In December 2021, western Kentucky was hit by a series of deadly and destructive tornadoes, destroying over 1,300 homes. In July 2022, record-setting floods inundated communities in eastern Kentucky. The flooding caused heavy damage to homes and local infrastructure. Recovery in both areas will takes years.
Read MoreWelcome to the first college baseball game at the cozy diamond built for the movie Field of Dreams, where dead center is barely 350 feet from home plate, 41 feet shorter than the fence at the Luther Norse’s home field.
Read MoreThis morning we received reports of impostor emails from the Bishop with the subject “MANY BLESSINGS.” Ignore them, or take the time to the the spam button and report them.
If you’re ever suspicious of an email, check for “gcsynod.org” in the email address, and contact us directly with concerns. Learn more in this post.
Read MoreWe continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Rev. David Brandfass, with Christ Lutheran in Sedona.
“When I left the 2019 assembly I felt as though we faced great challenges as a church, and I wasn’t sure we were up to it. Three years later, on my way home from Columbus, it is obvious we face even greater challenges, but now, through the witness of this assembly, I feel we are ready, led by the Spirit and filled with grace, to meet the challenges faced by Jesus’ church in this twenty-first century.”
Read MoreAfter much searching, Jay’s mother Marie found Mosaic, the right place that tailored his supports to his unique needs and wants. Read the full article at mosaicinfo.org.
Read MoreWe’ve updated our Congregations in Transition page with an updated manual (PDF, Word) created by a joint effort of the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods.
Read MoreWe share the latest newsletter from the Inside Out Network (ION), our synod’s prison and reentry ministry. Read the full newsletter as PDF, featuring what’s next for the Inside Out Network, a service provider spotlight, Arizona and Illinois updates, and an ION intern spotlight.
Read MoreSpirit in the Desert Retreat Center offers an Advent-specific daily devotion via email beginning Sunday, November 27, 2022, and ending on Christmas Day. If you would like to receive a special devotional reflection by Pastor Steve Holm in your inbox each day during Advent, register here.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop continues to travel and preach, and prep for 2023. We share photos from the LAMA Summit 2022 featuring Rev. Eugene Cho, Bread for the World.
Read MoreRev. R. Stewart McDonald, who celebrates 36 years on November 12.
Rev. Ruby Myers, Trinity, Phoenix, who celebrates 1 years on November 13.
Rev. David Krueger, who celebrates 46 years on November 14.
In the South and West, several states — including Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — have seen reported cases increase by 50 percent or more over the past two weeks.
According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels, Apache is a high level county. All other synod counties are low level: Apache, Clark, Coconino, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Nye, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Washington, and Yuma.
Read MoreJoin facilitator Sheri Brown this Advent to explore what faith is making of you this Advent season … and to practice making a few gifts for the world in response. Our Advent of Making will be a season of making peace, making hope, making comfort, and making joy.
Join the Spirit community for a scant hour on Sundays at 4pm MST, 5pm PST. Weekly themes and program details here. The four programs are free of charge, but donations are welcome.
Read More“Beloved – No Matter What” the theme for the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit at the Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, Nebraska. Three youth from across the Grand Canyon Synod traveled with Pr. Jacqui Pagel to meet up with 100 other youth, young adults, and leaders to practice better ways to communicate God’s love to all in and out of our churches.
Please contact Pr. Jacqui if you are a youth or have a youth that would like to represent the Grand Canyon Synod at The Summit, November 2 – 5, 2023, in New Orleans, LA.
Read MoreIn this video for the Be Connected Faith Network, Pastor Brett Everett shares the power the faith community has to deal with issues facing combat veterans and active duty service members, including dealing with forgiveness, guilt, anger, estranged relationships, depression, and PTSD.
A combat healing group is someplace where veterans can feel safe, share their stories, and find a healing of the soul.
Read MoreIn this video for the Be Connected Faith Network, Anthony Newkirk, Ph.D., shares how his spiritual journey helped him get back on his feet after childhood trauma, military service, and time in prison.
Read MoreOur synod is home to more than 500,000 service members, veterans and their families. If you need help or would like to help, we invite you to learn more about the Be Connected Faith Network which provides support and healing to our service members, veterans and their families through faith. Visit ConnectVeterans.org/Faith, read this PDF, or call their confidential support line at 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
Read MoreA message from the Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering, Deacon Tammy Jones West, on how the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering theme was chosen.
Read MoreIn line with standard ELCA protocol, the project to create a new social message on Climate Care is being shepherded by the ELCA Director for Theological Ethics, working with a lead writer in collaboration with a group of reviewers.
The draft social message is now available for public feedback! Read the social message draft here and then use this survey to share your input by Friday, December 2, 2022.
Read MoreRev. Louise Johnson, Executive for Administration with the ELCA, invites rostered ministers to participate in a survey being conducted by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Duke Endowment. The survey, open through November 2022, is part of a major national study on the health and future flourishing of mainline Protestant clergy and churches.
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