In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Grand Canyon Synod lifts up Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix and the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. Both ministries serve as powerful examples of faith and service, providing spiritual and material support to Native American communities. We honor their efforts and the Indigenous people whose land we now inhabit.
Read MoreThe Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission's House of Prayer celebrates 70 years with the historic installation of its first Navajo-speaking leaders, Patricia Charley and Patterson Yazzie, marking a significant milestone in their ministry.
Read MoreWarm hearts and wide smiles perfectly balanced the chilly Rock Point, Arizona winter air on December 15th, 2022, at the Mission 2022 Christmas Program.
39 Mission students in traditional Navajo finery and costumes sang Christmas carols and told the story of Jesus' birth so many years ago. Read more of the newsletter in this post.
Read MoreIn this update from the Navajo Lutheran Mission, we hear from Executive Director Patterson Yazzie, Curriculum and Special Services Coordinator Molly Gary, and Development Director Deacon Kate Adelman.
The Hozho Café has served over 66,000 meals since the beginning of Covid-19, and their food bank in partnership with St. Mary’s distributed over 300,000 pounds of food to almost 2,000 families.
Read MoreThe Board of Directors of Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission Inc. announce the appointment of Patterson Yazzie as Executive Director. The Board’s unanimous affirmation celebrates Yazzie as the first Navajo executive leader in the Mission’s nearly 70-year history.
Read MoreHouse of Prayer in Rock Point shares the good news of a new altar made of live-edge cypress inlaid with turquoise.
Read MoreIn their most recent newsletter, Navajo Lutheran Mission 2022 Mission Board Chair Patty Charley shares remembrances of the Mission’s founding in 1953.
“God’s love has blessed the Diné with so much. My name is Patty. My community is Rock Point, Arizona, near the Four Corners in the Navajo Nation. This is who I am as a Navajo woman to the world.”
Read More2021 was a very meaningful year for Rock Point area households. In total, the Navajo Lutheran Mission received and distributed over a quarter-million pounds of food to almost 2,000 Navajo homes.
Read MoreFirst and second grade students at Navajo Lutheran Mission Preparatory School are enjoying their hybrid classrooms where they receive a balance of direct and asynchronous instruction. Chromebook laptop computers for each child have made it possible to have our students in school full-time, learning and exploring the world.
Read MoreIn their most recent newsletter, Navajo Lutheran Mission Executive Director and Pastor Kate Adelman shares how sustainable solutions are created when love reframes the conversation.
Read MoreOn Friday, October 8th, 2021, the Navajo Mission Preparatory School completed its first quarter. While this has been a challenging quarter with Covid-19 still looming large, the school has moved forward in some very positive ways.
We are very proud of so many of our families who have embraced our read-at-home program. One of the single biggest predictors of success in school is whether or not a child is read to in the home.
Read MoreIn the August newsletter of the Navajo Lutheran Mission (NELM), Kate Adelson writes, “Blessed with resources and generous donors, the Mission’s potential is enormous…and we have the equally enormous challenge to listen for the true need, consider consequences before we act, serve without dominating, love unconditionally.”
Read MoreIn this season of Labor Day and “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our nation and the ELCA focuses on the nature of work. As the pandemic and natural disasters continue, our call to do God’s work becomes clearer, louder, and more urgent.
Read MoreThe Wisdom Keepers Program is an exciting new way to communicate Jesus, connect people, and create possibilities. It is an amazing opportunity for accompanying the local community as we rediscover the Gospel as interpreted through Navajo culture, traditions, and language.
Read MoreThe Navajo Lutheran Mission’s new partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank is quickly becoming a blessing for Rock Point families.
Twice each month, a semi-load of critical meat, vegetables and other foodstuffs is delivered to the mission's new, huge, walk-in cooler and freezer.
Read MoreWelcome to Patrick and Molly Gary, the newest members of the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission’s growing staff.
Read MoreSunday, August 8, 2021 launched an exciting new era at the Navajo Lutheran Mission, as local Navajo leadership is being developed at the Mission’s House of Prayer.
The new Hodza Yaa Ahalyani (Wisdom Keepers) are Rock Point residents Patty Charley, Patterson Yazzie, and Benedict Bedoni, who were affirmed in ceremonies by Bishop Hutterer, Reverend Jacqueline Pagel, and Mission Pastor Kate Adelman.
Read MoreFor the past few years, each newsletter shows what our team is doing in that week, with three bullet points for each person. We’re expanding this section, continuing with summaries for each person, but providing opportunities for expansion on their week if they desire. We hope this provides you with more insight into your synod.
We have an upcoming Grand Canyon Synod Council meeting, and Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui are traveling to House of Prayer and NELM in Rock Point. Pastor Miguel meets with First Evangelical Lutheran council in Mesa. View all the details for each team member in this post.
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