Grand Canyon Synod

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ELCA Advocacy May 2020 Update: U.N. and State Edition

ELCA Advocacy May 2020 Update: U.N. and State Edition

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices: U.N. | Arizona | California | Colorado | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin.

Arizona’s Solveig Muus, LAMA director, writes in part: “As the newest state public policy office, LAMA opened its doors just a few weeks before the pandemic took hold. LAMA’s focus in the meantime is to gather information and build its network; the policy team is contacting every congregation to listen and to learn how we might serve them.”

Z AdvocacyBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020ELCA Advocacy, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)Comment

Ecumenism on Mars

Ecumenism on Mars

Rev. Paul S. Tché writes: “I am confident COVID-19 will bring radical changes to our lives. But the difference after COVID-19 would not be as dramatic if we were to colonize Mars . . . or would it?”

“It may be helpful for us—especially many religious folks like me who lack imagination because of our long tradition—to simulate religious practice on Mars to stimulate our creativity and inspire more unique adaptations of post-COVID-19 faith life.”

LettersBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment

Remembering Those Behind Bars During COVID-19

Remembering Those Behind Bars During COVID-19

Wayne Gallipo, a pastor serving St. Dysmas Of South Dakota, an ELCA congregation inside the walls of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, SD, writes: “The men in my congregation come from a wide variety of backgrounds. South Dakota is approximately 87% white and 9% native but the statistics in prison do not even come close to reflecting that ratio.”

“One interesting thing about serving a congregation inside the walls of prison–is that the men that worship at St. Dysmas come from many different religious backgrounds.”

LettersBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020ELCA Racial Justice MinistriesComment

The Paradox of Civility

The Paradox of Civility

Peter Severson, Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado, writes: “It seems almost trite to point out the deep and intense division in our modern political landscape in the United States.”

“It feels easier to just take it as a given, rather than to ask how it might be reconciled. It is a very tough environment in which to be a church premised on God’s reconciliation and love.”

Letters, Z AdvocacyBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020ELCA AdvocacyComment

A selection of hymns of lament, hope or trust

A selection of hymns of lament, hope or trust

ELCA Worship is providing resources for home worship. If you don’t have access to a hymnal in your home, the following hymns are provided: Abide with Me | Day by Day | Give Me Jesus | How Long, O God | If You But Trust in God to Guide You | Just a Closer Walk with Thee | My Life Flows On in Endless Song | O God, Our Help in Ages Past | When Peace like a River It Is Well with My Soul

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020ELCA WorshipComment

5/18/2020 Prayer: Prayers for the Reformed Church in America

5/18/2020 Prayer: Prayers for the Reformed Church in America

Thank God for our special relationship with the Reformed Church in America, a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1997; pray for the church, its diverse ministries and its members and leaders; and pray that
together we will find mutual support, new partnerships and new resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 18, 2020Daily PrayerComment

5/17/2020 Prayer: The love of God and the Spirit of truth dwell within us and prevail in our daily lives

5/17/2020 Prayer: The love of God and the Spirit of truth dwell within us and prevail in our daily lives

The love of God and the Spirit of truth dwell within us and prevail in our daily lives. Pray that with this knowledge and inspiration, we will feel encouraged to follow the commandments and ways of God and to exemplify love, truth, mercy and service in the world.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 17, 2020Daily PrayerComment

5/16/2020 Prayer: Give thanks that our church and lives are built on the foundation of Christ

5/16/2020 Prayer: Give thanks that our church and lives are built on the foundation of Christ

Give thanks and praise to God that our church and lives are built on the solid, enduring foundation of Christ; pray that we, as siblings in Christ, will be bold and welcoming in our invitation to our neighbors to believe, have faith and experience the blessings of community with us.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 16, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark

Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark

Pastor Steve Haggmark, who had served as the Interim Pastor at Spirit of Grace, Surprise, died April 28, 2020. We pray for his Nancy, his wife, and his family. Please contact the synod office for Nancy’s address if needed.

Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation gathered before your throne in your ceaseless praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardMay 15, 2020Spirit of Grace Surprise, CacComment

Bishop Eaton to provide video sermon for Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020

Bishop Eaton to provide video sermon for Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020

On Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020, Presiding Bishop Eaton will provide a video sermon for use by congregations. The sermon will use the texts for Trinity Sunday, Year A, with a focus on II Corinthians 13:11-13 and Matthew 28: 16-20. It will be ready for release on May 31st, with Spanish subtitles, a printed text in English and Spanish.

