Now is a great time to access Tod Bolsinger's online resources as you read Canoeing the Mountains in preparation for the Bishop's Fall Gathering, October 21-22.
Click here to access a free online training resource based on Tod Bolsinger’s Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Reformation Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, a community of faith that values the Lutheran tradition, but isn't stuck in the past. We uplift in prayer: Pastor Jason Adams, Senior Pastor; Pastor Matt Metevelis, Associate Pastor; Marissa Metevelis, Youth Minister; Mary La Barbera, Office Manager; Linda Campbell-Miller, Musician; Keri Triunfo, Worship Leader; and Danny Stevenson, Custodian.
Read MoreHas your congregation struggled to manage membership data? Does your website need a fresh look? Are you looking for easier ways to connect with members and the community?
Tithe.ly is now expanding its product line to offer website services and church management software to ELCA congregations at a low cost. Learn more by joining us for a webinar on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
Read MorePraise God for the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association and the Christian Education Network of the ELCA, organizations that support, advocate for and equip Lutheran schools, educators, professionals and volunteers involved in faith formation ministries through our congregations and partner organizations.
Read MoreIn this article in Living Lutheran, Kimberly Knowle-Zeller reflects on the rally.
It goes by many names: Rally Sunday, Kickoff Sunday, Celebration Sunday, Beginning of Sunday School Sunday and a host of others. Whatever you call it, come September there’s a day in congregations when members anticipate renewed enthusiasm for ministries, increased attendance and a new beginning.
Read MorePray that, as people of faith and disciples of Christ, we may demonstrate through our words, actions and service a spirit of humility that expects no reward, recognition or repayment.
Read MoreWe 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.
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