Give thanks for parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents whose example and convictions teach children and youth the values of compassion, generosity and respect for one another.
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As we think about how best to protect our must vulnerable, an article by immunologist Dr. Erin Bromage is valuable in understanding how coronavirus may spread in our churches: https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them
Dr. Bromage writes: “Ignoring the terrible outbreaks in nursing homes, we find that the biggest outbreaks are in prisons, religious ceremonies, and workplaces, such a meat packing facilities and call centers. Any environment that is enclosed, with poor air circulation and high density of people, spells trouble.”
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We pray for Rev. Alan Field, whose final Sunday at New Spirit, Tucson, was this 6th Sunday of Easter. After nearly 35 years of service, Pastor Field is retiring.
Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant Alan, who has enriched this community and brought gladness to friends and family. Now bless and preserve him at this time of transition. Day by day, guide him and give him what is needed, friends to cheer his way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling him. By your Holy Spirit be present in his pilgrimage, that he may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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As part of the ELCA’s COVID-19 response, ELCA congregations can raise funds for their feeding ministries through ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread Matching Grants. Learn more and apply.
The application due date for ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants has been extended to June 1.
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We pray for all M.Div students, MA and PhD students, whether domestic or international, graduating this year and whose commencement ceremonies have moved to online platforms. Especially, to give thanks to God for the communities that have supported them in their studies and have journeyed with them through seminary and their discernment processes. Finally, may God grant wisdom and clarity for students to boldly follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit to serve and love God and God's people wherever they are called next.
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Join Bishop Kevin L. Strickland and Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on Thursday, May 21st 7-8:30pm EDT for a Webinar: “Becoming the body of Christ where all bodies are valued: A conversation around the ELCA’s resolution to condemn White Supremacy.”
We encourage you to sign-up for this call by clicking this link here: https://www.elca-ses.org/eventdetail/13995520
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Grand Canyon Synod members attended a free stewardship presentation by Evan Moilan, CFRE, entitled “Stewardship in Uncertain Times” on Monday, May 18, 2020.
In this seminar, Evan Moilan used historical giving data and new forecasts to share best practices that congregations can engage right now, and over the next few months to ensure generosity not only continues but strengthens in their ministries.
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On the ELCA’s COVID-19 resource page, www.elca.org/publichealth, an extensive PDF in entitled Resources for Returning to In-Person Worship provides guidelines and considerations for when and how to re-open our church buildings. View Spanish version here.
The ELCA will monitor changing developments and update these guidelines accordingly.
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Here to Serve: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19, a weekly online gathering for ELCA Leaders, Wednesdays, 1PM Central.
Our weekly gathering on May 20 will focus on children and youth. The conversation will be facilitated by Linda Staats, founder of HomeGrown Faith and ELCA Coordinator for The Generosity Project.
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Pray that our baptism into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will banish our fears of doing God’s work in the world and will prepare us daily for sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor with gentleness and reverence.
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When we must bear persistent pain and suffer with no cure in sight, come, Holy Presence, breathe your peace with gifts of warmth and healing light, begins the opening stanza to “When We Must Bear Persistent Pain,” a hymn that will be included as one of two hundred hymns and songs in the forthcoming worship resource, All Creation Sings.
As this resource was developed the themes of “lament” and “healing” were identified as topics needing additional assembly song. Such songs are needed in every time but now as we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, the need is ever more pressing.
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Colter Murphy, Director of Youth and Service at Faith Lutheran Church in Chico, CA, writes: “The North Fork of the Flathead River is the most beautiful river on earth. This, of course, is a personal opinion, but anyone who has spent time on the river would likely agree. The splendor of the North Fork makes it a natural place to talk about the Creator.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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