Grand Canyon Synod

News

Sedona's places of worship adapt to social distancing

Sedona's places of worship adapt to social distancing

“Just like everyone else, the impact changes from day to day but the church is still the church even when we aren’t meeting — in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from getting the COVID-19 virus,” said Pastor David Brandfass, of Christ Lutheran Sedona.

“We exist to share the gospel, but we know we also exist for the sake of the world. During this time of what seems to be a lot of hoarding, we continue to follow our Lord’s pattern of giving his life away for the sake of our world and our neighbor in need.”

High Country Conference, In the News, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Christ SedonaComment

Raise a Light to Raise Hope: #AZRaisesHope

Raise a Light to Raise Hope: #AZRaisesHope

On Easter Sunday at 7pm AZ time, Community of Grace invites you to take to your front yards with your family and raise your cell phone lights, candles or flashlights for 10 minutes. Then, post your videos or photos with the #AZRaisesHope.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Community of Grace Peoria, Cactus Conference, 2020 Holy WeekComment

Bilingual (English/Español) service of Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo from Faith / La Fe Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Bilingual (English/Español) service of Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo from Faith / La Fe Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Watch a bilingual (English/Español) service of Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo from Faith / La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Musical selections include: Sing, My Tongue, The Glorious Battle - Leo Sowerby; Abide With Me - C. Hubert H. Parry; and Ubi Caritas - Berthier.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Faith Phoenix, Capital Conference, 2020 Holy WeekComment

Bishop Eaton video: Interfaith Solidarity in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

Bishop Eaton video: Interfaith Solidarity in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

The leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Islamic Society of North America come together at the outset of their respective holy days in solidarity and in hope.

Bishop Hutterer, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Tucson, face mask project

Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Tucson, face mask project

David Pavesic of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Tucson, writes: “More than hospitals need masks, though the needs are different. We have been sewing simple masks to be used by caregivers and other helpers of the most vulnerable. They can be worn by those helping with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, and local food pantries and other social service agencies.”

Stories of Hope, Kino Conference, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Beautiful Savior TucsonComment

Bishop Eaton: Freed in Christ

Bishop Eaton: Freed in Christ

In her April column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on this paradox found in Martin Luther’s treatise On the Freedom of a Christian: “A Christian is lord of all, servant of all, completely free of everything. A Christian is servant, completely attentive to the needs of all.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2XkCvqQ and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3aSOcJ6.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

ELCA World Hunger: Celebrating Maundy Thursday at Home

ELCA World Hunger: Celebrating Maundy Thursday at Home

Ending hunger goes beyond providing calories. The ministry of ELCA World Hunger and the work we support together is about recognizing the significance of food and the ways it can bring us together with one another, with God, and with all of creation. In the sacrament Christ initiated on Maundy Thursday, we glimpse what the banquet table God has promised for our future might look like.

ELCA World Hunger, Holy WeekBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

That We Might Have Life: Black Healthcare Matters in the Covid-19 Pandemic

That We Might Have Life: Black Healthcare Matters in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells writes: “In the very city that hosted the African Descent Lutheran Association’s (ADLA) August 2019 Biennial Assembly (Milwaukee, Wis.), African Americans made up almost half of Milwaukee County’s 945 coronavirus cases and 81% of its 27 deaths in a county whose population is only 26% black (as of April 3, 2020). This level of disproportionate rates of infection and death is a direct result of economic, political and environmental factors that have been growing for decades.”

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

Bishop Hutterer (video): Waiting in the Garden

Bishop Hutterer (video): Waiting in the Garden

This Holy Week, we are tired.

We know an Easter is coming—an Easter of hugs and alleluias—but for the first time for some of us, we are not sure on what day this Easter dawn shall burst forth.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 8, 2020 Comments

NY Times: We’re Going to See What Else the Word Funeral Can Mean

NY Times: We’re Going to See What Else the Word Funeral Can Mean

As the coronavirus pandemic limits people’s ability to mourn, they are finding new ways to say goodbye.

Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardApril 7, 2020Comment

Pastor Gomez-Acosta: Our hope can only be in God

Pastor Gomez-Acosta: Our hope can only be in God

For Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta, comfort is found in Psalms: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.”

Stories of Hope, Pastor Gomez-Acosta, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 7, 2020Comment

Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation

Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation

From the ELCA Public Health page, Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation is available (download PDF).

Here you are, sheltering in place. This resource has great suggestions for spiritual practices and faith-filled service for every age in your household.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 7, 2020Comment

4/7/2020 Prayer: Pray for congregations responding to coronavirus

4/7/2020 Prayer: Pray for congregations responding to coronavirus

Pray for our congregations and full communion partners responding to the impact of the coronavirus and the evolving challenges of caring for spiritual and physical needs of members, nurturing community in new ways, serving neighbors in need, helping with financial stewardship, and proclaiming the hope and good news of Jesus Christ in times of anxiousness and uncertainty.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 7, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Small Business Adminstration's FAQs for faith-based organizations & COVID-19

Small Business Adminstration's FAQs for faith-based organizations & COVID-19

Read the SBA’s FAQs regarding participation of faith-based organizations in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

1. Are faith-based organizations, including houses of worship, eligible to receive SBA loans under the PPP and EIDL programs? Yes, and we additionally clarify that faith-based organizations are eligible to receive SBA loans regardless of whether they provide secular social services.

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment

Lutheran Disaster Response: Global stories of COVID-19

Lutheran Disaster Response: Global stories of COVID-19

The ELCA’s global companion churches are taking steps to raise awareness about the pandemic and adopting new practices in order to continue their missions while staying safe and practicing physical distancing.

We have collected stories from around the globe to show how the ELCA’s companions and partners are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. View the presentation here.

Lutheran Disaster Response, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment

Lessons in Hospitality During National Arab American Heritage Month

Lessons in Hospitality During National Arab American Heritage Month

Hospitality is a bedrock value in Arabic culture. Anthropologists say it probably arose from the harsh desert conditions in the Middle East and the need to offer food, drink and rest to travelers who might appear at your dwelling. Without hospitality such visitors could die.

So important is this value for Arab Christians and Muslims that it has become ritualized.

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment

ELCA Young Adult: What Good is a Meal?

ELCA Young Adult: What Good is a Meal?

It is bizarre that “on the night in which he was betrayed” Jesus didn’t use his time to do something more productive. He didn’t rally the troops, write a manifesto or plan some final demonstration. He sat down with his friends and shared a meal. What good is a meal when you know how bad things are about to get?

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment

Lutheran World Federation: Holy Week and Easter liturgies

Lutheran World Federation: Holy Week and Easter liturgies

Lutheran World Federation offers liturgies for Holy Week and Easter worship in a time of physical distancing, a simplified form of many worshiping traditions within the Lutheran communion and our ecumenical heritage.

In this time of pandemic, we as a communion are particularly called to keep our hearts united as we “watch and pray,” trusting that Christ always comes through locked doors.

Holy Week, Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Lutheran World FederationComment

Queen Elizabeth: "We will meet again"

Queen Elizabeth: "We will meet again"

“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.,” Queen Elizabetth II speaking to Commonwealth citizens around the world in a broadcast recorded at Windsor Castle.

Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment

Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

From the ELCA Public Health page, Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic is available (download PDF).

Many congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Comment