Grill to Glory: Serving God and Neighbor in St. Louis’ Ville
Grill to Glory: Serving God and Neighbor in St. Louis’ Ville

For nearly a century, St. Philip Evangelical Lutheran Church has served as a spiritual and community anchor in the Ville, a historically Black neighborhood in St. Louis. Through vibrant partnerships, public prayer, and outreach programs like Grill to Glory and Trunks Up, the congregation meets both the practical and spiritual needs of its neighbors—offering food, clothing, hygiene kits, and connection. Pastor Richard E. Ashley describes their ministry as grounded in community heritage and shaped by a commitment to meet people where they are. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery

Explore the intersection of neuroscience, faith, and addiction recovery in a free webinar on April 30 featuring Dr. Jeffrey Leighton and Jeff Jensen. Discover how prayer, neurofeedback, and hospitality-driven care can help regulate brain activity, relieve anxiety, reduce cravings, and restore hope. Open to clergy, counselors, and all affected by addiction.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAddiction, The Center of Addiction & FaithComment
Earth Day Worship and Action Opportunities from Lutherans Restoring Creation
Earth Day Worship and Action Opportunities from Lutherans Restoring Creation

Celebrate Earth Day and explore new ways to engage in creation care with Lutherans Restoring Creation Join an Earth Day sermon watch party on April 22, encourage young adults to attend the April 21 kickoff of the Young Adult Climate Alliance, register for conversations on climate justice, and explore synod advocacy opportunities. Learn more and read the full newsletter here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
Why Aren’t We Talking About Climate Change in Church?
Why Aren’t We Talking About Climate Change in Church?

While nearly 90% of Christian religious leaders believe climate change is real and human-caused, most rarely discuss it with their congregations. A new study shows this silence has consequences—many church members underestimate their pastor’s views, and conversations about climate action stall. Yet we are uniquely called and positioned to lead. This piece from Blessed Tomorrow urges clergy and lay leaders alike to speak out, teach, and preach on creation care. Support and training are available for those ready to start. Click here to read the full article on Blessed Tomorrow.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation

Is your church prepared to communicate faithfully in a crisis? Join a free live webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:30pm, as part of the Thriving Leadership Formation series. Learn how to build a crisis communications team, develop a ministry-specific strategy, and gain sample statements to guide your response. Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/EventsTLF.

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Region 2, Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Engage, Connect, and Cool Off: Be a Resident Theologian at Campformation
Engage, Connect, and Cool Off: Be a Resident Theologian at Campformation

Engage with youth, cool off in the pines, and explore stewardship this summer! Campformation at Camp Pinerock, June 30–July 4, 2025, invites three rostered leaders to join for free as Resident Theologians. Travel, room, and board are covered. Apply by March 15, 2025. Contact Pr. Tim Perlick at tim.perlick@gmail.com.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Help Wanted, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardStewardship of Life Institute (SOLI), Campformation, Camp Pinerock, Youth and Young Adult, Outdoor Ministry, help wantedComment
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend

Want to lead worship with a guitar around the campfire? Join Camp ALOMA in Prescott, April 25–27, for a weekend retreat focused on learning how to lead and support campfire worship. Designed for guitar players with basic chord skills, the $110 weekend includes lodging, meals, and musical leadership training grounded in Lutheran faith. Register now at campaloma.com or call 928-778-1690.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOutdoor Ministry, Camp ALOMAComment
Tacos, Testimonies, and Togetherness: Mexico Mission Reunion at Mountain View Lutheran
Tacos, Testimonies, and Togetherness: Mexico Mission Reunion at Mountain View Lutheran

Reconnect with fellow missioners at the Mexico Mission Reunion Celebration on Saturday, May 4 at 5:30 PM at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Enjoy a taco bar from Los Taquitos, hear a special message from Pastor Don Liles, and reflect on the impact of our shared work in Mexico. Register now at bit.ly/mvlcmexicomissionreunion. Kids eat free!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMountain View Phoenix, Fiesta ConferenceComment
Experience Christ’s Journey: Stations of the Cross at Mountain View Lutheran on Good Friday
Experience Christ’s Journey: Stations of the Cross at Mountain View Lutheran on Good Friday

Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites the community to a self-guided Good Friday experience, “The Way of the Cross,” on April 18 from 7 am to 6 pm. Seven prayer stations with artwork, Scripture, and meditation will guide participants through Christ’s journey to the cross and connect His suffering to the realities of our world today. All are welcome. View a PDF flyer here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMountain View Phoenix, Fiesta Conference, 2025 LenComment
Experience the Night of Salvation: Easter Vigil at Faith Lutheran, Phoenix
Experience the Night of Salvation: Easter Vigil at Faith Lutheran, Phoenix

Join Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix on Saturday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. for the Easter Vigil, beginning at sunset with the blessing of the new fire and Paschal candle. The service includes readings of salvation history, renewal of baptismal vows, the welcoming of new members, and the first Eucharist of Easter. All are welcome—especially those without a Vigil service at their own church.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Lent, Capital Conference, Faith PhoenixComment
Join a Joyful Church in Carefree: Christ the Lord Seeks Administrative Manager
Join a Joyful Church in Carefree: Christ the Lord Seeks Administrative Manager

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, AZ, is hiring a full-time Administrative Manager to support its ministry and operations as it enters a new chapter of leadership. This 40-hour/week role pays $22–25/hour and includes potential for benefits and remote flexibility. Applications are open until the position is filled. Learn more and apply at ctlcarefree.org or email Pastor Anna Rieke at pastor@ctlcarefree.org. View the PDF job description here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Christ the Lord Carefree, Northeast Valley ConferenceComment
Church Council Sets Direction for 2025 ELCA Assembly in Phoenix
Church Council Sets Direction for 2025 ELCA Assembly in Phoenix

The ELCA Church Council met April 3–6 in Chicago to shape the agenda for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, coming to Phoenix this July. The council received the final report from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church and recommended major actions related to diversity, governance, finances, and the proposed social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All.

To learn what actions may shape the future of the ELCA and how they impact congregations and synods like ours, click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Church CouncilComment
Worship, Music, Formation: Partner Events You Should Know About This Summer
Worship, Music, Formation: Partner Events You Should Know About This Summer

Early-bird registration is now open for the Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy, held August 13–15 in Minneapolis, with the theme “Let It Be With Me According To Your Word: From Praying to Knowing to Doing.” But that’s just one of many opportunities this season for worship leaders and musicians. Upcoming events also include the Lutheran Summer Music Academy in Indiana, a Music That Makes Community retreat in New Mexico, the ALCM Conference in North Carolina, and new catechumenate resources from Journey to Baptismal Living. Explore the full list of partner offerings on the ELCA worship blog.

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ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Lutheran World Federation newsletter
Lutheran World Federation newsletter
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News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardLutheran World FederationComment