Under the theme Stirred up in the Spirit, we gather at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, June 10–11, 2022 for our annual synod assembly.
Registration is now open, and only voting members need to register. Visitors can view via livestream at no cost. Lay voting members and rostered ministers (active and retired) all use the same registration. Click here to register. $140 early bird registration through 4/22/2022, with $160 registration through 5/27/2021.
Read More
Open Space rebuilds after a hiatus during the pandemic. Read their latest newsletter as PDF or in this post.
Read More
Join Crossroads Lutheran as we come together to celebrate the Gospel through community, song and drink. No preaching, no proselytizing, just a good-old-fashion sing along. Sunday, March 13, 2022, 3-6pm, at 2769 E Combs Rd, Bld D, San Tan Valley AZ 85140. Cost: $5.00 per glass.
This is our 3rd Hymns & Hops and it won't disappoint. So spend the word. Water available. Games and fun for all ages. Funds from this event will support the Crossroads Outreach Summer Day Camp for kids.
Read More
Your valuable partnership through your mission support to the Grand Canyon Synod meant we were able to do many amazing things in 2021. You can read about these achievements in this post.
Your statements of intent (PDF statement of intent in English, PDF statement of intent in Spanish) are due 2/15/2022. Thank you for your gifts and partnership as we are church together for the sake of the world.
Read More
You're invited to Faith Formation In A Secular Age: How we can partner with God in reshaping the church in the 21st century, with presenter Andrew Root, Ph.D. of Luther Seminary at Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Saturday, 3/19/2022, 2-5pm MST, 1-4pm PST. Reception to follow. View PDF.
A virtual option will also be available. Space is limited. To register for free, please email aschmidt001@luthersem.edu or call 651-641-3431 by March 11, 2022.
Read More
New coronavirus cases have been falling rapidly for weeks after reaching record highs. Though infection numbers remain elevated, the country is adding fewer than one-third as many cases as it was in mid-January. Fully vaccinated rates remain at roughly 60% of the population. All counties are at extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
Read More
The Office of the Bishop staff will be at the upcoming synod council meeting, and catching up on paperwork and reports and meetings. Check this post for photos from the latest ordinations and installations.
Read More
Camp ALOMA "To The Cross" Summer Camp registration is now open! For more information: campaloma.com, office@campaloma.com, 928-778-1690. Register today at this link: app.campdoc.com/register/aloma.
Check out which one of our seven weeks works for you to join us this summer!! Register before March 15th and receive the early bird discount for your week fee. Register before February 28th and receive the early bird discount for your bus transportation! We hope to see you this summer!
Read More
Registration for the Elementary Retreat is open! We hope to see you on this fun filled weekend, March 11th - March 13th. $90 per camper, 1st-6th grade.
This weekend is going to be jammed pack with fun activities, good food, and friendly fellowship! We are so excited to see all of you before summer. Go to campaloma.com or click here to register today.
Read More
More than 50 years ago, Dr. Mary Nelson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Chicago. For several decades, Dr. Nelson was a faculty member of OMNIA Institute’s predecessor organization SCUPE and she continues as an Advisory Board member of the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership.
In an OMNIA podcast, Dr. Nelson talked about the Beloved Community as God’s vision for the city. It is that same vision that animated the founders of SCUPE to prepare pastors to break down all barriers to the flourishing of community. At the beginning of Black History month, it is fitting that we remember the power of this vision.
Read More
It’s game time! The Big Game Challenge has kicked off, and our church is racing toward the goal of ending hunger! While you are cheering on your team and celebrating with family and friends— let’s help tackle hunger together!
From kickoff to the final whistle, Team Cincinnati and Team Los Angeles will seek to outdo one another for the sake of the gospel. The fans that donate the most through their team page to ELCA World Hunger by midnight Central time on February 13th will help their synod take home the title of ELCA World Hunger Champion.
Read More
In this first part of the Talks at the Desk video series, Black women from across the ELCA share their experiences as leaders in the church. They speak about their journeys, joys, struggles and hopes for future generations. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.
African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm Central time. Watch them live on Facebook, stream them on YouTube or download them at ELCA.org/ADM.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.”
Read More
Members of the Office of the Bishop joined other Lutherans and partners at the Lutheran Advocacy Day at the Arizona Legislature this week.
Read More