A message from the Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering, Deacon Tammy Jones West, on how the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering theme was chosen.
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The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all have sections where Jesus makes dramatic predictions about things that will happen in the future. Because these things seem to be hidden from general knowledge and are being revealed as special information to Jesus’ followers, they are called “apocalyptic” sayings. These terms “apocalypse” and “apocalyptic” are Greek words meaning “uncovering” or “revealing.”
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We pray for Rev. Christine Stoxen and the people of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at htlutheran.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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One of my favorite Sunday school songs is “Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man” (“And a wee little man was he”). I love teaching the actions to kids and watching them light up at the seeming silliness of the story—from pretending to climb the tree to peering down at Jesus as Zacchaeus to looking up at Zacchaeus as Jesus.
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Almighty and ever-living God, we give you thanks for the men and women who have served and defended our country and the values of freedom and justice we hold so dear. Help us be mindful of the sacrifices they made and the hardship endured by their families and friends, so that we never take for granted the privileges they have secured for us. Hear us, we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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In line with standard ELCA protocol, the project to create a new social message on Climate Care is being shepherded by the ELCA Director for Theological Ethics, working with a lead writer in collaboration with a group of reviewers.
The draft social message is now available for public feedback! Read the social message draft here and then use this survey to share your input by Friday, December 2, 2022.
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Rev. Louise Johnson, Executive for Administration with the ELCA, invites rostered ministers to participate in a survey being conducted by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Duke Endowment. The survey, open through November 2022, is part of a major national study on the health and future flourishing of mainline Protestant clergy and churches.
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Welcome to the first issue of “Where Your Heart Is,” the new stewardship newsletter of the ELCA (subscribe here).
In the coming months and years, I hope we not only dig into some of the things valued in our lives, both personal and collective, but also highlight the important and honest fact that all of life is an act of stewardship, from our first breath to our last. How do we use our days?
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The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is back! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023. The event is open to high schoolers in our synod and ELCA Regions 1-4. The Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Pre-Event (WYLE) will be held July 4-6, 2023.
Early-Bird registration for the Western States Youth Gathering is now OPEN! Learn more and register your group for the lowest possible prices at wsyg.com/registration!
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In this Living Lutheran article, 1517 Media’s Dawn Rundman recommends three books: The Wit of Martin Luther; Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism As a Way of Life; and Luther the Reformer.
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The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year.
If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2023. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.
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Watch the third annual LAMA Summit from Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The program featured the Rev. Eugene Cho, president & CEO of Bread for the World.
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The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has launched an anniversary photo book as part of this year’s events to mark 75 years since the communion was founded. In Communion – The Lutheran World Federation 1947-2022 is the title of the book, which highlights moments from the communion’s rich history over seven and a half decades.
The 75th anniversary book can be downloaded here, and will be available in a printed format at the end of this year. LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt presented the book on Reformation Day, 31 October, at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva.
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At Wartburg College, incoming students are guaranteed $30,000 in scholarships, and a referral from alumni can create a $4,000 award as well. If you know a high school senior looking for an ELCA college, encourage them to apply to Wartburg. (The application is free!)
You can also contact Jacqui Pagel who can help arrange a referral scholarship through synod alumni.
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Join Rabbi Bonnie Koppel, Pastor Daniel Weichart, Imam Anas Hlayhel for a free virtual Tri-Faith Discussion: Is it Gossip or Concern? Register at isb-az.org/trifaith for this Tuesday, 11/15/2022 event at 6pm MST, 5pm PST.
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) is a non-profit, apolitical, educational organization founded in 1999. ISBA is an outreach institution that provides education about Islam and Muslims, and promotes interfaith dialogue.
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The goals for the 2022 Fund for Leaders Golf Classic are to find 144 golfers and raise $20,000 in donations. If $20,000 is raised, a donor will match it!
Chairperson Kirk Anderson encourages congregations to spread the news, and has prepared a PDF flyer and brochure, a Powerpoint slide, and Word documents of a sample newsletter and a letter of appeal.
The event is at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Glendale is Monday, November 14, 2022, beginning at 7 am. Check out this registration form for more info.
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In this post and video we explore Growing Future Campus Ministries: Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $644,617 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal. We invite you to consider a gift. Please visit our pledge page for more info.
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We continue our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Rev. Charles Newman, with Crossroads in San Tan Valley.
“Reflecting on the assembly, I personally discovered a newfound hope for our church. By further understanding, accepting, and navigating through our unique gifts and diversity, I am excited to experience our capabilities as one unified body of Christ and paving the way for achieving our goal to welcome one-million new, young, and diverse people into the ELCA.”
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As you vote early or make your plan to vote, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers this message in advance of Election Day. Thank you for making informed and faithful decisions for your community, and congratulations to the first-time voters!
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