Grand Canyon Synod

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Worksheet for congregational financial health

Worksheet for congregational financial health

A worksheet to help congregations evaluate their financial situation during Covid-19 is available from Dr. Jerry Kingston, Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility, and ASU Economics faculty member from 1969 to 2011.

The worksheet is based comparing available liquid assets for the period May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 to two sets of costs: (1) legally-required expenses; and (2) legally-required + pledged expenses to the synod and the churchwide organization. The worksheet is available as a PDF or Word doc.

Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 16, 2020Comment

ELCA Youth Gathering: God’s boundless promise

ELCA Youth Gathering: God’s boundless promise

Every day is an adjustment. As we continue to lean into the discomfort and the unknown of this pandemic, let us remember what we do know. We know that God’s love for us is boundless. God’s love cannot be measured. We know that God’s boundless promise, no matter the darkness, is that Christ prevails.

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 16, 2020Comment

ELCA is Here to Serve

ELCA is Here to Serve

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ELCA churchwide organization is here to support our members, congregations, synods and partners. Call 800-638-3522 and press #4 or email HereToServe@ELCA.org for prayer, support and to ask your questions.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 16, 2020Comment

ELCA establishes COVID-19 Response Fund

ELCA establishes COVID-19 Response Fund

You can help the ministries of the ELCA by supporting your local congregation and making a gift to the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

Your donation will provide funds to the ministries of the ELCA most in need and best positioned to help. This includes our congregations as well as local and churchwide ministries capable of reaching and assisting those in need.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 15, 2020Comment

Helping People Make Ritual at Home after a Death

Helping People Make Ritual at Home after a Death

There’s a fair amount of advice out there on what to do about funerals or memorial services during the current “stay at home” shutdown. Often people are encouraged to plan for a memorial service whenever that becomes possible.

There’s another piece to ritual care for grieving people in the current situation, though: helping them create home ritual that fills some part of the need for more immediate ritual. Read more here »

Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 15, 2020ELCA WorshipComment

ELCA Advocacy April Update: U.N. and State Edition

ELCA Advocacy April Update: U.N. and State Edition

ELCA Advocacy shares submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices: U.N. | California | Minnesota | New Mexico | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin

ELCA Advocacy, Z AdvocacyBrian FlatgardApril 15, 2020Comment

Bishop Eaton issues Earth Day message

Bishop Eaton issues Earth Day message

As I work from home at our dining room table, I look out the front window and see the wildlife at my husband's feeders. God created such beautiful creatures. As Christians we are guided by the promise expressed in our social statement that we are empowered "to be loving servants to creation." It is our duty to care for God's earth.

Bishop Eaton, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 15, 2020Climate ChangeComment

Worship in the Home: Sunday, April 19, 2020

Worship in the Home: Sunday, April 19, 2020

From ELCA Worship we find Worship in the Home for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2020.

In this time of world-wide crisis, congregations throughout this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. While you cannot be together in person, we can hear the word of God and hold each other in prayer. We offer this brief resource as an aid for prayer in the home.

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 15, 2020Comment

Faith Lens: Some Good News

Faith Lens: Some Good News

We could all use some good news these days, right? That was exactly the kind of thinking that inspired John Krazinski, star of The Office and Jack Ryan, to launch a heartwarming series of videos called “Some Good News” from his own home, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Krazinski sets up at a makeshift news desk to tell the world about the good things happening in the midst of so much bad.

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 14, 2020Faith LensComment

Lutheran Disaster Response Situation Report 3: COVID-19 International Response

Lutheran Disaster Response Situation Report 3: COVID-19 International Response

Lutheran Disaster Response is working with partners around the world to respond to the pandemic, including Jersusalem, Egypt, Sudan, Madagascar, and India.

Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 14, 2020Comment

ELCA FAQ on Paycheck Protection Program Loans

ELCA FAQ on Paycheck Protection Program Loans

Updated April 8, 2020, with the addition of a video, from the ELCA Public Health page, FAQ on Paycheck Protection Program Loans is available as a PDF in English, Spanish, and via video.

Are churches eligible? Yes. There is some misinformation out there, and some lenders are confused, but churches are eligible.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 14, 2020Comment

ELCA Church Council approves special COVID-19 fundraising appeal

ELCA Church Council approves special COVID-19 fundraising appeal

Responding to the wide-ranging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the ELCA Church Council approved a special fundraising appeal during a teleconference meeting that convened April 8.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 14, 2020Comment

Do the principles of the Generosity Project still apply in these anxious times?

Do the principles of the Generosity Project still apply in these anxious times?

The foundation of The Generosity Project is knee-to-knee, eye-to-eye interaction between all ages and generations; equipping households as places where generosity is practiced; and the belief that with God, there is more than enough.

The Coronavirus seems to be challenging these premises and practices...

StewardshipBrian FlatgardApril 13, 2020Linda StaatsComment

Arizona Faith Network Prayer Room

Arizona Faith Network Prayer Room

The Arizona Faith Network offers an online prayer room.

“As people of faith we invite you to gather together during this anxious and uncertain time. Take a moment to read the prayers of our community below and submit your own. We stand together, rooted in our own faiths, praying for healing and direction.“

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 13, 2020Comment

Ten Ways To Keep Your Church Healthy and Discipled During the Outbreak

Ten Ways To Keep Your Church Healthy and Discipled During the Outbreak

One of the ELCA’s preferred vendors, Tithely offers a guide to lead your church through the coronavirus. Discover the strategies your church needs to know to go digital and thrive in this free guide.

Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 13, 2020Comment

Deacon April Boyden on hymns of gratitude during trying times

Deacon April Boyden on hymns of gratitude during trying times

Perhaps you read The Christian Century and saw Peter Marty’s piece on Lutheran Pastor Martin Rinkart who in 1636 wrote the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God”.

It was during the 30 years war. There was famine and pestilence. He was doing 50 plus funerals a day sometimes, and often more than 400 each week. In the midst of trying times, he wrote the hymn as a table grace for parishioners who likely had little on their tables.

Stories of HopeBrian FlatgardApril 12, 2020Deacon April BoydenComment

Our Father: A video discussion

Our Father: A video discussion

Rev. Bob Hutson with Living Water Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, AZ, discusses the phrase “Our Father.”

NE Valley ConferenceBrian FlatgardApril 11, 2020Living Water ScottsdaleComment

There will be joy: Bishop Eaton's Easter message 2020

There will be joy: Bishop Eaton's Easter message 2020

Our experiences this Easter are remarkably similar to those of the first Easter. Amidst fear and anxiety and crushing disappointment, we will sing our "Alleluias" with growing hope, strength, defiance and joy, confident that God loves us completely and has brought us into eternal life. Christ is risen. Alleluia.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Holy Week, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 9, 2020 Comment