

Join ELCA youth from across the valley for Youth Night of Connection, Sunday, Oct. 26, 4–7 PM at Love of Christ Lutheran in Mesa. The evening includes games, small group discussions, a youth-led message on connection, and a shared spaghetti dinner. Leaders are asked to share headcounts of youth and parents attending.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT)Comment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…

  • For peaceful resolution following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Orem, Utah and Evergreen, Colorado…

  • For victims of racism, racial profiling, and race-based violence…

  • For farmers and for all individuals and businesses navigating financial insecurity…

  • For colleges, universities, and all educational institutions…

  • For first responders, emergency personnel, and all who risk their lives in service of others…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.

His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

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In Memoriam, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
Southern Arizona Clergy Unite in Public Witness for Justice and Compassion
Southern Arizona Clergy Unite in Public Witness for Justice and Compassion

Nearly 80 clergy from Southern Arizona have released an ecumenical statement titled For God So Loved the World: A Christian Witness Against Harm. The statement denounces unjust policies targeting immigrants, the poor, LGBTQ individuals, and God’s creation, while calling Christians to follow Jesus’ way of love, mercy, and compassion. Additional clergy from Southern Arizona may sign on, and others are invited to form local groups of witness in their own contexts: bearwitnessnow.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardKino Conference, Church and SocietyComment
Arizona Faith Network: Events, Calls to Action, and a Tribute to Frank Quaranta
Arizona Faith Network: Events, Calls to Action, and a Tribute to Frank Quaranta

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter features a tribute to colleague Frank Quaranta, plus upcoming opportunities to learn and serve: Arizona Peacemaker Series (Sept 14, Phoenix); Interfaith Book Group—The Tears of Things (Weds via Zoom, through Sept 17); Election Protection AZ poll-monitor trainings (Aug 21–Sept 16, Zoom); AFN Monday Meditation (Mondays, noon); National Voter Registration Day Fair (Sept 16, Phoenix Indian Center); and Abuse in Later Life 101 (Oct 23, Zoom). You’ll also find calls to action: sign the International Day of Peace statement (publish by Sept 21, 2025; media list deadline Sept 15) and join the interfaith appeal to protect Arizona’s sacred lands. Partner events include public-witness safety training, NAIN Virtual Connect (Sept 24–25), an Interfaith Community Leader Breakfast (Oct 16), volunteer needs for Tucson Meet Yourself (Oct 17–19), and Red Cross outreach to faith communities. To read details and register, click here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith NetworkComment
Ordination celebrations: September 12-18, 2025
Ordination celebrations: September 12-18, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Jill Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 27 years on September 13.

  • Rev. David Brandfass, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 30 years on September 13.

  • Rev. Daniel Volkmann, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 1 years on September 13.

  • Rev. Kylee Bestenlehner, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 0 years on September 13.

  • Rev. Richard Mauthe, who celebrates 39 years on September 14.

  • Rev. Carl Mangold, who celebrates 50 years on September 14.

  • Rev. Craig Geiger, who celebrates 53 years on September 17.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Churchwide Assembly Confesses and Repents Patriarchy and Sexism
Churchwide Assembly Confesses and Repents Patriarchy and Sexism

At the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, worship included a confession and repentance for the sins of patriarchy and sexism, fulfilling commitments from the ELCA’s 2019 social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action. The liturgy emphasized confession as honesty before God and repentance as Spirit-led transformation toward justice and equity. Congregations are encouraged to use the confession and to share the resource Forgive Us and Transform Us for the Life of the World, available in English and Spanish. Click here to read more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide Assembly, ELCA WorshipComment
Disability and Mental Health: No Conversation Without Us
Disability and Mental Health: No Conversation Without Us

John Christensen, lifelong ELCA Lutheran and staff member at the World Council of Churches, reflects on the deep connection between disability and mental health advocacy. With more than 16% of the global population living with disabilities and nearly 1 billion experiencing mental health challenges, the church has a vital role in offering safe spaces of love and truth. Christensen challenges the church to reject perfectionism, embrace vulnerability, and see God in every neighbor. Click here to read more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDisability Ministries, ELCA Disability MinistriesComment
Accessibility, Worship, and Leadership at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
Accessibility, Worship, and Leadership at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly

At the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Lutherans gathered for worship, elections, and the business of the church. Worship services highlighted accessibility and leadership by people with disabilities, while elections brought historic results with Bishop Yehiel Curry elected Presiding Bishop and Pastor CeeCee Mills elected Secretary—the first time all top ELCA offices are held by diverse leaders. Resolutions also addressed equity for youth gatherings and protection for children and vulnerable adults. Still, accessibility challenges remain. Rev. Mack Patrick calls us to move from mere inclusion to true belonging. Read more click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDisability Ministries, ELCA Disability Ministries, 2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
GCS Grants Are Open: Learn How to Apply at Our Sept. 17 Webinar
GCS Grants Are Open: Learn How to Apply at Our Sept. 17 Webinar

Grants Webinar—Sept. 17, 4:30 pm. Learn how to apply for up to $15,000 in Grand Canyon Synod grants; about $175,000 is available this fall. Priority goes to collaborative projects aligned with our Strategic Plan. Application window: Sept. 8–Oct. 31, 2025. Register for the webinar: Zoom registration. Full details and application at the Grants page.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardGCS Grants ProgramComment
Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson
Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson

Kylee Bestenlehner will be ordained at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (2 S Pecos Rd, Henderson, NV 89074) on Saturday, 9/13/2025, at 2pm. Bishop Hutterer will preside. Rev. Dr. Brooke Petersen of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will preach.

Clergy and seminarians are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Click here to RSVP. The service will be streamed over Zoom, link will be shared after you RSVP.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdinations and InstallationsComment
Mandatory Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders: Complete by October 8
Mandatory Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders: Complete by October 8

All rostered leaders in the Grand Canyon Synod are required to complete boundary awareness training in 2025. The synod has partnered with Faith+Lead to offer an online course at a reduced cost of $29, plus a mandatory Zoom review session with Pr. Jacqui Pagel. The course must be completed by October 8, 2025, and certificates submitted to the synod office by October 13, 2025.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardComment