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RECLAIM: Empowering Ministry for People of African Descent

RECLAIM: Empowering Ministry for People of African Descent

RECLAIM is a gathering for people of African descent, brought to you by African Descent Ministries. People of African descent of all ages and gender identities will gather in Minneapolis on September 14 - 17, 2023. Standard registration ($300) and young adult registration ($200) end 6/30. Late registration ($350) ends 8/15. Register here.

Participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, praise and worship that will enable us to build community, learn new skills, share resources and rejuvenate weary souls.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 20, 2023African Descent MinistriesComment

Mission Support Memo: May, 2023

Mission Support Memo: May, 2023

The ELCA mission support memo for May, 2023 is available as PDF, as a Word doc, or in this blog post. This month’s memo features our very own Inside Own Network (ION), the “eHarmony of Prison Reentry.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 20, 2023Mission Support, Stewardship, Inside Out NetworkComment

Five reasons to attend the Rostered Ministers Gathering

Five reasons to attend the Rostered Ministers Gathering

Registration is open through July 1! Register today. The Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix is an opportunity to:

Hear from inspiring keynote speakers.
Enrich your ministry through workshops and caucuses.
Attend meaningful worship services.
Connect with your colleagues and meet new ones.
Remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive yourself.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 20, 20232023 Rostered Ministers GatheringComment

Candidacy Research summaries and hearings available

Candidacy Research summaries and hearings available

In March 2022 the Candidacy Leadership Development Working Group (CLDWG) was appointed to examine and improve the candidacy process that equips rostered ministers for service in our church. View an executive summary of their findings here.

All members of the ELCA are invited to hearings hosted via Zoom to hear and respond to findings. You do not need to register for these sessions. Please mark your calendars and click a link for:

June 20, 2023, 4pm PDT/MST, 5pm MDT
June 22, 2023: 10am PDT/MST, 11am MDT
June 26, 2023: 11am PDT/MST, noon MDT
June 28, 2023: 7pm PDT/MST, 8pm MDT

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 19, 2023CandidacyComment

Understanding and supporting gender-expansive Christians

Understanding and supporting gender-expansive Christians

In the latest episode of Portico’s Being Here Podcast – Gender Identity and the Church – host Pastor Melissa Pohlman and guest Austen Hartke discuss ways we can seek to honor the image of God found in all of us and help our church embody a spirit of welcome and acceptance.

Hartke brings his perspective as a Biblical scholar and founder of the Transmission Ministry Collective to offer practical resources and theological framework for starting these important conversations.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 19, 2023LGBTQIA+, Being Here podcast, PorticoComment

EmployerLink security enhancements coming soon

EmployerLink security enhancements coming soon

Portico’s EmployerLink sign-in process will be changing as part of their ongoing commitment to data security and privacy protection. If you’re a registered EmployerLink user, later this summer Portico will walk you through setting up a new way to access your account that includes two-step phone verification every time you sign in.

ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 19, 2023PorticoComment

Ordination celebrations: 6/19/2023

Ordination celebrations: 6/19/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Larry Stiles, who celebrates 41 years on June 19.
Rev. John Groh, who celebrates 57 years on June 19.
Rev. Norbert Schroeder, who celebrates 63 years on June 19.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 19, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

LCM|Canterbury welcomes Reverend Michael Girlinghouse as Interim Campus Chaplain

LCM|Canterbury welcomes Reverend Michael Girlinghouse as Interim Campus Chaplain

We're excited to announce an important development in our ministry in northern Arizona. Reverend Michael Girlinghouse, the former Bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the ELCA, will be serving as the Interim Campus Chaplain at LCM|Canterbury at NAU, effective from August 1, 2023.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 19, 2023High Country Conference, LCM NAU, Youth and Young Adult, Lutheran Campus Ministries, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Comments

Ordination celebrations: 6/18/2023

Ordination celebrations: 6/18/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Mark Rossman, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 35 years on June 18.
Rev. Paul Hansen, who celebrates 34 years on June 18.
Rev. Glen Stadler, who celebrates 45 years on June 18.
Rev. Raymond Christenson, who celebrates 55 years on June 18.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 18, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination celebrations: 6/17/2023

Ordination celebrations: 6/17/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Ralph Livdahl, who celebrates 72 years on June 17.
Rev. Daniel Megorden, who celebrates 44 years on June 17.
Rev. Richard Bosse, who celebrates 67 years on June 17.
Rev. Daniel Storvick, who celebrates 50 years on June 17.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 17, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Attend the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in-person or online

Attend the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in-person or online

It’s been six long years since we all came together and explored the All Anew theme. Bring the hopes and fears born of the last six years to Phoenix this September as we explore God’s call to Just Love.

