Yesterday we awoke to the news of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. As part of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we mourn his death and celebrate his life eternal in Christ Jesus.
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The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) joins with Catholics and other faith leaders in mourning the loss of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died on 31 December 2022.
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Worried about your congregation today? Wondering what the future holds? You are not alone.
People throughout the church are experiencing doubts, fears, and uneasiness about the future. Bishop Hutterer would like to talk with you about the worries and wonders you are experiencing. If you are invested in our Church’s future, join the conversation at one of our upcoming 2023 spring gatherings.
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares their 2022 year in review newsletter, full of highlights and calls to action for 2023. Click here to read highlights from a full year.
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For the new year…
For rescue workers and utility workers during winter storms and for all who suffered damages, cancellations, injuries, or deaths due to the extreme weather…
For those struggling to afford heat and electricity…
For teachers and students returning to school after the holidays…
For the women of Iran and Afghanistan and all fighting for gender justice…
For peace between North and South Korea….
For the aboriginal people of Australia enduring the desecration of sacred sites…
For those affected by the cholera outbreak in Haiti…
For those celebrating Christmastide, Yule, Kwanzaa, and all other winter holidays…
For peace in Ukraine and all countries torn apart by war…
We are very excited to report that we have shattered our old record for our Angel Tree Christmas drive. This year we were able to serve a grand total of 322 children from 139 families! We also served 59 senior citizens that are a part of our Senior Meals Program.
Thank you to Christ the Servant, Living Hope, St. Andrew, Mountain View, New Song, Good Samaritan at the Lakes, and First Good Shepherd.
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As your congregation prepares for its annual meeting, be sure to invite members to attend our 2023 Assembly, Friday-Saturday, June 9 & 10, 2023, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley and the Tucson area. Read more to find out how many voting members you congregation can send.
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Some of the Office of the Bishop travel to the Holy Land, while others resume work after celebrating the Christmas season.
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We celebrate Rev. Kim Taylor, with American Lutheran in Tucson, who celebrates 38 years on December 30.
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Apache is our synod’s sole high level county.
Medium level counties include Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Nye, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma.
Low level counties are Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Santa Cruz, 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.
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We pray for Rev. Robert Jones and the people of Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference. Visit their site at santacruzlutheran.org and their Facebook page.
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Before you review our year-end newsletter, I want to express my deep gratitude for all you have done through your actions and ministries to make our synod and our world a better place. As you scroll through each month’s highlights, I hope you’ll vividly see all the ways we are Church Together.
I also want to thank all of you for your generous giving and support to our synod through your benevolence dollars, half of which goes to our ELCA Churchwide organization. In your name, the three expressions of the ELCA acts around the world, as well as in your local ministries. Your generosity has allowed us to continue the important work of communicating Jesus, connecting people, and creating possibilities.
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Lenny stands next to the bank of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. He can see the U.S. from where he stands in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, but he can’t get there. A former soldier in the Venezuelan armed forces, he decided to leave his home country looking for greater opportunities.
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We give thanks for the gifts of Dr. Jerry Kingston, Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility. Since 2014, he has assisted three Bishops in the placement of pastors from across the country who wish to serve in the Grand Canyon Synod.
At the end of 2022, that era of service will end, and Jerry will continue to do the work of the church through various ministries and by being the one who shows up for family, friends, and youth. Words of thanks for his work can be sent to jkingston@gcsynod.org.
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We pray for Rev. Charles Newman and the people of Crossroads Lutheran Church in San Tan Valley, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at iamcrossroads.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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This article will introduce readers to a newly-published resource titled, “Preaching and Teaching with Love and Respect for the Jewish People.” This publication is a product of the ELCA’s Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations and was written under the leadership of Dr. Peter Pettit.
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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.
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In 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.
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