This section is dedicated to celebrating and lifting up the everyday work of our congregations, ministries, and partners at various levels—from local to global. Join us in gratitude and prayer for these people and organizations. View all our spotlight posts here.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, and violence, especially Ukraine, Palestine, Myanmar, and South Sudan…
For those in the path of Cyclone Alfred in Australia…
For those who are unemployed, underemployed, or facing uncertainty regarding employment…
For areas of the United States facing significant winter weather…
For Pope Francis, during his continued hospitalization…
For Muslim neighbors observing Ramadan…
For Jewish neighbors celebrating Purim…
For those preparing for baptism during the holy season of Lent…
For the dignity, autonomy, and safety of women, and in thanksgiving for their gifts and contributions in the world…
For all whose civil rights are threatened or erased, especially our transgender neighbors…
For safety and protection for migrants, and for justice for those who have been deported or forcibly relocated…
For those who use God’s gifts of science and medicine to explore cures, preventions, and vaccines…
The Office of the Bishop Staff travels the synod to visit congregations and leaders, and attends the Installation of Rev. Mari Larson at St. Andrew Lutheran in Las Vegas, Mar 9, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. We also share a photo from our recent in-person staff meeting.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stephen Talmage, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 40 years on March 10.
Rev. Patsy Koeneke, who celebrates 18 years on March 11.
Rev. Bruce Ayers, who celebrates 63 years on March 11.
Rev. Steven Crittenden, Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, who celebrates 16 years on March 12.
Rev. Beth Gallen, New Journey, Fountain Hills, who celebrates 4 years on March 13.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Beth Gallen and the people of New Journey Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, part of the Northeast Valley Conference.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Jill Doherty, Rev. Joseph Doherty, Rev. Katie Langston and the people of New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, part of the Colorado River Conference.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, and violence, especially Ukraine, Palestine, Myanmar, and South Sudan…
For refugees, migrants, and detained peoples around the world, including the deportation of Uyghurs out of Thailand…
For Muslim neighbors preparing to begin observance of the holy month of Ramadan…
For access to healthcare and for all who rely on government programs to maintain that access…
For medical research and advances in public health…
For Pope Francis, during his continued hospitalization…
For congregations and their leaders, as they prepare for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent…
For the body of Christ in all of its diversity…
For Jesus’s Transfiguration and for all who seek to be seen and loved for who they truly are…
The Office of the Bishop Staff gathers for an in-person staff meeting and prepares for our synod assembly in June.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jeremy Nausin, Holy Spirit, Las Vegas, who celebrates 10 years on March 1.
Rev. Elaine Watskey, who celebrates 22 years on March 1.
Rev. Timothy Wright, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 41 years on March 4.
Rev. Jonathan Linman, Faith/La Fe, Phoenix, who celebrates 36 years on March 4.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Christine Stoxen and the people of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, part of the Fiesta Conference.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Greg Hartman and the people of New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference.
The Office of the Bishop Staff attends to daily operations and attends the Installation of Rev. Charles Newman at King of Glory Lutheran in Tempe, Feb 23, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. We also share photos from Shane Claiborne at New Spirit Lutheran in Tucson: Addressing Poverty Through Faith and the Ordination and Installation of Wendi Van Beek at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Tucson.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political instability, especially Ukraine, Gaza, and Bangladesh…
For safety for all travelers, especially air travel…
For health care workers, researchers, environmental workers, educators, and all professions affected by political changes…
For those who rely on medication for health and well-being…
For Pope Francis, during his hospitalization and treatment…
For flooding in Kansas and West Virginia…
For winter weather and those who live without home or shelter…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, who celebrates 16 years on February 22.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 28 years on February 23.
Rev. Kaila Armbruster, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 11 years on February 23.
Rev. Paul Block, New Song, Henderson, who celebrates 24 years on February 24.
Rev. Arhiana Shek-Dill, University, Tempe, ASU LCM, Tempe, who celebrates 13 years on February 25.
Rev. Robert Crabb, who celebrates 30 years on February 26.
Rev. Christopher Heller, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 15 years on February 28.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Judi Tyler and the people of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Craig Corbin and the people of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City, part of the Colorado River Conference.
The Office of the Bishop Staff prepares for the synod assembly in June, the Churchwide Assembly in late July, and attends the Ordination and Installation of Wendi Van Beek at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Tucson, Feb 19, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political instability, especially Ukraine, Gaza, and Bangladesh…
For Israeli and Palestinian hostages…
For all organizations whose mission and work centers on migrants, elders, those living in poverty, those seeking behavioral health services, foster care and adoption services, employment assistance, hunger relief, and other ministries of societal care…
For our nation, all who govern, and all leaders tasked with attending to the common good…
For healthcare workers and health research…
For those affected by flu, COVID, RSV, norovirus, and other heightened illnesses…
For global neighbors, especially Canada and Mexico…
For ongoing earthquakes on the Greek island of Santorini…
For victims of the Guatemalan bus crash and their families…
We uplift and pray for Rev. Kevin Meyer and the people of Covenant Lutheran Church in Quartzsite, part of the Cactus Conference.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Daniel Valasakos, Rev. Louis Liss and the people of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Barbara Bengtson, who celebrates 31 years on February 20.
The Office of the Bishop Staff will be there with you at Lutheran Day at the AZ Legislature 2025, Feb 10, 2025, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, and don’t forget about Lutheran Lobby Day: Advocate for Justice in Nevada, Feb 10, 2025, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. We’ll also see you at various congregations as we visit and preach. We share photos from Bishop Hutterer’s visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary celebration of American Lutheran Church in Sun City.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political transition: Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria…
For shooting victims in Örebro, Sweden…
For those experiencing earthquakes on the Greek island of Santorini…
For the victims of plane crashes in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia…
For the work of Lutheran Services in America, Global Refuge, and other Lutheran ministries…
For the the African Descent Lutheran Association and for ELCA staff at the Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities desk…
For all who are unemployed, underemployed, and unjustly removed from employment…
For migrants and all who travel, especially those seeking refuge from violence, injustice, and abuse…
For threats to human rights across the world…
For all who struggle with the challenges of winter, especially those without stable housing or heat and those who experience seasonal affective disorder…
For all who experience discrimination, violence, or injustice due to race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, or other identity…
For the United States in this time of political tension and transition…
We uplift and pray for Rev. Stephen Talmage, Rev. Nanette Christofferson and the people of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, part of the Rio Salado Conference.
We uplift and pray for Rev. Carl Sirotzki and the people of Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Payson, part of the High Country Conference.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Mark Wickstrom, who celebrates 39 years on February 9.
Rev. Daniel Paulson, who celebrates 28 years on February 9.
Lent: How the season is marked in the Lutheran communion
Burghardt: Lent as a time of caring for one another
30 years on: Beijing Conference on women’s rights
Strengthening faith and community: General Secretary visits Slovenia
LWF President: upholding democracy, sharing hope
Rwanda: Building ‘skills and confidence, not dependency’