The 2019 Session of the Nevada Legislature is history. They say politics is a blood sport, so as in any sport, it’s time for the post-game wrap-up. Lutheran Engagement & Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) stayed in the game ‘til the end. We scored some wins and some losses.
Read MoreCrisis and urgency bordering on chaos are common themes of most news outlets’ headlines. Violence, climate change, hunger, migration… Are we faced with hopeless situations as the headlines seem to indicate? Absolutely not.
Addressing crises of the world may be urgent but must be expediently tactical. God has gifted us with many tools to help us navigate toward viable solutions. The Talanoa Dialogue process is one such tool.
Read MoreDear Friends,
A Homeland Security bus pulled up and out walked 30 people, most from Guatemala and a few from Honduras. Volunteers met them outside and welcomed them. As you can imagine, they were quiet but some offered big smiles. Once all were assembled, an orientation was given. Shortly after orientation, phone calls were made to sponsors so travel arrangements could be made for the last leg of their journey.
Read MoreA Parish Administrator is needed at Lord of Grace Lutheran Church - Northwest Tucson near Marana. This is a part time job, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please email your resume to: logstaffsearch@gmail.com
The parish administrator is required to perform high level, complex, responsible, and confidential duties as well as make independent decisions.
Read MoreIs there a song on your lips? A hymn in your heart? Then New Promise Lutheran Church, St. George, Utah, is looking for you (or maybe someone you know) as they seek to fill the PAID, part-time position for Music/Choir Director.
If you or someone you know has lead a choir, been a music director or has special musical skills, please contact Larry at 240-367-5651 or shoot him a quick email at lgpalm@msn.com.
Read MoreListen to Andrew Steele’s full interview with Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director of ELCA Global Mission. Learn more about the church’s mission theology of “accompaniment,” which defines how ELCA missionaries carry out their work with more than 80 companion churches around the world.
Read MoreImagine yourself suddenly, unexpectedly arrested and put in jail. You find yourself locked in a cell, perhaps with multiple strangers or perhaps all alone, staring at cracks in the concrete block, wondering what has just happened and what’s going to happen next.
The church wants to stand beside you and to pray with you and for you in that dark night, whatever it may be. Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book (Augsburg Fortress, to be released July 2019) has been written for anyone who is incarcerated or imprisoned in any form.
Read MoreIrma Banales has walked an interesting path to become a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She currently serves as director for evangelical mission for the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod. But her journey began in Mexico.
Read MoreIn 2013, Juan began the journey to the United States, spurred by extreme poverty and lack of opportunities in El Salvador. He attempted to get on “La Bestia” (The Beast) – a network oftrains used by migrants to travel towards the U.S. border. During his attempt to climb aboard, his legs were trapped by the wheels of the train, causing him to lose both his legs. He almost died.
A block from Juan’s home is Our Redeemer, a congregation of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church (ILS). The pastor, Francisco Aguilar, heard about Juan’s story. Read the full story »
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. comes the latest updates on: Disaster Aid | Dream and Promise Act | Equality Act | HUD Noncitizen Rule | Immigration Funding | Webinar: Moving Forward | Global Fragility Act Faith-Voices at Climate Summit | Hunger Advocacy Fellowship
Read MoreWe uplift in prayer the congregation of The Lakes Lutheran Church, in Las Vegas, NV, and Pastor Ronald E. Poe.
Read MoreUnder the theme “Sing a New Song,” 385 attendees from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah gathered at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, for the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.
Read MoreI believe in being good to other people, in making art, in trying to be patient, in seeing beauty in the world, in leaving the planet better than I found it.
Having my first novel, “Shotgun Lovesongs” (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press, 2014), become an international best-seller and receive positive reviews from the New York Times, among others was bewildering. It was a dream come true in the best and most surreal ways. It was basically like I woke up from one life and began living in another, and that second life was my dream. Imagine waking up into a dream.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of the Southwest had to bring in the big truck to haul the roomful of donations for families seeking asylum. The pile of clothes, towels, backpacks and food was a testament to your generosity and our concern for asylum seekers.
Read MoreCheck our Facebook page for Synod Assembly photos. Thanks to Pastor Lars Hammar (Lord of Grace in Marana, AZ) for providing many photos of our church together. Please tag yourself and share these photos. And be sure to post your own photos as well with the #gcsynod hashtag.
Read MoreConnie Phillips of LSS-SW was interviewed by Jeff Pegues in a CBS News story headlined “Trump tweets about removing migrants. President Trump tweeted that ‘millions’ of undocumented immigrants will be removed. But he offered no specifics about mass arrests or deportations.”
Read MoreIn our prayers, we uplift Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. We pray for Pastor David M. Marz, Equipping Pastor John Schaumburg, Children and Youth Director Casey Goslin, Minister of Place Tom Berggren, Minister of Administration Carol Carpenter, Contemporary Worship Leader, Daniel Camacho, Bookkeeper Lise Ryden, and Lisa Henderson with the Shepherd’s Foundation.
Read MoreNearly 69 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes by violence, poverty, war, discrimination and marginalization, natural disasters and the effects of climate change. This year, for World Refugee Day, Lutheran Disaster Response will add our church’s voice to the conversation to build awareness around global migration.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter next week as we explore what is happening both domestically and internationally around global migration and how our church, through Lutheran Disaster Response, other ELCA ministries, and partners, are walking with our neighbors on the move.
Read MoreA letter from Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA and Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of LIRS. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The gospels recount the story of Jesus as a migrant, in need of welcome and reception. And Jesus identifies with every wanderer, every displaced person, every refugee, asylum seeker and migrant, when he tells the crowd, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35). Since 1939, LIRS (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has led the Lutheran movement to welcome vulnerable migrants and refugees in America. Meanwhile, as part of the AMMPARO strategy, the ELCA has committed to offering accompaniment to migrants in their communities.
Read MoreOn January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation freed 3.1 million of the nation’s 4 million enslaved people. On June 19, 1865 enslaved Africans in the state of Texas and parts of Louisiana received word of their emancipation 2.5 years later. The celebratory date is known as Juneteenth (June plus nineteenth). The date is honored by remembering the legacy of enslaved African ancestors, worship services, family gatherings and speaking out against racial injustices.
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