Prayers of lament for Colorado Springs violence

We share a prayer of lament from Bishop Jim Gonia and the Rocky Mountain Synod in the face of the heartbreaking shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, and lamenting the long history of violence against our LGBTQia+ siblings.

Christ our victim, whose beauty disfigured and whose body torn upon the cross; open wide your arms to embrace our tortured world, especially the victims who were injured and for the families mourn the deaths of those killed at Club Q in Colorado Springs, that we may not turn away our eyes, but abandon ourselves to your mercy. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022Gun Violence, LGBTQIA+, Rocky Mountain SynodComment

Bishop Hutterer: The jar that will not empty

In our synod, we are blessed with an abundance of ministries that focus on hunger. From the advocacy work of LAMA and LEAN to the many food banks and outreach efforts of many of our ministries, we are a synod that works in many ways to end food insecurity.

During this Thanksgiving, as we are grateful for the bounties we share, I hope you find time to listen to the ways God calls you to be both the giver and receiver of bread and faith.

DeAnna Quietwater Noriega: Who Are You!

We share this post from DeAnna Quietwater Noriega, who is half Apache and a quarter Chippewa. She is the mother of three, two daughters and an adopted blind son. She was the eldest of five children in a close–knit American Indian family. As a result of congenital glaucoma, she became totally blind at the age of eight.

ELCA Worship News: November, 2022

ELCA Worship shares their news for November, 2022, featuring: Prompts for Prayers of Intercession, Readings for the Assembly (Emended) is available for provisional use; All Creation Sings; Resources for multi-religious ministry; Common prayer at the World Council of Churches, 11thAssembly; Lutheran Summer Music Program; Music that Makes Community, and worship resources from Augsburg Fortress.

ELCA, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022ELCA WorshipComment

Mexican professor Ángela Trejo and Polish professor Jerzy Sojka reflect on Lutheran methods of Biblical interpretation

'Scripture alone' is a known Lutheran principle. At the second Bible year webinar, two Biblical scholars reflected on how this is used in understanding the Bible.

In this post, read the Lutheran World Federation article on the distinctive ways Lutherans interpret the Bible, or view the full webinar. Or choose “both/and.”

Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022Mexican Lutheran Church, Martin Luther, Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates: 11/24/2022

The Office of the Bishop rests, gathers with loved ones, and makes time for the Holy Spirit this week. We thank you for being Church Together!

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations: 11/25/2022-12/1/2022

We celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:

Rev. Brian Weinberger, Bethlehem, Mesa, who celebrates 14 years on November 29.
Rev. Naomi Hartman, Church of the Foothills, Tucson, who celebrates 13 years on November 29.
Deacon April Boyden, who celebrates 33 years on December 1.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022Ordination AnniversariesComment

COVID-19 community levels: 11/24/2022

According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels, Gila and Navajo are high level counties.

Medium level counties include Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma.

All other synod counties are low level: Clark, Graham, Nye, Pima, Santa Cruz, Washington.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNovember 22, 2022CoronavirusComment

Prayers for Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa

We pray for Rev. Stephen Talmage, Rev. Nanette Christofferson and the people of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at loveofchristchurch.net, and their social media pages on Facebook, and YouTube.

Grand Canyon Synod, PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 21, 2022Love of Christ Mesa, Rio Salado ConferenceComment

Hunger is a top priority for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona

Food insecurity now affects almost one in six Arizonans. We invite you to stay up to date with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona by visiting their site at lamaz.org and subscribing to their weekly newsletter.

Featured on the LAMA site is a priority page on food insecurity and an entire blog category devoted to hunger. Of particular note is the recent Arizona Hunger Policy Retreat, where more than 50 hunger advocates from across the state met at Spirit in the Desert to discuss how we might collaboratively work to alleviate hunger in Arizona.

