Watch this ELCA video to see what the ELCA and LWF are doing to accompany and assist migrants deported from Mexico and the US. More info at: elca.org/ammparo
Read More
We pray for Patrick Burns and the friends and family of Rev. Richard Andersen, who passed away on Sunday, June 2, surrounded by friends and family. Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Rev. Richard Andersen’s memorial service will be at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley on Friday, June 21 at 3 pm. Clergy are invited to process: gather at 2:45, the color of the day is white.
Richard Andersen was born in Iowa and grew up in Minnesota. He was a Vietnam veteran and a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary. He initially helped construct the ARC Retreat Center in Minnesota.
He served as pastor at Watson Immanuel Lutheran churches in southwestern Minnesota. Later, he was Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, while also serving as interim pastor at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in the city of St. Paul.
In 1991, Richard began a successful fifteen-year career at Thrivent Financial. He co-founded a Minnesota non-profit called Third Act Ministries which served groups of people as they individually considered ways in which to transform their lives. Before coming to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Richard was called by the ELCA to be Director of Congregational Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS).
Read More
ELCA Advocacy has provided their June 2019 update, with advocacy action updates from: U.N. | California | Colorado | Kansas | Minnesota | Nevada (news from LEAN!) | New Mexico | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Washington| Wisconsin
William Ledford, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) writes in part: “LEAN has been very active this month given that our legislature only meets for a few months every two years and that we are currently at the end of the last month of the session.”
Read More
A big thanks to the volunteers who assembled the name tags and registration packets today in the synod office. It was a Synod Assembly assembly line!
From Spirit of Hope in Mesa: Lynel Schleicher, Butch Schleicher, Marilyn Farrar and Bobbi Edwardson. From Bethany in Scottsdale: Mary Anne Clark.
Read More
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares what it means to be called, "For such a time as this," in her 2019 video message to ELCA Synod Assemblies.
Read More
We uplift Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. Bethlehem Lutheran is a warm, spirit-touched faith community where all ages may grow in God’s love and grace.
We pray for: Pastor Chon Pugh; Laurel Green, Administrative Assistant; Arlene Jacobson, Worship Assistant; Carol Savoie, Parish Nurse; Jill Majestic, Noah's Ark Director; and Jordon Webb, Music Director.
Read More
We pray for Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Prescott Valley, AZ, an inclusive faith community that seeks to live the Word and Way of Christ's unconditional love.
We uplift: Pastor Tricia Lowe; Adam Bissell, Assistant Director; Cathy Namock, Organist; Gene Fougner, Music Ministry Coordinator; Jon Hust, Praise Team Leader; Mary Jensen, Office Manager; and Kimberly Robinson-Goats, Office Assistant.
Read More
Peace Lutheran Church, Peoria, AZ, is seeking a pleasant, organized, self-motivated individual for our front office. This position is a part-time, job-share position.
For specific duties, desired skills, abilities and qualifications, visit our website.
Read More
ALOA has much to offer Lutheran congregations in the area of Older Adult Ministry. Visibility is critical. In addition to the resources on our web site, ALOA is offering regular Webinars on key topics for Older Adult Ministry that are practical and free of charge. June webinars are June 12 and 18. Register at aloaserves.org/events/webinars/
Read More
Please hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:
Bishop Mark Narum, Western North Dakota Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Roger Gustafson, Central States Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Wayne Miller, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop John Roth, Central/Southern Illinois, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, New Jersey Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Jim Dunlop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Pedro Suarez, Florida-Bahamas Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Richard Jaech, Southwestern Washington Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt, Southern Ohio Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Robert Humphrey, Virginia Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, Northwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-9, 2019
Bishop Terry Brandt, Eastern North Dakota Synod, June 9-10, 2019
Please pray for the Central States Synod, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, New Jersey Synod, Lower Susquehanna Synod, Southwestern Washington Synod, Southern Ohio Synod, and Northwestern Minnesota Synod as they elect a bishop.
Read More
Sobering news was released in May by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Using a team of 455 authors from 50 countries, IPBES spent three years reviewing 15,000 government and scientific sources to come to the assessment that one million species of plants and animals (roughly one in eight species in the whole world) are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Read the full blog post »
Read More
In her June column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on why we worship: “[Liturgy is] a discipline Lutherans willingly undertake because it helps individuals and the entire community express our connection with other Christians throughout the world and across the ages.”
Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2EQEIAa and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2KlL6CW, or view in PDF format or as a Word document.
Read More
I graduated from high school and asked myself the question, “What’s next?” While I knew that I would still have the network of friends and mentors who had supported my faith development, I also recognized that my graduation meant that I was no longer a “Youth” of the church. Instead, I was a “Young Adult” of the church.
Read More
Once a year, in Minnesota, my family gathers together for an annual camping outing. While every family is unique and might have different traditions, family reunions are a way to make new memories together and remember what is most important in life.
Synod Assembly is the one time of year that our synod family gets together. Where we can dwell on what this work is really about.
Read More
Our advocacy in light of disasters intensified by climate change brought together a group of faith and community leaders for an event hosted in Washington, D.C. by ELCA Advocacy in the spring of 2019. The challenge may be seismic, but the Rev. Amy E. Reumann offered insight and guidance on contemporary issues and scriptural and church resources, preparing us to care in this storm.
Read More
Learning the history of the Lutheran church is not complete without exploring the rich history of the African descent Lutheran movement. The black Lutheran church began as early as 1620 by most accounts.
In this episode of Three Sides, host Shanna Crawford spoke with Lutheran historian Dr. Richard Stewart, Pastor Lucille Mills and Pastor Albert Starr about the early years of African descent Lutherans, what’s happening in the church today and what the future holds. Learn more about Dr. Stewart’s research and a more detailed history on his blog, and listen to the podcast.
Read More
On May 15, ELCA members and the Racine (Wis.) Interfaith Coalition called for just immigration reform at an evening prayer vigil held outside the Kenosha County Detention Center. Read the full story in Living Lutheran and see the video on ELCA’s YouTube channel.
Read More
Let’s create a new song! Review our assembly resources page, where voting members and visitors can quickly find information and tools needed before and during the 2019 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.
During the week of assembly, this page will temporarily replace our regular home page. From June 9-16, 2019, you’ll be able to quickly access this resource page by visiting gcsynod.org or clicking the logo at the top of any page on the site. (You can find other assembly information on the main assembly page.)
Read More