Posts in News
May & June 2022 Update: Advocacy Connections
May & June 2022 Update: Advocacy Connections

Read the May and June updates from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C., by The Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director, ELCA Witness in Society.

The May/June issue of ELCA Advocacy Connections was prepared for distribution on May 25, 2022. While these brief updates on activity in which our ELCA Witness in Society federal staff is engaged are never an expansion of national news or a complete picture, today especially we are aware they don’t touch our corporate reflections, including on the horror of the shooting in Uvalde, Tex. and on observance of the second anniversary of the death of George Floyd.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Gun ViolenceComment
25 years of Fund for Leaders
25 years of Fund for Leaders

For over 25 years, Fund for Leaders has supported church leaders of tremendous promise. So far, your gifts to Fund for Leaders have made a difference in the lives of over 1,100 seminary students, allowing them to serve the church where they are needed most. Together, we are working toward our ultimate goal: a future in which every rostered minister can graduate without the burden of financial debt. ELCA.org/FundforLeaders25

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Fund for LeadersComment
ELCA statement on the Buffalo mass murders
ELCA statement on the Buffalo mass murders

Our hearts grieve for those who have been killed and our souls cry out against more lives lost to the hatred birthed by racism. As we mourn those lives lost as a result of the racially motivated killings in Buffalo, we ask God to ease the continued suffering and trauma of our Black siblings throughout the nation and in our church. We are one body in Christ, so when one part suffers, we all suffer.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardRacial Justice, Gun ViolenceComment
Review the proposed 2023-2024 Mission Spending Plan
Review the proposed 2023-2024 Mission Spending Plan

As part of our assembly, we’ll be approving our proposed 2023-2024 Mission Spending Plan. Visit this page to explore the plan in depth as we provide different ways of seeing this data.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2022 Synod AssemblyComment
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
ELCA Churchwide Assembly

The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place Aug. 8-12 in Columbus, Ohio. Under the theme “Embody the Word,” the assembly will meet around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on its work on behalf of the entire church.

A key action during the assembly will be electing a vice president. Live video of worship and plenary sessions will be accessible at Churchwide Assembly — Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org).

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ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration Matters, 2022 Churchwide AssemblyComment
In Memoriam: Heidi Gerrish
In Memoriam: Heidi Gerrish

5/27/2022 update: more info from Heidi’s father, Paul, and links a GoFundMe page and to CaringBridge health updates for Justin and Katherine.

We lift up in prayer the friends and family of Heidi Gerrish. Heidi died at the scene of an automobile accident Saturday morning, May 21, 2022, while traveling to her sister Julie’s graduation from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Also in the car were her partner Justin, and her brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Katherine.

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Grand Canyon Synod, In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of the Southwest, LCM U of A, Gerrish family Comments
Special assembly guest: Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager of Mexican Lutheran Church (ILM)
Special assembly guest: Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager of Mexican Lutheran Church (ILM)

After numerous Covid-thwarted attempts to arrange a visit, we are blessed that our 2022 Synod Assembly features a visit from Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, Pastor President of the Mexican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM).

We look forward to worshipping with Pastor Trejo Haager and hearing updates on our companions in Mexico.

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News, Grand Canyon Synod, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardRoberto Trejo Haager, 2022 Synod Assembly, Mexican Lutheran ChurchComment
Ordination celebrations: 5/20-5/26/2022
Ordination celebrations: 5/20-5/26/2022

This week we celebrate the following ordination anniversaries:

  • Rev. Richard Glover, who celebrates 63 years on May 20.

  • Rev. Phillip Hausknecht, who celebrates 59 years on May 20.

  • Rev. Mel Soderberg, who celebrates 55 years on May 21.

  • Rev. Patricia Reed, who celebrates 21 years on May 21.

  • Deacon Laura Book, who celebrates 12 years on May 21.

  • Rev. Daniel Olson, who celebrates 59 years on May 22.

  • Rev. Raymond Stiffler, who celebrates 62 years on May 22.

  • Rev. Carl Zimmermann, who celebrates 45 years on May 22.

  • Rev. Wallace Klandrud, who celebrates 67 years on May 23.

  • Rev. Keith Lingwall, Abounding Grace, Tucson, who celebrates 55 years on May 23.

  • Rev. Richard Jessen, who celebrates 59 years on May 24.

  • Rev. Ronald Koplitz, who celebrates 53 years on May 25.

  • Rev. David Swanson, ,who celebrates 58 years on May 26.

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News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
North/West Lower Michigan Synod Task Force for Disability Ministry
North/West Lower Michigan Synod Task Force for Disability Ministry

Pastor Clay Bates, chair of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod Task Force for Disability Ministry, shares how his vision of a synodical task force to promote ministry with people with disabilities began with the conviction that people with disabilities belong in worship and the life of a congregation as full participants, and every person with a disability has a right to access the sacraments, Christian learning, and spiritual guidance.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardDisability Ministries, ELCA Disability MinistriesComment
William Gohl reelected bishop of ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod
William Gohl reelected bishop of ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod

The Rev. William J. Gohl Jr., Baltimore, was reelected May 12 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod.

Gohl has served as bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod since 2016. Prior to becoming bishop, he served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church of Baltimore from 2007 to 2016, as evangelism coordinator for the synod from 2004 to 2010, and as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Glen Burnie, Md., from 2000 to 2007.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
2023-2024 mission spending plan presentations
2023-2024 mission spending plan presentations

All members of the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to participate in a Q-&-A Zoom presentation of the 2023-2024 Mission Spending Plan, hosted by Erik Rehms, the Synod Treasurer. Each session is the same, with two dates to choose from.

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News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2022 Synod AssemblyComment
Be a part of something bigger through Thrivent
Be a part of something bigger through Thrivent

At Thrivent you are a part of something bigger. Through their generosity programs you help support the congregations, communities and causes you care about. So far this year, through the Thrivent Choice® program, Grand Canyon Synod ELCA has received $437.

Considering the Grand Canyon Synod for your Thrivent Choice Dollars? Visit the GCS page to give through Thrivent Choice.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardThriventComment
War in Ukraine: Regional Conflict, Global Hunger
War in Ukraine: Regional Conflict, Global Hunger

Millions of people are suffering the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine. As devastation sweeps the region and millions are forced to flee their homes, we are beginning to see the long-term consequences the war will have for food security in Ukraine and around the globe.

In this video, the Rev. Daniel Rift talks with Rev. Rachel Eskesen and Dr. Ryan Cummingabout conflict, hunger and the ELCA’s response in Eastern Europe.

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ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA Europe Desk, Russia and Ukraine WarComment
Best Skills, Best Churches Program open to 20 synod leaders
Best Skills, Best Churches Program open to 20 synod leaders

Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods announce a Lutheran cohort for ASU Lodestar Center’s Best Skills Best Churches certificate program starting in July. View a PDF brochure for more info and click here to register.

Thanks to the Lilly Endowment and funding from our Growing Generosity appeal, we provide this opportunity for rostered and lay leaders for only $150 per student. Act now: space is limited to 20 students from our synod and the deadline to register is June 13, 2022.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardRocky Mountain Synod, Lilly 3EComment