Navajo Lutheran Mission News: Special Giving Thanks Edition

In this update from the Navajo Lutheran Mission, we hear from Executive Director Patterson Yazzie, Curriculum and Special Services Coordinator Molly Gary, and Development Director Deacon Kate Adelman.

The Hozho Café has served over 66,000 meals since the beginning of Covid-19, and their food bank in partnership with St. Mary’s distributed over 300,000 pounds of food to almost 2,000 families.

ELCA communities grapple with the future of digital worship

Bounce around the internet for a while and you’ll catch wind of how virtual reality experiences, such as those sought in the metaverse, are supposed to change the world—and soon.

Pre-COVID-19, these conversations might not have meant much to congregations. But since the outbreak of the pandemic, which forced nearly all congregations to close their doors at some point and made “going digital” one of the only ways to connect with congregants, conversations about the digital future have taken on new meaning for the church.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 21, 2022Living LutheranComment

Installation of Rev. Craig Larson at Desert Hills Lutheran in Green Valley

Pastor Craig Larson will be installed at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley on Sunday, 12/4/2022 at 3pm. Bishop Hutterer will be preaching. Reception to follow.

Rostered ministers are invited to process, color of the day will be blue.

ELCA Advocacy November, 2022 updates: U.N. and State Edition

We share the latest ELCA Advocacy new, featuring updates from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona: LAMA summit, 2023 policy priorities, and civic engagement.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 21, 2022Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment

LSSN and LEAN fight hunger in Nevada

In this post, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) explores hunger in Nevada, including an interview in a CBS special on food insecurity. We also explore Nevada hunger info from Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN).

Maybe you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity? We at LSSN can help low income folks sign up for SNAP benefits. Click here to sign up.

Taking Faith Home: A guide for faith-filled conversations

Taking Faith Home (TFH) is an annual resource that provides a weekly guide for faith-filled conversations during the church year. Here are some of its key features:

Based on the Revised Common Lectionary used by many congregations
Gives examples of each of the Four Key faith practices (caring conversations, devotions, service, and rituals and traditions)
Includes a weekly prayer, Bible verse, mealtime prayer, and blessing
Offers suggested daily Bible readings and Hymn for the week

Grand Canyon Synod, Resources, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 21, 2022Comment

Hunger at the Crossroads Webinar: Health and Hunger

Hunger and health are related in complex ways. Hunger and under-nourishment can both contribute to long-term health problems, while health challenges can increase the risk of hunger through lost wages and expensive medical bills. In this webinar, we will be joined by experts from both the United States and overseas to learn more. We will also hear from leaders working to improve health in their communities and learn some effective steps that can be taken toward a just world where all are fed – and where all are healthy. Click here to register for “Health and Hunger,” Thursday, 12/1/2022, 5pm MST, 6pm PST.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 21, 2022Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

CWA Reflection: Roger Bailey

We conclude our series of weekly reflections on the 2022 Churchwide Assembly with thoughts from Synod Council Member Roger Bailey with the Colorado River Conference.

“I found this year’s CWA an eye-opening experience as I saw firsthand the diversity of the ELCA.”

ELCA introduces refreshed brandmark

A refreshed suite of ELCA brandmarks is now available, with updated colors, fonts, layouts and Spanish versions for more flexibility in digital and print communications. Find the branding resources at ELCA.org.

Because this is a refresh versus a rebranding, you may continue to use up current printed materials, and use the refreshed brandmark when reprinting or reordering. Update digital assets as soon as your time allows. Questions? Contact communications@elca.org.

Look for more information soon from Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications, on how to roll out this new branding in your ministry.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 18, 2022Comment

Lutherans Restoring Creation: Good Green News, November 2022

Lutherans Restoring Creation shares their Good Green News for November 2022, featuring gratitude, an urge to respond to the Climate Care message draft by December 2, 2022, and upcoming Connection Calls.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 18, 2022Climate Change, Lutherans Restoring Creation, Good Green NewsComment

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