Many bishops and rostered ministers have reported an increase in anger in our faith communities. Covid issues over the past two years have made ministry more complicated.
Barbara Keller, with ELCA’s Misconduct Prevention, presents a 1-hour zoom workshop for rostered ministers. It focuses on understanding the origin of anger and ways to help rostered ministers and congregations deal more effectively with anger. Tuesday, 11/30/2021, 9 am MST, 8 am PST. Register here.
Read MoreThis Gathering webinar provides information about preparing your group for the 2022 Gathering. Information includes fundraising ideas, tips and resources.
Questions? Our Grand Canyon Synod Gathering Coordinator is Pastor Shari Bernau, with Living Water Lutheran in Scottsdale: pastorshari@lwlcaz.org.
Read MoreAmending the Christian Story: The Natural Sciences as a Window into Grounded Faith and Sustainable Living, by Ron Rude is now available at wipfandstock.com, bookshop.org, or Amazon.
After several years of research and writing and teaching, with worldview-altering insights into Nature's natural sciences and life's experience, "Amending the Christian Story" reframes and recasts God's story of life and God's story of Jesus.
Read MoreCheck out the latest photos and updates from the Office of the Bishop for this week.
Read MoreBishop Hutterer joins Bishop Yehiel Curry of the Metro Chicago Synod in ordaining Pastor Ruby Myers, who has accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Pastor Ruby's Ordination Service will be at Zion Lutheran Church (17100 69th Ave, Tinley Park, IL 60477) on Saturday, 11/13/2021, at 11 am Central. A reception will follow in the Zion Center.
Read MoreThe Spirited Book Club discusses Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe by America's favorite Quaker storyteller, Philip Gulley. Thursday, 11/18/2021, 2pm MST, 3pm PST. The online club is FREE, view our calendar page to register.
America’s favorite Quaker storyteller explores the terrain of faith and doubt as shaped by family, church, and young love, finding his way to a less convenient but fully formed adult spirituality.
Read MoreDo you come home from a trip with a new best friend? Have you ever prayed with someone in line at the grocery store? Do you know the life stories of all of your Lyft drivers? Do you talk to your neighbors about Jesus? If these scenarios ring true for you, you might be a hidden evangelist!
Join ELCA’s Phil Hirsch and Louise Johnson on Zoom Tuesday, 11/9/2021 at 6 pm MST, 7 pm PST, for a lively conversation with people who have a similar passion for sharing Christ’s love. Register today.
Read MoreDuring the all-virtual 2021 Vine Deloria Jr Theological Symposium at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), presenters will talk about the intersection of Indian boarding schools and theological/Christian education as well as the work being done across the United States to bring truth and healing. Other+Wise is a co-sponsor of the symposium.
Register here for the online symposium on Nov. 16 and 17 2021. Events will also be livestreamed on LSTC’s Facebook page.
Read MoreMany congregations are just now getting ready to attend the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, so you aren’t behind! We’ve put together a list of 10 things you should know as you prepare to get your group together. For more information, go to elca.org/gathering.
Pastor Shari Bernau, with Living Water Lutheran in Scottsdale, is also happy to answer questions from those who are attending the Gathering from the Grand Canyon Synod: pastorshari@lwlcaz.org.
Read MoreMeet the Rev. Amy Reumann in person at the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) Summit at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ on Sunday, December 5 from 1:30–4 pm MST. Hear about advocacy churchwide, ask questions, and leave prepared to voice our common needs in the public square. Register here.
Why are we called to be involved in advocacy? In the short video in this post, ELCA Advocacy: Set Free to Do Justice, the Rev. Amy Reumann, director of Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the advocacy staff and community leaders in Washington, D.C. describe this important ministry and how you can get involved.
Read MoreJoin us for the inaugural Faith Network quarterly meeting via Zoom: November 5, 2021, 10:00–11:30am MST. Register at bit.ly/BCFNMeeting. View a PDF for the event and an info PDF about the organization.
Clergy and volunteers are invited to attend to learn why and how the faith community can make a big difference for military-connected Arizonans.
Read MoreEnjoy Thanksgiving afternoon in the cool crisp pines of Prescott with good food and good company. Make Camp ALOMA a part of your holiday tradition this year.
Mark your calendars to enjoy thanksgiving dinner at Camp ALOMA! Thursday, November 25, 12:00pm dinner, 2:00pm worship service. Donations accepted. RSVP 928-778-1690 or office@campaloma.com.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Foundation today announced the relaunch of its Endowment Fund Pooled Trust — also known as Fund A — under a new name, the Ministry Growth Fund, which better represents the foundation's goals for the future.
Read MoreCan seasonal members vote in our annual meeting? Can I hold an electronic meeting? Where do I find the ELCA model constitution? How do I revise our congregation constitution?
Join ELCA Secretary Deacon Sue Rothmeyer and Pastor David Brandfass for a Zoom workshop on congregation constitutions. All congregational leaders are invited: Thursday, 12/2/2021, 5-6:15 pm MST, 6-7:15 pm PST. Click here to register by 11/29/2021.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America joins 14 other Churches and church-based organizations in a letter to Secretary of State Blinken to express concerns about the recent Israeli decision to label key Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations as “terrorist organizations.” Read the letter as PDF or in this post.
Read MoreFrom Rev. David Brandfass, Synod Council Secretary, are the full minutes from our 2021 Synod assembly available in PDF format.
Read MoreRisk levels in our synod’s counties increased to more extreme levels for unvaccinated people.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Washington, and Yavapai counties.
Very high risk counties include Clark, La Paz, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma.
Bishop Hutterer and others will be at Installation of Pastor Tim Nybroten at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, Oct 31, 2021. In this post, Pastor Jacqui Pagel shares photos from the grand opening of Crossroad’s Station Coffee Company and her visit to Native American Urban Ministry. The full time staff of the Office of the Bishop will gather for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.
Read MoreThe 10/16/2021 session of the Beginning a Culture of Generosity fall stewardship program is available for review. It’s for those who missed it or are curious about the program.
Read MoreThe Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) presents a tri-faith discussion: “Do We Need to Defend God?” Guest speakers are Imam Anas Hlayhel, Rabbi Jim Simon, and Rev. Carl Zimmerman.
Register here for this free online event, Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 6–7:30 pm.
Read More
