Thank God for our special relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1997; pray for the church, its members and its leaders, and pray that together we will find strength and new resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor, especially in these uncertain and challenging times.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Joseph Dillon and the people of Bethany Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at bethanyscottsdale.com, and their Youtube page.
Read MorePastor Steve Springer, Dove of Peace, Tucson, reminds us that January 15 is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the day he’s on our Lutheran calendar. As Dr. King is a martyr, the liturgical color for today is scarlet red.
Pr. Springer shares five petitions, each beginning with "We remember" and a verbatim citation from "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Read MoreUnder the theme “Freed in Christ,” all lay and rostered people (active and retired) are invited to share updates about our synod and new stories of being church together.
With plenty of time for discussion, this is a great opportunity to connect with new people in our synod. Get more info and register at gcsynod.org/spring-gatherings.
Read MoreJoin people of faith throughout Arizona as we virtually celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Monday, January 18 through Monday, January 25, 2021. Bishop Hutterer will present Tuesday, January 19.
Daily devotions, videos, and prayers will be posted in this Facebook event. This is a time for all Christians to come together as an ecumenical community to pray for peace.
Read MoreAgnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of Nevada shares their January, 2021, newsletter with news of generous gifts from Carolyn and Gary Weaver, a report on giving to children and seniors through their Christmas program, and welcoming Jocelyn G. Rodulfo as the recently hired Community Health Coordinator for Women's Health Connection.
Read MoreChristians Against Christian Nationalism provides a timely set of resources and thoughts.
Read MoreWith more than 100 years of history, this annual observance involves Christian communities throughout the world: January 18-25, 2021.
Visit the World Council of Churches site or view material in English, French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Read MoreWith recent passing of the late, Honorable Calvin C. Goode, this year’s 35th Annual AZ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Living the Dream “Virtual” Celebration will be dedicated to him to honor his legacy. Friday, January 15, 2021, 11:00 AM MST
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will keynote. The celebration will also include another high-profile guest speaker; one of the last living Icons of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., one of the members of the Wilmington 10. To watch the AZ MLK Virtual Celebration, visit www.youtube.com/user/cityofphoenixaz.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief needs your help to bring real, tangible hope to our poorest neighbors. This Lent, your congregation can help by gathering and assembling Personal Care Kits.
Also available are “Sensing Hope” resources, including a 5-week sermon series and small group study guide, used digitally or in-person. Learn more at lwr.org/lent.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invite “actively serving” pastors of the Grand Canyon Synod to participate in this first Contemplative Action Group, which they hope to begin Thursday, January 28th.
Contemplative Action Groups provide spiritual growth, accountability, and discernment to congregational leaders who seek greater clarity and depth within their personal and public life.
Please email Pastor Brent Maxwell, desertmax@msn.com, or visit thrivingleadershipformation.org for more information.
Read MoreThe Presidential Inaugural Committee invites places of worship to participate in a COVID Memorial Tribute by ringing bells or lighting building lights or candles. January 19, 2021, 3:30pm MST, 2:30pm PST. Read more about this event at CNN.com.
If you are interested in participating, please register using this form.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop closed during Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, 2021.
We encourage you to participate in online events, action, and study on this day of remembrance and unity.
Read MorePray for the young adults who have applied for a yearlong journey in international service with our companion churches and organizations through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program, which will resume in 2021-2022 after a time of sabbath during the pandemic.
Read MoreDr. King’s message of unity is the theme for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration Monday, January 18. Five leading theologians will reflect on the theme during the 60-minute pre-recorded tribute. The recorded event will go live at 11:15 a.m. Central (10:15am MST, 9:15 am PST) on LSTC’s Facebook and YouTube sites.
“In light of recent events and public calls for healing and reconciliation, theological reflection on the promise and the problems with the rhetoric of unity could not be more timely or urgent,” said Erik Christensen, pastor to the community and director of worship, who serves on this year’s planning committee.
Read MoreSimilar to how God brought Jonah to Nineveh, I felt dragged to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. I loved church, but doubted whether the ELCA was right for me. I was one of the only young Lutherans regularly active in my congregation and community. Older members dominated the conversation. Could I be a leader in this church?
Read MoreLast Wednesday afternoon, after a day of virtually meeting and planning with Metro Chicago Synod (MCS) pastoral staff, I closed the Zoom window on my computer.
After a few moments, I glanced at my phone. Friends, family, and colleagues, many of whom are of African descent, had reached out to me, shocked. Many texted me similar words. “They would have shot us,” they said, again and again.
Read MoreIn the days since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the words of the 61st chapter of Isaiah have accompanied me as a prayer and as a promise. It is one of the texts I turned to as I fearfully watched the violent mob of President Trump’s supporters, bent on overturning the election results, breach the doors on January 6 and overrun the seat of American democracy.
I prayed the words as the fuller horror emerged, including the tragic death of a Capitol Police officer and of rioters, details about the imminent danger to people I care about and destruction in a place that I love.
Read MoreWe roll into 2021 with a submission to the 2020 Generosity Film Festival.
Sandy Holm, with Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona, shares her story of generosity: one man's offer to help stock the church's food pantry. Winner of the Best Above and Beyond Story.
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