In his 2021 update, Rev. Miguel F. Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality, reflects on the abundant generosity and innovation in a year like no other.
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Brian Flatgard, Director of Communication, reports on a very busy year of communications for our synod.
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View this fresh 2021 introduction to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona. Through interviews with staff, guests and friends, viewers learn what is unique about the retreat center, and why Spirit in the Desert is a holy place where people experience the love of God, joyful hospitality and renewal of their callings in the world.
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Myrna Wells-Ulland, President of the Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA, shares their 2021 update in a letter and video message.
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In her 2021 update, Rev. Jacqueline Pagel, Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation, gives a brief overview of the different ways ministry intersected as we grow the our synod into a great place to express the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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Paul Gryniewicz, Synod Council Vice President, asks what it means to be church in a year of accelerated change in his 2021 update.
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Hear the voices of Pastor Gary McCluskey and the students and leaders of ULC in this video update.
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Arizona Faith Network shares their 2021 update in this video.
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One-fifth of the world’s Lutherans were left homeless by 1945, at the end of the Second World War. That same year, Lutheran churches in the U.S. mobilized to help in Europe through a new agency called Lutheran World Relief. Within a decade, the mission expanded, sending love where needs were greatest, often to places off the radar of the rest of the world. And you have continued to draw on God’s strength, responding to God’s call to be the Body of Christ in the world, reaching further, staying longer, standing faithfully alongside our neighbors in need. This year, we celebrate 75 years of faithful impact — and the work that lies ahead.
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As we look back, I am grateful for the ways you have embraced the world as it is, not as you want it to be. You ensured that the witness of the church continued even when it was not safe to gather in-person.
Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you went well beyond what you might have imagined possible. Through uncertainty, you spoke words of hope and offered reminders that nothing will separate us from the love of God.
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Most Americans incorrectly assume that federal laws will protect someone being evicted from their home or turned away from a place of business for the sole reason of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. There are no such laws.
But there could be. The Equality Act, a landmark piece of legislation which has already been passed in the U.S. House, would add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Civil Rights Act, affording protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, federal funding, credit, the jury system and more.
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Lutheran Disaster Response provides a situation report on the Palestine-Israel conflict.
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This Pride Month, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton gives thanks for the blessings of our LGBTQIA+ siblings and prays that we will all have a sense of pride in being part of this fearfully and wonderfully made family.
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We pray for the family of Pastor David Halmers.
Rev. David Edward Halmers, 83, of South Windsor, CT, died Thursday, May 27, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Pastor Halmers had moved back to New England in recent months due to failing health. He remained rostered in Grand Canyon Synod.
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Holy Trinity, Chandler, seeks an office administrator for 26 hours per week. Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 AM - 3 PM. Please email resume to: judi@htlutheran.com. View this post for full job description.
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All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix, is taking applications for Administrative Assistant. View more info in this PDF.
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All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix, is taking applications for Communications Administrator. View more info in this PDF.
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Educate, Equip, Enact (3E) is pleased to sponsor Scam Proof Your Finances, a webinar from LSS Financial Counseling, on June 24 at 10:30 am MST/PDT. Register in advance for this meeting here. Open to all in the Grand Canyon Synod.
Plan to leave this class smarter than the identity thieves.
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Leaders of Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations are joining together to find ways to show who we are, where we are, and what we believe. We joyfully affirm God's love, word, and grace for all of God's creation.
If you are interested in learning more about how RIC churches in our synod are spreading God's affirming gospel, join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, July 6 at 3:30pm MST/PDT. Contact Carly Chamberlain at info@faithalive.com for the Zoom Link.
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With new CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people, we continue to show risk for unvaccinated people in our synod.
High risk counties: Apache, Clark, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Washington, and Yavapai.
Moderate risk in Coconino and Yuma counties.
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