Ascension of Our Lord. While we look forward to everlasting life and being with Jesus in heaven, pray that we will live with confidence and joy in the promise of salvation and the presence of the Spirit, which sustains and equips us for the work we are called to today as people of the good news.
Read MoreHeather R. Nelson, Ph.D., is a music director at a mid-sized Baptist church in Missouri usually reads voice research in her spare time. “Yes, I am just that nerdy,” she writes. “But it’s also riveting. The voice is one of the most wonderful creations that God has bestowed upon us.”
The more Nelson read about the safety of public singing during COVID-19, she saw the decision to do so “would be the most important decision I have made in ministry so far.”
So, she compiled all the reliable research and distilled it into a single document.
Read MoreCharles Zoll, Music Director with Holy Trinity in Chandler, shares a music video of congregants helping neighbors during the shelter in place order. Watch at youtu.be/O-ETLui0EOs.
Read MoreOn this seventh Sunday of Easter, we gather in our homes and yet together as one, praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need. Our response to each petition is, “Your mercy is great.”
Read MorePaul Evenson, Board Chair and the entire Board of Directors and Staff of Spirit in the Desert are pleased to announce their new Executive Director, Eric Simonson.
We are thankful for God’s provision at this time for filling this vacancy and giving us a new leader with a heart for the Lord and the mission of Spirit in the Desert. Welcome Eric and Michelle to the “Spirit Family” — we’re glad you are here!
Read MoreApril 1, Census Day, is a key reference date for the 2020 Census—not a deadline. You can still respond after that date, and the deadline has been moved to fall of 2020.
The Arizona and Nevada Census 2020 websites, loaded with resources, are https://census.nv.gov and https://azcensus2020.gov/be-counted.
Bahney Dedolph, Deputy Director with the Arizona Council of Human Service Providers, shares words of encouragement on how we can lift our low response rates.
Read MoreMiloy Canete, Director of Worship and Music with Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear is offering 50+ copies of With One Voice books for any sister congregations who wants it. You can pick it up at the church office or arrange to have it delivered. Call the church office at (623) 932-2394.
Read MoreIn a time of physical distancing due to the coronavirus, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we aren’t islands—we are united in baptism.
In her May column, she writes: “We don’t have to go it alone. In fact, we cannot, because, in Christ, we are knit into one body. And just as surely as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one—this wildly mysterious community of the Trinity—so are we one.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2Wh5fjr and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2yAdqxW.
Read MoreGive 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.
Read MoreAs 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.”
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreJoin 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
Read MoreGrand 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreHere 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.
Read MorePray 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.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreColter 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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