We pray for Rev. Sharon Brown and the people of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at sojaz.net, and their social media pages on Facebook.com and YouTube.
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The role of governance in the life of the congregation continues to evolve and can be challenging. Yet, it remains an essential component to ensure our mission, inspire generosity, and protect our organizations.
Congregation council members and rostered leaders are invited to a Zoom presentation on congregation governance, given by Evan Moilan, CFRE and organized by the Office of the Bishop. Tuesday, 2/8/2022, 6pm MST, 5pm PST. Register here.
Evan Moilan, CFRE brings more than 24 years of experience in leadership, and will share best practices in governance, along with practical and implementable steps for your ministry that you can begin to use immediately.
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This week we celebrate the ordination of Rev. Jose Valenzuela, who marks 13 years of ordination on January 31.
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Reports of new coronavirus cases in the United States are declining, though they remain well above the levels seen in any prior surge. Deaths continue to increase, with more being announced each day than at any time since last winter. Hospitalizations appear to be reaching a national peak.
All counties are at extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
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Most of the Office of the Bishop will be at the very first Lutheran Advocacy Day at the Arizona Legislature, as well as traveling the synod to preach and worship with synod members.
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Lutherans from across the state will gather at the Arizona Capitol Rose Garden for a day of advocacy this Tuesday, 2/1/2022, to learn, to witness, and voice our common needs in the public square, activating our faith in love.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM + Legislative Appointments
Arizona State Capitol Rose Garden (map)
As we work on our 2021 Congregational Report forms, and continue to engage people online, we present two resources on counting online worship attendance.
In this post, we share thoughts from Rev. Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication at the Rocky Mountain Synod.
We also share Pacifica Synod’s “Tracking Online Worship Attendance,” which is ELCA Churchwide is offering as the guidance on calculating online attendance for Form A.
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Form A & C Parochial Reports are due 3/1/2022. Submit your A/C form here.
The ELCA has mailed forms to all congregations. If you can't find your login information or are missing your forms, please contact Theresa Thornburgh in the synod office.
The ELCA is also offering the linked guidance on calculating online attendance for recorded and live-streamed services.
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Does God Test Our Faith? Join Imam Anas Hlayhel, Pastor Adele Resmer, and Rabbi Jeffery B. Lipschultz for a free, online tri-faith discussion Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 6pm MST, 5pm PST. Register here. Presented by this Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA).
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The annual Report to the Bishop is an opportunity for active and retired rostered ministers to connect directly with Bishop Hutterer, who looks forward to your responses and feedback.
Completion of this required report is one of the commitments rostered ministers are invited to make upon entering the synod. The report is due back to Bishop Hutterer by February 28, 2022. Access the form online or offline here.
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We pray for Rev. Timothy Wright and the people of Community of Grace Lutheran Church in Peoria, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at boldrecklessgrace.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
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We pray for Rev. Stephen Springer and the people of Dove of Peace Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at doveofpeacetucson.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and Vimeo.
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We’ve updated our Congregation in Transitions page, which also now includes a listing of congregations in the call process.
Each of the sixty-five synods of the ELCA is responsible for the management of the call process within the territory of their respective synod. Learn more about the call process here.
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This full-day retreat will engage you in a thoughtful and inspiring look at the stories of how you came to be the person you are and the qualities of your life that can be a true legacy to future generations. Hosted at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, click any of three dates for more info and to register:
This Interim Ministry Training is based in the real-time real life work of an Intentional Interim Pastor. it uses a "coach approach," which believes the participants are "creative, resourceful, and whole," and is directed by a trained coach.
The cost for the six-month program is $585. To learn more and to register, please go to the Purposeful Pastor website. Beginning Friday January 28, 2022 through 7/8/2022, 2nd and 4th Fridays each month, 9:00am - 10:00am MST.
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The Office of the Bishop continues to travel around the synod for services and meetings.
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The number of cases per capita is approaching 400% compared to last winter’s peak. All counties are at extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
With many people testing themselves on at-home tests, and other infections going undetected, reported cases are an undercount of actual infections, but indicate how the virus is spreading. Case trends help officials, businesses and residents assess risk and make decisions.
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Author Ron Rude joins Spirited Book Club to discuss his book, Amending the Christian Story: The Natural Sciences as a Window into Grounded Faith and Sustainable Living. This online gathering is hosted by Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Click either of two dates to register:
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The Hunger Leaders Network meeting on Tuesday, January 25 at 6pm MST will feature a special guest speaker: The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Eaton will pop in to the virtual meeting for 5-10 minutes to bring greetings and share updates from the ELCA churchwide. More info: January 2022 Agenda, Join Hunger Leaders Network, Join Zoom meeting.
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Rev. Tina Mills, with Our Savior’s in Mesa, celebrates 11 years of ordination on January 25.
Rev. David Sivecz celebrates 4 years of ordination on January 27.
Deacon Carol Arnold celebrates 40 years of ordination on January 27.