'It also feels like a particularly good year for Advent. It feels like, this has been a whole Advent year, a whole Advent two years,' said The Porter’s Gate founder. Read the article from Religion News Service.
Read More
We pray for Rev. Brian Cain and the people of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at spiritofjoygilbert.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read More
Since the beginning of November, refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have been stuck at the Belarus-Poland border. They are experiencing a lack of food, medical supplies and shelter and are facing winter weather with no place to go.
Read More
This is our second pandemic Christmas and there's so much that's broken in this world, so much that tells us, “Why have hope? Just give up.” But we have a hope that's stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read More
Bring your grief, fear and loss to WELCA’s second annual Blue Christmas service via Zoom, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at 6pm MST, 5pm PST.
As a community of women, we have committed ourselves to promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world. We will gather for prayer, reflection, and quiet music on the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere—the Winter Solstice—December 21. Register now to participate in the Blue Christmas Service.
Read More
Women of the ELCA is offering scholarshipsfor Lutheran laywomen and ordained ministry. Scholarship applications are due before 4/5/2022. Learn more about Women of the ELCA Scholarships.
Read More
I asked a pastor what he says to people in pain. One thing he says is, “I want more for you.” I repeat that sentence to you not with any illusion that the world does what I want, but simply as an expression of good will, an acknowledgment of how we all sit with our common fragility, and a recognition that life is unpredictable. It changes. In many pilgrims’ progress, the slough of despond gives way to enchanted ground. Read the full article at The New York Times.
Read More
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.
Read More
We are very excited to see you next July for the 2022 Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and happy that we get to lead the brand new MYLE team called Cultural Awareness.
We have heard stories about microaggressions and other harms that have happened at past MYLEs. These stories break our hearts, and we are working hard to help people do better and for everyone to have a better experience at MYLE, in their faith communities and in the world.
Read More
Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and other partners in the area to assess the damage and develop an immediate and a long-term response plan. Your gifts to support these response efforts will empower our partners to meet survivors’ immediate and long-term needs.
Read More
Leaders of Region 2—Rocky Mountain Synod led by Bishop Jim Gonia, Pacifica Synod led by Bishop Andrew Taylor, Southwest California Synod led by Bishop Brenda Bos, Sierra Pacific Synod led by Bishop Megan Rohrer, and our own Grand Canyon Synod led by Bishop Hutterer—held their annual consultation meeting via Zoom this week. It’s a great opportunity for the synod staff to meet, share ideas, and continue collaborations.
Read More
For all who lack warm shelter or adequate clothing…
For all impacted by inclement weather and severe winter storms…
For all experiencing loneliness or exacerbated grief this holiday season…
For the moments of joy and hope that illumine the shadows of our soul…
For victims of gun violence…
For rescue and recovery efforts following the eruption of Mount Semeru in Indonesia…
133 golfers descended on Arrowhead Country Club this past November 15, both to enjoy a round of golf and to celebrate the Fund for Leaders.
$40,000 was raised for the 25+ candidates for ministry within the Grand Canyon Synod, after an inspired supporter of this Fund for Leaders program matched $20,000.
Read More
The Arizona Department of Health Services reports 94 percent of beds in the state are full, with Covid-19 patients making up about a third of those hospitalized.
All but two counties in our synod continue to have extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma counties.
Pastor Doug Dill will be installed at Central Lutheran in Arizona City during 9 am worship, Sunday, 12/12/2021. Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside.
Their two normally scheduled worship services will be combined to meet for one special service at the Arizona City Church at 9:00 am. Click for YouTube Channel link.
Read More
Right off the bat we see why Hallmark has a robust industry in Christmas cards and not Advent cards. “Happy Advent, You Brood of Vipers” might not sell too well as a holiday card, but these words are certainly a wake-up call for the audience of John the Baptizer.
Read More
After a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is getting ready to send volunteers out into the world again!
Young adults aged 21 to 29 can apply now for an international service year that will shape their faith, career, identity and understanding of how they fit into God’s work in the world. Watch the video in this post and then more and apply at ELCA.org/YAGM.
Read More
You’re invited to be part of our summer camp experience in 2022, the week of July 3-8, 2022, for Jr. High and High School youth, at Camp Pinerock in Prescott, AZ.
A consortium gathering meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, via zoom, 10am MST, 9am PST, to talk about and get enthused for the summer of 2022. If interested or have questions, contact Rev. Craig M. Corbin, Dean, at revcmcorbin@gmail.com.
Read More
You are invited to join ELCA Coaching at 1pm Central on Wednesday, December 15, as we host faith leaders (both rostered and lay) across the nation for a unique experience exploring Courageous Leadership with two faith leaders with over 60 years between them! We are honored to have Rev. Arne Jessen and Baird Linke as ELCA Coaches as well. Log-in info here.
Read More
The Protestant Christian Batak Church presents "Give Thanks", featuring the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) Department of Diakonia, Indonesia.
Read More