This Christmas, we look back on the five years of Advent hymns with LWF member churches and country programs. Since 2018, the Advent hymns were well received worldwide and have been a way of nurturing connection and showing solidarity through faith and hope. For some, the hymns have become a way to mark each day in Advent with family and congregations. The hymns allow us to share in the many joyful expressions of worship.
Read MoreIn this Christmas season, we extend our warmest wishes and blessings to you and your loved ones. May this special season be filled with joy, love, and peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
We are grateful for the gift of your presence in our synod, and for the ways in which you accompany us in our shared ministries. May the love and grace of Christ continue to guide and inspire you in the year ahead.
Read MoreThe Church of Lippe (Lutheran Section) sings Hört der engel helle lieder as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land sings Come All Ye' Faithful as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreFor those celebrating Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and all other winter holidays…
For the nativity of our Lord and for all expectant families…
For those who have difficult relationships with family…
For migrants and refugees around the world and at the southern border…
For all experiencing extreme weather conditions, especially dangerously cold temperatures…
For those injured by turbulence during last week’s Hawaii flight…
For victims of gun violence, especially the apartment shooting in Ontario, Canada…
For the families of those killed in the fuel tanker fire in Afghanistan…
For those protesting in Peru…
For rescue and recovery efforts following a landslide in Brazil and earthquake in California…
For peace in Ukraine and all countries torn apart by war…
The Office of the Bishop does year-end work, takes vacation time, and enjoys the Christmas season.
Read MoreHigh level counties are Gila, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Santa Cruz, and Yuma.
Medium level counties include Apache, Clark, Cochise, Coconino, Graham, Maricopa, Nye, Pima, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma.
Note: our updates can be a week behind due to our news cycle overlapping with Thursday updates. View the latest CDC and NYTimes updates here.
Read MoreWe celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Rev. Rodney Hutton, who celebrates 45 years on December 26.
Rev. Susan Swanson, who celebrates 23 years on December 27.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) sings Omunene Gwomu Sioni as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod continues to build relationship with the Mexican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM). Bishop Hutterer recently joined Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwest Ohio Synod and President Roberto Trejo Haager for a “get to know you” tour to discuss ways we can journey with ILM.
Read MoreThis summer Pastor Miguel will be walking the Camino de Santiago once again, and this time will lead others who wish to experience this incredible journey for themselves.
The group will start their journey in Sarria, Spain and end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. If you are interested in learning more, please email Pr. Miguel at miguel.gomezacosta@gmail.com by January 2, 2022. Click here for preliminary itinerary.
Read MoreWarm hearts and wide smiles perfectly balanced the chilly Rock Point, Arizona winter air on December 15th, 2022, at the Mission 2022 Christmas Program.
39 Mission students in traditional Navajo finery and costumes sang Christmas carols and told the story of Jesus' birth so many years ago. Read more of the newsletter in this post.
Read MoreRegistration prices for the Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) are increasing on January 4, 2023! Have you registered your youth group yet? Registration prices increase $100 - so be sure to register today!
Read MoreThe December, 2022 edition of Seeds Monthly is available, featuring: Journi’s introduction; When your Advent calendar is broken article; ELCA Good Gifts; and more.
Read More"When you give to the needy do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Matthew 6:3
It occurred to me the other day as I was trying to work with a budget app that my daughters had talked me into, that sooner or later your left hand is going to figure out what your right hand is doing.
View this month’s Cup of Generosity in this post or in this PDF.
Read More“When we talk to someone who shares the same Christian faith, but has a different set of political beliefs or convictions, it can be uncomfortable, or frustrating, and sometimes even scary. As members of the ELCA, we believe that we can have different political opinions but be of the same faith,” asserts Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in her November 2, 2022 video addressing Christian Nationalism.
Read MoreThe Rev. Lamont Wells has been named executive director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU), effective Jan. 3, 2023.
Wells has served as program director for ELCA Campus Ministry since 2019. In this role he has provided leadership to the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin), comprising over 240 colleges and universities. Wells is also national president of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA).
Read MoreThe Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia sings Gereja bagai bahtera as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreWe pray for the people and ministry of Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Payson, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at mountcross.org and their Facebook page.
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