Courageous Leadership: How gratitude rewires your brain
Courageous Leadership: How gratitude rewires your brain

Join ELCA Coaching on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 when we will hear from Christina Costa, MSc, a Psychology PhD candidate at University of Michigan. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.

When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina goes beyond the "fight" narrative of cancer -- or any formidable personal journey -- to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative (hint: gratitude) to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
First Call Theological Education group gathers in Prescott
First Call Theological Education group gathers in Prescott

Seven pastors from across the Grand Canyon Synod gathered with Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui Pagel at Camp Pinerock in Prescott, as part of their additional education required after seminary. The group took a deep dive into scripture, explored the topic of money and finances, with time for collegiality and leadership building.

In April, 2023, there will be a gathering at Spirit in the Desert and discuss the relevance of applying Family System Theory to our ministry sites.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardFirst Call Theological EducationComment
Save the date for 2023 Spring Gatherings
Save the date for 2023 Spring Gatherings

Members of all Grand Canyon Synod congregations and ministries, including active and retired leaders, are welcome to our spring gatherings. Mark your calendars and connect with the people of the Grand Canyon Synod.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardKino Conference, Colorado River Conference, High Country Conference, Cactus Conference, Capital Conference, Fiesta Conference, Northeast Valley Conference, Rio Salado ConferenceComment
COVID-19 community levels: 11/17/2022
COVID-19 community levels: 11/17/2022

Cases and hospitalizations continue to rise nationwide, driven in part by a growing outbreak in the Southwest.

The nation's most rapid growth in hospitalizations with the virus is clustered in our synod, with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico all seeing hospitalization counts increase by more than 30 percent in the past two weeks. Cases in those states are on a similar upward climb, particularly in New Mexico.

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News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardCoronavirusComment
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: 11/20/2022
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: 11/20/2022

  • For worship leaders and musicians preparing for Advent and Christmas…

  • For those traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, those who will spending the holiday alone or with one less place setting this year, and those for whom holiday gatherings bring grief or anxiety…

  • For those who grow, distribute, sell, and prepare our food, and the land from which it grows…

  • For those struggling and working to rebuild in the wake of flooding and natural disasters…

  • For those grieving in the aftermath of the University of Virginia shooting and for an end to gun violence…

  • For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Churches around the world are coming together to participate in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Starting on Nov 25th, 2022, we will be acting, lifting voices, and promoting a more justice world for women and girls.

Please find attached the form to sign up here for your activity during this campaign, and learn more in this post.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardGender-Based Violence, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Prayers for Gloria Christi Federated Church in Phoenix
Prayers for Gloria Christi Federated Church in Phoenix

We pray for Rev. Brent Maxwell and the people of Gloria Christi Federated Church in Phoenix, an emerging Federated Community of Faith created by and made up of the former members of Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their new site at gloriachristiaz.org, and their Facebook page.

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Grand Canyon Synod, PrayersBrian FlatgardGloria Christi Federated Church - Paradise Valley, Northeast Valley ConferenceComment
Desert Cross and Spirit of Joy in Gilbert seek a Worship Leader & Choir/Bell Choir Director
Desert Cross and Spirit of Joy in Gilbert seek a Worship Leader & Choir/Bell Choir Director

Desert Cross Lutheran Church and Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert are seeking a Worship Leader & Choir/Bell Choir Director.

We are seeking a qualified person to fill both roles. However, If a single qualified candidate is not available, we will consider offering two separate positions.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Spirit of Joy Gilbert, Desert Cross Tempe, Fiesta Conference, Rio Salado ConferenceComment
Spirited Book Club: Joan Chittister's The Gift of Years
Spirited Book Club: Joan Chittister's The Gift of Years

The Spirited Book Club's December selection is Joan Chittister's The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully. Sheri Brown facilitates the discussion on Thursday, 12/8/2022, 2pm MST, 1pm PST. Register to receive Zoom link.

Not only accepting but celebrating getting old, this inspirational and illuminating work by Sr. Joan Chittister looks at the many facets of the aging process, from purposes and challenges to struggles and surprises.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSpirited Book Club, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment
Synod office closed for Thanksgiving: 11/24 & 11/25/2022
Synod office closed for Thanksgiving: 11/24 & 11/25/2022

The Office of the Bishop will be closed on Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week, 11/24 and 11/25/2022.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, lift up prayers of gratitude for the blessings and abundant resources we enjoy, and remember the people in our communities and world who suffer food insecurity, hunger and poverty. Ask the Spirit to increase our generosity and engagement with our neighbors in need and to help our communities become more just, generous, compassionate and committed to addressing difficult social issues.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
SPICE: Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment at Spirit in the Desert
SPICE: Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment at Spirit in the Desert

A one-of-a-kind research-based, spiritual empowerment program that utilizes mindfulness, neuroscience, storytelling, and experiential exercises to infuse more calm, health, and joy in your relationships and in the world.

The Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment (SPICE) Retreat is for individuals and couples seeking more meaning and purpose in their lives and relationships. Whether you’re floundering, fine, or fabulous, SPICE aims to bring you to the next level. Register and view full info on our calendar listing.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSpirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment
Faith Lens: Personal faith is political
Faith Lens: Personal faith is political

According to Wikipedia, politics, from the Greek politika (“affairs of the city”), is the set of activities associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. It’s jarring to see such a definition because politics is currently far from what it was intended to be.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller: I am good
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller: I am good

I invited the youth to write down all the things they could think of that were good. I told them to keep writing, not to lift up their pens, and to list as many things—big and small—that felt good to them. Once we finished sharing, I asked one question: Did anyone include themselves on the list? I met their eyes and saw surprise and many heads shaking. Not one had added their name to their list of good things.

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment