We pray for New Covenant Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, uplifting its congregation, Pastor Steven Kruse, New Covenant Arts Academy Director Patti Kruse, Preschool & Kindergarten Director Dana Engstrom, Preschool Assistant Director Lorrie Estabrook, Children’s Ministries Director Emily Krob, Music Director Marsha Vanderwerff, Church Office Manager Mary Cole, and Financial Secretary Amy Birchard.
Read MoreThe ELCA Generosity Project is coming to the Grand Canyon Synod! Learn about the opportunity to develop disciples and steward leaders across multiple generations in your congregation and households.
This intergenerational, household focused approach to stewardship is made possible by a grant from the SOLI Foundation to the Grand Canyon Synod.
Read MoreAdopted at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment will serve as church policy for inter-religious relations. The policy statement was adopted with the witness of 39 ecumenical and inter-religious guests in attendance.
"I hope that you will experience renewed joy and fresh insights as you read this document,” says Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
Read MoreBishop Deborah Hutterer will attend the Retreat of Newly Elected Leaders (RoNEL), an activity of the The Lutheran World Federation’s Church Leadership in the Sustainability Program. The activity targets newly elected leaders (Bishops, Pastor Presidents) who come together to contemplate about their vocation.
Read MoreAnother blog post from ELCA World Hunger Education Intern Aml Mohamed. In this blog, she continues to seek answers to the three questions posed in her first blog. This blog is a response to her second question: “Why would I care as a practicing Muslim to work at a Lutheran faith-based institution?”
Read her full blog post: God Created Abundantly.
Read MorePray that students, parents and teachers will be renewed for the coming academic year and that students in need of school supplies or tuition assistance will be provided with what they need to ease their concerns and further their educations.
Read MoreAsk God to dispel the fear, anxiety and hopelessness that children and youth internalize as a result of gun violence and threats in our communities, schools and public gathering places. Pray that we might become bearers of hope and concern for them, and fearless agents of change and peace in our nation and the world.
Read MoreGive thanks to God for our church and for our ecumenical and interreligious partners as they work for the humane treatment of all who present themselves at our borders seeking asylum. Give thanks for our agencies and faith communities that have welcomed, engaged and served migrant families. And pray for those migrants, who have arrived in the United States seeking safety, justice, reconnection with families and relatives, and the opportunity to build new lives without fear.
Read MorePray that our baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit and the teachings and example of our brothers and sisters in Christ might equip us for the challenges and difficulties we encounter as we follow Jesus, share the gospel, serve our neighbor and strive to live each day according to God’s ways and desires for humankind.
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined Christian leaders in a statement against Christian nationalism.
An excerpt: "Whether we worship at a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, America has no second-class faiths," their statement reads. "All are equal under the U.S. Constitution." Read and sign the statement at https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org.
Read MorePray for the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program as it prepares young adults, ages 21-29, for a yearlong journey of service and witness alongside our global companions and churches in nine countries around the world.
Read MoreMany people are familiar with Martin Luther’s teachings on civil order and obedience to laws. Fewer folks, though, recall the Luther who admonished preachers to use the pulpit to rebuke rulers for injustice, argued for public support for education of girls and boys, and inspired generations of future Lutherans to stand against political oppression and injustice.
The authors of The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness (Fortress Press, 2019) offer this side of Luther and Lutheran faith to congregations today. Read the whole story»
Read MoreOur church is always prayerfully seeking guidance for the mission, work and witness of the ELCA in this rapidly changing world. Pray that the Holy Spirit will equip and energize us to meet the shifting challenges we face in sharing the gospel and in doing God’s work of bringing hope, reconciliation and healing to the world.
Read MoreAs we enter the 2020 GCS grant process (applications open 9/2/19), we share stories from our 2019 Grant recipients, which you can see on our Grant Dollars at Work page. This week we share Iglesia Luterana San Juan Bautista, in Tucson. AZ.
“Since the beginning of the year, SJB has hosted two fundraiser events (Three Kings Day and Day of the children) and two courses on Hispanic Lutheran traditions (Christmas and Lent Hispanic Traditions) which were open to the public for a small fee. These events served as fundraisers and outreach to our community since all events welcomed the surrounding community.“
Read MoreWe pray for the people Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, including Pastor Sarah Stadler, Vicar Beth Gallen, Heat Respite Coordinator Clottee Hammons, Administrative Assistant Adrienne Kaye, Caretaker Lester Andrews, Praise Band Leader Chad Cole, Organist and Director Brandon Burns, and Social Worker Jeff Jirak.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is looking for three high school (currently in 9th-12th Grade) leaders to represent the Grand Canyon Synod at the 2019 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit October 31-November 3 at Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden North Carolina. Click here to apply.
Read MoreGathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met Aug. 5-10 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.
Read MoreShow your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. Share your Thursdays in Black campaign photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using hashtags #ThursdaysinBlack.
Read MorePosted on August 9, 2019 from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director, we have the following updates: AUGUST RECESS ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES | LIMITS PROPOSED TO SNAP HUNGER PROGRAM | KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL ACT | FAITH-BASED PRESENCE AROUND U.N. CLIMATE CONFERENCE | FEDERAL BUDGET DEAL REACHED | STANDING AGAINST #CHRISTIANNATIONALISM | HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOWS | VISITING D.C.
Read MoreGive thanks and praise for God’s attentiveness, help and steadfast love for all humankind.
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