If you can’t join us in Phoenix, you can still explore the Just Love theme by participating online in worship and plenary sessions. Visit welcatg.org for more info and to register. Guest include Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, and Dr. Kelly Glow.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 20232023 WELCA Triennial Gathering, Women of the ELCA (WELCA)Comment

ELCA Worship partner organization resources and events: June 2023

ELCA Worship partner organization resources and events: June 2023

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Read more at ELCA.org.

ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023ELCA WorshipComment

Ordination celebrations: 6/16/2023

Ordination celebrations: 6/16/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. James Vadis, who celebrates 55 years on June 16.
Rev. Corrine Chilstrom, who celebrates 38 years on June 16.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Phyllis Blair Milton elected bishop of the ELCA Virginia Synod

Phyllis Blair Milton elected bishop of the ELCA Virginia Synod

The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Blair Milton, Portsmouth, Va., was elected June 11 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Virginia Synod of the ELCA.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Florida-Bahamas SynodComment

Pedro Suárez reelected bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod

Pedro Suárez reelected bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod

The Rev. Pedro M. Suárez was reelected June 8, 2023, to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Florida-Bahamas SynodComment

ELCA-LIRS World Refugee Day letter from Bishop Eaton and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah

ELCA-LIRS World Refugee Day letter from Bishop Eaton and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah

In honor of World Refugee Day on June 20, the ELCA and LIRS advocacy networks invite their members to a national day of advocacy, intended to build urgency for robust support for refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers. We urge all to learn more about refugee admissions in the United States, join LIRS's 125 Watch campaign, accompany migrants through AMMPARO, and advocate through prayer and action for our neighbors in need.

Bishop Eaton, Letters, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Immigration and Refugees, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)Comment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter: 6/16/2023

Lutheran World Federation newsletter: 6/16/2023

News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Lutheran World FederationComment

Emanuel 9 Remembrance | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton & Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

Emanuel 9 Remembrance | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton & Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

In remembrance of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and National Council of Churches President and General Secretary, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, urge us to study, pray and act so that we can make a real difference in our communities and country to end the scourge of racial, economic, and social injustice and violence. For more info, go to: ELCA.org/Emanuel9 and nationalcouncilofchurches.us.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 16, 2023Emanuel 9, Racial Justice, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment

Leadership Lab 2023: An opportunity to deepen faith and leadership skills

Leadership Lab 2023: An opportunity to deepen faith and leadership skills

We invite our high school-aged youth to attend the transformative Leadership Lab event, taking place from July 17th to July 22nd, 2023 at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.

Leadership Lab provides an engaging space where participants can experiment and practice leadership skills for the church and community, all while experiencing an intense faith journey. It's an opportunity to forge lifelong bonds and cultivate leadership skills in a supportive, faith-filled environment.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 15, 2023Leadership Lab, Youth and Young AdultComment

Join a Crossings Table Talk with Pastor Matthew Metevelis on church and civil society

Join a Crossings Table Talk with Pastor Matthew Metevelis on church and civil society

We invite you to an upcoming Crossings Table Talk on June 20, 2023, at 11 am PDT/MST, noon MDT. Reverend Matthew Metevelis (Living Hope, Las Vegas), who recently published the thought-provoking article, "Where the Kingdoms are Held Together": Free Institutions and the American Church's Political Vocation in Word and World (Vol 43 #2, Spring 2023), will be the presenter. Please email Cathy Lessmann, cathy.lessmann@crossings.org, to secure your place.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 15, 2023Living Hope Las Vegas, Colorado River ConferenceComment