The Office of the Bishop staff dives into 2024 with synod assembly planning, a resumption of one-on-one meetings, and full steam ahead on our 2024 projects. We also share photos from Pastor Kim Sterner’s last day of ministry at Lord of Life.
Read MoreWe pray for the family and friends of Rev. John Roger Anderson, who died December 24, 2023.
Rev. Anderson was a former bishop of the Southwest California Synod, and a former pastor at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West.
Roger's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 West Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Ossuarium Fund (which Roger served on the committee) or the El Salvador/Sister Church Fund https://www.htlcto.org/give.
Read MoreWe pray for the family and friends of Rev. Charles Paulson, who died December 15, 2023.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, 2/10/2023, 11am, American Lutheran Church of Sun City (17200 N Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373). A reception will follow the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall at noon following the memorial service. People attending the reception shout RSVP at 623-974-2512. Lunch will be provided, and this will help them plan accordingly.
Pastor Paulson worked within the ALC congregation for twenty years and was much beloved by a good percentage of the membership as he was the intake pastor with whom they had first and often quite memorable contact.
Read MoreLAMA encourages a pre-session check of your legislative district. Stay updated and engage effectively with your legislators. Find your legislators here.
Read MoreWest Valley Young Adults invites you to start the year with meaningful connections through a winter retreat and engaging social events. Join us for reflection, fun, and fellowship.
Read MoreFor peace among nations, especially between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine…
For victims of and responders to the runway crash in Tokyo, Japan…
For relief and recovery efforts following an earthquake in western Japan…
For continued tensions and disruptions among those traveling the Red Sea…
For all victims of gun violence…
For renewed commitments to compassion, collaboration, and equity across political divides…
For astronomers, physicists, photographers, and all artists who reveal the beauty and mystery of the cosmos to us…
Discover the intersection of urgency in our lives and faith in this week's Faith Lens. Reflect on the festive season and explore the deeper meanings of our traditions and the Gospel of Mark. For thoughtful insights and discussion, check out the full post.
Read MoreUPDATE: This organ has found a home with a new congregation in Phoenix.
Rita Corey writes to offer a treasured 1953 Walnut Hammond Organ for donation. Preserved with care and ready for music, it awaits a new chapter in a loving church or camp. Available in Scottsdale, AZ without stairs for removal.
Read MorePeace Lutheran Church in Peoria, Arizona, is offering a well-maintained 2003 Ford E450 bus to a deserving organization within the Grand Canyon Synod. Ideal for serving community needs, the bus has faithfully facilitated youth trips and charity work. Interested? Call the church office, 623-972-6785 or reach out to Jay Fellows, Director of Operations at Jay@peaceaz.org.
Read MoreAttend two exciting West Valley Young Adult events. Experience the Winter Retreat at Camp ALOMA, packed with activities from Jan 12-15. And don't miss the Morning Hike on Jan 6 at Thunderbird Park. It's a great way to engage with the community and enrich your faith.
Read MoreJoin us as we mark a monumental milestone—the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger—at the 2024 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering on February 1-4, 2024. Celebrate decades of dedication and look ahead to the future of hunger advocacy and action. Be a part of this transformative event for networking, learning, and planning, as we continue to embrace hope and move forward in our mission. Act now to secure your spot and take advantage of special rates!
Read MoreMartin Malmberg of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada shares their 2023 Impact Report, highlighting th thousands served in 2023, as well as LSSN’s expansion into two new locations.
Read MoreYou are cordially invited to participate in a listening session hosted by the Grand Canyon Synod. This Zoom session on Tuesday, 1/16/2023, 5pm MST, 4pm PST, features Sarah Morris and Anthony Ormsbee-Hale from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC), and offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our community. Click here to register.
Read MoreAs we end a year full of collective achievements and spiritual growth, we invite you to join us in celebrating our synod's shared journey. Your generous contributions have been instrumental in every success, from outreach initiatives to the nurturing of our faith community. Take a moment to read our year-end newsletter, which highlights the remarkable moments and milestones of 2023, and reflects the vibrant life of our church thanks to your steadfast support.
Read MoreFor peace among nations, especially between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine…
For peaceful resolution to post-election clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo…
For relief and recover efforts following storms in eastern Australia…
For all victims of human trafficking worldwide…
For areas of the United States facing winter storms, heavy rains, and other weather events…
For ongoing holiday celebrations during the season of Christmas and during the days of Kwanzaa…
For a renewed sense of hope and possibility at the start of this new calendar year…
As this year draws to a close, I continue to be surprised and delighted by the spirit of generosity and commitment that is present throughout our church community. Your support and dedication have been the bedrock of our many achievements in 2023.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff wishes you a blessed and peaceful 2024. This week, as we prepare for the new year, we remind you the Synod Office will be closed Monday, January 1, 2024.
Read MoreAs 2023 comes to a close, LAMA invites you to celebrate with them the work we’ve accomplished together. They’re are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. And don’t forget to register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature! View their 2023 year end newsletter here.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is delighted to announce Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions, starting January 2024.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Janice Zimbelman and Rachel Line for their dedicated service. Deacon Janice Zimbelman will be retiring from this half-time position that is shared with the Rocky Mountain Synod as Deacon Katie Kline takes up this work in an interim capacity.
Read More“When God created the seventh day, God did not rest because God did all the work of creation in the six days prior. God rested because rest is intrinsically built in the rhythm of life. That means, if we choose Sunday to be the seventh day, then no matter what happened the past week, whether we fall to illness, or lose track of time, or projects and schedules fail in the many ways they often do, we still must rest. Rest allows us to be human, understanding that production may not work the way we need it to, but days of work will always come back around.”
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