The news this month is pretty short, since we haven’t been able to meet. Our online art contest finished, and the winner did this knock-out mural. Congrats to @Guserblue of McAllen, Texas for this great piece.
Join us for weekly meetings on zoom. No agenda, just catching up with each other for the week, being there for each other.
Read MoreSynod members shared various stories of hope with us recently, and please remember to share yours. Some highlights:
Pastor Robert Jones with Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, Tucson, shares a Facebook album of a "Six Car Easter Parade," with 14 drive-by visits to homebound members and friends in neighborhoods on the west side of Tucson.
Pastor Carol Breimeier with Esperanza Lutheran Church, Ahwatukee, notes that the Ahwatukee Foothills News highlighted efforts by Esperanza folks for sewing masks and providing meals for healthcare workers.
Carol Brezina, Outreach Chair at Christ Lutheran, Sedona, let us know that 288 personal care kits were packed there on behalf of Lutheran World Relief.
Finally, Claire Crum, Church Council President at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman shares they are creating CDC approved face masks utilizing their own material, machines, and, of course their time and talent.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Jeff Kallevig, whose final Sunday at Our Saviour’s, Tucson, was this Easter. Rev. Kallevig is accepting a call to North Hollywood, California.
Eternal God, we thank you for Jeff and for our life together in the Grand Canyon Synod. As he has been a blessing to us, so now send him forth to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreDavid Pavesic of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Tucson, writes: “More than hospitals need masks, though the needs are different. We have been sewing simple masks to be used by caregivers and other helpers of the most vulnerable. They can be worn by those helping with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, and local food pantries and other social service agencies.”
Read MoreHere’s the newsletter for March. As always, feel free to copy and share. A big welcome to our new assistant – Monty SES Esposito who is going to be helping us out with logistics, promotion, and art in the community.
Read MoreCANCELLED: American Ev. Lutheran Church, Tucson, has cancelled the spring block party on Saturday, March 28, 1-5PM.
Read MoreWe lift up our Christian siblings in Safford, Arizona. Despite not having a formal church, these brothers and sisters of what was Faith Lutheran in Safford continue to meet and give their gifts to the Grand Canyon Synod.
Read MoreWhen the 500th anniversary of The Lutheran Reformation took place in 2017, the Vatican and The Lutheran World Federation issued a joint statement and study document, “From Conflict to Communion.” (View online or as PDF.)
A series of Lenten dialogs is our local participation in that endeavor to build ecumenical understanding and cooperation. Three Wednesday morning sessions, from 10:30 am to noon, will take place in March, with Bishop Hutterer and Bishop Weisenburger attending some of the dialogs.
March 11, 2020 @ Lutheran Church of the Foothills
March 18, 2020 @ St Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, featuring Bishop Weisenburger
March 25 @ Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, featuring Bishop Hutterer
Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista, is searching for a part-time Music/Choir director to lead the Congregation in worshipful music and singing at regular and special services. This position supervises the SELC organist and the Contemporary Worship team leader(s) as well. Hours will vary as required. If interested please contact the church office at 520-459-0444, admin@selcaz.org or go to our website: www.selcaz.org
Read MoreThis is the only time we will be promoting church division! Tanque Verde Lutheran Church in Tucson is giving away a room divider, approximately 37 feet long, 8.5 feet tall. Each panel measures 44 inches wide. Divider hangs from a ceiling track. All parts in excellent condition.
Also available, some communion ware. Contact Joe Paugh or Pastor Stephen at 520.749.1606.
Read MoreWe pray for the family of Bob Malde, who passed away at 2:40pm Monday, February 17, 2020. Bob is the father of Karen Kallevig, who is married to Pastor Jeff Kallevig, Our Saviour’s, Tucson.
Pastor Kallevig writes, “He was surrounded by his family and blessed by God’s grace. Yesterday morning he listened to the worship service of his home congregation on the radio and his family sang hymns of worship along with the congregation that was holding him in prayer, as were many of you. May God grant him everlasting peace, and may the everlasting light of Christ shine upon him.”
A memorial service celebrating his life is tentatively being planned for 1:pm Saturday, 2/22 at First Lutheran Church, Ellensburg WA.
Read MoreWe pray for the family of Pastor Jeff Kallevig and wife Karin, Our Saviour’s, Tucson, who inform us that Karin’s father, Bob Malde, has been in the end-stage of liver cancer for some time. Bob has now stopped chemo and entered home hospice in Washington, where Karin is now.
