Posts tagged Stewardship
ELCA Foundation: National Estate Planning Month is here
ELCA Foundation: National Estate Planning Month is here

October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect on your legacy and ensure your future wishes are clearly outlined. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy — it’s for everyone who wants to protect their loved ones, ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes, and avoid unnecessary stress down the road.

Please reach out to Lisa Higginbotham or your regional gift planner if you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting. Together, we can create a charitable plan that gives you peace of mind, cares for loved ones, and ensures the continuation of God’s work in the world for years to come.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Foundation, StewardshipComment
Celebrating the Legacy of Gloria Christi Federated Church
Celebrating the Legacy of Gloria Christi Federated Church

Gloria Christi Federated Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, held its final service this past Sunday, celebrating decades of unity and service. In a spirit of generosity, the congregation made significant gifts to the Grand Canyon Synod, including an endowment supporting our mission and campus ministries. Their legacy lives on through these acts of love and outreach, blessing future generations in faith. Read more in this post from Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity & Strategic Development.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, Rev. Dan PotaznickComment
Guarding the Gift: How Estate Planning Extends Your Ministry Beyond This Life
Guarding the Gift: How Estate Planning Extends Your Ministry Beyond This Life

In this reflection, Pastor Mike Girlinghouse, Interim Chaplain at LCM Canterbury in Flagstaff, shares how estate planning serves as an act of faithful stewardship, allowing us to bless ministries and loved ones even after we’re gone. Inspired by 2 Timothy 1:12-14, we are reminded of the importance of entrusting our lives and resources to God’s care.

Read Pastor Girlinghouse’s devotion about the impact of planned giving and how to secure your legacy through trusts and wills. Interested in setting up an estate plan? Contact the Office of the Bishop at gcsynod.org/contact.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship Team, ELCA FoundationComment
Where Your Heart Is: A Change Will Do You Good
Where Your Heart Is: A Change Will Do You Good

As we enter the season of change, it’s the perfect time for congregations to reimagine their approach to stewardship. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21, we’re reminded that where our treasure is, our hearts follow. Are your current practices in generosity still sparking joy and connection? If not, this might be the moment to explore new strategies—narrative budgets, fresh offering moments, or seasonal shifts in appeals. Let this autumn be a time of transformation, as we align our stewardship efforts with God’s mission in our communities. Read more in this month's "Where Your Heart Is."

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ELCA, News, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardStewardship, Where Your Heart IsComment
Unlock the Power of Narrative Mission Plans: Webinar Recording Now Available
Unlock the Power of Narrative Mission Plans: Webinar Recording Now Available

Missed the “Learn How to Construct a Narrative Mission Plan” webinar with Pastor Tim Brown? No problem! The full recording is now available, along with essential resources to guide you through creating a mission-focused budget. Learn how to effectively communicate your congregation’s impact with these step-by-step tools. Access the recording and resources today!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship TeamComment
Empower Your Congregation with Solar: Discover Financing Options in IPL’s Webinar
Empower Your Congregation with Solar: Discover Financing Options in IPL’s Webinar

Discover how your congregation can go solar with insights from Interfaith Power & Light’s recent webinar on solar financing. The session covers various financing options, federal incentives like Direct Pay, and real-life experiences from a congregation that has successfully navigated the process. Access the webinar recording and additional resources to start your solar journey today.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardGCS Stewardship Team, StewardshipComment
Support Your Synod and Save on Taxes: A Special IRA Opportunity
Support Your Synod and Save on Taxes: A Special IRA Opportunity

Discover how you can make a difference and save on taxes with an IRA charitable rollover. If you’re 70½ or older, this special opportunity allows you to give up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity, like your ELCA congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, without paying income taxes on the amount. Connect with Lisa Higginbotham, our Regional Gift Planner, to learn more about this impactful and tax-efficient way to support the ministries you care about.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship Team, ELCA FoundationComment
Living That Summer Life: Embracing Faith and Planning
Living That Summer Life: Embracing Faith and Planning

ELCA’s Congregational Stewardship Support team shares their monthly "Where Your Heart Is" newsletter. The excitement of July, filled with images from the ELCA Youth Gathering and mission trips, highlights the importance of early and strategic planning. Congregational leaders are encouraged to channel their community’s energy into living out the gospel through thoughtful preparation and resource management.

Upcoming events include a grant writing webinar on August 19 and the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Portland from September 23-25. Embrace this season with dedication and faith, making July memorable and impactful through careful planning and stewardship.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWhere Your Heart Is, ELCA Congregational Stewardship Support, StewardshipComment
Thermostat energy savings project​: Are you wearing a sweater while your pastor is sweating?
Thermostat energy savings project​: Are you wearing a sweater while your pastor is sweating?

