Grand Canyon Synod announces Daily Bread Grants

Through the generosity of donors to the Churchwide COVID-19 appeal, the Grand Canyon Synod received $10,000 and will use them for Daily Bread Grants. You can be a part of doubling the impact! We are seeking to raise a match of $10,000 which would mean $20,000 to provide basic needs throughout our synod.

Grand Canyon Synod ministries that may apply are those currently providing basic needs to significant populations of Native American, Latino and ethnic-specific communities. The ministry must be served by a rostered leader.

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 29, 2020GCS Daily Bread GrantsComment

R0, the Messy Metric That May Soon Shape Our Lives, Explained

‘R-naught’ represents the number of new infections estimated to stem from a single case of coronavirus. We will be hearing a lot about this as we decide how to reopen society.

Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardApril 28, 2020Comment

GCS Council and Bishop recommend extending no in-person gatherings

As we journey through this Easter season, we are beginning to hear the question: when can we gather again?

In the midst of changing restriction policies across the three states of our synod, when and how will we worship in person as church? Some ask with concern, hoping that we not gather in person too soon. Others ask with excitement, because they miss the face-to-face community.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 28, 2020Comment

Nevada Christian denomination leaders encourage Governor Sisolak to extend stay home order

On April 28, 2020, the Nevada judicatory leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and The Episcopal Church jointly sent the following letter to Governor Steve Sisolak.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 28, 2020Comment

We Will Get Through This Together

“We will get through this together.” Over the past month, we’ve heard these words spoken countless times by health officials, governors, mayors, presidents, prime ministers, and journalists – but also doctors, nurses, grocery clerks, and other essential workers.

As a Christian, these words took on new meaning for me last week as my family navigated Holy Week while sheltering in place.

ELCA, Holy Week, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsBrian FlatgardApril 28, 2020Comment

Long-term focus when creating new ways of song

Martin Molin—who spends long days alone in his workshop creating an elaborate marble music machine—shares this meditation on how he learned to find focus and satisfaction from the work of each day. He has been working four years on his current project, since the completion of first marble machine four years ago (143 million views).

As we seemingly work alone in creating new ways of making song, he advises turning off the dopamine of constant news and finding comfort in things like silence and walking.

Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardApril 27, 2020Comment

ELCA Faith Formation creates resource site

Looking for faith formation resources, especially during the new reality of COVID-19? Make sure to visit elcafaithformation.org for a curated list of resources as well as follow ELCA's Faith Formation ministries that are there to support you.

Brian FlatgardApril 27, 2020ELCA Faith FormationComment

Four Ways COVID-19 May Impact Hunger

Since 2015, undernourishment around the world has been on the rise, after years of decline. In the latest estimates from the United Nations, more than 820 million people are undernourished.

The current pandemic is revealing and exacerbating long-standing disparities – in income, access to health care, and social mobility. Here are some of the things to keep an eye on when it comes to hunger in a pandemic.

ELCA World HungerBrian FlatgardApril 27, 2020Comment

A new way to mourn

From The New York Times Daily podcast we hear how a pastor quickly puts together an online funeral for his wife. The service, punctuated with technical difficulties and expressions of deep love, reveals the new rituals we are creating in crisis.

He was a pastor. She was a poet. They found a second chance at love and traveled the world together, visiting Antarctica, Mount Sinai and Alaska. We hear how he memorialized her life when she died in quarantine.

Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardApril 26, 2020CoronavirusComment

Sermon from Rev. Gomez-Acosta, 4/26/2020

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality with the Grand Canyon Synod, brings greetings, the Gospel, and a sermon for the second Sunday after Easter.

The Gospel, Luke 24:13-35, The Walk to Emmaus, can be found at the beginning of the video. The greetings and sermon starts at 2:54.

Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 26, 2020Comment

Tale of Two Pandemics

We are writing this blog because we see how the effects of this pandemic are compounded by the effects of systemic and everyday racism. The disparities seem even more stark and clear now. Since much of our nation is highly segregated, it can be hard to see beyond what one is personally experiencing.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 26, 2020Racial Justice MinistriesComment

Some awkward questions about how to measure online church attendance

Carey Nieuwhof writes about the trick of online analytics: “So now that your church (along with almost every other church) is online, you’re probably asking: how exactly do I track ‘attendance’?

One of the remarkable stories of the global pandemic is that suddenly, 49% of churches are reporting that their online attendance is higher or much higher than their in-person attendance.”

Read · Watch · Listen, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 25, 2020Comment

Youth Gathering: There is a place for you

As a shy introvert, being up on stage in a room of 700+ people is one of my worst nightmares. If you would have told me years ago that I would have been playing guitar, singing, and rapping (yes, rapping), in front of hundreds of youth from the North Carolina synod, I would have thought you were delusional.

I was never really one to have a place in a group. There was a voice in my head saying, “I didn’t belong anywhere,” and I let that voice control my life for a long time. Until I met the band.

Brian FlatgardApril 25, 2020Comment

Look Better on Video Calls With These Easy Lighting Tips

Now the world’s primary method of communication is the clunky, awkward video call. Nobody wants to come across to their co-workers and friends as a dimly lit basement troll. The only thing that can save you is good lighting.

From The Wirecutter, get tips from a professional video producer working from home.

Read · Watch · Listen, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 24, 2020Comment

Rostered Ministers Gathering cancelled

Given the ongoing uncertainty regarding travel and large gatherings in the coming months, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Rostered Ministers Gathering. Refunds will be processed automatically within 30 days. Please visit ELCA.org/RMG for more information.

Pastor Christine Stoxen and the planning team thanks all volunteers for their gifts of time and talent in what would have been a spirit-filled event.

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 24, 2020Comment

Loss of Health Insurance – Where to Find Help

Allen Gjersvig, Director Outreach and Enrollment with Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, provides this COVID-19 update for thousands who are losing health insurance coverage or losing income and becoming AHCCCS, KidsCare and SNAP eligible. Read the article or access this Word doc or PDF.

Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 24, 2020Comment

Urgent resources needed for East Jerusalem hospitals facing spread of coronavirus

Facing an increase of coronavirus cases in East Jerusalem, Augusta Victoria Hospital and other East Jerusalem health systems are in critical need of financial resources to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

Augusta Victoria Hospital is owned and operated by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and several other member churches of the LWF.

ELCABrian FlatgardApril 24, 2020August Victoria HospitalComment

On campus, on a mission

The West Virginia University Lutheran Campus ministry provides a place of respite, worship and community for Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike in Morgantown.

Lutheran Campus MinistryBrian FlatgardApril 23, 2020Comment

Pre-registration training for primary adult leaders for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering

Pastor Shari Bernau invites you to a pre-registration training for primary adult leaders for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering on Monday, April 27 at 1pm. More info on the Grand Canyon Synod 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering Facebook Page.

This is a private group that many of you have access to, but if you are new to our synod or this position, please just click on the link and request to be included.

Brian FlatgardApril 23, 2020Comment

Grand Canyon Synod stories of hope: April 2020

Synod members shared various stories of hope with us recently, and please remember to share yours. Some highlights:

Pastor Robert Jones with Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, Tucson, shares a Facebook album of a "Six Car Easter Parade," with 14 drive-by visits to homebound members and friends in neighborhoods on the west side of Tucson.

Pastor Carol Breimeier with Esperanza Lutheran Church, Ahwatukee, notes that the Ahwatukee Foothills News highlighted efforts by Esperanza folks for sewing masks and providing meals for healthcare workers.

Carol Brezina, Outreach Chair at Christ Lutheran, Sedona, let us know that 288 personal care kits were packed there on behalf of Lutheran World Relief.

Finally, Claire Crum, Church Council President at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman shares they are creating CDC approved face masks utilizing their own material, machines, and, of course their time and talent.

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