Arizona Faith Network shares a video for their synod assembly report.
“Arizona Faith Network is a interfaith organization dedicated to bringing people together to promote peace and understanding through interfaith education and dialogue as well as healing of the world through collaborative social action.”
Read MoreOn March 31st, 2022, the ELCA Church Council adopted “A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community,” uplifting our commitment to friendship and solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The idea that the ELCA should develop “A Declaration to the Muslim Community” has been around for some time, especially since the Reformation commemorations of 2017, when there was renewed focus in a variety of forums on Luther’s attitudes toward the religious Other.
Read MoreFor the first time in decades we are witnessing a confluence of significant religious holy days and cultural traditions during the month of April. Kristen L. Opalinski shares her thoughts in Perspectives, a new ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious blog. She also shares these links:
This April, Chicago has a rare opportunity for interfaith cooperation
The Confluence of Holy Seasons: An Opportunity to Grow Together
Earth Day is Friday, April 22, 2022! We encourage you to review ELCA’s social statement on Caring for Creation (in English or Spanish), and visit the Environment Advocacy page and resource pages at ELCA.org. And Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the ELCA.
Our friends at the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona have also compiled a great set of Earth Day events that you may interest you.
Read MoreApril is Arab American Heritage Month! The Association of Lutheran of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage (ALAMEH) is hosting an online celebration on Thursday, 4/28/2022, 5pm MST/PDT, 6pm MDT. at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Click here to register.
Read MoreAs the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we assure our Muslim neighbors of our love and respect and reaffirm our commitment to working together in our shared communities for the common good.
As people who know that we live by the grace and in the sight of the one, almighty, and merciful God, we have confidence that our engagement will result in mutual learning, growth, and enrichment. Read the full declaration here.
Read MoreThe Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) invites you to a free and online tri-faith discussion on the Attributes of God, presented by Imam Omar Tawil, Rev. Dr. Rob Boyd, and Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 6pm MST/PDT, 7pm MDT. Get more info and register here.
Read MoreThe Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona shares with us a virtual reality experience of Mecca, coming to the Phoenix Convention Center on May 14 and 15, 2022.
Visit their web page for more info and registration to this immersive virtual reality experience of Mecca, Hijra, Israa & Miraj, and the Mawlid of Prophet Muhammad).
Read MoreThe Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona presents Rev. Adele Resmer, who will share End of Life Practices in Christianity as part of their ILM Circle presentations.
Live streaming Tuesday, 3/29/2022 at 6:30pm MST/PDT, 7:30 MDT. Register here.
Read MoreEcumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) is an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists. Lutherans in attendance have denomination-specific opportunities to get to know one another and vision what we can do together!
#EAD2022 is a virtual gathering, held Wednesday through Friday, April 25-27, 2022. Scholarship opportunities are in this post and more info is at advocacydays.org.
Read MoreThough we have been anxious about the recent growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and between Russia and the NATO countries in recent weeks, we remain deeply concerned, as we have been since 2014, for the impact of this ongoing conflict on innocent civilians throughout Ukraine.
All our religious traditions call us to pray and work for peace. We join our voices and hands together. We must open our eyes to those who are suffering, and we cannot remain indifferent to the injustice this conflict has brought on the people of Ukraine and may bring on people of neighboring countries.
Read MoreMore than 50 years ago, Dr. Mary Nelson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Chicago. For several decades, Dr. Nelson was a faculty member of OMNIA Institute’s predecessor organization SCUPE and she continues as an Advisory Board member of the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership.
In an OMNIA podcast, Dr. Nelson talked about the Beloved Community as God’s vision for the city. It is that same vision that animated the founders of SCUPE to prepare pastors to break down all barriers to the flourishing of community. At the beginning of Black History month, it is fitting that we remember the power of this vision.
Read MoreCoordinated by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), 80 Lutherans representing 23 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts made contact with over 20 lawmakers at the bipartisan Lutheran Day at the Legislature on 2/1/2022.
LAMA Director Solveig Muus also announced a new statewide hunger task force to consolidate hunger advocacy efforts in Arizona. The partnership includes LAMA, Bread for the World, WHEAT, Arizona Food Bank Network and the Arizona Food Systems Network.
Speakers included Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, Rep. Jennifer Longdon, Connie Phillips of LSS-SW, Ashley St. Thomas of Arizona Food Bank Network, and LAMA reps Solveig Muus and Mark Engel. View great photos from David Hoye and read more in our post.
Read MoreThe first time I met Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in the lead up to COP 17. Archbishop Tutu, or simply the Arch as he was affectionately known in his native South Africa, stepped up to the podium with a warm smile, a smile that quickly turned into a steely gaze. “Do not remain quiet!” he implored, “Do not waste a single moment. This is a critical moment in human history, one that requires each and every one of you, of us, to be fully engaged – the clock is at zero!”
Read MoreAs we witness an increase in anti-Semitic actions in this country and around the world, Bishop Eaton reminds us of the words from A Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community.
“We recognize in anti-Semitism a contradiction and an affront to the Gospel, a violation of our hope and calling, and we pledge this church to oppose the deadly working of such bigotry, both within our own circles and in the society around us.”
Read MoreDoes God Test Our Faith? Join Imam Anas Hlayhel, Pastor Adele Resmer, and Rabbi Jeffery B. Lipschultz for a free, online tri-faith discussion Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 6pm MST, 5pm PST. Register here. Presented by this Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA).
Read MoreOn January 19th, 2022, home COVID-19 tests became available through the federal government. We need to ensure that stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable, have access to the testing resources they need in order ensure equitable testing distribution. In this post, find resources on how to help people get free tests and spread the word.
Read MoreDuring this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Bishop Eaton says “more than ever we need to have some kind of witness of the unity and the love that come from Christ…during this week it gives us the possibility to be a witness to the unity, to the beloved community, to the peace and wholeness that everyone knows in God.”
Read MorePlease join the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, and the Interchurch Center Committee on Ecumenical, Interfaith, and Community Concerns, for a live-streamed Ecumenical Service of the Word in observation of the 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Wednesday, January 19th, 2022, 10am MST, 9am PST, online via Facebook: Join Here. Free and open to the public; the service will remain available online for later viewing.
Read MoreAll are welcome to this free event at Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W Erie St., Chandler, AZ 85225. Sunday, 1/16/2022, 5pm MST.
Come for a faith-filled evening of song with pianist Raymond Forte, soloist Diana McCowan, and readings from Letter from Birmingham Jail. Optional children’s focused lesson available. View livestream at Youtube here.
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