We pray for the family of Rev. Jack H. Zoellner, who died at the age of 95 on December 23, 2021 in Scottsdale, AZ. He was the founding pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Scottsdale.
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Christians Against Christian Nationalism announces a major report on Christian nationalism and the January 6, 2021, insurrection. This comprehensive accounting will be released on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 event at 10 am MST, 9 am PST, featuring the report’s contributors. Register for the Zoom webinar here.
The report offers analysis and commentary from leading experts and a detailed breakdown of the Christian nationalism we saw on display during the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
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Earlier this year, Religion News Service ran a story on Katie Langston, who ordained and installed at New Promise Lutheran in St. George on February 4.
“Langston ‘tried millions of ways’ to make Mormonism work, but she eventually found peace in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) and began to pursue a path toward ordination. Her parents and husband, who are still Latter-day Saints, were supportive, but ‘they were heartbroken.’”
View the story here, visit her website, and learn about her new memoir, “Sealed: An Unexpected Journey Into the Heart of Grace.
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Rev. Shari Bernau, with Living Water Lutheran in Scottsdale, celebrates 17 years on February 5.
Rev. Pam A. Reynolds, with Lord of Life in Sun City West, celebrates her first year of ordination on February 6.
Rev. Mark Wickstrom, with The Lakes Lutheran in Las Vegas, celebrates 36 years on February 9.
Coordinated by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), 80 Lutherans representing 23 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts made contact with over 20 lawmakers at the bipartisan Lutheran Day at the Legislature on 2/1/2022.
LAMA Director Solveig Muus also announced a new statewide hunger task force to consolidate hunger advocacy efforts in Arizona. The partnership includes LAMA, Bread for the World, WHEAT, Arizona Food Bank Network and the Arizona Food Systems Network.
Speakers included Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, Rep. Jennifer Longdon, Connie Phillips of LSS-SW, Ashley St. Thomas of Arizona Food Bank Network, and LAMA reps Solveig Muus and Mark Engel. View great photos from David Hoye and read more in our post.
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One of every 284 Arizonans has died of Covid-19.
From Cronkite News/Arizona PBS’s article, On second anniversary, COVID-19 still racks up grim milestones in Arizona: In two years, Arizona “has racked up close to 1.8 million infections and the virus has killed almost 26,000, just two of many grim milestones on the pandemic’s “really long journey.” The rate of COVID-19 deaths in the state is currently second-highest in the nation, according to federal data.
COVID-19 deaths in the past week alone totaled 483, the highest weekly total since the start of the pandemic. Arizona’s COVID-19 death rate was 352 per 100,000 residents, second only to Mississippi’s 360 deaths per 100,000.”
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Members of the Office of the Bishop joined other Lutherans and partners at the Lutheran Advocacy Day at the Arizona Legislature this week.
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On the night of Dec. 10, a devastating outbreak of more than 30 tornadoes swept through six states. Kentucky was impacted the most, with more than 80 people reported dead and 1,300 homes destroyed.
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The ELCA has announced that the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering has been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and public health considerations. The Gathering pre-events — the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble, the ELCA gathering for youth with disabilities — have also been canceled. More information is available at elca.org/Gathering.
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The application period for 2022 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants will open in early Spring. Get notified when the application opens by subscribing to the ELCA World Hunger blog.
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Susan Palo Cherwien, Lutheran hymnwriter and poet, died December 28, 2021. Her hymns and meditations have been a gift to the church and world.
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The role of governance in the life of the congregation continues to evolve and can be challenging. Yet, it remains an essential component to ensure our mission, inspire generosity, and protect our organizations.
Congregation council members and rostered leaders are invited to a Zoom presentation on congregation governance, given by Evan Moilan, CFRE and organized by the Office of the Bishop. Tuesday, 2/8/2022, 6pm MST, 5pm PST. Register here.
Evan Moilan, CFRE brings more than 24 years of experience in leadership, and will share best practices in governance, along with practical and implementable steps for your ministry that you can begin to use immediately.
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This week we celebrate the ordination of Rev. Jose Valenzuela, who marks 13 years of ordination on January 31.
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Reports of new coronavirus cases in the United States are declining, though they remain well above the levels seen in any prior surge. Deaths continue to increase, with more being announced each day than at any time since last winter. Hospitalizations appear to be reaching a national peak.
All counties are at extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
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Most of the Office of the Bishop will be at the very first Lutheran Advocacy Day at the Arizona Legislature, as well as traveling the synod to preach and worship with synod members.
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Lutherans from across the state will gather at the Arizona Capitol Rose Garden for a day of advocacy this Tuesday, 2/1/2022, to learn, to witness, and voice our common needs in the public square, activating our faith in love.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM + Legislative Appointments
Arizona State Capitol Rose Garden (map)
As we work on our 2021 Congregational Report forms, and continue to engage people online, we present two resources on counting online worship attendance.
In this post, we share thoughts from Rev. Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication at the Rocky Mountain Synod.
We also share Pacifica Synod’s “Tracking Online Worship Attendance,” which is ELCA Churchwide is offering as the guidance on calculating online attendance for Form A.
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Form A & C Parochial Reports are due 3/1/2022. Submit your A/C form here.
The ELCA has mailed forms to all congregations. If you can't find your login information or are missing your forms, please contact Theresa Thornburgh in the synod office.
The ELCA is also offering the linked guidance on calculating online attendance for recorded and live-streamed services.
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Does God Test Our Faith? Join Imam Anas Hlayhel, Pastor Adele Resmer, and Rabbi Jeffery B. Lipschultz for a free, online tri-faith discussion Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 6pm MST, 5pm PST. Register here. Presented by this Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA).
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The annual Report to the Bishop is an opportunity for active and retired rostered ministers to connect directly with Bishop Hutterer, who looks forward to your responses and feedback.
Completion of this required report is one of the commitments rostered ministers are invited to make upon entering the synod. The report is due back to Bishop Hutterer by February 28, 2022. Access the form online or offline here.
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