In this Living Lutheran article, 1517 Media’s Dawn Rundman recommends three books: The Wit of Martin Luther; Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism As a Way of Life; and Luther the Reformer.
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The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year.
If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2023. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.
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Watch the third annual LAMA Summit from Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The program featured the Rev. Eugene Cho, president & CEO of Bread for the World.
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The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has launched an anniversary photo book as part of this year’s events to mark 75 years since the communion was founded. In Communion – The Lutheran World Federation 1947-2022 is the title of the book, which highlights moments from the communion’s rich history over seven and a half decades.
The 75th anniversary book can be downloaded here, and will be available in a printed format at the end of this year. LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt presented the book on Reformation Day, 31 October, at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva.
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At Wartburg College, incoming students are guaranteed $30,000 in scholarships, and a referral from alumni can create a $4,000 award as well. If you know a high school senior looking for an ELCA college, encourage them to apply to Wartburg. (The application is free!)
You can also contact Jacqui Pagel who can help arrange a referral scholarship through synod alumni.
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Join Rabbi Bonnie Koppel, Pastor Daniel Weichart, Imam Anas Hlayhel for a free virtual Tri-Faith Discussion: Is it Gossip or Concern? Register at isb-az.org/trifaith for this Tuesday, 11/15/2022 event at 6pm MST, 5pm PST.
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) is a non-profit, apolitical, educational organization founded in 1999. ISBA is an outreach institution that provides education about Islam and Muslims, and promotes interfaith dialogue.
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The goals for the 2022 Fund for Leaders Golf Classic are to find 144 golfers and raise $20,000 in donations. If $20,000 is raised, a donor will match it!
Chairperson Kirk Anderson encourages congregations to spread the news, and has prepared a PDF flyer and brochure, a Powerpoint slide, and Word documents of a sample newsletter and a letter of appeal.
The event is at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Glendale is Monday, November 14, 2022, beginning at 7 am. Check out this registration form for more info.
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In this post and video we explore Growing Future Campus Ministries: Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $644,617 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal. We invite you to consider a gift. Please visit our pledge page for more info.
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We continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Rev. Charles Newman, with Crossroads in San Tan Valley.
“Reflecting on the assembly, I personally discovered a newfound hope for our church. By further understanding, accepting, and navigating through our unique gifts and diversity, I am excited to experience our capabilities as one unified body of Christ and paving the way for achieving our goal to welcome one-million new, young, and diverse people into the ELCA.”
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Join ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at noon MST, 11am PST, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
Join us on Wednesday, November 9, 2922, as we hear from Rev. Adam Stockton regarding his personal experience with PTSD, recommendations for companionship, and how it has changed the way he leads and teaches (and more recently, how he coaches).
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A Service of Holy Closure led by Bishop Hutterer will be held Saturday 11/12/2022, 4 pm for Alleluia Lutheran Church, 8444 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix AZ 85037.
There will be a meal and fellowship followed by a service of Celebration. There will be special guest speakers, Festival Choir selections, memories and stories to share.
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As we prepare for the upcoming election season, the ELCA understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a broken world. We share resources to help clarify how churches can appropriately be involved in elections and advocacy.
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Good and Gracious God, be with us and our nation on election day and throughout the election process. Guide our actions, that good and faithful leaders may be raised up to serve our nation and communities justly. Protect our communities from acts of violence. Provide peace of mind to all who are anxious. Bring comfort to all who are stressed and hope to those who are fearful.
Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart to be kind; that the barriers dividing our nation may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatred cease. Help us to put our trust in you and give us wisdom, strength, and courage to be living examples of your love, today and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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We pray for the friends and family of Deacon Ann Terhark, who passed away on Oct. 17, 2022. Deacon Ann previously served as an Associate in Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Paradise Valley and then later on at King of Glory Lutheran in Tempe, AZ.
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The Office of the Bishop continues to travel and preach. We share photos from the Ordination and Installation of Verónica Alvarez at Faith/La Fe in Phoenix.
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We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Deacon Anada Guse, who celebrates 32 years on November 4.
Rev. Conrad Braaten, who celebrates 50 years on November 5.
Conditions are stable in most states, but there are some concerning trends in the Southwest. In Arizona and New Mexico, both cases and hospitalizations have risen by 30 percent or more since mid-month.
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The ELCA provides this PDF resource, provided to assist congregations in this time surrounding a national election. The readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions could be used in settings such as prayer vigils, as part of Morning or Evening Prayer, as part of regular weekly worship in the weeks preceding or following an election, or devotions at home or in other settings.
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Christian Nationalism identifies human-made governments as lockstep with God’s will and seeks to privilege Christians, typically only white Christians. This type of ideology is not only dangerous but distorts the difference between holding government accountable to God as opposed to identified strictly with God’s will. We must stand against Christian Nationalism and as that you join us in signing the petition and sharing your stance by visiting the Christians Against Christian Nationalism site.
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