Pastor Kallevig writes: “We have been blessed by many holy moments over the last two years of his struggle with cancer. So in this time there is a deep sense of gratitude and peace, mixed with the sorrow. Thank you all for your ongoing care and support. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
“Almighty God, your love never fails, and you can turn the shadow of death into daybreak. Help us to receive your word with believing hearts, so that, confident in your promises, we may have hope and be lifted out of sorrow into the joy and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.”
Read MoreGolfers and non-golfers can raise funds for church leaders through the Ken Ahlstrand Memorial FLIM Golf Classic, Monday, March 30, 2020, at the Oro Valley Country Club. Last year’s tournament raised over $25,000. Over the last 16 years, more than $200,000 has been raised for the ELCA Fund for Leaders through this event. View this PDF for more info and to register.
Read MoreFriends of Open Space, Here’s our February newsletter. Please note the change in venue of our two worship services this month: Feb 6th and 27th. For these dates we’ll be meeting at the Koch Chapel at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson. Same service, different location.
Read MoreWe pray for Pastor Alan Field and the congregation of New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson.
We lift up the charter ministry team leaders: Altar Care, Bob Daliege; Audio Visual, Don Austin, Ken Dobbs, Shelley Colwell; Budget & Finances, Terry Wolfe; Building & Grounds, Ken Dobbs, John Lukecart, Don Crow; Columbarium/Memorial Garden, Jeremy Kwapich; Endowment Board, Don Austin, Edna Walton, Brenda Feller; Memorial Committee, Judy McFarland; Missions and Service, Judy McFarland, Sharon Dobbs, Craig Geiger; Prayer Chain email/telephone, Brenda Feller/Ellie Thompson, Barb Verthein; SOS, Gloria Burke; WELCA, Joyce Dow.
We pray for the the church council: President David Grundstrom; Vice President Jenny Kwapich, Secretary Shelley Colwell; Treasurer Terry Wolfe, President Ex-Officio: Susan Armstrong; Members at Large Laurie Bernard, Amber Uidenich, Martin Mosthaff, Brigitte Stuetze, Deloris Hanneman, and Renee Geiger.
Read MoreFriends of Open Space Church, here’s our January newsletter, a little late because of the holidays.
We have our usual paint nights and worship on Thursdays at The Studio Space. Also, our annual meeting is January 30th at 7pm at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church at 5360 E. Pima St, Tucson (Pima-Craycroft).
Read MoreWe pray for the people of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ. We lift up Senior Pastor Jeff Kallevig, Parish Administrator Kathryn Barrera, Publications Coordinator Steve VanMeter, Nursery Coordinator Tammie Anderson, and Facilities Technician Mark Valenzuela.
Read MoreWe pray for the people and leaders of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, AZ, called by God’s Spirit to be the presence of Christ in their daily lives so that others will follow Him.
We pray for: Rev. Dr. Terri Young, Interim Senior Pastor, Rev. Al Jensen, Senior Pastor (on leave); Rev. Tim Nybroten, Evangelism Pastor; Assisting Pastors Roger Pierce, Jim Vadis, and Wayne Viereck; the Church Council; Child Development Center Director Chris Justesen; Children and Family Ministry Co-Directors Brenda O'Connor and Janitzy Spencer; High School Youth Director Jason Benedict; Music & the Arts Minister for Adults Tanya Elias; Organist Larry Kuipers; Handbell Director Ann Paulson; Accompanists Pam Batten Jamee Haddorff; Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Choir Director Charles Riddell; Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Volunteer Coordinator Karen Hustad; Accompanist Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Susan Tjossem; Contemporary Band Leader & Youth Music Director AJ Lepore; Worship Resources Coordinator Gretchen Crandall; Communications Coordinator Char Jensen; Welcome Coordinator Kristina Randolph; Technology Specialist Glenn Paulson; Parish Bookkeeper Janet Singler; Property Manager Mike Nolan; Custodians Richard Oldenburg and Paul Filippelli.
Read MoreFrom Annette Chavez: There is new life in the desert here at San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona. Maria Martinez and her grandson, Mario, joined Pastor Mateo and yours truly. We worked together and planted seven gallon size trees.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Vista, AZ, sharing Christ's love with all, so that lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit. We lift up in prayer Pastor Mark Perry, Intern Pastor Paul Benz, Director of Faith Formation Linda Perry, and Administrative Assistant Cindy Allen.
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