Covid-19 exposure risk: 8/12/2021
Covid-19 exposure risk: 8/12/2021

Nationwide, the Delta variant continues to drive case and death numbers up across the country. Daily caseloads have increased tenfold since late June. Death reports, which can lag well behind case data, have doubled. More coronavirus patients are hospitalized than at any point since February.

Risk levels for unvaccinated people in the synod are either very high or extremely high.

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News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardCoronavirusComment
Hodza Yaa Ahalyani (Wisdom Keepers) begin leadership journey
Hodza Yaa Ahalyani (Wisdom Keepers) begin leadership journey

Sunday, August 8, 2021 launched an exciting new era at the Navajo Lutheran Mission, as local Navajo leadership is being developed at the Mission’s House of Prayer.

The new Hodza Yaa Ahalyani (Wisdom Keepers) are Rock Point residents Patty Charley, Patterson Yazzie, and Benedict Bedoni, who were affirmed in ceremonies by Bishop Hutterer, Reverend Jacqueline Pagel, and Mission Pastor Kate Adelman.

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Bishop Hutterer, News, Stories of Hope, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNavajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, House of Prayer Rock Point, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, Pastor Jacqui Pagel, High Country Conference, American Indian and Alaska Native Comments
What We Lose When We Livestream Church
What We Lose When We Livestream Church

Collin Hansen, editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition and co-author of Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential, writes in this essay:

“Christians need to hear the babies crying in church. They need to see the reddened eyes of a friend across the aisle. They need to chat with the recovering drug addict who shows up early but still sits in the back row. They need to taste the bread and wine.” Read more at New York Times.

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Read · Watch · ListenBrian FlatgardComment
A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections
A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections

A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections for the lives and faith and leadership of:

  • The Rev. David Walter Preus, Presiding Bishop of the American Lutheran Church, Parish Pastor, Author

  • The Rev. Dr. Peter Louis Steinke, Parish pastor, Educator, Author, Therapist, Congregational Systems Consultant

  • The Rev. Walter Martin Wangerin, Jr., Author, Parish Pastor, Professor, Educator, Radio Announcer

Thursday, August 12, 2021, 4:00 p.m. Click here to attend the Zoom.

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In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardRegion 2, Southwest California SynodComment
Rally in the Valley offers parting gift to Growing Generosity
Rally in the Valley offers parting gift to Growing Generosity

Rally in the Valley was an annual event that engaged seniors through speakers, discussion groups, fellowship, and worship. Their treasurer, Dennis Haugan, recently presented the Bishop a $6,842.42 check towards our Growing Generosity Appeal.

This amount represents the entire balance of the funds in their treasury, as their organization will no longer be active. Their planning team voted unanimously to give the funds to the Synod for the appeal designated toward LAMA with the focus of advocating on behalf of seniors.

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News, Stories of Hope, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardGrowing Generosity AppealComment
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