We continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Pastor Chris Stoxen of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chandler.
“While I could talk about a variety of things that touched me about Churchwide Assembly, including Worship, Ecumenical Partner Presentations, the offering of an Apology to a community that we hurt, I think the most influential experiences I had were with the community of believers and the relationships that were built.”
Read MoreFor 2023, the Grand Canyon Synod is offering two categories of grant applications: Project Support Grants, and Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants. More info at gcsynod.org/grants.
Resources and a recording from our info meeting about the 2023 Grand Canyon Synod Grants are now available. View a PDF of the slides, and click here to view the Zoom recording, using this passcode: S$5$Hnqj
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop is on the road again, and maintains our existing programs and day-to-day functions.
Read MoreRev. Thomas Morrison, who celebrates 44 years on October 10.
Rev. John Biggs, Saved By Grace, Pahrump, who celebrates 9 years on October 13.
Rev. Steven Kruse, New Covenant, Scottsdale, who celebrates 37 years on October 13.
Deacon Gloria Owens, who celebrates 35 years on October 13.
In 2018, three small congregations within a 10-mile radius of downtown Oklahoma City—Ascension, St. Mark and Redeemer—were struggling financially to maintain their buildings and meet associated expenses. They started with combined services on fifth Sundays and talked about a weekly joint meeting. Discussions about a formal merger had just started when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Read MoreRead this post for the full agenda of our Bishop’s Fall Gathering, 10/17-19, 2022 at the Franciscan Renewal Center. Amy Sander Montanez, D.Min., and Jennifer Linde, with the ASU Center for Civil Dialogue, will be two of our presenters.
We also ask that all attending sign the Franciscan Renewal Center’s Covid waiver, available as PDF or Word doc.
Read MoreJoin facilitator Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, founding director for the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS, for a three-day retreat at Spirit in the Desert, Friday, 3/10/2023 through Sunday, 3/12/2023.
Explore the economic, cultural, political, and ecological contours of the systemic crisis we face, and grow in the knowledge, skills, spiritual strength, and community that are so vital to forging the paths toward climate justice. Register here and learn more on our calendar listing.
Read MoreThe Presbytery of Grand Canyon is offering a two-day workshop on Pastoral Leaders and Emotional Maturity at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, on January 30-31, 2023. The cost of the workshop is $99 for overnight stay and $49 for commuters. Participants may register by emailing pbyoffice@gmail.com.
Read MoreWhen the ELCA signed a request of President Biden to host a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health, the group of organizations stated: “We can end hunger in America, and a public commitment to a White House Conference, with ending hunger as a key priority, is an essential step in accomplishing this goal.” Recordings of panel sessions and plenary sessions are available online.
Read MoreAfter a two-year pause, the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is sending volunteers out into the world again. Mae Helen Jackson, Young Adult Outreach and Placement Manager, gives an update about some of the ways the YAGM team is bringing the program up to date and making it more welcoming for everyone. YAGM is ready for you! Submit your application beginning Nov. 1, 2022 at ELCA.org/YAGM.
Read MoreAs part of the church’s efforts toward reconciliation with Native Americans, an ELCA truth-seeking and truth-telling initiative has been organized around Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding schools in the United States.
In May the U.S. Department of the Interior published the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report, detailing more than 400 federal Indian boarding schools that operated between 1819 and 1969.
Read MoreOn Sept. 11, 2022, ELCA congregations across the country joined together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. From prairie restoration to fence and bench construction to meal kit assembly, volunteers participated in a variety of service projects this year. View a slideshow of projects in Living Lutheran here.
Read MoreELCA World Hunger's shares their Go & Do News for October, 2022, featuring new resources for Advent and Lent, ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants, World Food Day, partner Fundação Luterana de Diaconia, and Hunger at the Crossroads webinars.
Read MoreLearn new ways of being RE-membered to the Divine Mystery and hone your own prayer practice at this special prayer retreat led by Spirit’s faith mentor, Jim Hanson, and friends. Register for Prayer Retreat here. View full info on our calendar listing.
Read MoreRegistration for the Fifty and Better program’s FABulous Fall Lecture Series is open! Join them in late 2022 for independent and two-part lectures on various topics, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, comparisons of the conflicts in Cuba and Ukraine, Jewish film, neurodegeneration, cyber-terrorism, and more! Visit callutheran.edu/fab for more info and registration.
Read MoreThey call her “Big Mama.” It’s probably not the most common of titles used by church members for their pastors, but it works here.
Mary Louise Frenchman might be “Pastor Frenchman” in professional circles. In more formal settings, some might introduce her as “the Rev. Mary Louise.” But to those who gather for worship and greet her almost daily on the streets of Phoenix, it’s “Big Mama.” Read more in this profile in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreWe start a series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with a “live update” from Glenn Austad, created by the creative team at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West.
Each week we will share a 2022 CWA reflection on how we are church together by our synod voting members. View all our 2022 CWA posts here.
Read MoreLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona reminds us that October 11, 2022, is the big cutoff date for registering to vote in Arizona general election. Check your registration status, check your friends and loved ones’ status, check, check, check! Read more in their post: How to register to vote in Arizona.
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