GCS Diakonia believes that through the proper formation and with the right education, lay ministry is an invaluable asset to your congregation, and the church as a whole. If you are interested in finding out how your involvement in Diakonia can help your church do God's work with our hands, check out our website for more information: diakoniaaz.org.
Read MoreELCA congregations interested in raising funds for their feeding ministry through ELCA World Hunger’s online platform, matched with a $500 grant, can register and apply in ELCA GrantMaker starting Monday, April 26, 2021.
Read MoreJoin the RMS Creation Care Team for a special worship service for Earth Day. The prayer service includes readings, music, and prayers from all across the Rocky Mountain Synod. View the service in this post or on Vimeo, or as a live event on the RMS Facebook page, April 22, 2021, at 11 am MST/PDT.
Read MoreWe’re pleased to launch a dedicated page on our site to caring for creation and climate change. This new page provides an archive of resources and letters on the subject of care for creation.
Caring for God's creation is an ever-evolving topic in this world, as climate change accelerates changes and our we further understand how human’s influence on the health of our planet. View the page here.
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation provides five ways congregations and individuals can participate in Earth Day.
Read MoreYour congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors grant to support your ministries as we resume in-person worship and gatherings.
How can we meet new people, especially as we crave community following a time of unprecedented isolation? How might we stay connected with people who have not visited our church buildings but joined us online? Have an idea? Apply and learn more at ELCA.org/OpenDoors.
Read MoreMartin Luther himself said, "A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it." At Diakonia, we agree, and support GCS pastors and congregations by educating individuals on the more nuanced aspects of lay ministry.
If you or someone you know is looking for a rich, theological education, a deepened appreciation of the Bible, and clarity in forms of grace-filled service, check out this two-year program. Classes start in September, visit diakoniaaz.org for more info.
Read MoreThe application window for the 2022 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants is now open. Visit ELCA.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about the grants and how to apply.
Organizations applying for an ELCA grant for the first time must register by setting up an account in ELCA GrantMaker in order to access the Domestic Hunger Grant application.
Read MoreJoin a conversation (4/27/2021 or 4/28/2021) about the role of the church in the transformation of our communities, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, Rector at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Desta Goehner, Director of Congregational Relations at Cal Lutheran. View flyer in English or Spanish.
Read MoreThese grants are intended to help congregations become vital and healthy by defining their values, strengthening their mission, noticing their context, and evaluating their ministry. Click to download the application as a Word document.
We hope that you and your community will be innovative and think outside the box. Applications are due by April 20, 2021.
Read MoreGenerous scholarships for congregations are available for congregations interested in the Stewardship for All Seasons program. Learn how to do year-round, ongoing stewardship, which results in more money for ministry.
For more information and a brochure about the program, please visit gcsynod.org/stewardship-for-all-seasons.
Read MoreIn the Easter season our “Alleluias” are bold. “Christ has risen while earth slumbers,” a new hymn in All Creation Sings, announces the promise of resurrection while acknowledging the complexity of human experience.
Read MoreA Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.
Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is engaged in a global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in local church contexts. Between now and June you are invited to take part in a larger conversation, with a discussion guide titled We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Welcome to a Global Conversation on Being Lutheran.
This guide will help lead your congregation’s Christian education and/or youth group on a journey of mutual discovery and learning. View/download the guide.
Read MoreFor Earth Day April 25, 2021, Lutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a gorgeous program of liturgy, visual journeys, musical offerings, insights and inspiration. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be delivering the sermon. More info here.
Be sure to register and receive a link to download the service a week prior to the live presentation on April 25th (Good Shepherd Sunday). The entire worship service will also be offered via our YouTube and Facebook channels live that day.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief offers videos for congregational and personal use on Maundy Thursday and Easter, available for download or on YouTube.
Read MorePacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites you to join its Easter Vigil worship watch party on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 7pm PDT/MST on the PLTS Facebook page.
Read MoreAn online worship service for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2021, has been prepared by the five synods of Region 2 for use in your congregations. View this post for more full info.
Read MoreThe New and Renewing Team of the Grand Canyon Synod is excited to announce the Lilly 3E Vital Right-Shaped Ministry (VRSM) Vitality and Innovation Grants. Click to download the application as a Word document.
Two Zoom information sessions will be offered about the grants, click a date to register: Thurs., 3/25/2021 @ 6 pm MST/PDT and Thurs., 4/8/2021 @ 1:30pm MST/PDT. Once registered, you will receive an email with your unique link to join the meeting.
Read MoreMembers of the Association of Asians and Pacific-Islanders – ELCA share the Embodied Blessing and Healing, part of the litany for the day of lament against anti-Asian racism observed on March 21, 2021. The litany is done without words, using movement as expression.
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