Clergy Financial Resources is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Synod Assembly, helping offset the cost of electronic voting. As part of their sponsorship, they’re offering a free download of their 2025 Clergy Housing Guide using coupon code GCS2025. Learn more about their tax, payroll, and bookkeeping services for churches and clergy in this PDF or at clergyfinancial.com.
Read MoreNominate a leader by June 2 for the ELCA’s inaugural Building Resilient Leadership cohort—a 12-month program supporting justice-centered community projects. Participants receive seed funding, monthly training, and mentoring to grow their leadership and deepen their impact.
Read MoreJoin White Lutherans for Racial Justice and ELCA Racial Justice Ministries for a national online gathering on Thursday, May 15, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. Arizona / Pacific Time, to honor the Emanuel Nine through learning, reflection, and action. This 90-minute event offers inspiration and practical tools for deepening your congregation’s commitment to racial justice. Register here.
Read MoreChrist Evangelical Lutheran Church, Goodyear, AZ shares a video for their Outreach Food Pantry program. The CELC Outreach food pantry has been in existence since 2003 and continues to grow and serve the Goodyear (and surrounding) communities. We are a formal partner agency of St. Mary's Food Bank that provides food to over 65 households weekly.
Read MoreFrom in-depth resources on the Revised Common Lectionary and church calendar to practical guides for worship planning, ELCA Worship highlights this month’s offerings from Augsburg Fortress. Explore new titles like A Three-Year Banquet, Using Evangelical Lutheran Worship Vol. 3: Keeping Time, and preorder the new Lutheran Study Bible(NRSVue). Plus, get ready for Sundays and Seasons: Year A and sign up for summer music clinics in five U.S. cities. To read the full list of resources and explore how they support worship leaders, planners, and musicians across the ELCA, click here.
Read MoreFaith-La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Phoenix is hiring a part-time Bilingual Office Administrator. This key ministry role supports office operations, communication, and hospitality in a welcoming, multicultural congregation. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to pastoradelafe@faithalive.com.
Read MoreExplore this month’s free offerings from ELCA Coaching—vigils, trainings, and healing spaces centered on justice and faith. Events include a vigil for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, a gospel concert marking the 5th Angelversary of George Floyd, and the next round of Moving Toward Right Relations training. All are welcome.
Read MoreIn the latest Pivot podcast, discover effective approaches to Gen Z spiritual formation in this insightful Pivot Podcast episode featuring Eric Huseth.
Read MoreHalf of all nursing home residents in the U.S. have no visitors. Pathways in Compassion is a nursing home ministry started by St. John Lutheran Church in Michigan to bring care and connection to those who have been forgotten. Learn how your congregation can get involved or start your own team using their free guide and support.
Read MoreHonoring longtime mentor Jim Hanson, Spirit in the Desert is just $3,000 away from creating a new contemplative garden. Also in the works: the ThanksLiving Music Fest (Nov 28–Dec 1), building upgrades, and community events like book clubs, devotions, and the return of Community of the Wild Goose. Read the full newsletter.
Read MoreIn honor of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries is uplifting voices from Arab and Middle Eastern descent within the church. In My Take: We Are Not Newcomers, Khader Khalilia shares a powerful reflection on the deep faith, hospitality, and history of Arab Christians—and calls us to move beyond celebration to true belonging. Let us not just observe a month; let us be transformed by the witness of Arab American Lutherans. Click here to read the full post at ELCA.org.
Read MoreShare how your ministry is “Building Up the Body” through words, photos, or video. Email submissions to bflatgard@gcsynod.org by May 9, 2025. Select stories will be featured at the Assembly and across synod communications.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman, Native American Urban Ministry, Phoenix, who celebrates 25 years on May 9.
Rev. Timothy Perlick, Mount of Olives, Phoenix, who celebrates 2 years on May 13.
Rev. Christine Stoxen, Holy Trinity, Chandler, who celebrates 25 years on May 14.
The ELCA invites public feedback on a new draft social message addressing child protection and maltreatment. Open through June 30, this document reflects Jesus’ call to welcome children and the church’s responsibility to safeguard their well-being. Read the draft and submit your comments at elca.org/childprotection.
Read MoreJoin the Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA for an online Bible study event with Gather magazine author Rev. Brooke Petersen on Saturday, May 17 from 9–11am MST/PDT. Learn to lead the Summer 2025 study, “Where Two or More Are Gathered: Flourishing in Relationships.” Open to all—register now at www.GrandCanyonWomen.org. View PDF flyer here.
Read MoreJoin thousands of pastors and leaders May 12–15 for the Festival of Homiletics—online or in Atlanta—as we worship, learn, and preach to heal the divide. Experience inspiring sermons, theological lectures, and uplifting worship grounded in Lutheran theology. Register today at festivalofhomiletics.com.
Read MoreMinistry is hard—and full of questions without easy answers. On May 22, join the Rev. Dr. Michael Binder for Faithful Adaptation: Leading Change with Hope, an online workshop that offers tools to move beyond shallow fixes and into deeper, Spirit-led transformation. This 90-minute session is free with a Faith+Lead membership. Learn more and register here: https://lab.faithlead.org/event/faithful-adaptation-leading-change-with-hope/
Read MoreThe School for Lay Ministry begins May 17, 2025, offering a yearlong journey to equip lay leaders for faithful service in preaching, care, worship, and leadership. This online program includes live cohort meetings, flexible learning, and practical resources grounded in Lutheran theology. Tuition is $600, with scholarships and payment plans available. Learn more and register.
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