Posts in News
Man Hei Yip: “Embody the Word” online Bible study series

We share a video from Man Her Yip, part of the pre-events of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2022.

In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24. Register here for the live Bible study series held on Zoom.

Read More
Spirited Book Club: This Here Flesh

The Spirited Book Club discusses This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us, the stunning NYT bestseller by Cole Arthur Riley. The online club is FREE, register here. 8/11/2022, read the first half or more, 8/25/2022, read the last half.

In her stunning debut, the creator of Black Liturgies weaves stories from three generations of her family alongside contemplative reflections to discover the “necessary rituals” that connect us with our belonging, dignity, and liberation.

Read More
Courageous Leadership - Channeling the Energy of the Crowd: Explorations in Team and Group Coaching

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, ELCA Coaching welcomes back Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, who will be facilitating conversation around harnessing the energy of groups to do the work of the Kingdom.

The login information can be found below and on the ELCA Coaching website. Join us WEEKLY on Wednesdays at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, to hear from a variety of leaders.

Read More
Ordination celebrations: 7/22/2022-7/28/2022
  • Rev. Janice Brosen, who celebrates 38 years on July 22.

  • Rev. Colin Melby, who celebrates 39 years on July 24.

  • Rev. Craig Larson, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 34 years on July 24.

  • Rev. Jeffery Gallen, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, Alleluia, Phoenix, who celebrates 40 years on July 25.

  • Rev. Matthew Metevelis, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Las Vegas, Living Hope, Las Vegas, who celebrates 12 years on July 25.

  • Rev. Marta Poling Schmitt, who celebrates 35 years on July 26.

  • Rev. Gary McCluskey, University, Tempe, who celebrates 42 years on July 27.

  • Rev. David Pavesic, Beautiful Savior, Tucson, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.

  • Rev. Denise Edwards, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.

  • Rev. Phillip Shuart, St. Andrew, Las Vegas, who celebrates 31 years on July 28.

Read More
COVID-19 community levels: 7/21/2022

What the BA.5 Subvariant Could Mean for the United States: The most transmissible variant yet of the coronavirus is threatening a fresh wave of infections in the United States, even among those who have recovered from the virus fairly recently.

In our synod, a new wave of high level counties: Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai and Yuma.

Medium level: Greenlee and Santa Cruz. Low level: Cochise, Graham, Pima.

Read More
Lutheran World Federation newsletter: July 15, 2022
Sally Azar: “Embody the Word” online Bible study series

We share a video from Sally Azar, part of the pre-events of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2022.

In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24. Register here for the live Bible study series held on Zoom.

Read More
President Biden visits Augusta Victoria Hospital

The United States President Joe Biden visited the LWF-operated Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) on the morning of Friday July 15. Biden’s visit to the hospital is the first visit of a sitting US president to East Jerusalem. The US President announced a USD 100 million multi-year commitment toward the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN), of which AVH is a member.

Read More
Advocacy Cafe

Drop by an Advocacy Cafe to hear from ELCA advocacy community leaders about timely topics. The 30-minute presentations will be offered twice on the same day. The day session will wrap-up with 15-minutes for a Q&A session with panelists. The evening session will wrap-up differently, with 25 minutes to meet in a small group with others to exchange experiences and ideas.

  • Tue. July 26 – August Recess

  • Tue. Aug. 30 – Civic Engagement Actions

  • Tue. Sept. 27 – Barriers to Voting

  • Tue. Oct. 25 – Public Discourse

Read More
New Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World

As Lutherans in North America, we have a remarkable opportunity to live out our Christian vocation in a multi-religious world. No matter where we live, the realities of religious diversity are not “out there,” but in our daily lives with our families, in our congregations, communities, and at work. Our ministries – whether as pastors, deacons, or lay people – are shaped by the religious diversity in our midst. The brand new “ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World” provide a way for our ministries to also be shaped for our multi-religious context.

Read More
2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meets under the theme “Embody the Word”

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 8-12 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Meeting under the theme "Embody the Word," the assembly will participate in plenary discussions to make decisions about the work of this church. Live video of the plenary sessions will be accessible at elca.org/CWA-2022.

Read More
Congregations invited to pledge to the Growing Generosity Appeal

Having already raised over $500,000 to fund our Growing Generosity Appeal, let’s create possibilities together. With your help, we can top our next goal to raise another $250,00 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!

The plans for these additional funds will benefit Lutheran Campus Ministries, new & emerging ministries, and our advocacy efforts. In this post we explore Growing Financial Viability: Planting seeds of financial support for pastors and congregations through 3E Lilly Grants and programs.

Read More
Revitalize your congregation's preaching ministry

Revitalize your congregation's preaching ministry by making the practice of preaching more collaborative and participatory. These six Zoom sessions will be held October 2, 2022, through January 8, 2023, and led by Rev. Dr. Shaunna Hannan, Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (of California Lutheran University). Interested? Fill out this form, bit.ly/LayPreachingCLU, and view more info in this post and this PDF flyer.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod Manna Grants deadline: 7/31/2022

Thanks to a gift from Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson, Manna Grants are available for new and continuing projects that work to alleviate hunger and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.

All organized congregations, New Starts, Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs), and Special Ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod are eligible to apply by the 7/31/2022 deadline. More info at gcsynod.org/manna-grant.

Read More
Don't be fooled by fake email scams from the Office of the Bishop

We’ve received reports of emails from a fake Gmail account purporting to be Bishop Hutterer, which you can ignore. Better yet, use your report spam button to flag it and get it shut down.

You will likely be asked for a contribution of gift cards or something else of that nature. You will notice that it is not coming from her official email address. The Bishop will never send such a message or solicit funds in this way.

Read More