Conflict and hurtful actions are part of our human nature and experience — in the church, in society and in the world. Ask God to grant us humility, concern for one another and, when there is conflict, the courage to foreswear vengeance, engage each other and work toward truth, understanding, reconciliation and unity.
Read MorePray that, as Election Day grows closer, our conversations, deliberations and decisions will be guided by our faith, the teachings of Jesus, and our concern for justice, reconciliation, unity and the well-being of all people and communities.
Read MoreIn the name of the God who creates every human being out of love, and remembering the ELCA social teaching that “the God who justifies expects all people to do justice,” pray that more Christians will enter into public conversation about and take action to safeguard the dignity due to all children of God.
Read MoreWe pray for Paul Gryniewicz, synod council vice-president, who is in the hospital for heart issues.
O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning. We give you thanks for giving our brother Paul 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 he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read MorePlease pray for seminarians from across the Grand Canyon Synod. We give you thanks, O God, for the people you call to the ministries of word, sacrament, and service. Amen.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: Veronica Alvarez, Luis Ochoa, Julie Gerrish
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: Morgan Kaus, Gail Kenny
Luther Seminary: Lourdes Olson, Jennie Smith, Daniel Weichart
Wartburg Seminary: Glenn Schrader, Judi Tyler, Daniel Volkmann
United Lutheran Seminary: Cari States-Codding
Pastor Gary McCluskey provides us an update on a season of Lutheran Campus Ministry unlike any other.
Read MoreThe origins of Labor Day, established as a federal holiday in 1894, lie in the labor movement's persistent organizing for the rights and recognition of American workers.
This year's impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the heroics and faithfulness of the many we now know to be essential workers.
Read MoreIn a special message for Labor Day, Bishop Eaton reminds us to give thanks for all workers but pay special tribute to those essential workers for their contributions to our country’s well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MorePastor Joel Brandt, Gloria Dei Lutheran In Huntington Station, N.Y., shares how an overwhelming response to their ask for food pantry help on a previously unused Facebook page enabled them to help another church meet their matching goal.
Read MoreThe next session for Beginning a Culture of Generosity, An Effective, Inspiring Stewardship Appeal, is Saturday, 9/5/2020, at 9 am. Need to review the first session? It’s available here for those who missed it or are curious about the program.
Contact Deb Elstad, 3E Associate Director, deb.elstad@gmail.com, if your congregation wants to be with the 25 other congregations who are benefiting from this one-time-only program during these unique times.
Read MoreThere is no better time than right now for us to hold on to what is good, treat one another with respect, extend hospitality to strangers and those different from ourselves, seek peace, and care for our neighbors, including our enemies. Pray for strength, empathy, compassion and boldness in our faith and daily life as we follow Jesus.
Read MoreWith over a million views and counting, this parody of Hamilton’s “You’ll Be Back” from Rev. Lonnie Lacy of St. Anne’s Episcopal in Tifton, Georgia, gives us a laugh while we continue to worship while physical distancing.
Read MoreThe question of exactly who is our neighbor is critically important in a time when the Oikoumene, the whole inhabited earth, is infected and affected by COVID-19, racism, and injustice.
For help, we can look to the recently issued joint document of the WCC)and PCID, “Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond.”
Read MoreWe continue our 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Eileen Ruppel-Doan, Master Divinity Student, United Lutheran Seminary. Ruppel-Doan shares her appreciation of growing up blessed with female pastors her entire life.
Read MoreThe Rev. Amy Odgren, Walker, Minn., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
The bishop-elect has served as assistant to the bishop and director for evangelical mission in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod since 2016.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University organist Adan Alejandro Fernandez will showcase the 2,109-pipe Borg Petersen Memorial Organ in the first event of a Bach Organ Recital Series, featuring the music of Bach, Buxtehude and more.
September 9, 2020, 12:30pm, at callutheran.edu/college-arts-sciences/music/. Scroll down for the video link.
Read MoreSeptember often marks a time of beginning, with students starting school, congregations launching programs and creation transitioning into a new season. But due to the pandemic, this year is different, presenting challenges we have not faced before. Pray that the Spirit will grant us wisdom, creativity and patience as we seek new ways of being church together, attend to the needs of children and youth, care for one another and fight the spread of COVID-19.
Read More12 News has started a conversation with the African American community on the lived experiences and perspectives on race relations in the Valley.
We invite you to watch this film as part of our next open conversation about race, 9/8/2020, 6:30 pm. Learn more at gcsynod.org/open-talks.
Read MoreTwo Savings Matching programs through the ELCA’s Resourceful Servants initiative address financial challenges being experienced by rostered ministers, namely a lack of emergency savings and a lack of retirement savings.
These programs partner with rostered ministers to encourage a habit of saving by providing matching funding to more rapidly grow savings and retirement accounts. The due date to complete the process is October 15, 2020.
Read MoreListen to devotional music available through Augsburg Fortress: “Here is Love,” “Jesus Calls Us.”
Read More