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 15, 2020Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Comments

Bishop Eaton: God is working

Bishop Eaton: God is working

In this video, Bishop Eaton lets us know how God is working, through a church activated in many new ways. One bishop describes people as having “a cross in one hand, and a bag of groceries in the other.”

LettersBrian FlatgardMay 15, 2020Bishop Elizabeth EatonComment

Worship in the Home: Sunday, May 17, 2020

Worship in the Home: Sunday, May 17, 2020

Worship in the Home, Sixth Sunday of Easter. 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 FlatgardMay 15, 2020ELCA WorshipComment

5/15/2020 Prayer: For Synod Leaders Planning Assemblies

5/15/2020 Prayer: For Synod Leaders Planning Assemblies

Pray for synod leaders who are discerning new plans, formats and dates for their assemblies with concern for the health and well-being of leaders, voting members and others; pray the Spirit will guide their plans and strengthen their unwavering work of proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in the world.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 15, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Faith Lens: “Mat Talk” for the World

Faith Lens: “Mat Talk” for the World

A few months ago, the Netflix docu-series Cheer dropped and instantly the hardworking college cheerleading team it profiles became famous and world-followed. Maybe the breakout star is Jerry Harris, a young man who has had a tough life, but projects incredible positivity. He’s magnetic in the series and has drawn a huge following because of his story and energizing “mat talks.”

ELCABrian FlatgardMay 14, 2020Faith LensComment

Youth Gathering: Limitless

Youth Gathering: Limitless

When we live into the limitless, we open ourselves up to taking risks, to trying new things, to see ourselves as important pieces in our world. Limitless is about removing the limits we often put on ourselves and others and to live into a potential that is far more than we dare ask or imagine.

Brian FlatgardMay 14, 2020Comment

Bishop Eaton's message on COVID-19 racism and white supremacy

Bishop Eaton's message on COVID-19 racism and white supremacy

During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am encouraged by your resilience and creativity in our witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am also inspired by your generosity. This is a trying time for us all.

At the same time, we know that a disproportionate burden of illness, death, discrimination and harassment falls on communities of color. This pandemic has exacerbated racism and racial inequities deeply entrenched in society and across the church. We see this in the growing anti-Asian racism and the disproportionate number of deaths in black, American Indian and Latinx communities.

Bishop Eaton, LettersBrian FlatgardMay 14, 2020 Comment

Prayers for Pastor Robert Jones

Prayers for Pastor Robert Jones

We pray for Pastor Robert Jones, Santa Cruz Lutheran, who is recovering from surgery following a car-bicycle accident.

O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning. We give you thanks for giving our brother Robert both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life and conduct that she may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PrayersBrian FlatgardMay 14, 2020Santa Cruz Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment

Bishop Eaton: God wants us to be whole people

Bishop Eaton: God wants us to be whole people

Mental illness is not a sin. It is not a moral failing. And it is not a sign of weakness. God wants us to be whole people – emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually – and God will journey alongside us especially as we are feeling depressed, anxious and hopeless. Be well, dear church.

LettersBrian FlatgardMay 14, 2020Bishop Elizabeth EatonComment

5/14/2020 Prayer: Pray for students of all ages

5/14/2020 Prayer: Pray for students of all ages

Pray for students of all ages as they participate in online classes, wonder about their school year, prepare for finals and graduations, and long for their normal social interactions and school activities.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 14, 2020Daily PrayerComment

GCS Daily Bread Grants exceeds fundraising challenge

GCS Daily Bread Grants exceeds fundraising challenge

On April 26, 2020, the Grand Canyon Synod was awarded $10,000 from the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund to assist GCS Native American and Latino ministries with food, water and basic hygiene items.

On April 28, Bishop Deborah Hutterer shared this good news and issued a challenge to match this amount for even greater impact. As of this writing, we have exceeded the initial challenge by $3,700, raising $13,700 in one week. We celebrate the generosity of this synod.

Additional gifts from congregations and individuals can still be made to this appeal through online giving or checks with the designation of GCS Daily Bread Grants. Grateful for how God does good through you.