Grace Lutheran in Phoenix is gearing up for their summer heat respite program, which will run 6/13 – 8/26/2022, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:30 pm. This will be their 17th summer of providing heat respite!
Their mission during the summer months is to provide a space for heat relief while building community through the sharing of community resources, meals, water, and ourselves in a place of being, belonging, and becoming. Volunteers and donations of food and items requested.
Read MorePastor Karn Carroll shares news and photos from their new mural on Glendale Avenue and 12th Street. The mural was on a recent Channel 12 new report (starts at 12 minutes into the video).
Read MoreJoin Deacon Janice Zimbelman in a journey of learning to lead more effectively. Deacon Janice will be participating in Excellence in Leadership, offered online through the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA, starting this coming September. She is looking for rostered and lay leaders to join her in this journey of learning and growing. For more information about Excellence in Leadership: rmselca.org/excellence-in-leadership
Read MoreThe Hunger Advocacy Fellow will participate in a year-long transformative experience that combines leadership development and faith formation with impactful advocacy that moves us toward an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed.
The 2022-23 Hunger Advocacy Fellow placed with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA), will serve as a member of the staff of this ELCA-affiliated SPPO as a full-time contract employee.
Read MoreVoting members at the 2022 assembly are encouraged to review two proposed updates to our synod constitution.
By SC20.02.07 the Synod Council recommends the Synod Assembly adopt the non-required amendments as approved by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Click here to access the recommended provisions as PDF.
The S7.11.01 bylaw change comes as a recommendation of the 2022 Synod Council, click here to access as PDF.
For rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts in Mexico following Hurricane Agatha…
For survivors, victims, and loved ones affected by recent mass shootings across the United States…
For safety, justice, and freedom from fear for all who live with the threat of gun violence in their communities…
For homes, communities, nations, and international relationships to be filled with peace and understanding…
For our Jewish neighbors as they celebrate Shavuot and the gift of God’s law to Moses…
With thanksgiving for the gifts of LGBTQIA2S+ people in the church and across our society…
For an end to homophobia, transphobia, and gender-based discrimination…
Fund for Leaders alum Meredith Kesely has served as the head pastor at Abiding Presence in Burke, Va. since 2010. In 2021, the congregation called Kelsey Kresse, another Fund for Leaders alum, to serve as its associate pastor. Both pastors reflect on their leadership journeys and the ways Abiding Presence is fostering future leaders. Your support for Fund for Leaders will allow more pastors like Meredith and Kelsey to say “yes” to God’s call. ELCA.org/FundforLeaders25
Read MoreThe Rev. Rachel Eskesen, Area Desk Director for Europe, introduces three people she met on her travels in Eastern Europe. They represent the work of ELCA partners in the region that are accompanying refugees from Ukraine. For more information about Lutheran Disaster Response and the ELCA’s work in Eastern Europe, visit: ELCA.org/Ukraine.
Read MoreThe Rev. David C. Nagler, San Diego, was elected May 20 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the ELCA.
Read MoreRecent research about Gen Z from the Springtide Research Institute suggests that a combination of three things leads to young people, aged 13-25, feeling like they belong in school: being noticed, named, and known by a community. Paying attention to someone, noticing rather than ignoring them, increases that person’s sense of connectedness. Greeting someone, holding the door for them, blessing them after a sneeze—all are simple ways to notice.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Joaquin Garcia, Joaquin Garcia and the people of Iglesia Luterana Vida Nueva in Glendale, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at facebook.com/Ilvidanueva.
Read MoreStirred up in the Spirit, the theme of the 2022 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, draws on the common work we do as Synod.
In a world where we can easily provoke each other in unhelpful and even harmful ways, this assembly focuses on the ways we get to provoke each other in good and Spirited ways. We challenge each other to recognize that we are called to be public witnesses of God’s love and hope in the world. I pray this assembly renews our enthusiasm and confidence to provoke actions of love and good deeds.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Richard Peterson and the people of Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at faithyuma.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreNew treasurers or congregation members responsible for paying their church’s monthly Portico bill should check out three new videos available on EmployerLink to illuminate our billing process. Look for these updated videos in the “What to Do” tab on the “How to Work With Us” page.
Read MoreWe share this news from Paul Gerrish that his son, Stephen, is out of the hospital. We continue to pray for the Gerrish family. Read more in our initial post, visit their GoFundMe page, and get CaringBridge health updates for Justin and Katherine, who remain recovering in the hospital.
By your power, great God, our Lord Jesus healed the sick and gave new hope to the hopeless. Though we cannot command or possess your power, we pray for those who want to be healed. Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows, and make broken people whole again. Help us to wel-come every healing as a sign that, though death is against us, you are for us, and have promised renewed and risen life in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Read MoreO God of life, you are older than time. You have seen generations who have died through sacrifice, war, courage and folly. You have comforted generations who mourned and grieved and sang solemn songs and laid flowers on graves. Gather us in your embrace and cradle us with your compassion. As we remember those who have died in past wars and conflicts, help us to remember that you were there when the mountains were formed. You were there to sooth our grief and breathe hope into the hopeless. You are with us still. We give you thanks for life in Jesus and pray that your lives may be reflections of his love. Amen.
Read MoreWe share a video highlighting Fund for Leaders scholar Wanda Frenchman, who helps lead the Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, Ariz. which was founded by her mother, Mary Louise Frenchman.
Wanda is participating in the TEEM program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. This allows her to pursue rostered ministry while she continues to lead her community in Phoenix.
Read MoreAfter listening to the concerns of this church, careful review of the report of the Listening Team and other accompanying documents, consultation with outside legal counsel, and prayerful reflection and discernment, I have decided not to bring disciplinary charges against Bishop Rohrer.
While I am not inaugurating formal disciplinary processes at this time, there remain enough serious concerns that influence Bishop Rohrer's ability to remain impactful in their role that I have asked Bishop Rohrer for their resignation, which I believe to be in the best interest of all parties involved. Leer también en español…
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