The first and second session of the new Beginning a Culture of Generosity fall stewardship program are available for review. It’s for those who missed it or are curious about the program.
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From AP and Religion News Service: “It was the millennials, not the boomers, who walked away from church. I think it’s entirely fair to say that Generation X represents the last generation raised with traditional American religion.”
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We pray for Rev. Mitchell Eickmann and the people of Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in Surprise, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their Facebook page.
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The Grand Canyon Synod has several great upcoming opportunities for junior high and high school youth: Youth Ministry Summit, Campformation, synod high school retreats, scholarships, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and much more.
Make sure your congregation or organization stays informed by letting us know the youth director and youth-friendly folks for your group. Use the form in this post, or send your name, organization and contact info to Pastor Jacqui Pagel: 480-678-4406 or JPagel@gcsynod.org.
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Please pray for seminarians from across the Grand Canyon Synod.
Veronica Alvarez: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Kylee Bestenlehner: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Wanda Frenchman: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Julie Gerrish: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Morgan Kaus: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Gail Kenny: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Wyatt Linde: Princeton Theological Seminary
Zachary Nance: Wartburg Theological Seminary
Luis Ochoa: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Glenn Schrader: Wartburg Theological Seminary
Jennie Smith: Luther Seminary
Cari States-Codding: United Lutheran Seminary
Judi Tyler: Luther Seminary
Daniel Volkmann: Wartburg Theological Seminary
Daniel Weichart: Luther Seminary
Judy Wold: Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Click here to register for a Grant Application Q&A Webinar, September 7, 2021, 5:00 pm MST/PDT.
Learn about our two categories of 2022 grant applications (Project Support Grants, and Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants) and learn how to apply. More info at gcsynod.org/grants.
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Generosity is not just about our money. It is an attitude. It is a way of viewing the world. I was sitting watching the news and bemoaning the fate of the Afghans who had supported the US and their possible fate. Like for most people it brought me memories of the fall of South Vietnam and the plight of those who had aided the US.
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This 60-minute webinar serves as an overview of the Liturgies in All Creation Sings, the newly published supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Presenters Jennifer Baker-Trinity and Martin Seltz from Augsburg Fortress take you on a tour of the liturgical settings.
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Katie Langston has nearly completed her journey to becoming an ELCA pastor—but the path there was anything but linear. Her new book, Sealed: An Unexpected Journey Into the Heart of Grace (Thornbush Press, 2021), tells the story of her childhood and young adulthood in a devout Mormon family, and of her unexpected conversion to the Lutheran faith.
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For nearly a century, Lutherans have been helping to resettle those fleeing harm. As we pray for Afghanistan, we are called to support those arriving in the U.S. by becoming a part of the long welcome for these families.
Support LIRS’ Neighbors in Need: Afghan Allies fund, which will provide food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs for our Afghan friends as they await the official services available to them by visiting LIRS.org/HelpNow.
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From AP and Religion News Service: 'It seems a little strange, but (pet ministry) is mission, it's evangelism, it's education, it's hunger relief, it's pastoral care. All those things are part of the church.'
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We pray for Rev. Annemarie Burke, Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath, and the people of Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at myesperanza.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.
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In this season of Labor Day and “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our nation and the ELCA focuses on the nature of work. As the pandemic and natural disasters continue, our call to do God’s work becomes clearer, louder, and more urgent.
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The 2021 Bishop’s Fall Gathering (October 18-19, 2021) will occur online via Zoom. This decision to gather online was difficult to make, as we were excited for the long-awaited chance of in-person camaraderie.
With Covid uncertainties, we made this choice out of an abundance of caution. We hope an online gathering brings in more people as it eliminates travel requirements and choices for our special guests and attendees (all active rostered ministers, retired ministers serving as interim pastors, and synod council.)
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The Center of Addiction & Faith is hosting a webinar on harm reduction, featuring best-selling author Maia Szalavitz and her new book, Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction.
You'll learn more about the origins of Harm Reduction as a movement and how it has contributed to saving lives and promoting health. Thursday, 9/9/2021, 5-6pm MST/PDT, with follow-up 30 minute Zoom discussion. Register now.
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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 the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, the Hindu Brahmin community and more.
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We pray for Rev. Kevin Meyer and the people of Covenant Lutheran Church in Quartzsite, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their Facebook page.
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As part of our Growing Generosity Appeal, we present this video on growing future ministries in the Grand Canyon Synod, planting seeds for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona ($70,000) and Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada ($30,000). Learn more at gcsynod.org/generosity/fervent-voices.
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Hey, everyone! My name is Vanessa Young, and I’m excited to serve as the Team Leader for Gathering Synod Coordinators (GSCs) for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis.
Have you met your Gathering Synod Coordinator yet? If you don’t know who they are, you can send them an email on the “Find Your Synod Coordinator” feature on the Gathering website.
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This month I chose to write about sabbath-keeping because I thought it could be a therapeutic activity that might even lead to firmer sabbath disciplines in my life.
I considered my sabbath day to be my day off—one that instantly filled with errands, doctor appointments, housework, quality time with family and maybe a true-crime show on TV. My so-called sabbath day was packed with activity. My “day off” from church was actually a “day on” at home.
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