We 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.
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At the Office of the Bishop, we prepare for upcoming fall events, do some traveling, and take some time to do maintenance on our data systems. We also share Bishop Hutterer’s photos from Campformation, the installation of Rev. Jose Valenzuela at Community of Grace in Peoria, and visits to Faith Lutheran in Yuma and Mount Cross in Payson.
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Rev. Janice Brosen, who celebrates 38 years on July 22.
Rev. Colin Melby, who celebrates 39 years on July 24.
Rev. Craig Larson, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 34 years on July 24.
Rev. Jeffery Gallen, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, Alleluia, Phoenix, who celebrates 40 years on July 25.
Rev. Matthew Metevelis, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Las Vegas, Living Hope, Las Vegas, who celebrates 12 years on July 25.
Rev. Marta Poling Schmitt, who celebrates 35 years on July 26.
Rev. Gary McCluskey, University, Tempe, who celebrates 42 years on July 27.
Rev. David Pavesic, Beautiful Savior, Tucson, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.
Rev. Denise Edwards, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.
Rev. Phillip Shuart, St. Andrew, Las Vegas, who celebrates 31 years on July 28.
What the BA.5 Subvariant Could Mean for the United States: The most transmissible variant yet of the coronavirus is threatening a fresh wave of infections in the United States, even among those who have recovered from the virus fairly recently.
In our synod, a new wave of high level counties: Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai and Yuma.
Medium level: Greenlee and Santa Cruz. Low level: Cochise, Graham, Pima.
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We share a video from Sally Azar, part of the pre-events of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2022.
In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24. Register here for the live Bible study series held on Zoom.
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In this video, Bishop Eaton encourages us to celebrate the full participation of all in the body of Christ.
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We share a video recap of our synod’s 2022 Campformation, which was held in Prescott, Arizona. Thanks to Christ the Servant Church, in Henderson/Las Vegas, for providing the video.
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For those in London and all across Europe, experiencing record-high temperatures and facing the on-going threat of wildfires…
For jurors, students, and families in the midst of the Parkland shooting sentencing trial…
For the victims of the mall shooting in Indiana, for their families, and for all the bystanders who experienced the trauma of that event…
For all who continue to suffer the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with prayers and hope that the thirst for power can quelled and peace can again be established…
For countries in the midst of a transition of power, including Sri Lanka and Japan…
For people around the world who continue to delight in the images from the James Webb telescope…
For safety for all who travel in this season…
The July, 2022, bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders is here, featuring: ELCA Churchwide Assembly Pre-event: “Embody the Word” Bible study sessions; get a jump on your Portico Annual Enrollment; prepare for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday with new resources; new mileage rate July through December 2022; cyber liability insurance; and choose your payroll provider wisely.
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The United States President Joe Biden visited the LWF-operated Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) on the morning of Friday July 15. Biden’s visit to the hospital is the first visit of a sitting US president to East Jerusalem. The US President announced a USD 100 million multi-year commitment toward the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN), of which AVH is a member.
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Drop by an Advocacy Cafe to hear from ELCA advocacy community leaders about timely topics. The 30-minute presentations will be offered twice on the same day. The day session will wrap-up with 15-minutes for a Q&A session with panelists. The evening session will wrap-up differently, with 25 minutes to meet in a small group with others to exchange experiences and ideas.
Tue. July 26 – August Recess
Tue. Aug. 30 – Civic Engagement Actions
Tue. Sept. 27 – Barriers to Voting
Tue. Oct. 25 – Public Discourse
Where will we be on Independence Day 2065? With God’s grace, I hope to live to see it. I hope to see it and smile, as my ancestors are today watching over me as I walk these same streets. Mere footsteps on the long path to justice. Inches closer on the road to freedom.
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As Lutherans in North America, we have a remarkable opportunity to live out our Christian vocation in a multi-religious world. No matter where we live, the realities of religious diversity are not “out there,” but in our daily lives with our families, in our congregations, communities, and at work. Our ministries – whether as pastors, deacons, or lay people – are shaped by the religious diversity in our midst. The brand new “ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World” provide a way for our ministries to also be shaped for our multi-religious context.
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Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 8-12 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Meeting under the theme "Embody the Word," the assembly will participate in plenary discussions to make decisions about the work of this church. Live video of the plenary sessions will be accessible at elca.org/CWA-2022.
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Our prayers are with the family of Jayland Walker as they laid him to rest on Wednesday in Akron, Ohio, a place I know well and a community dear to my heart. We join all who gathered to mourn the brutal killing of their loved one.
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Having already raised over $500,000 to fund our Growing Generosity Appeal, let’s create possibilities together. With your help, we can top our next goal to raise another $250,00 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!
The plans for these additional funds will benefit Lutheran Campus Ministries, new & emerging ministries, and our advocacy efforts. In this post we explore Growing Financial Viability: Planting seeds of financial support for pastors and congregations through 3E Lilly Grants and programs.
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Revitalize your congregation's preaching ministry by making the practice of preaching more collaborative and participatory. These six Zoom sessions will be held October 2, 2022, through January 8, 2023, and led by Rev. Dr. Shaunna Hannan, Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (of California Lutheran University). Interested? Fill out this form, bit.ly/LayPreachingCLU, and view more info in this post and this PDF flyer.
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Thanks to a gift from Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson, Manna Grants are available for new and continuing projects that work to alleviate hunger and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.
All organized congregations, New Starts, Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs), and Special Ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod are eligible to apply by the 7/31/2022 deadline. More info at gcsynod.org/manna-grant.
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