This week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that peace is not the absence of struggle or strife, but the complete presence of a loving God.
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In-person school will begin August 2 at Navajo Mission Preparatory School! President Nez has released orders allowing for schools to open for in-person learning.
Because all last school year was virtual, EVERYONE (students, teachers, parents, grandparents, staff) is excited and busy preparing classrooms, curriculum, meal plans and COVID safety guidelines.
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From time to time, restricted gift purposes cannot be fulfilled as expected. When this occurs, charitable organizations should take all proper steps to repurpose or amend restricted gifts. View this PDF from ELCA.
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Your worship center is an invaluable property, monetarily and spiritually, and its protection and upkeep are an important obligation. View this PDF from Church Mutual for more info.
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We pray for Rev. Robert Kleinke and the people of Central Lutheran Church in Arizona City and Casa Grande, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at centrallutheranaz.org, and their YouTube page.
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While most of the reservation was closed for the past year, your mission's goal of providing essential service to the Navajo Community remained first and foremost. Thanks to our incredible entire staff, we stayed open with food, water and free noon meals for any Rock Point residents in need. Despite all obstacles, this is truly why we exist.
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Lutheran World Relief invites congregations to be part of the largest global health effort in history and end COVID for everyone, everywhere.
Access to the COVID-19 vaccine is rapidly changing our lives, and now the kindness of your congregation can deliver this same hope to our neighbors. Please click here to watch a video about how your love can reach the world, and visit lwr.org/congregations to learn how your congregation can save lives.
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Would you like to learn more about reaching people through your website? Tithe.ly will host a webinar on the subject on July 27 at 11am MST/PDT. Register here.
Tithe.ly, an ELCA preferred vendor, offers a family of digital tools—including easy-to-use websites—to help increase giving, manage congregational membership data and engage members, with special pricing for ELCA congregations.
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Join us for our Kickoff Celebration, streaming live on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 11am MST/PDT on the ELCA’s YouTube channel, the Gathering’s Facebook page and our website.
Gathering hosts Matthew and Claire have some exciting announcements about what’s new for this cycle, what our in-kind offering will be and much more. Can’t watch on the 25th? You’ll be able to view the recording whenever your group meets next. Learn More.
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This week we surpassed the $300,000 milestone in our Growing Generosity Appeal, with a total of $303,464 in gifts and pledges!
Growing Generosity was formally launched in June as part of our 2021 Assembly, with over half of the $500,000 goal already raised. Please prayerfully consider how you’d like to be involved, and learn more about Growing Generosity here.
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We continue our prayers for the family of Rev. Dr. Nathan Bowman, Chaplain at Hospice of the West.
Pastor Bowman writes, “Our daughter Moriah departed to be with God peacefully on July 16, 2021. We are having a service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving on this Saturday (July 24, 2021), at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Sun City at 10:00 AM with prelude beginning at 9:45. The service will be followed by a brunch. It is a service open to all, and will include communion.
I wanted to thank you for your support and prayers for all of us during this time. We are at peace, grieving a very precious life, but thankful that her suffering time is over. [Attached] is a working copy of the bulletin that gives a little more history about this journey in our life…”
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It is important to know which records and information a congregation should keep and which can be tossed. Some records need to be maintained permanently, whereas others can be discarded periodically. View the PDF from ELCA here.
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July 16, 2021, marks the bicentennial of Christian Science founder, Mary Baker Eddy’s birth.
In this blog post reflecting on the bicentennial, Shirley Paulson, PhD., writes: “People often wonder if all their ecumenical and interreligious efforts are worth it. I want to tell you why I think you have done good work.”
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Lutheran Disaster Response shares God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. An update from Program Director John Byron.
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At this time of year, many organizations are reviewing their budgets — and the price of their benefits. Watch this short video conversation between an ELCA pastor and the president of Portico Benefits to understand how Portico’s approach to pricing supports the ELCA’s national community of congregations ‒ financially and biblically.
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In “Hunger at the Crossroads,” a new webinar series hosted by ELCA World Hunger, we will explore the intersections and the ways we can be part of God’s promise of a just world where all are fed.
“Sexuality, Gender Identity and Hunger” with Rev. Heidi Neumark (Trinity Lutheran Church, New York, New York) and Rev. Joe Larson (Fargo, North Dakota) – August 12, 2021 at 4pm MST/PDT. Register here.
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As an avid gardener, Bishop Eaton admits that tending a garden isn’t easy work. But she reminds us that gardening is fundamental to our whole understanding of God tending this good, green earth.
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U.S. representatives regularly return to their home districts to stay engaged with their constituents. Lawmakers are likely busy during this period with Town Halls, arranged meetings, and other contact points that give you a window to raise your experiences and policy concerns while they are local.
Bring your own questions to policy makers or raise the ones in this post about hunger, housing and homelessness, infrastructure and climate change, Covid-19 vaccine access, reimagining US asylum and immigration policy, and tribal/US government relations.
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We pray for Rev. Ronald Glusenkamp and the people of Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at dhlc.org and their Facebook page.
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