This week we celebrate the following ordination anniversaries:
Rev. Barbara Bengtson, who celebrates 29 years on February 20.
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality, who celebrates 14 years on February 22.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 26 years on February 23.
Pastor Doug Moffat has chasubles for use. They are exceptionally well made, dry-cleaned and in excellent condition. Pastor Moffat will be glad to give them to someone interested for the cost of the postage/courier to get them sent. Email doug@casamoffat.com if you are interested.
Read MoreWelcome to Episode 3 of Talks at the Desk, season 2. We are again in he U.S. Virgin Islands and visiting several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere.
Read MoreThe ELCA Worship blog has complied a set of Prayer Resources in Time of Earthquakes. Intercession prompts:
For continued relief and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria…
For families and communities experiencing grief, anger, and despair at the tens of thousands of deaths following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria…
For the victims of the shooting at Michigan State, for their loved ones, and for campus ministries that are supporting students…
For all hearts longing to see a day when tools of rage are not seen as more important than the lives they take…
For those who will revel in the unfettered joy of carnival celebrations this week in every corner of our world…
For contrite hearts and hopeful spirits as we end the season of Epiphany and prepare for Lent…
For stability and civility amidst leadership transitions in world governments…
In lament over all lives lost in the past year of war between Russia and Ukraine…
For resolve and power for those fighting for climate justice, especially in another year of Antarctic ice decline…
We pray for Rev. Wallace Cole’s family and friends after he passed away on January 16, 2023 in Prescott, Arizona of natural causes.
He was ordained in 1958, then served churches in Minnesota (1958-65), House of Prayer Lutheran Church at Rock Point, AZ (1965-90) and American Lutheran Church in Prescott, AZ.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of the Southwest Family Resource Centers are now providing the GED, ESL classes and Financial literacy programs. The programs will be 100% free for neighbors in need. The GED program will be online, ESL classes and financial literacy programs will be in person. Read more in this post or in this PDF flyer.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Jeremy Nausin and the people of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at holyspiritlasvegas.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreHave you ever considered seminary? Join others in discernment at Signs Along the Way, a visit weekend at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley. Learn more and register at Learn more and register by clicking here for this 2/25-2/27/2023 event. Many costs, including travel, are covered by PLTS.
Read MoreDr. Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was a celebrated poet, author, teacher, filmmaker, and civil rights activist, among other roles and accomplishments. When interviewed upon being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, Angelou reflected: “I’m always amazed when people walk up to me and say, “‘I’m a Christian.’ I think, ‘Already? You’ve already got it?’ I’m working at it…”
Read MoreEach year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asks congregations to provide information about their people and activities. This year’s deadline to do so is March 1, 2023.
Find all the resources you need at the ELCA’s Annual Congregation Report page, including FAQs, online Form A & C Parochial Reports as well as ways to update your ELCA Congregational Leadership Directory.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Beth Gallen and the people of New Journey Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at njlc-fh.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association is sponsoring an online educational event “Trauma & Its Healing, with Dr. Pat Fosarelli” on Feb 21, 2023, 5-7pm MST, 4-6pm PST, via Zoom. Non-members and non-nurses are welcome to attend. To register, please go to: https://elpna.org/event-5115478.
Read MoreThe Healing of Memories workshop is FREE for healthcare workers who have experienced emotional, psychological and spiritual distress – in their personal or professional lives – during the COVID pandemic. This workshop provides a safe, confidential environment, the ideal setting to help participants take the necessary steps toward healing. Register here for this February 19 – 21, 2023 event at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod and the Southeastern Iowa Synod are partner synods. For Lent 2023, the two synods are challenging one another to participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent, raise awareness of hunger issues, and raise some money for ELCA World Hunger.
The synod with the most participants wins! Click here to sign up for the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge. Just signing up counts as participation!
Read MoreThese conversations offer an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics about congregational engagement in advocacy. The LAMA Roundtable meets the third Monday of the month at 6:30p via Zoom.
Read MoreHoly Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler invites you to join us for a Discipleship Journey Seminar, February 17-18, 2023. Explore what being a disciple of Jesus means to you. Register here. Keynote speakers include Rev. Charles Newman, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, and Bishop’s Associate Rev. Jacqui Pagel.
Read MoreWorried 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.
Click here to register for spring conferences so our host congregations can plan for this event.
Read MoreBlack History Month started as a week-long celebration in 1926 and has grown to a month-long event. But what does this month mean for us in the ELCA? In this video, Bishop Eaton shares some contributions of a few Black Lutherans around our church.
Read MoreAs part of the latest Stories of Faith in Action, we share a story about the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (view online or as PDF). The ongoing construction of Rwanda’s first Lutheran seminary is sparking excitement among church leaders, but with an important government deadline looming, that excitement has been coupled with anxiety.
View all the Stories of Faith in Action here, and how your offering becomes mission support.
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