Bishop Hutterer: Maintaining our vigilance in a pandemic plateau

I used to sell insurance. During that time, I learned that most car accidents occur within five minutes of home. Why? We’re overconfident in a familiar place. The most common collision isn’t caused by another person: it is us driving, on autopilot, into a neighbor’s parked car. Ask me. I’ve done it.

At this point in the pandemic, I believe we are in a similar situation. As we return to “normal,” we think we’re safe, and our old habits return. Tired from a year of pandemic, we stop practicing the vigilance and best behaviors that kept us safe on our long and strange journey.

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Director of Development – Seminary Relations position open at CLU/PLTS

California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary have opened the search for a Director of Development – Seminary Relations position on the Thousand Oaks campus. A brief description and additional information regarding the position is available in this PDF.

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Unique 2021 Flexible spending account (FSA) opportunity

Portico is adopting provisions in recent COVID-relief legislation (American Rescue Plan Act) that allow members to reconsider their 2021 FSA elections and adjust, as appropriate, during this one-time opportunity.

Sponsored members can elect to change or begin pretax contributions to an FSA – without experiencing a qualifying life event – during a special enrollment window between April 12 – April 23, 2021.

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From grief to joy: Bishop Eaton's Easter message 2021

Imagine what it must have been like on that first Easter morning when there wasn't the knowledge of the resurrection. When, instead, it was all about death and disappointment. Imagine Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Lord. Hear Bishop Eaton’s message and a hymn from our newest worship resource, All Creation Sings, about the transformation of Mary's grief into joy. Happy Easter!

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Bishop Hutterer: Another Strange Easter

Another Easter arrives, and again, we proceed with hesitance and fear. We struggle with our beliefs. We are unsure how to celebrate. We can feel isolated and separated from each other, wondering if we should leave our homes. In a time of political unrest, we are unsure of the stories we are hearing from the outside world.

And in these circumstances, we are blessed to experience Easter in the same way as the first followers of Christ.

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Good Friday Worship Service premieres on Grand Canyon Synod YouTube

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

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Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest needs items for asylum seekers

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) is soliciting items for recently released asylum-seekers. They travel for up to 3 days to their destination in the U.S. All items (see the full list in this post) are non-perishable and can be collected over time, individually/as a group.

Drop items off at their office: 2502 E. University Drive, Suite 125, Phoenix, AZ 85034. If interested, email cshurtz@lss-sw.org.

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Welcoming Migrants at the Border and AMMPARO: A Whole-Church Response Mobilized

An increase in unaccompanied children and asylum-seekers arriving at the U.S. border with Mexico has given rise to claims of a crisis. Individuals, families and children seeking protection are no crisis — the crisis is the circumstances they are fleeing and the moral challenge of safe welcome.

To offer hope and hospitality to the sojourner in this season of Easter is to bear witness to the suffering that affects the lives of so many.

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Bishop Eaton issues statement on gun violence

Together with God, we grieve with the families and communities impacted by gun violence — especially in communities where it is an everyday occurrence. These shootings are not isolated but rather a pattern of the gun violence crisis in the United States.

The numbers of victims tell only a part of the pain — the trauma caused by gun violence ripples across family members, friends, neighborhoods, communities and this country.

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We believe in the Holy Spirit: A global conversation on being Lutheran

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is engaged in a global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in local church contexts. Between now and June you are invited to take part in a larger conversation, with a discussion guide titled We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Welcome to a Global Conversation on Being Lutheran.

This guide will help lead your congregation’s Christian education and/or youth group on a journey of mutual discovery and learning. View/download the guide.

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The Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Defassio: Facebook Live Memorial Service

A memorial service for Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Defassio was live-streamed on Facebook, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Bishop Deborah Hutterer and Pastor Phil Gustafson were among those who celebrated his life and ministry .

A copy of the service is available on the same Facebook page, Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ. Feel free to share this link with all who would like to remember.

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