Risk levels in our synod’s counties remained exactly the same as last week: extremely or very high for unvaccinated people.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Clark, Gila, Greenlee, Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma and Washington counties.
Very high risk counties include Apache, Cochise, Coconino, La Paz, Pima, and Santa Cruz.
The Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center hosted a live stream conversation and informational workshop about Live Streaming in a Church! Special guest, Derek Nance, walked viewers through the 4 steps of live streaming, gave tangible tips for best practices and provided ideas of ways to boost your live stream equipment and experience.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod Grant application submission window opens Monday, September 13, 2021. Learn more and apply at gcsynod.org/grants.
In case you missed our grant application webinar, presentation slides are available in PowerPoint or PDF, and in this post. View the webinar video here with passcode peP0ACb=
Read MoreSuch attacks can be particularly hard on young Sikhs, who face bullying by classmates who try to yank off their turbans or mock them as ‘Osama’s nephew’ or ‘Saddam Hussein.’ Read the article from AP and Religion News Service here.
Read MoreAs young American Muslims grew up under the shadow of 9/11, they faced hostility and surveillance, mistrust and suspicion, questions about their Muslim faith and doubts over their Americanness. Read the article from AP and Religion News Service here.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Peter Perry and the people of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at stjchurchaz.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Craig Larson, Rev. Daniel Valasakos and the people of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at mountzionelca.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreHi everyone, my name is Roselle Tenorio, and I am joining ELCA World Hunger as the Domestic Grants Manager. I have a long and varied relationship with food justice and its intersections, starting at a young age volunteering with my family and community in Dallas, Texas, to researching food pantry systems while in college.
Read MoreLeaders and congregations that are financially well experience greater health and vitality overall and are better able to carry out the Great Commission — making disciples for Jesus Christ. For many rostered ministers, financial stress caused by a lack of retirement savings is a barrier to effectiveness and satisfaction in ministry. Learn more about the Readiness for Retirement program.
Read MoreWith a surge of interest in how we can help Afghan allies and refugees, we offer two resources: Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS).
Afghan Allies need food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs. You can give to the LIRS Afghan Allies Fund and help allies as they await official services available to them.
LSS-SW has an Afghanistan Interest Form for those interested in helping. You’ll receive updates as the situation changes. They provide FAQs on their site, which we reprint in this post.
Read MoreThis week we surpassed the $350,000 milestone in our Growing Generosity Appeal, with a total of $357,875 in gifts and pledges!
Growing Generosity was launched in June with a $500,000 goal by the end of 2023. Please prayerfully consider how you’d like to be involved, and learn more about Growing Generosity here.
Read MoreEach week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. View the slideshow here.
This week’s photo gallery includes Muharram celebrations, Afghan refugees and more.
Read MoreThe Southeastern Synod invites you to a free preaching workshop on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 6-9 am MST/PDT, to cover the lectionary texts for all Sundays in October 2021 (10/3-10/31).
The workshop is led by The Rev. Dr. Gordon Lathrop, a pastor of the ELCA and a retired professor of liturgy who has taught at two different seminaries of the ELCA, Yale Divinity School, and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Register here.
Read MoreThe latest issue of Sacred Places: The Magazine of Partners for Sacred Places is now available, including the winners of the 2020 Faith & Form / Interfaith Design International Awards Program for Religious Architecture and Art.
Visit the NEW awards website, faithandformawards.com to nominate projects for 2021. Entries are welcomed and encouraged from architects, landscape architects, designers, artists, students, consultants, nonprofits, and religious organizations. Submissions will be accepted through September 30, 2021.
Read MoreAs this time of pandemic carries on, sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re still living through something major and global. In the midst of anxiety and fear, Bishop Eaton shares the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Read MoreIn this post, the ELCA coaching support team shares a wealth of coach trainings and continuing education in the coming months.
For a full list of their events, trainings, and continuing education opportunities, access the Events & Trainings page on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreWhen Daniel Bowman Jr. received an autism diagnosis in his mid-30s, so much suddenly clicked into place.
An Episcopalian, Bowman shares how he learned the ways he was best suited to serve in his congregation and how the traditional idea of church services is geared toward neurotypical people.
Read MoreAs we prepare for our upcoming “How Your Charitable Heart Can Leave a Legacy” Zoom presentation on 9/21/2021, we meet one of our two regional gift planners and presenters, Josh Kerney.
Working with the ELCA Foundation, Josh serves our synod by helping individuals and organizations leave a legacy.
Read MoreThe United States has withdrawn from a decades long war in Afghanistan. Under a special immigrant program, the U.S. has been evacuating thousands of Afghans who served alongside Americans.
Lutheran Disaster Response is reaching out to synods, congregations and affiliates that are taking an active role in welcoming Afghan families.
Read More“Even the most right-leaning isolationists” are coming forward to help those fleeing Afghanistan, a Phoenix pastor said. A mass mobilization is underway, as reported in this New York Times article featuring Arizona and Minnesota.
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