Central Lutheran Church Adult Community Education Ministry

We are delighted to share stories of success in the Adult Community Education Ministry from Central Lutheran Church in Arizona City and Casa Grande. In this progress report PDF and video, learn how a range of participants have acquired GEDs and new vocations through this ministry.

This is one of many ministries made possible through our Growing Generosity Appeal. Funded through the Lilly 3E portion of the appeal under Vital Right Shaped Ministries grants, it’s an example of new growth in our synod. Prayerfully consider how you’d like to be part of Growing Generosity.

Installation of Pastor Brian Weinberger at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa (Rio Salado Conference) requests your prayers and presence with them for a service of Holy Communion and The Order of Installation for Rev. Brian Weinberger on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 3 pm. Find them at blcmesa.org and 2745 N 32nd St., Mesa, AZ 85213.

Bishop Hutterer will be present. Clergy and Rostered Leaders are invited to vest; the color of the day is green. View PDF invitation.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Bethlehem is following the recommendations of our Synod and the CDC. We ask that all worshippers wear masks and maintain recommended social distancing before, during, and after worship. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Lutheran Men in Mission's October 2021 Ambassador-Gram

Lutheran Men in Mission shares their October 2021 Ambassador-Gram newsletter as a PDF.

Check out their Ambassador web page and use the site to let them know if you are interested in serving as a LMM Ambassador.

NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 28, 2021Lutheran Men in MissionComment

Pastors can enjoy complimentary visit to Camp ALOMA

Pastors, please enjoy a complimentary visit to Camp ALOMA for a night or two or just for a day. You’re welcome to bring your spouse! We’ll provide food and lodging.

Camp ALOMA is open 7 days a week. Call or email Leah to set up your visit: 928-778-1690 or office@campaloma.com.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 28, 2021Camp ALOMAComment

Empowering Enneagram: A Desert Sojourn Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

Richard Rohr wrote that the Enneagram roots can be found in the three thousand year old story Odyssey where Ulysses encountered nine challenges (people) in order to get home and become whole.

The Enneagram has been used since ancient times to build community, empower each other, minimalize violence, and enable peaceful coexistence. Learn about this 4/8/2022 event on our calendar.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 28, 2021Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Comment

boundless love (Official Theme Song) | 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering

“boundless love” was written and performed by Sam Noble and Faith Bartelt to serve as the Official Theme Song for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. The music video was filmed and edited by Ankos Films. For more information about the 2022 Gathering, visit: elca.org/Gathering.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 27, 2021Youth and Young Adult, 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, ELCA Youth GatheringComment

Synod council minutes: 8/14/2021, 8/27/2021, and 9/17/2021

Read the provisionally-approved minutes from the synod council meetings on August 14, August 27, and September 17, 2021, in PDF format. The fully approved 8/14/2021 minutes are here in PDF format.

While not formally approved, we are trying to get our minutes available as soon as possible to the synod.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 27, 2021Synod CouncilComment

Introducing 2021-2022 Hunger Advocacy Fellows

The Hunger Advocacy Fellows program is a year-long transformative experience that combines leadership development, faith formation, and impactful advocacy that moves us toward an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. Hunger Advocacy Fellows are placed with different ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices across the country. We are excited to introduce our 2021-2022 Hunger Advocacy Fellows.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 27, 2021Hunger, ELCA World Hunger, AdvocacyComment

In Memoriam: Rev. Theodore Johns

Rev. Theodore Johns, age 82, after a long courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease, died with his family at his side on Sunday, September 19, 2021. Ted was a man of spiritual strength and found his calling to serve from his intense desire to help others. He spent his life giving back and doing his part to improve our world.

In Memoriam, News, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 27, 2021Comment

Advocating for Children: Presiding Bishops Eaton and Curry

In this video, Presiding Bishop Eaton and Presiding Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church share their experiences at the White House advocating for children and families through a series of bills before Congress right now.

Visit The Episcopal Public Policy Network and ELCA Advocacy or more ways to get involved.

2021 Fund for Leaders Golf Classic in Glendale

The 2021 Fund for Leaders Golf Classic in at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Glendale is Monday, November 15, 2021, beginning at 7 am. Friends of golfers and the fund can also come out and enjoy the lunch program. Check out this brochure and registration form for more info.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 27, 2021ELCA Fund for LeadersComment

Orange Shirt Day is 9/30/2021: The ongoing legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery

Bishop Eaton joins three other bishops in North America to invite us to to commemorate September 30, 2021 (www.orangeshirtday.org) as a day for truth and healing.

We encourage you to learn about residential and boarding schools for Indigenous People, honor survivors, and remember those who never made it home from the schools.

Childcare crisis continuing for families and teachers in the Phoenix area, and beyond

This AZfamily.com news story and video features Alama Cortes, Director at Faith Lutheran Preschool, sharing how hard it is to find help staffing the school. Watch and read here.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 24, 2021In the News, Faith Phoenix, Capital Conference Comment

Covid-19 exposure risk: 9/23/2021

Risk levels in our synod’s counties are roughly the same: extremely or very high for unvaccinated people.

Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Cochise, Gila, Greenlee, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma and Washington counties.
Very high risk counties include Apache, Clark, Coconino, Pima, and Santa Cruz.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 23, 2021CoronavirusComment

Office of the Bishop Updates: 9/24/2021

This week members the Office of the Bishop team travel to Peoria, Oro Valley, and El Mirage. View all the details for each team member in this post.

Bishop Eaton joins other church leaders at White House meeting on pending economic legislation

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other members of the Circle of Protection coalition met Thursday, Sept. 22, 2021, with senior officials at the White House. The Circle of Protection letter, including the full list of signers, can be read here.

Eaton and other heads of Christian denominations and organizations are working together to urge passage of the economic bills the U.S. Congress is considering now, along with voting rights legislation this fall. Thursday's meeting focuses on the family support bill currently being debated in Congress.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 23, 2021Advocacy, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Circle of ProtectionComment

Legacy Planning presentation available for viewing

Enjoy this dynamic conversation with Lisa Higginbotham, CFRE and Josh Kerney of ELCA Foundation, as they help us connect our charitable hearts and desires to our gift planning intentions.

Planning a legacy is different for each charitable heart, but there are some best practices to help you navigate this pathway of intent. Presented by the Grand Canyon Stewardship Team on September 21, 2021 at 6pm MST/PDT via zoom.

News, Stewardship, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 23, 2021Stewardship, GCS Stewardship Team, ELCA FoundationComment

ELCA Youth Gathering early-bird registration is now open

Early-bird registration is now open for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble!

Congregations that register during Early-bird will be entered to win a variety of prizes (such as their choice of seating at Mass Gathering). Early-bird registration closes 11/21/2021. Register today.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 22, 2021Youth and Young Adult, 2022 ELCA Youth GatheringComment

October 2021 Pastor Installations

Join us in a prayer of thanksgiving as our synod celebrates the installation of four pastors in the month of October.

Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain Rev. Brian Weinberger, Rev. Sandy Jones, and Rev. Ryan Hersch, that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people. Grant that together they may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Applications open for ELCA Youth Leadership Summit

The ELCA Youth Leadership Summit will be held November 4-7, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We invite any high school youth active in their church to apply here by October 1, 2021. All lodging, meals, and programming are provided by a gracious grant from the ELCA.

Questions? Contact Pr. Jacqui Pagel, Associate to the Bishop Candidacy & Faith Formation, (480) 678-4406 JPagel@gcsynod.org.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 21, 2021Youth and Young Adult, ELCA Youth Leadership Summit, Pastor Jacqui PagelComment

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