Posts in Letters
Lutheran World Relief 2021 update
Lutheran World Relief 2021 update

One-fifth of the world’s Lutherans were left homeless by 1945, at the end of the Second World War. That same year, Lutheran churches in the U.S. mobilized to help in Europe through a new agency called Lutheran World Relief. Within a decade, the mission expanded, sending love where needs were greatest, often to places off the radar of the rest of the world. And you have continued to draw on God’s strength, responding to God’s call to be the Body of Christ in the world, reaching further, staying longer, standing faithfully alongside our neighbors in need. This year, we celebrate 75 years of faithful impact — and the work that lies ahead.

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Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2021 Assembly ReportsComment
Bishop Hutterer Annual Report: June 2021
Bishop Hutterer Annual Report: June 2021

As we look back, I am grateful for the ways you have embraced the world as it is, not as you want it to be. You ensured that the witness of the church continued even when it was not safe to gather in-person.

Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you went well beyond what you might have imagined possible. Through uncertainty, you spoke words of hope and offered reminders that nothing will separate us from the love of God.

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Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardBishop Deborah K. Hutterer, 2021 Assembly Reports Comment
Equality Act demonstrates Lutheran love of neighbor
Equality Act demonstrates Lutheran love of neighbor

Most Americans incorrectly assume that federal laws will protect someone being evicted from their home or turned away from a place of business for the sole reason of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. There are no such laws.

But there could be. The Equality Act, a landmark piece of legislation which has already been passed in the U.S. House, would add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Civil Rights Act, affording protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, federal funding, credit, the jury system and more.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardLGBTQIA+Comment
Lutherans Restoring Creation interview with Bishop Eaton
Lutherans Restoring Creation interview with Bishop Eaton

Bishop Eaton offered the sermon for Lutherans Restoring Creation’s Good Shepherd Sunday service in celebration of Earth Day 2021. She also accepted our request to take some follow-up questions collected by the network.

Here are portions of their time with her that we encourage you to share with your congregation as these are questions we are all meant to wrestle with.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Climate ChangeComment
Stories of Spirit showcases Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
Stories of Spirit showcases Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

'Stories of Spirit' is a video introduction to Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. Through testimony from staff and guests, retreat leaders, board members and ministry partners, viewers will learn about the mission, vision and values of Spirit in the Desert, a holy place where people experience the love of God, joyful hospitality and renewal of their callings in the world. Enjoy!

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Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSpirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment
Lord of Life in Sun City West honors pandemic losses with memorial tribute
Lord of Life in Sun City West honors pandemic losses with memorial tribute

Lori Jensen writes: “Lord of Life members shared in a Memorial Tribute for all of our members who died while we were unable to gather in person.

After a time of music, Bible reading and a brief meditation, a luminaria bag with each person’s name on it was lit while names were read. It was a way for us to show support for our church family members as they collectively mourned their loss.”

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Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLord of Life Sun City West, Cactus ConferenceComment
A Look Back at the 2021 National Workshop on Christian Unity
A Look Back at the 2021 National Workshop on Christian Unity

Abide in my love … you shall bear much fruit. It was the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and in turn, became an echo for this year’s National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU). After last year’s workshop in Houston was canceled due to the global pandemic, focus turned to 2021, and with it questions of how best to move the work of the NWCU forward.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment