Rev. Carl Sirotzki will be installed at Mount Cross Lutheran (601 E Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541), on Reformation Sunday, 10/29/2023, at their 9:30am worship service. Pastor Patricia Reed will preach and be doing the installation. Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook, and posted on mountcross.org.
Read MoreLa Rev. Maria Santa Cruz discute la importancia de amplificar las voces latinés dentro de la ELCA, enfatizando la representación, apreciación cultural e inclusividad. Destaca los esfuerzos del Sínodo de Pacífica en ser inclusivo y expresa esperanza en el papel activo de Dios en apoyar a las comunidades vulnerables.
Rev. Maria Santa Cruz discusses the importance of amplifying Latiné voices within the ELCA, emphasizing representation, cultural appreciation, and inclusivity. She highlights the Pacifica Synod's efforts in being inclusive and expresses hope in God's active role in supporting vulnerable communities.
Read MoreIn the face of burnout and life's challenges, Angela T. !Khabeb invokes biblical instances of fire to inspire resilience in this article from Living Lutheran. Emphasizing that God's presence and promises remain steadfast amid life's fiery trials, she encourages embracing the internal fire that drives faith and purpose, asserting that burnout is real, but so are God's promises.
Read MoreJoin 'One Home One Future,' a 7-year multi-faith campaign championed by ecoAmerica's Blessed Tomorrow Program and 30+ faith organizations. Engage in collective climate action, harness vital resources, and be a beacon of hope and justice in the climate change conversation. Sign up today!
Read MoreBishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA joins 30 other US denominations in launching the "One Home One Future" campaign, urging congregations to champion environmental stewardship. Read more from Blessed Tomorrow about how faith and care for our shared Earth intertwine in this historic multi-faith movement. Visit the One Home One Future site here.
Read MoreCelebrate the journey of ELCA World Hunger, from fond memories to new resources and exciting updates. Dive into the latest “Go & Do News” and join us in building a world without hunger. Read the original post here.
Read MoreAmidst the alarming findings of the IPCC report, our faith reminds us of our duty as caretakers of the Earth. Discover the intersection of faith and environmental responsibility, and learn how each of us can play a role in safeguarding our planet.
Read MoreNearly 800 women from across the country converged on the Phoenix Convention Center to learn, grow, worship and serve together during Women of the ELCA’s 2023 Just Love Gathering, Sept. 21-24, 2023. Workshops, Bible studies and plenaries covered a range of topics, including immigration, human trafficking, climate change, the Truth and Healing Movement and allyship. View photos of the event here and read a full summary here.
Servant events allowed women to give back by donating blood, making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, participating in the “Run, Walk and Roll” 5K to benefit Women of the ELCA’s Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls initiative, donating in-kind gifts for Phoenix-area non-profits, and knitting and crocheting “Knitted Knockers” breast prostheses.
Read MoreMyrna Wells-Ulland has been elected as the president of the Women of the ELCA for the 2023-2026 term at the Twelfth Triennial Convention in Phoenix. Read further updates to discover more about her vision and the organization's future pursuits.
Read MoreFrom Portico Benefits Services: It's Annual Enrollment time, so stay alert for that crucial email! Plus, updates on utilizing your PWA, ordering free COVID tests, and new "Being Here" podcast episodes.
Read MoreAll members of synod congregations are invited to learn about the God's Love Made Real movement from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Bishop Craig Schweitzer of the Western North Dakota Synod will serve as the host of this online event on Tuesday, 10/17/2023, 10-10:30am PDT/MST, 11-11:30am MDT. Registration is encouraged but not required; you may just join the meeting via this Zoom link.
God's Love Made Real encourages the ELCA to create a world experiencing the difference God's grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation. Bishop Eaton will share in a personal way, through examples, stories, and questions and answers, why God’s Love Made Real is vital to her and this church.
Read MoreLouise Johnson, Executive for Administration, Office of the Presiding Bishop, thanks those who have taken the survey at Future Church: God's Love Made Real, and invites anyone who hasn’t responded to do so Your valuable insights are welcome, and your voices are yearned for in their ongoing listening sessions.
Read MoreDiscover and embrace your unique spiritual gifts with "Exploring Your Gifts and Talents," a transformative and strategic course from Luther Seminary’s faith+lead designed to empower congregation members to unearth their spiritual gifts and apply them in impactful ways within their communities and churches. Engage in this enriching learning experience, align your God-given purpose with your inherent talents, and answer the world’s deep need.
Read MoreIn Malawi, where over 70% of the population lives in poverty and hunger rates are alarmingly high, self-help groups are proving to be a beacon of hope, especially for women. These groups, initiated by the Evangelical Lutheran Development Service with support from ELCA World Hunger, are empowering women with knowledge, financial aid, and community support, enabling them to secure alternative income sources and combat food insecurity effectively, even amid catastrophes like Cyclone Freddy. Read more in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreThis is your last chance to be part of the 2023 Bishop's Fall Gathering. Connect, share, and grow in your spiritual journey under the guidance of Bishop Deborah Hutterer and our special guest speakers. All rooms are sold out, but there’s still room for commuters.
Embrace the beauty of the Franciscan Renewal Center, enjoy delectable meals, and enrich your soul. Registration closes on 10/9/2023. Don't miss out!
Read MoreEmbark on a transformative journey with the School for Lay Ministry, starting this October from Luther Seminary’s faith+lead. This unique learning community offers lay leaders a blend of on-demand coursework and live sessions, covering a spectrum of essential topics from sermon crafting to digital age spirituality. Whether you're a new leader or looking to deepen your faith and skills, this program is a gateway to impactful leadership in your faith community.Learn more and register here.
Read MoreElevate your coaching journey with Segment Two Coaching Training, an intensive eight-week program from Luther Seminary’s faith+lead designed to refine coaching expertise and navigate real-world scenarios. Ideal for faith leaders and coaches, this program offers hands-on training, continuous education, and expert guidance to lead profound transformations in ministry and personal growth. Dive deeper into advanced coaching skills, earn ICF-recognized training hours, and make a sustainable impact. Discover more about this opportunity here.
Read MoreThe Thriving Leadership Formation project invites you to explore a journey of spiritual rejuvenation and contemplative action with the Rural Church Cohort, a haven for church leaders amidst institutional transition and cultural turbulence. This group, meeting every Thursday via Zoom starting October 19, 2023, provides a creative and compassionate space for exploring Christian life and spiritual practices, especially focusing on leaders from rural communities. Discover more about this endeavor of spirituality, care, and friendship, by clicking here.
Read MoreSaturday, September 30, 2023, is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. In her video, Bishop Eaton reminds us that this church is committed to understanding our role in the tragic and sinful history of Indian boarding schools so that we can begin to heal together. Visit ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools to learn more.
You can participate by wearing an orange shirt and posting a photo of yourself, members of your congregation or community on social media. #ELCA #TruthAndHealing #DayOfRemembrance.
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