The story of how Michael King Jr. became Martin Luther King Jr.

On his 90th birthday, the Washington Post takes a look at the civil rights leader’s childhood name change.

“It was a big deal for [King’s father] to go [Germany], to the birthplace of Protestantism,” said Carson, who edited “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” which was compiled and written after King’s assassination. “That probably implanted the idea of changing his name to Martin Luther King.”

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Bishop Hutterer: Remembering Dr. King

This week, we honor The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who preached a message of love. A message of unity where all of God's people could walk together. Where people of faith stood as a beacon of light to those struggling against injustice.

In my travels throughout the Grand Canyon Synod, I am grateful to see the myriad ways in which our congregations and people shine.

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The age of nones may favor churches that welcome doubters

I 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. 

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Holy Land Trip, January 21-31,  2021

You 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).

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GCS Leaders attend Faithful Innovations Learning Communities training

Five 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. 

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New in 2020 for the ELCA-Primary Health Plan 

If 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.

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