We pray for Rev. David Pavesic and the people of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at beautifulsavior.net, and their Facebook page.
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The latest version of the The Official Gathering Handbook: Tips & Tricks for Adult Leaders, a resource filled with helpful resources and guidance for having an amazing Gathering experience.
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We’re happy to introduce a new monthly column, A Cup of Generosity, from Pastor Dana Karen Reardon and the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
My dad was a drunk. Not a mean drunk, but maybe a cynical one. Then he got sober. And God changed him more than I knew.
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The Diakonia Program, in connection with the Grand Canyon Synod, has recently developed an Advanced Classes Task Force. This task force is devoted to creating and offering high quality training for lay persons, beyond the regular two-year Diakonia Program.
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Read the latest update from the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering where you’ll find volunteer applications, info on a 6/17/2021 webinar, PASSAGE (a small-group ministry and resource development program for recently graduated high school seniors), and info on the 7/25 kickoff celebration.
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A collection of resources is available at elca.org/emanuelnine to help synods and congregations mark the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation or individual reflection and devotion. Synods and congregations are encouraged to mark this commemoration locally.
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The Office of the Bishop team read this post from Otto Scharmer, which offers ten big picture ways to see the extraordinary changes we are living through.
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We pray for Rev. David Marz and the people of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at sov.us, and their Facebook page.
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For many individuals and families, real estate is a cherished and much-utilized asset. Real estate can be a great way to make a gift to your congregation and the ministries that matter the most to you.
Our ELCA Foundation regional gift planners, Lisa Marie Higginbotham and Josh Kerney, are available to answer any questions you may have on how a gift of real estate can benefit you and the ministries that mean the most to you!
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Bishop Eaton offered the sermon for Lutherans Restoring Creation’s Good Shepherd Sunday service in celebration of Earth Day 2021. She also accepted our request to take some follow-up questions collected by the network.
Here are portions of their time with her that we encourage you to share with your congregation as these are questions we are all meant to wrestle with.
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The filing system for Form A & C Parochial Reports on the ELCA.org Office of the Secretary resource page shuts down for the year on June 11, 2021. Forms should be submitted electronically before that date in order to be included in the 2020 ELCA statistics.
Thank you for your work with these reports. We know 2020 will be an interesting year. If your congregation did not receive your password from ELCA Churchwide, or if you have any questions, please contact Theresa Thornburgh in the synod office.
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'Stories of Spirit' is a video introduction to Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. Through testimony from staff and guests, retreat leaders, board members and ministry partners, viewers will learn about the mission, vision and values of Spirit in the Desert, a holy place where people experience the love of God, joyful hospitality and renewal of their callings in the world. Enjoy!
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We thank the volunteers who helped prep the goodie boxes to be mailed to nearly 300 of our 2021 Assembly voting members. It was quite a—wait for it—assembly line!
While we’re letting the contents be a surprise, we want to share photos and thank all those who helped with this big mailing project: Jerry and Gayle Kingston, Pastor Pat Reed, Larysa Pagel (Pr. Jacqui’s daughter), council members Hannah Manzanares and Laura Musfeldt, Jeff Musfeldt, Karen Olson, Judy Campbell, Douglas and Daniel Thornburgh, and the crew from Phly: Casey Goslin, Erik Andersen, and three students.
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We pray for Rev. Ronald Poe and the people of The Lakes Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at thelakeslutheran.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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We pray for Rev. Randy Winsand and the people of Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at ascensionparadisevalley.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
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With new CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people, we continue to show risk for unvaccinated people in our synod.
Very high risk continues in Santa Cruz County.
High risk: Apache, Clark, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Washington, and Yavapai.
Moderate risk in Coconino and Yuma counties.
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If you missed our Q-&-A Zoom presentation of the 2022-2023 Mission Spending Plan, hosted by Synod Treasurer Erik Rehms, you can view a recording of the session here. You’ll also need this passcode to view: @^w0a56z
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Our visiting Churchwide representative for our 2021 Synod Assembly is Rev. Albert Starr, whose role with the ELCA is Senior Advisor, Ethnic Diversity. We’re pleased to announce his sermon will be available on Friday morning, June 11, 2021, for use by congregations and individuals.
Our entire worship service will be available as well. The service is provided by our assembly hosts at Community Lutheran in Las Vegas, including Rev. Benjamin Bergren, Rev. Brian Ward, and Bruce Ewing.
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Our 2021 Synod Assembly will elect: synod council members, committee members, and voting members to attend the Churchwide Assembly (held in August, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio).
Biographical information and photos of nominees for these positions is now available on our website: gcsynod.org/assembly/nominees.
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Lori Jensen writes: “Lord of Life members shared in a Memorial Tribute for all of our members who died while we were unable to gather in person.
After a time of music, Bible reading and a brief meditation, a luminaria bag with each person’s name on it was lit while names were read. It was a way for us to show support for our church family members as they collectively mourned their loss.”
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