Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF) is currently recruiting leaders and participants for the next round of Cohorts this Fall! Watch this video to hear from those who have found community and meaning through their Cohort. Click here if interested in joining a cohort. Click here if interested in serving as a Leader.
The goal of the Contemplative Action Cohorts is to foster and equip spiritual leaders for new models of ministry and church.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Christopher Heller, Rev. Glenn Zorb and the people of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at mvlutheran.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Read MoreTwenty-five years ago, our church’s leaders took a bold step and invested in the future by creating the ELCA Fund for Leaders (FFL). In honor of the 25th anniversary, we are hosting the first-ever Day of Giving on Aug. 16. All gifts to FFL will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $25,000.
You can help us celebrate by lifting up this important ministry in your congregation on Sunday, Aug. 14. In this post, find resources you can use in your worship services and church communities.
Read MoreThe application period for 2022 Cycle 2 of ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants will open on August 1st, 2022.
Hunger Education and Networking Grants are one of the ways ELCA World Hunger accompanies congregations, synods, organizations, partners and local teams throughout the US and the Caribbean. We know that learning about the root causes of hunger and effective responses is key to ending hunger locally and globally.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Kurt Fangmeier and the people of Living Christ Lutheran Church in Flagstaff, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at lclcflag.org, and their social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Read MoreAmerica is burned out. The feeling is particularly acute for those who have traditionally been society’s bridge builders — teachers, health care workers, faith leaders — as they increasingly find themselves in the cross hairs of our divisions.
Dan White Jr. was a pastor in New York for nearly 20 years until the stress of trying to mend the chasms within his church led to his physical collapse. When he went searching for a place to heal and find support, he found few options. So he decided to create his own.
[You can listen to this episode of “First Person” on Apple, Spotify or Google or wherever you get your podcasts.]
Read MoreWe share updates from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C., which includes partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: July/August 2022. This post includes Augusta Victoria Hospital Funding, Border Encounters, Supreme Court Abortion Ruling, Use Of Landmines, and Bipartisan Gun Legislation.
Read MoreBy design and adapted to present realities, August Recess is a congressional tradition that brings heightened opportunities to reach out to your federal lawmakers where you – and they – live. U.S. representatives traditionally return to their home districts in this month to engage with their constituents.
Start by locating your lawmaker’s Web presence (govtrack.us is one place to connect). And use this post from ELCA Advocacy for more resources, and guidance on specific topics like child tax credit, housing, gun violence, energy and environmental justice, gender based violence, asylum and immigration, and voting rights.
Read MoreWe share a video from Man Her Yip, 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.
Read MoreClick here to read the Good Green News, from Lutherans Restoring Creation. Get info on upcoming connections calls, Churchwide Assembly actions, and more.
Read MoreThe Spirited Book Club discusses This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us, the stunning NYT bestseller by Cole Arthur Riley. The online club is FREE, register here. 8/11/2022, read the first half or more, 8/25/2022, read the last half.
In her stunning debut, the creator of Black Liturgies weaves stories from three generations of her family alongside contemplative reflections to discover the “necessary rituals” that connect us with our belonging, dignity, and liberation.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. David Wold’s family and friends, especially his wife Darlene, after he passed away peacefully on July 16, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Read MoreThe Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) presents A Tri-Faith Discussion: Do You Believe in Miracles?
Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 6pm MST/PDT, 5pm MDT via zoom. Presenters will be Rabbi Helen Cohn, Pastor Dr. Judith Rainforth, and Imam Didmar Faja. Register here.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, July 27, 2022, ELCA Coaching welcomes back Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, who will be facilitating conversation around harnessing the energy of groups to do the work of the Kingdom.
The login information can be found below and on the ELCA Coaching website. Join us WEEKLY on Wednesdays at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, to hear from a variety of leaders.
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 MoreAt 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.
Read MoreRev. 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.
