In this video for the Be Connected Faith Network, Anthony Newkirk, Ph.D., shares how his spiritual journey helped him get back on his feet after childhood trauma, military service, and time in prison.
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Our synod is home to more than 500,000 service members, veterans and their families. If you need help or would like to help, we invite you to learn more about the Be Connected Faith Network which provides support and healing to our service members, veterans and their families through faith. Visit ConnectVeterans.org/Faith, read this PDF, or call their confidential support line at 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
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We pray for Rev. Christine Stoxen and the people of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at htlutheran.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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Almighty and ever-living God, we give you thanks for the men and women who have served and defended our country and the values of freedom and justice we hold so dear. Help us be mindful of the sacrifices they made and the hardship endured by their families and friends, so that we never take for granted the privileges they have secured for us. Hear us, we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is back! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023. The event is open to high schoolers in our synod and ELCA Regions 1-4. The Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Pre-Event (WYLE) will be held July 4-6, 2023.
Early-Bird registration for the Western States Youth Gathering is now OPEN! Learn more and register your group for the lowest possible prices at wsyg.com/registration!
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Watch the third annual LAMA Summit from Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The program featured the Rev. Eugene Cho, president & CEO of Bread for the World.
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At Wartburg College, incoming students are guaranteed $30,000 in scholarships, and a referral from alumni can create a $4,000 award as well. If you know a high school senior looking for an ELCA college, encourage them to apply to Wartburg. (The application is free!)
You can also contact Jacqui Pagel who can help arrange a referral scholarship through synod alumni.
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Join Rabbi Bonnie Koppel, Pastor Daniel Weichart, Imam Anas Hlayhel for a free virtual Tri-Faith Discussion: Is it Gossip or Concern? Register at isb-az.org/trifaith for this Tuesday, 11/15/2022 event at 6pm MST, 5pm PST.
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) is a non-profit, apolitical, educational organization founded in 1999. ISBA is an outreach institution that provides education about Islam and Muslims, and promotes interfaith dialogue.
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The goals for the 2022 Fund for Leaders Golf Classic are to find 144 golfers and raise $20,000 in donations. If $20,000 is raised, a donor will match it!
Chairperson Kirk Anderson encourages congregations to spread the news, and has prepared a PDF flyer and brochure, a Powerpoint slide, and Word documents of a sample newsletter and a letter of appeal.
The event is at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Glendale is Monday, November 14, 2022, beginning at 7 am. Check out this registration form for more info.
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In this post and video we explore Growing Future Campus Ministries: Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $644,617 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal. We invite you to consider a gift. Please visit our pledge page for more info.
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We continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Rev. Charles Newman, with Crossroads in San Tan Valley.
“Reflecting on the assembly, I personally discovered a newfound hope for our church. By further understanding, accepting, and navigating through our unique gifts and diversity, I am excited to experience our capabilities as one unified body of Christ and paving the way for achieving our goal to welcome one-million new, young, and diverse people into the ELCA.”
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A Service of Holy Closure led by Bishop Hutterer will be held Saturday 11/12/2022, 4 pm for Alleluia Lutheran Church, 8444 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix AZ 85037.
There will be a meal and fellowship followed by a service of Celebration. There will be special guest speakers, Festival Choir selections, memories and stories to share.
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As we prepare for the upcoming election season, the ELCA understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a broken world. We share resources to help clarify how churches can appropriately be involved in elections and advocacy.
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Good and Gracious God, be with us and our nation on election day and throughout the election process. Guide our actions, that good and faithful leaders may be raised up to serve our nation and communities justly. Protect our communities from acts of violence. Provide peace of mind to all who are anxious. Bring comfort to all who are stressed and hope to those who are fearful.
Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart to be kind; that the barriers dividing our nation may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatred cease. Help us to put our trust in you and give us wisdom, strength, and courage to be living examples of your love, today and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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We pray for the friends and family of Deacon Ann Terhark, who passed away on Oct. 17, 2022. Deacon Ann previously served as an Associate in Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Paradise Valley and then later on at King of Glory Lutheran in Tempe, AZ.
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The Office of the Bishop continues to travel and preach. We share photos from the Ordination and Installation of Verónica Alvarez at Faith/La Fe in Phoenix.
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We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Deacon Anada Guse, who celebrates 32 years on November 4.
Rev. Conrad Braaten, who celebrates 50 years on November 5.
Conditions are stable in most states, but there are some concerning trends in the Southwest. In Arizona and New Mexico, both cases and hospitalizations have risen by 30 percent or more since mid-month.
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Our synod is blessed with a rich tapestry of people, land, and history. How do we move forward as church together, honoring and including so many cultures?
This is what we set out to explore at our latest retreat of the synod council, conference deans, and Office of the Bishop staff.
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Lutheran Men in Mission shares their October 2022 Ambassador-Gram (view as PDF).
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