The 2019 ELCA Advocacy Convening was held April 29–May 1 in Washington, D.C., gathering bishops (including Bishop Hutterer) and community leaders around the theme “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change.” In her welcome letter to participants, Amy Reumann, ELCA Advocacy director, said this topic requires urgent action. Read the article in Living Lutheran »
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod Office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.
Read MoreThe May issue of Administration Matters contains information on ELCA Churchwide Assembly observers and volunteers, contingency planning for congregations, background checks, reducing legal liabilities, painting and working with chemicals, and the inherent risk of guest Wi-Fi access at your church.
Read MoreWe uplift in prayer Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, as they meet the needs of their community and provide a place where people can worship, receive spiritual care, grow in their faith and enjoy Christian fellowship. One congregation worshiping at two campuses, they serve East Mesa and also Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. We pray for Pr. Bill Rindy; Pr. Tina Mills; Pr. Nancy Milleville; Pr. Don Auclair; Kim McCracken, Ministry Coordinator; Willie & Anne Langdji, Senegal Missionaries; John Weber, Minister of Music; Richard Wall, Minister of Music; Dwight Walth, Minister of Choral Music; Denise Carlson, Saturday Accompanis; Kayla, Secretary; Angela, Secretary; Stephanie, Secretary; Kim B, Business Manager; Sonya, Communications; Dave, Facilities Manager; Lee, Security and Hospitality.
Read MoreWe pray for St. Andrew Lutheran Church as they create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ. We pray for Pastor Phil Stuart, Children’s Ministries Director De Ann Martell, Financial Ministries Director Chandra Meyers, Office Assistant Robert Rodenbeck, Minister of Music Michelle Nunez, Sextons Antonio and Evangelinade Zambrano, Administrative Assistant for Financial Ministries Angela Danzik, and Director of Youth and Family Ministries and Pastoral Care Brian Neely.
Read MoreFrom Lutheran Disaster Response, we have a situation report on the 29 tornadoes that impacted Missouri, including one through Jefferson City. Read the full report here, including ways you can be part of the response through prayer, gifts, and connections.
Read MorePastor Kristin Engstrom, the Country Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Senegal, shares her latest newsletter. Each year, six to seven young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join her in Senegal, where they serve for one year with our partners in the Lutheran Church of Senegal and Senegalese Lutheran Development Services.
You can support Pastor Kristin's work by giving through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship. To receive the newsletter, visit the YAGM website and ask to receive it via the contact page.
Read MoreO God of life, you are older than time. You have seen generations who have died through sacrifice, war, courage and folly. You have comforted generations who mourned and grieved and sang solemn songs and laid flowers on graves. Gather us in your embrace and cradle us with your compassion. As we remember those who have died in past wars and conflicts, help us to remember that you were there when the mountains were formed. You were there to sooth our grief and breathe hope into the hopeless. You are with us still. We give you thanks for life in Jesus and pray that your lives may be reflections of his love. Amen.
Read MoreThe intricacies and diversity of creation are mind-boggling, a reflection and reminder of the power and glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit expressed through the created order. The United Nations honors creation on May 22 through the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s theme is “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health.” Marking the dayincreases our understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues in God’s good creation.
Read MoreRead the situation report and be a part of the response:
Pray: Please pray for the people who have been affected by wildfires in California.
Give: Gifts to “U.S. Wildfires” will be used to assist those affected by the wildfires until the response is complete.
Connect: Share a bulletin insert, receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts, like LDR on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, view a PDF of the report.
In this episode of the Three Sides podcast we speak with Dawn Rundman, author of “Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child’s Faith.”
Rundman discusses the science behind children’s brain development in the first five years of life and how to use this scientific insight in faith formation with daily practices for parents. She also provides insight into how congregations can create an inviting environment for children to experience God.
Rundman’s book is available from Beaming Books.
Read MoreGod often surprises me. I believe it was Anne Lamott who said, “God can be such a showoff.” Indeed.
Read MoreRead updates from ELCA Advocacy and learn about their work at the United Nations, California, Colorado, New Mexico,North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Southeastern Synod, Washington, Wisconsin.
Read MoreChrist Lutheran Church in Visalia, Calif., is a church transformed. In opening hearts and doors to a ministry among the community’s Lahu people, the congregation has become a two-expression congregation moving toward the future with hope and promise.
The first step was to welcome a worshiping community of Lahu people. The second step was to join with the Lahu community to support and encourage the Rev. Samee Singkeovilay, who became the first ordained Lahu pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in April 2018. Soon after, he became the mission developer pastor for the Christ Lutheran Lahu Ministry, a Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community sponsored by the Sierra Pacific Synod. Read more »
Read MorePresentation and action-focused discussion on the recommendations from the 2018 Town Halls on Criminal Justice in Arizona. Registration is free. Spanish interpretation, transportation and childcare provided. Thursday, May 30, 6-8 pm, Mountain Park Health Center Baseline Clinic, 635 East Baseline Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85042. Registration and info»
Read MoreWith great joy, we pray for the marriage of Bishop Deborah Hutterer and Reverend Alan Field. As they enter into a new adventure and gift of love, we turn to God with thanks and praise.
Read MoreThank you for your supportive comments about increased communication within the Synod. If you have something you’d like to share, please visit our news item submission page, and we’ll spread the word on our blog, social media, and weekly newsletter.
Read MoreWe uplift The Reverend Canon Deborah J. Royals and St. Raphael's in the Valley, a joint Episcopal-Lutheran congregation in the heart of Benson, Arizona, as they share a physical and spiritual presence in their community and share the love of God with others.
Read MoreWe pray for the people of Lord of Grace, Tucson, Arizona, as they spread the word that every one of us is loved by God, our creator, whoever we are and wherever we come from. We lift up: Pastor Lars Hammar; Kellie Funk, Administrative Assistant; Todd Martin, Director of Traditional Worship; Stuard Oliver, Praise Band Director; Jon Nicholson, Choir Director; and Kate Elliott, Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MoreWhat event has shaped and changed your life more than any other?
Transforming Moments: Yet again the nation is dealing with a school shooting, this time on the campus of UNC-Charlotte. On May 1, a young man entered a classroom and began shooting. Two were killed and four were wounded. Police were unclear as to the possible motives of the shooter. Read more»
Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
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