In this article from the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team, discover how Spirit of Hope in Mesa, AZ, saved $6,000 annually on utility bills by installing programmable thermostats. By leveraging SRP’s rebate programs, the church improved comfort, reduced costs, and embraced good stewardship practices. Learn how you can implement similar energy-saving measures in your congregation and benefit from available promotions.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardGCS Stewardship Team, Stewardship, Climate ChangeComment
Pause and Reflect: Embracing Stewardship in the Midst of Summer
Pause and Reflect: Embracing Stewardship in the Midst of Summer

As we step into June, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect. Congregational leaders often worry about attendance and engagement during the summer, but June offers a unique opportunity to take a moment to just be. The latest “Where Your Heart Is” newsletter from Tim Brown, ELCA’s Director of Congregational Stewardship, explores how to find peace, share community stories, and stay connected with upcoming stewardship events.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWhere Your Heart Is, StewardshipComment
Unveiling the 2023 ELCA Foundation Annual Report: A Year of Growth and Generosity
Unveiling the 2023 ELCA Foundation Annual Report: A Year of Growth and Generosity

Explore the ELCA Foundation’s latest strides toward intentional generosity and financial stewardship in the newest issue of “Insights.” This edition includes the expanded 2023 annual report, featuring both gift planning and investment services. Learn about their new Vice President of Advancement role and find inspiring articles on leaving a legacy. Engage with the full content for more details and updates.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Foundation, StewardshipComment
Why Your Legacy Gift Matters
Why Your Legacy Gift Matters

Legacy gifts provide a unique opportunity to support your congregation and the Grand Canyon Synod for generations to come. Unlike direct donations, legacy gifts do not affect your current finances and allow you to honor your lifelong commitment to your faith community. Partner with Lisa Higginbotham from the ELCA Foundation to explore tax-efficient, impactful giving options that reflect your values and devotion.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Foundation, StewardshipComment
Spring into Generosity: ELCA Invites Congregations to Deepen Stewardship Practices
Spring into Generosity: ELCA Invites Congregations to Deepen Stewardship Practices

This month's "Where Your Heart Is" newsletter from the ELCA Stewardship team emphasizes the importance of slowing down amidst the busyness of life, especially during the Holy Week and tax season.

The newsletter also introduces valuable stewardship resources and invites engagement with stewardship themes in upcoming lectionary readings, underscoring stewardship as a holistic approach to living out our faith.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, Where Your Heart IsComment
Legacy of Love: How One ELCA Member’s Estate Planning is Extending Her Husband’s Legacy
Legacy of Love: How One ELCA Member’s Estate Planning is Extending Her Husband’s Legacy

The ELCA Foundation's latest edition of "Insights" brings opportunities and tools for supporters to enhance their contributions to the church's vibrant ministries. Highlighting the rise in charitable gift annuity rates, the introduction of a new estate-planning resource, and inspiring stories of legacy, the newsletter underscores the impact of thoughtful giving.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, ELCA FoundationComment
Deepening Our Relationship with the Spirituality of Fundraising
Deepening Our Relationship with the Spirituality of Fundraising

NEW DATE: The ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Team in partnership with Congregation and Synod Mission Support Team invites Mission Developers and New Ministries leaders to a one-day online empowerment event.  This online stewardship workshop offered at no cost for Grand Canyon Synod congregations: Thursday, 3/7/2024, 9am-2pm MST, 8am-1pm PST. Click here to register.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLay Leadershipo, StewardshipComment
Embrace Winter's Stillness with Strategic Stewardship Planning, Suggests ELCA's Tim Brown
Embrace Winter's Stillness with Strategic Stewardship Planning, Suggests ELCA's Tim Brown

In the latest Where Your Heart Is newsletter, Rev. Tim Brown invites congregations to actively engage in stewardship planning during the winter season, suggesting the creation of a year-round stewardship calendar. This approach aligns church activities with its mission, integrating stewardship discussions throughout the year.

Upcoming webinars and events, including one on constructing a stewardship calendar and another on deepening relationships with fundraising, aim to equip leaders with the skills for impactful ministry. These initiatives underscore the importance of continuous stewardship education and the embrace of holistic financial practices within church communities.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWhere Your Heart Is, StewardshipComment
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities
Maximize Your Ministry's Impact: Five Exciting Stewardship and Leadership Growth Opportunities

Elevate your church leadership and stewardship skills with ELCA's exciting opportunities. Join webinars, seminars, and learning communities starting February 2024, to enhance donor relations, financial empowerment, and much more.

Register today to transform your ministry's financial and leadership capabilities with one of the five offerings: Cultivating the Craft of Asking; African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment; Deepening Our Relationship with the Spirituality of Fundraising; Financial Best Practices Learning Community, and Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardshipComment