Lutherans Restoring Creation advocates for greenhouse gas reduction
Lutherans Restoring Creation advocates for greenhouse gas reduction

Join the discussion on the next Connections Call sponsored by Lutherans Restoring Creation, which will advocate for the reduction of greenhouse gases for the health of all. Tuesday, 8/17/2021, 5 pm MST/PDT.

Join them as they discuss the development of a Sample Memorial to go to Churchwide Assembly 2022 asking our ELCA Advocacy office to specifically advocate that government leaders and public servants prioritize a reduction of greenhouse gases by 50% no later than 2030. More info here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
U.N. climate change report sounds 'code red for humanity'
U.N. climate change report sounds 'code red for humanity'

We share this article from Reuters: Global warming is dangerously close to spiralling out of control, a U.N. climate panel said in a landmark report Monday, warning the world is already certain to face further climate disruptions for decades, if not centuries, to come.

Humans are "unequivocally" to blame, the report from the scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said. Rapid action to cut greenhouse gas emissions could limit some impacts, but others are now locked in. Read the full article.

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NewsBrian FlatgardClimate ChangeComment
Prayers for the Defassio family
Prayers for the Defassio family

We pray for the family of Elijah Defassio, who died unexpectedly August 4, 2021. Elijah is the son of the Rev. Dr. Daniel Defassio, pastor at Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who entered the church triumphant on January 22, 2021.

We pray for Elijah’s mother Suzy, and Elijah’s family and friends. Read his obituary here, and contribute to a fundraiser here.

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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Desert Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment
Jeff Musfeldt serves on the BeConnected Faith Network Advisory Committee
Jeff Musfeldt serves on the BeConnected Faith Network Advisory Committee

Jeff Musfeldt recently became the Lutheran representative on the BeConnected Faith Network Advisory Committee. Encouraging faith communities to support service members, veterans and their families is a major focus of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (see www.arizonacoalition.org.) We thank Jeff for all of his service, both to country and our church.

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News, Stories of Hope, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Teaching Helps for “Short Songs” in All Creation Sings
Teaching Helps for “Short Songs” in All Creation Sings

All Creation Sings includes several short songs that can be taught “paperlessly,” that is, singing together without printed or projected words or music for worship.

This kind of singing is often ideal for small retreats or outdoor settings in addition to weekly worship. This post guides you to several audio-video resources.

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ELCA, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, All Creation Sings, Augsburg Fortress, Worship ResourcesComment
Each New Day devotionals available from Pastor Ken Nyhusmoen
Each New Day devotionals available from Pastor Ken Nyhusmoen

As the world faced the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Pastor Ken Nyhusmoen took to his keyboard, writing inspiring devotionals to share with the people of Desert Hills Lutheran Church of Green Valley, Arizona.

Pastor Nyhusmoen now makes these devotionals available to everyone in Each New Day: Meditations During Challenging Times. Available in a variety of formats on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Google Play.

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News, Stories of Hope, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardDesert Hills Green Valley, Kino ConferenceComment
Bishop Eaton invites us to "God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
Bishop Eaton invites us to "God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

Bishop Eaton invites your congregation to join this annual day of service and celebrate who we are as the ELCA ― one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. Learn more and plan your day at ELCA.org/DayofService.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardBishop Elizabeth Eaton, God's Work Our Hands SundayComment
Office of the Bishop Updates: 8/6/2021
Office of the Bishop Updates: 8/6/2021

For the past few years, each newsletter shows what our team is doing in that week, with three bullet points for each person. We’re expanding this section, continuing with summaries for each person, but providing opportunities for expansion on their week if they desire. We hope this provides you with more insight into your synod.

We have an upcoming Grand Canyon Synod Council meeting, and Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui are traveling to House of Prayer and NELM in Rock Point. Pastor Miguel meets with First Evangelical Lutheran council in Mesa. View all the details for each team member in this post.

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News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOffice of the Bishop, Pastor Jacqui Pagel, Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Theresa Thornburgh, Brian Flatgard, Clint Wasser, Jerry Kingston, Rev. Sarah Moening, House of Prayer Rock Point, Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, High Country Conference, First Evangelical Mesa, Rio Salado Conference, California Lutheran UniversityComment
Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix seeks Children's Music Director
Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix seeks Children's Music Director

Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix seeks part-time Children's Music Director to lead their Joyful Noiz Children’s Choir (youth choir 2nd grade and up) and contribute to the spiritual development of children through high quality and energetic music. View job description as PDF and download a job application form at mvlutheran.org/jobs by September 4, 2021.

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News, Help Wanted, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Mountain View Phoenix, Fiesta ConferenceComment
Bishop Hutterer: Another season of coronavirus
Bishop Hutterer: Another season of coronavirus

It’s been a few months since I wrote about Covid. I had hoped, like all of you, that we were past this virus.

We want to be done with Covid, but Covid isn’t done with us. It’s a phrase we hear a lot lately, as the Delta variant spikes the number of reported cases in the United States to 100,000 per day, eerily repeating last winter’s trajectory.

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Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardCoronavirus, Bishop Hutterer LettersComment