Lent is a story of the journey of the people of God. It is the story of us, or more appropriately “God with us.”
During the season, we remember the ancient Hebrews’ journey from slavery in Egypt and a generation spent wandering in the wilderness. We also re-enact, in our own small ways, Jesus’ journey into the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil. The fast that many Christians commit to during Lent is a reflection of the 40- day fast Jesus undertook during this time.
Read MoreThe 40 Days of Giving weekly email series is designed to help supporters of ELCA World Hunger diver deeper into the content provided in our Lenten resources. Subscribe to engage further in your Lenten practices this season and explore the connections between our faith and our shared ministry to end hunger and poverty.
Read MoreDear Partners in Mission,
It is with mixed emotions that we need to inform you that on Feb 23, 2019 the Grand Synod Council voted to sell the building that is currently occupied by Vida Nueva Lutheran Church located at 4901 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix AZ. Although the property will be sold, the congregation will continue in a new site. The Grand Canyon Synod is currently working closely with the congregation to find a new worship location.
Read MoreDeepen your engagement throughout the season of Lent with the ELCA’s weekly study and learn more about how your gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world.
Read MoreAsh Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season when God calls us to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. The imposition of ashes – when you receive ashes in the sign of the cross on your forehead – sets the tone for Lent. Each moment you encounter your reflection, your ashes are a striking reminder that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19b). But the cross, a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion, offers hope.
A Lenten prayer: Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Read MoreIn this episode of the Three Sides podcast we hear from three women from within the ELCA who hold leadership positions in three different fields – religion, business and the nonprofit world.
In the three segments of Three Sides, we’ll introduce you to ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; Dr. Sylvia Sloan Black, a retired professor and now an executive coach; and Wendy Davidson, president of US Specialty Channels at the Kellogg Co.
Read MoreThe story of a detention camp that became the symbol of perhaps the largest mass incarceration of children not charged with a crime since the WWII internment of Japanese Americans.
Read MoreBishop Hutterer invites rostered leaders to the Bishop’s Fall Convocation, Monday, Oct 21-22, 2019, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chandler.
The guest speaker on Monday will be Dr. Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. We are working on getting a copy of this book for each active rostered leader. More information to follow.
Read MoreDonna Campbell (wife of Pastor Paul Campbell at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley) received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2019 Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) Annual Conference in February where 500 teachers, parents and advocates joined in the celebration.
Read MoreThe 2019 Theme is MOVEMENT: Mission, Body, and Justice.
Join other youth leaders, directors, and pastors April 23-26 on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary for a 4-day youth ministry conference. We believe that lives and communities will be transformed when theological reflection meets practical application. More information at iymforum.ptsem.edu.
Read MoreI’m an avid hiker. I’ve hiked many Arizona trails, as well as a portion of the Camino de Santiago and the Dales Way in England. I have a pretty good sense of direction. But sometimes, I do get lost.
Read MoreActive and Rostered Leaders, forms for your annual reports to the Bishop are available on the Grand Canyon Synod website. Bishop Hutterer looks forward to your responses. Please complete by March 8, 2019.
Read MoreFrom Pastor Lars Hammar comes Open Space’s first newsletter. Click here to view it in PDF.
An excerpt: “We did a special ‘encounter’ worship and it was awesome. Great ambient music from Rex Garcia while we built, created, drew, sculpted and prayed. Truly interactive worship.” Learn more at www.openspacetucson.com.
Read MoreThe ELCA has formed a preferred vendor agreement with Vanco, allowing congregations to accept gifts and payments through credit and debit cards, websites, card readers, text messages and a mobile app.
Read MoreRead the minutes from the synod council meeting on February 23, 2019, in PDF format or in a Word document.
Read MoreAll across America, churches are closing. Instead of focusing on solving the intractable problem of why churches are closing, forward-thinking leaders will try to learn from models that are thriving.
Read MoreThis ELCA statement on gender identity discrimination is an important reminder in light of the recent Supreme Court decision allowing the president’s restrictions on transgender individuals in the military.
Read MoreBishop Hutterer offered the opening prayer for the Nevada State Assembly on Thursday, February 7, 2019, then spoke at a luncheon for Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN).
Read MoreSeasonal times of the church year like Lent and Easter are perfect times to raise awareness for issues surrounding hunger and poverty. If your congregation plans to use any of the ELCA 40 Days of Giving materials for the Lenten Season, they need to be ordered now. Follow this link to place your order: https://www.elca.org/Resources/ELCA-World-Hunger
Read MoreCongregations can be vulnerable to legal issues and liabilities related to corporate status, taxes, property, insurance and abuse prevention. Many of these problems can be avoided by using an ELCA-prepared checklist of key issues for congregations to address.
In a free webinar at 11 a.m. (Mountain Time) on Thursday, Feb. 21, the ELCA legal staff will discuss this checklist and best legal practices for congregations. The webinar should be of particular interest to rostered ministers and lay congregational leaders and staff, including congregation council members and officers, church administrators, and pastors and deacons. Register by Feb. 15
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