We have so much to celebrate as we complete Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, the first comprehensive campaign for this church.
Through the generosity of members and congregations across this church, ELCA ministries received $250 million to continue their work. The final impact report will give you a glimpse of the campaign’s impact on these crucial ministries.
Read MoreRemember in prayer the Rev. Elizabeth Johnson, the Rev. Brian Palmer, the Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo, Elie Sanda, Arnie and Willibroad Langdji, and James and Lorreva Foster — ELCA missionaries serving in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon, the Lutheran Church in Liberia and the Lutheran World Federation in health care, development, women’s and youth ministries, Bible translation and literacy, and primary, secondary and theological education.
Read MoreBishop Deborah Hutterer joined refugee advocates in response to President Donald Trump's decision to lower the cap on refugee admissions over the next 12 months to 18,000, saying it will hurt Arizona socially and economically.
"Let me reaffirm that refugees do not bring terror when they resettle. Rather, they are the ones who are fleeing terror," Hutterer said. "It's refugees who contribute to our community, both economically and with their passion for this country, (and) bring with them their diverse cultures and backgrounds that only enrich the United States."
Read Moreby Tessa Comnick, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow
I was the youngest person by maybe 30 years sitting in a dilapidated American Legion hall at 5 a.m. preparing to start a 15-hour shift at my local polling station. The gentleman next to me told me with some pride, “We’re expecting we’ll get more people than last year.”
“More people” turned out to be over double the voters on Nov. 6, 2018 than in the previous year. In Lorain County, Ohio, 26.80% of those eligible voted in November 2017—in November 2018, we hit 54.15%. This is a trend I am hopeful we will continue to see. Read the full blog post »
Read MoreSt. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226: Pray that our faith and lives may exemplify Francis’ simplicity, service, respect for others and care for creation and all creatures.
Read More10/18/19 Deadline! As we take applications for 2020 GCS grants, we share stories from our 2019 Grant recipients, which you can see on our Grant Dollars at Work page.
One of the goals of this team and purpose for this grant is to deepen our companion church relationship with the Lutheran Church in Senegal (ELS). This Young Adult exchange is doing just that. When we hosted Pierre (the president of the Youth in Senegal) and four other guests, they connected with 12 congregations from Sedona to Phoenix to Tucson. In addition, they worked with Casa Soup Kitchen and LSS-SW.
Read MoreThis is a full-time job involving policy formulation, planning, having decision authority, and budgetary responsibilities. Come work with a growing congregation that seeks to be the presence of Christ! (Please visit our newsletter at www.orovalley.org for more info.)
Read MoreReceptions and dinners follow these events. All rostered leaders are invited to process.
Ordination of Nanette Christofferson at Peace Lutheran, Peoria, AZ
Saturday, October 5, 2019, 5:30 PM, color of the day is red.
Installation of Pastor Nanette Christofferson at Love of Christ, Mesa, AZ
Sunday, October 6, 2019, 3:00 PM, color of the day is green.
Installation of Pastor Scott Hackler at Spirit of Grace Lutheran, Surprise, AZ
Sunday, October 20, 2019, 2:00 PM, color of the day is green.
Installation of Pastor Rebecca Boardman at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Tucson
Sunday, October 27, 2019, 4:00 PM, color of the day is red.
Fundraising dinner for Lutheran Campus Ministries to follow installation, Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Tucson.
Installation of Pastor Ben Bergren at Community Lutheran, Las Vegas
Saturday, November 16, 2019, 3:00 PM, color of the day is green.
Installation of Pastor Robert Jones at Santa Cruz Lutheran, Tucson
Sunday, December 8, 2019, 3:00 PM, color of the day is blue.
Installation of Pastor Randy Winsand at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley, AZ
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 2:00 PM, color of the day is blue.
From Pastor Lars Hammar comes Open Space’s newsletter. Click here to view it in PDF.
Note that Open Space is changing their monthly schedule to have worship on the first and fourth Thursdays, while keeping paint nights on the second and third. Learn more at www.openspacetucson.com.
Read MoreAnn Emilie is the Grand Canyon Synod participant in the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. She is serving in Argentina/Uruguay by working within a local faith community.
A member of Peace Lutheran in Peoria, Ann Emilie graduated from the University of Arizona in May (2019) with two Bachelors of Arts: English and Spanish Linguistics.
Read MorePray for our congregations that serve neighbors in need through food and clothing pantries, community meals, homeless shelters, community gardens, employment assistance and partnerships with local churches and organizations.
Read MoreThe ELCA Conference of Bishops participates in the Thursdays in Black Campaign, raising awareness of the possibility of a world free from rape and violence.
Read MoreCan your congregation withstand a $1.3 million workers’ compensation claim filed by an employee? Three surgeries after an administrative assistant took a fall, that’s what the bill came to.
In almost every state, employers are required to buy workers’ compensation insurance, both to protect employers from lawsuits that result from workplace accidents and to provide medical care and compensation for lost income to employees hurt in workplace accidents.
Read MoreThe English version of the newly amended Model Constitution for Congregations is now available at https://www.elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Constitutions.
It is recommended that ELCA congregations and synods review the adopted amendments for their constitutions as soon as possible after each churchwide assembly.
Read MoreMonday, 11/11/19 • Scramble Format • Stonecreek: 4435 E Paradise Village Parkway S, Phoenix, AZ 85032
The entry fee of $125 per golfer includes golf, cart, tee prizes, lunch, and a $50 tax-deductible contribution to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. View brochure and registration form.
Non-golfers, come out and enjoy the lunch program for only $20, plus the chance to join in the silent auction and raffle drawings.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, in Mesa, AZ, as they join in their common purpose to make Christ known. We uplift in prayer Pastor Tony Scheer, Administrative Assistant Jen Meller, Pianist Donna Miller, and Contemporary Musicians Lizzie and Jake Galambos.
Read MoreGive thanks for the reelection of Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen her faith and will grant her wisdom, compassion and vision for the ministry of leadership to which she has been called.
Read MoreIn my time as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, I have been blessed to attend two ELCA Youth Gatherings – Detroit in 2015 and Houston in 2018. On both occasions, we worshipped, rejoiced, served, and celebrated God’s wonderful gifts of love, grace, and hope.
In both Detroit and Houston, I came away with a renewed feeling of hope for the church.
Read MoreJust a couple weeks ago, at 22 years of age, singer/pianist Kodi Lee was named the winner of season 14 of America’s Got Talent. Early in the season, Kodi earned a Golden Buzzerto put him directly to the live shows in a performance that went viral online.
Kodi Lee was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, which causes his blindness, and was diagnosed with autism at age 4. Early in life, he discovered a love of music that, according to his mom, gave him the ability to “withstand living in this world.”
Read MoreNearly two weeks after Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas as a category five hurricane, the people of Grand Bahama, and particularly the members of Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Freeport, are still struggling with basic needs like water and power. They’re also still processing the trauma associated with two days of 185 mph winds and 20-foot storm surges that carried off many a loved one.
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