The Office of the Bishop will be closed Friday, 12/23 through Tuesday, 12/27/2022.
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Read MoreWe share the latest newsletter from the Inside Out Network (ION), our synod’s prison and reentry ministry. Read the fall 2022 ION newsletter as PDF, featuring an expansion into Oregon, board member Justin Benjamin, returning citizen spotlight, and Arizona updates. As of late September, there are 2695 returning citizens enrolled in Arizona and 163 providers across the state.
Read MoreNow that the election is behind us, LAMA reminds us it’s time to begin developing (or extending) your relationships with your legislators. Maybe you’d be surprised how effective a simple postcard congratulating them on their victories can be.
Read MoreBeautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tucson has 35 gray choir robes plus 2 director's robes that are free to a good home. Contact Jenni Pavesic in the church office if you're interested, 520-744-2665 or office@beautifulsavior.net.
Read MoreHi everyone, my name is Everdith Landrau, also known as Evie, and I am delighted to join the ELCA World Hunger as Director of Networking and Engagement. I am a native of San Juan, Puerto Rio by way of Manhattan (Spanish Harlem), New York. I am an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament with the Presbyterian Church, (USA).
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of Nevada is now helping people who live in the city of Las Vegas as they navigate the complexities of the current employment landscape and are looking to advance their careers.Contact an Employment Navigator from LSSN today or refer someone who would benefit.
Read MoreThe Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in decades. Through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), ELCA World Hunger is working in the Kakuma region in Kenya alongside the local government to help build the capacity of families to respond to and withstand worsening droughts in the region. These stories reflect the impact of our work together to end hunger through ELCA World Hunger.
Read MoreAttend a 1-hour online briefing on the Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program on Thursday, 12/8/2022, 2pm MST, 1pm PST, to learn how to prepare to apply for Department of Energy grants of up to $200,000 for your congregation’s energy efficiency work. Register here.
As people of faith and conscience, reducing the climate impact of our houses of worship is an opportunity to care for one another and for our common home.
Read MoreThe Planning Team shares a letter of invitation to the Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix next summer, July 17-20, 2023. You’re invited to join colleagues under the theme of "Rekindle the gift within you" (2 Timothy 1:6).
If you like to welcome people, help with registration, or have the gift of hospitality, please connect with Pastor Doug Dill: pastordoug@centrallutheranaz.org or 402-235-6969.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop gathers for a ½ day working retreat with full time Office of the Bishop staff, and enters the season of Advent with a sense of adventure. We also share photos from the Bishop’s visit to Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City.
Read MoreWe celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Deacon April Boyden, who celebrates 33 years on December 1.
Rev. Lars Hammar, Lord of Grace, Tucson, Open Space, Tucson, who celebrates 23 years on December 5.
Rev. Scott Summers, who celebrates 32 years on December 8.
Roxana Boroujerdi had spent decades as a social worker serving youth in Everett, Wash., when she opted for a change of pace in her career: She opened an ice cream business. That might seem like a major shift but, at its heart, Boroujerdi said, the work was similar. “There’s nothing that brings me more joy than seeing a happy kid,” she said.
With that, her transition to being the “Fun Times Ice Cream Lady” was complete.
Read MoreAdvent Pilgrimage in Palestine is a four-week virtual pilgrimage from the ELCA’s Peace Not Walls, Young Adult Ministry, Arab and Middle Eastern ministry, and ALAMEH featuring young adult voices from the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
Read MoreMary J. Streufert wrote her new book Language for God: A Lutheran Perspective (Fortress Press, 2022) for those people and other readers who need assurance that language and images for God include all genders and ethnicities, who are unsure why language and images for God matter, and who want language for God to be faithful to the Scriptures and to the witness of Christian theological tradition.
Read MoreClick here to view the November 2022 ELCA Foundation Insights newsletter, featuring: Smart, Year-end Charitable Giving; Estate Planning resources, and info on the Ministry Growth Fund.
For more info, contact our synod’s ELCA Foundation planners, Lisa Marie Higginbotham and Josh Kerney.
Read More'Scripture alone' is a known Lutheran principle. At the second Bible year webinar, two Biblical scholars reflected on how this is used in understanding the Bible.
In this post, read the Lutheran World Federation article on the distinctive ways Lutherans interpret the Bible, or view the full webinar. Or choose “both/and.”
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop rests, gathers with loved ones, and makes time for the Holy Spirit this week. We thank you for being Church Together!
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