Lift up in prayer the names of staff — paid and volunteer — whose vocation and faithful, generous service enhance and support the daily ministry and mission of our congregations and synods, including administrative assistants, business managers, custodians and people responsible for digital communications.
Read MoreDear Church,
With sadness I bring you the news that Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom died at home early this morning. His wife, Pastor Corinne Chilstrom; his son, Chris Holt; and family were with him.
Read MoreHerbert W. Chilstrom, 88, the first presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Jan. 19 at his home in Green Valley, Ariz. He was born in Litchfield, Minn., on Oct. 18, 1931.
Read MoreIn the United States, the word “evangelical” is often confused with a political designation. Though associated with a particular brand of Christianity, it is perhaps more popularly paired with conservative policy views, Republican registration, and an overwhelming whiteness.
Read MoreFrom ELCA World Hunger comes this deep dive into proposed rule changes, written by a former HUD grants administrator and current Program Assistant for Hunger Education with ELCA World Hunger.
Read MorePray that in moments when God says, “Come and see” (meaning “trust and follow”), we demonstrate the same curiosity, hope and faith that moved the first disciples of Jesus, imperfect and uncertain as they were even when face-to-face with the Messiah.
Read MoreI must confess that what led me do this analysis was listening to a podcast about the late Rachel Held Evans – a woman lived a parallel life to mine. One thing I always appreciated about Rachel was that she wasn’t afraid to say that she doubted. In fact, her Twitter bio said that she was “a doubt filled believer.”
Are doubt filled believers, like Rachel and myself, still welcome at churches where nearly 90% of the faithful have no doubts about matters of faith? If the American church is to stem the losses, new converts may be found in helping people embrace their doubts.
Read MoreFrom Becca Ehrlich comes a personal journey of building faith through minimalism: In part one, we found out what minimalism is: a focus on the aspects of life that matter most, and intentionally removing everything else.
I began the journey of connecting minimalism to the Christian faith. And you know what? They go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Read MoreYou are invited by Spirit of Hope Lutheran to participate in a small group adventure to the Holy Land!
Prayerfully consider this opportunity. The more people that will be participating, the cheaper the trip will be for everyone. Right now we guestimate the trip to be around $3,800 or less. Please contact Pastor Tony Scheer if you are interested, (909-435-5200).
Read MoreGive thanks that God shows no partiality or exclusivity in sharing love, mercy and forgiveness; the good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone and every nation!
Read MoreEach week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s gallery includes Orthodox Christmas, Epiphany celebrations, and the annual procession of the Black Nazarene in the Philippines.
Read MoreLiving Lutheran presents a profile of Shannon Ivey: filmmaker, activist, professor,founder of Theatre For Change.
Read MoreGive thanks that God shows no partiality or exclusivity in sharing love, mercy and forgiveness; the good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone and every nation!
Read MoreThe Reverend Doctor Lincoln L. Leer passed over into the new life of God’s total embrace early January 14th, 2020, with all the family surrounding him in love.
The funeral service is Saturday, January 25th at 3:00pm at The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 22405 North Miller Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
He is survived by his wife Ramona. We will update this information as we learn more.
Read MoreWe offer prayers of joy and thanksgiving for the engagement of The Rev. Kim Sterner, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, to Bob Muehling. The happy couple are getting married in April.
Read MoreFive leaders from the Grand Canyon Synod joined leaders from across the country at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ. Lay leaders Ramon Encinas (Open Space, Tucson), Whitney Lennon (Our Saviour’s, Phoenix) and Brian Neely (St. Andrew, Las Vegas) along with Associates to the Bishop Pastors Jacqui Pagel and Miguel Gomez-Acosta attended “train the trainer training” to learn how to teach our congregations to grow their faith and deepen their relationship with God.
Read MoreFriends of Open Space Church, here’s our January newsletter, a little late because of the holidays.
We have our usual paint nights and worship on Thursdays at The Studio Space. Also, our annual meeting is January 30th at 7pm at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church at 5360 E. Pima St, Tucson (Pima-Craycroft).
Read MoreIf you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, a suite of new online offerings provides convenient access to care at your fingertips, whether on the go, in your office, or and in the privacy of your own home. Find support to strengthen your emotional resilience, learn new skills, and save on costs.
Being is a holistic, faith-based, educational platform. Learn to Live is a self-directed online mental health support program. Text-Based Primary Care is available through a convenient app.
Read MoreA federal judge in Maryland has blocked a recent executive order allowing state and local officials to refuse refugee resettlement.
The preliminary injunction is part of a lawsuit by three faith-based organizations against the U.S. government over the order.
Read MoreThe current crisis between the United States and Iran is worrisome for many of us in our church, in our nation and in the world. Our country and Iran need urgently to find ways to resolve our differences through a de-escalation of the current crisis, using diplomacy and other peaceful means. Our social statement, "For Peace in God's World," offers guidance.
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