Carol Jacobson of Oakland, CA passed away on July 17, 2021, aged 64, at home with family from. A professor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary since 1999, Carol retired as Associate Professor of Practical Theology on June 1, 2021.
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Risk levels for unvaccinated people in many counties of the synod have increased again this week.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Clark, Mohave, and Washington counties.
Very high risk counties: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai.
Wendy Sontag, with Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Mesa, writes to share the good news of their Seniors Rock ministry, which meets every Thursday for a variety of activities.
Read more in this post, and be sure to share your ministry story with us.
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Barshim: “Can we have two golds?”
Olympic official: “It’s possible.”
“Create possibilities” is one part of our synod’s strategic plan, so we couldn’t help but share this video of two amazing athletes seeking a “both/and” solution. Watch Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi applaud each other higher and higher before deciding to forgo a jump-off and share the gold. Watch in English or view the exuberant Mama Mia Italiano version.
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We pray for Deacon Katie Adelman and the people of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Rock Point, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at nelm.org/church.
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On July 7th, 2021, students from around the synod met for the synod-wide Campformation Day of Service. View photos from the day and learn more in this post.
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The Islamic Speakers Bureau presents What do we fear and how does our faith help us?
Tuesday, 8/10/2021, 6pm MST/PDT. Register for this free Zoom discussion at isb-az.org/trifaith. Featuring Rabbi Elana Kanter, Imam Didmar Faja, and Rev. David Felten.
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A good summary of the Covid-19 Delta variant is found in this video and post from UC Davis Health. Key takeaways:
Delta variant is highly contagious.
Delta variant symptoms are the same.
Delta variant is affecting unvaccinated people more.
Breakthrough cases for vaccinated people are rare, but do happen.
Delta variant could be catastrophic is some communities.
Many unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 wish they had gotten the vaccine.
Some experts are recommending to wear masks, even if you're fully vaccinated.
More COVID-19 variants are likely to come.
People are lonely. A January 2020 survey from Cigna found that three in five US Americans are lonely, and we know loneliness only got exponentially worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, what does that mean for a church that believes in a relational God?
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At our assembly in June, Pastors Karn Carroll and Jacqui Pagel led the assembly in break-out sessions. In this post, we’ve compiled attendee’s answers to three questions posed:
Think for a moment about someone who might be new, young, or diverse to your congregation, then share with your breakout group, one new idea you could do to welcome them.
Discuss with your group about one new relevant issue your congregation should address and how?
Name one thing that we might connect with: school, business, community.
Each week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. View the slideshow here.
This week’s photo selection includes preparations for Hindu pilgrimages, Belgian flood recovery and more.
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We pray for Rev. John Biggs and the people of Saved By Grace Lutheran Church in Pahrump, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at savedbygraceelca.com, and their Facebook page.
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As part of our Growing Generosity Appeal, we present this video on growing financial viability in the Grand Canyon Synod, planting seeds of financial support for pastors and congregations through a 3E Lilly Grant match of $150,000.
Funds raised will be used to match the Lilly 3E $150,000 grant dollar-for-dollar to provide a total of $300,000 for the Grand Canyon Synod. Learn more at gcsynod.org/generosity/financial-viability.
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Jesus taught us that when we welcome the stranger as a person made in God's image, we also welcome God. Our lives, ministries and congregations have been blessed by many immigrants and refugees over the years — from many of our ancestors to those we welcome among us today.
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The Grand Canyon Synod's Stewardship team is excited to announce the creation of a comprehensive website for The Generosity Project at www.thegenerosityproject.net.
The website was made possible by a portion of a grant the Grand Canyon Synod’s Stewardship Team received from SOLI (Stewardship of Life Institute) to support the development of The Generosity Project across our synod.
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As cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 increase, it may seem like we are in a never-ending wilderness. Bishop Eaton reminds us of the exodus of God’s people, who wandered in the wilderness for forty years searching for the land that God had promised them. God never left them, and God has not left us.
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In partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod, House of Prayer has entered into a program for training local Navajo leaders to serve as ‘Wisdom Keepers’ and spiritual guides.
During the month of July, perspective candidates for leadership are committed to a time of prayerful consideration. On Sunday, August 8, 2021, Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui Pagel will be present to affirm the candidates choosing to move forward.
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Anchor Church Cohort Training begins September 29 - October 1, 2021, at Trinity Seminary.
Anchor Church is a grassroots movement within the ELCA where leaders accompany leaders towards cultural transformation within congregations. View this PDF for more details.
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David Walter Preus, loving husband and father, Lutheran Bishop and pastor, civic leader and World War II veteran, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021, due to complications from heart failure. We offer our prayers to his family.
Three of David’s major themes in life were “Jesus, Justice and Joy.”
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In this letter, the American Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association invites congregations to hang orange banners in solidarity with Indigenous people throughout North America and in remembrance and lament of Native children that never made it out of residential schools. View the letter in this post or as a PDF.
We also encourage you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day (September 30), a Canadian statutory holiday. Religion News Service also provides these articles on US churches reckoning with the traumatic legacy of Native schools and the new spiritual movement aiming to recognize the official US apology to Native American people.
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