“I see Jesus saying, ‘Give to everyone who begs from you’ as less of a command and more of an invitation into an attitude of generosity. I see all the requests and pleas and need out there as God offering us options.” Read in this post or view as PDF.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop has organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 5-6:30pm MST/PDT, 6-7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Violence and criminal acts are a threat to all faith-based communities from persons who seek to spread fear and hate crimes, or the unexpected site of acts of domestic violence. We recognize the importance of education and raising awareness of potential threats to religious facilities, or the groups who may use these buildings regardless of type or denomination.
Read MoreUnder the direction of Shawn Bristle, the Cantata Choir of Community Lutheran Church in Bullhead City presented the Easter Cantata "Upon This Rock" on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. Watch their presentation on Youtube or this blog post.
Read MoreNote: We update this post with a full obituary, a website to share stories and celebrate Rev. Jerry’s life, info on donating in his memory, and the celebration of life service at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio on May 16, 2022. Read more in this special newsletter from Sierra Pacific Synod.
We grieve with Carol Schmalenberger and her family at the death of Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger, April 25, 2022 in Sedona, Arizona.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop team travels, preaches, meets, and plans as we connect people, communicate Jesus, and create possibilities.
Read MoreThis week’s ordination anniversaries are:
Rev. Kevin Meyer, who serves Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and Covenant Lutheran in Quartzsite and celebrates 27 years on April 30.
Deacon Sally Almen, who celebrates 35 years on April 30.
Rev. Melissa Harr, who celebrates 11 years on May 1.
Deacon Don Burgess, who celebrates 17 years on May 1.
Voices from the Communion: Hungary: Sharing stories of credible witness in turbulent times
Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) shares their synod assembly report. View on YouTube or in this post.
Martin Malmberg gives an update, being Stirred Up in the Spirit at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, and shares how over 50,000 were given grocery assistance and 167 families get housing.
Read MoreWe give thanks for the life of Pastor Ron Golberg, who died April 20, 2022. We pray for his wife Jewel, his family, friends, and congregations he served.
Services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 1pm at Desert Hills Lutheran, 2150 South Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622. We will provide updates as we receive them.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Ryan Hersch and the people of Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at peaceaz.org.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares her letter to 2022 assemblies. View as PDF in English or Spanish, and also read in this post.
“Theresa of Avila talked about the church as the hands and feet of Christ in the world, the very way God will work to engage new people.”
Read MoreThe Easter season is seven weeks long. Nearly every week the gospel lesson includes disciples encountering Jesus and failing to recognize him. This week’s gospel encounter is crammed with significance. There is a miracle and allusions to Peter’s failure to stand firm during the horrible events of Holy Week, as Jesus asks him repeatedly, “Do you love me.” Both are important and theologically significant, yet by focusing on them we may miss what is most significant. Namely, Jesus is in the world today if we have eyes to see.
Read MoreWe pray for Deacon Katie Adelman and the people of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Rock Point, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at nelm.org/church.
Read MoreOur regional gift planners, Lisa Higginbotham, CFRE, and Josh Kerney, shares their ELCA Foundation report. View as PDF, read in this post, and also view this ELCA Foundation video and view a message from Lisa.
“The vision of the ELCA Foundation is to be a thriving ministry that develops a culture of intentional generosity and financial stewardship to expand the work of the ELCA. Our mission is to support and sustain ELCA ministries by enhancing gifting capacity and stewarding resources.”
Read MoreApril is Fair Housing Awareness Month and Bishop Eaton encourages us to continue the Lutheran tradition of being advocates for fair housing legislation and “tackle the legacy of segregation, housing discrimination, and ongoing disparities of homeownership for persons with disabilities, or based on race and gender.”
Read MoreGrand Canyon Synod Coaching Ministry shares a letter from Phil Gustafson for their synod assembly report. View as PDF or read in this post.
“The Grand Canyon Synod, along with other Synods of the ELCA, offers an exciting and effective ministry that is often untapped or even unknown — Coaching Ministry. Coaching assists a client to focus on a specific goal and identify resources and steps to journey to that goal from the client’s own life situation and experiences.”
Read MoreThe ELCA Advocacy blog shares updates from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available. Read the updates here.
We also share the April Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
Read MoreCruzando Fronteras shares a letter from Annette Chavez for their synod assembly report. View as PDF or read in this post.
“Cruzando Fronteras is an ecumenical ministry effort which includes the financial and organizational support of the ELCA Lutheran Church, the Episcopal Church, and the United Church of Christ. In addition the Methodist Church offers legal aid through the Arizona Justice for our Neighbor Ministry. This is very important as it gives those that are seeking asylum a chance to develop their case.”
Read MoreIn his Daily Meditation of February 6 on 1 Corinthians 12, Rev. Richard Rohr writes “Humanity consistently has to face the problem of unity and diversity. We’re not very good at understanding it. We habitually choose our smaller groups, because we don’t know how to belong to a larger group. That demands too much letting go.”
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