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Presiding Bishop Eaton’s Message on the Death of Pope Francis

April 24, 2025

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April 21, 2025

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Dear church,

On this Easter Monday, we of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join with people around the world in heartfelt grief at the death of Pope Francis, and we celebrate his life eternal in Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis served Christ’s church with wisdom, courage and humility. Throughout his pastoral ministry, he served as an instrument of God’s justice and peace for all people and the whole of creation. His commitment to the poorest people, in his native Buenos Aires and around the world, was ever present, even in his simple living.

Pope Francis will go down in history as the first Jesuit bishop of Rome and the first from the Americas. His papacy will be remembered for his clarion call to action for climate justice, his bold engagement in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, his compassionate approach to several complex social issues, and his clear concern about the rise of right-wing populism worldwide and its impact on the most vulnerable.

In particular, we will remember Pope Francis for his significant contributions to the dialogue of life between Lutherans and Catholics, advancing the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. We will recall with amazement his participation alongside the Lutheran World Federation in a joint ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on Oct. 31, 2016. I will never forget witnessing the procession of the pope and the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation down the aisle in red stoles during the prayer service that day. We give thanks to God for this witness to our visible unity in Christ.

We pray that God will strengthen the people of the Roman Catholic Church with the promise of Christ’s resurrection. We extend our condolences to all our Catholic siblings, including the bishops, priests, deacons, scholars and laypeople with whom we are in dialogue and partnership. We also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the deliberations of the College of Cardinals as they begin the process of selecting a new pope.

O God, we remember with thanksgiving
those who have loved and served you on earth
and now rest from their labors, especially our brother, Pope Francis.
Keep us in union with all your saints,
and bring us with them to the joyous feast of heaven;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Your Mission Support at Work: Advocacy Ministries Fueling Justice in AZ & NV

April 1, 2025

“Did you know that every dollar your congregation shares in Mission Support strengthens ministry that transforms lives, far beyond our sanctuaries?

Thanks to your generosity, Lutheran advocacy ministries in Arizona and Nevada are raising faithful voices for justice in our statehouses, neighborhoods, and public life. Here’s a glimpse of what your support is making possible:

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA).
This year, LAMA hosted its largest-ever Arizona Lutheran Day at the Legislature. More than 200 Lutherans and partners participated, representing 29 of 30 legislative districts, a 60% increase from last year. Attendees engaged in advocacy training, Capitol tours, and met with 45 legislators, offering faith-rooted support for policies like HB2213 (Free School Lunches). Lawmakers are now actively reaching out to LAMA for input and partnership.

A $3,500 Synod grant, made possible through Mission Support, allowed LAMA to purchase essential bill-tracking software, dramatically increasing capacity to monitor and respond to over 1,800 pieces of legislation introduced this year.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN).
Led by new Director Rev. Paul Larson, LEAN hosted Nevada Lutheran Lobby Day with participation from seven ELCA congregations and one Episcopal church. They met with lawmakers across six meetings, advocating on more than 70 bills addressing housing, immigration, food insecurity, and care for creation.

Region 2 Lenten Challenge.
Through initiatives like the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge, congregations are directly engaging in advocacy around food justice, water conservation, and equity.

These ministries thrive because of your faithful giving. Whether it’s securing free school lunches, equipping emerging leaders, or bearing witness to our faith in the public square, your Mission Support makes it possible.

To learn more or get involved:
• LAMA: www.LAMAz.org
• LEAN: www.LEANForJustice.org
• Grand Canyon Synod Public Engagement: www.GCSynod.org.

With gratitude,

Rev. Dan Potaznick, CFRE
Director of Generosity & Strategic Development
Office of the Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod”

Please view the PDF for the full version of this “Thank You” letter.

One of Our Students…

March 20, 2025

Opening Doors.

“I found some of my best friends through Lutheran Campus Ministry”, a recurring reminder from Kalee Porter, a student who has found her place amongst others at University Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona. Kalee originally comes from the Mormon faith in her family, and was given the opportunity to explore other walks of faith in life when her parents pulled out of the Mormon church. “Women were not allowed in leadership, and still aren’t. They [her parents] also wanted to be mindful of the fact that their children could grow up to be people that identify whatever they choose to be labeled as.”

As someone who was then agnostic, the idea of pursuing a different faith was a bit nerve wracking. At University Lutheran Church, Kalee no longer needed to worry about this dilemma. “Even when I started coming to Lutheran Campus Ministry, I didn’t come with the intention that I would become a Christian. I started to enjoy the people that are here, and felt more comfortable stepping into a faith that I could call my own.” Lutheran Campus Ministry prides itself on opening its doors to any and all people, regardless of faith, gender, sexuality, shape, size, everything.

Thank you for supporting the faith of students like Kalee, and for providing a place where they can grow in their relationship with Jesus. Kalee has shown to be a pillar of leadership among her peers in this ministry, always finding ways to make new friends and welcome students new to Lutheran Campus Ministry. Your continued investment in the students of University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry helps provide spaces for individuals like Kalee to find community and empowerment in their faith, and makes this a safe space for those of all walks of life.

University Lutheran Church, Tempe, Arizona is one of 176 ministries affiliated with LuMin, the ELCA Campus Ministry Network.