If you know of someone in your synod who is discerning a call to ministry and might like to hear from all the ELCA seminaries in one space, please encourage them to attend a collaborative ELCA Seminaries virtual discernment event on Saturday, May 7th from 8 am - 1 pm MST/PDT, 9am-noon MDT. Register here.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop has organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 5-6:30pm MST/PDT, 6-7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Violence and criminal acts are a threat to all faith-based communities from persons who seek to spread fear and hate crimes, or the unexpected site of acts of domestic violence. We recognize the importance of education and raising awareness of potential threats to religious facilities, or the groups who may use these buildings regardless of type or denomination.
Read MoreUnder the direction of Shawn Bristle, the Cantata Choir of Community Lutheran Church in Bullhead City presented the Easter Cantata "Upon This Rock" on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. Watch their presentation on Youtube or this blog post.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop team travels, preaches, meets, and plans as we connect people, communicate Jesus, and create possibilities.
Read MoreThis week’s ordination anniversaries are:
Rev. Kevin Meyer, who serves Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and Covenant Lutheran in Quartzsite and celebrates 27 years on April 30.
Deacon Sally Almen, who celebrates 35 years on April 30.
Rev. Melissa Harr, who celebrates 11 years on May 1.
Deacon Don Burgess, who celebrates 17 years on May 1.
Voices from the Communion: Hungary: Sharing stories of credible witness in turbulent times
We give thanks for the life of Pastor Ron Golberg, who died April 20, 2022. We pray for his wife Jewel, his family, friends, and congregations he served.
Services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 1pm at Desert Hills Lutheran, 2150 South Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622. We will provide updates as we receive them.
Read MoreThe ELCA Advocacy blog shares updates from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available. Read the updates here.
We also share the April Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
Read MoreWe are on for June 26-29, 2022, at the Dumas Bay Center in Federal Way, Washington. Staff, please fill out this form to register. Synod folks, encourage the staff in your part of the world to join us for this important and life-giving event!
Read MoreSynod council member Sue Jensen shares how an annual rummage sale at Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson transformed during the pandemic into a yearlong ministry that provides goods to local social service agencies.
Read MoreThe ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) hosts a webinar series entitled Building an Anti-Racism Team: Next Faithful Steps on three upcoming Wednesdays: 9/7/2022, 10/5/2022, and 11/2/2022. Register in advance here. More info at edlarj.org/events and Facebook event.
This series is for anybody in the ELCA, specifically interested in connecting with other folks building or working at a synod, campus or congregational anti-racist team.
Read MoreSave the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier.
Featured speakers include: Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni, who will lead a Bible study via Zoom from Jerusalem, Rev. Rebecca Boardman, University of Arizona Campus Ministries; and Carolyn Tonneson, with Peter’s Hope/Bamburi Women’s Empowerment Center (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa).
Read MoreOn March 31st, 2022, the ELCA Church Council adopted “A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community,” uplifting our commitment to friendship and solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The idea that the ELCA should develop “A Declaration to the Muslim Community” has been around for some time, especially since the Reformation commemorations of 2017, when there was renewed focus in a variety of forums on Luther’s attitudes toward the religious Other.
Read MoreThis week’s ordination anniversaries are:
Rev. Charles Newman, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 17 years on May 15.
Rev. Nelson Sulouff who celebrates 63 years on May 16.
Deacon Mary Jayne Baker who celebrates 10 years on May 22.
Rev. Stephen J. Hammer who celebrates 40 years on May 25.
Rev. Debra Slifer who celebrates 35 years on May 25.
Revs. David and Diane Drach-Meinel, Christ the Servant, Henderson, who celebrate 35 years on May 26.
This week, the Office of the Bishop team preaches at various congregations, attends board meetings, and keeps the business of the office moving through yearly scheduled audits. We also include photos from First Call Theological Education.
Read MoreOur regional gift planners, Lisa Higginbotham, CFRE and Josh Kerney of ELCA Foundation, share the wide array of resources easily implemented with their help and designed to drive increased engagement and gifts written to your congregation. View as PDF or in this post.
Read MoreHannah Manzanares, member of both the Grand Canyon Synod Council and Churchwide Council, lets us know that Camp Aloma in Prescott is looking for three male counselors, one female counselor and camp nurses. Read more in this post and contact Camp Aloma for more details.
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