University Lutheran Church

340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281-6612 (480) 967-3543

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Thrivent

In Lifting Others, We Rise

Thank you to all who give through your Thrivent account. We changed banks in August, 2023 and now have just one account for University Lutheran and Campus Ministry. Previously, we had two separate accounts.

Thrivent only allows 1 account/1 name per organization (please note that this is a policy of Thrivent) so you will just see the University Lutheran Church option. If you would like your Thrivent Choice Dollars donated to a particular fund, please contact the office: info@ulctempe.org or 480-967-3543.

Other means of donating to University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry are:

  • Give online on our website
  • Mail your donation to the office: 340 E 15th St/Tempe/AZ/85281
  • Place your donation in the offering plate in the sanctuary during Sunday and Wednesday services

Thank you for your continued financial support of University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry. It is greatly appreciated.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our prayer shawls traveled all the way to Jerusalem! Thank you to Autumn Byars who sent a package of prayer shawls to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. They were very appreciative.

If you would like to have a prayer shawl or would like to give one to someone, we have them in the Campus Center. Please help yourself. We also have yarn and needles if you’re interested in making one or two!

Interim Pastor

On January 1st, Pastor Arhiana Shek Dill will be joining University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry as our Intentional Interim Pastor. She will be performing pastoral duties and leading us through the transition and call process.

Pastor Arhiana graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. She also has a BA in Psychology from the University of Iowa, and an associate degree in general studies from Western Iowa Tech Community College.

She is fluent in English and Spanish, and resides in Gilbert with her husband and 4-year old son, We look forward to her time at University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry.

Letter From Pastor Gary

Dear ULC/LCM community:

Wow! That is all I can get out a few days after my last Sunday and a day after my last Wednesday. You made me speechless and you know how rare such an occurrence is for me. I wanted a low key send off, which in many ways was just as I had hoped, but somehow you did that and kicked it up a notch without going past those boundaries. It was a very nice day for me and my family and I will never forget it.

And then came Wednesday. I have had multiple farewells before but always one after the other at consecutive worship services on the same day. But to have the “Twice Weekly Say Goodbye to Pastor Gary” was something else. Instead of maintaining the same moods, it was more “here we go again” than “keep on going.” And Wednesday was touching as well. Again, alumni, parents, members, and students. The buzz of excitement lit up the Campus Center during dinner. Decibel records may have been broken. Then worship, and finally I got to go home while students remained there for I do not know how long.

Thank you for Sunday/Wednesday. Thank you for the financial gift and for the personally created student gifts. Thank you seems so insufficient for what I felt those last days and today. I hope the work I did over the years is seen as also a work of gratitude; gratitude to God and gratitude to the people of God to whom I was fortunate to be called.

The spirit in the ULC/LCM community is good following quite a wounding during the pandemic. I have sadly seen some not yet on that road to recovery. God is at work in ULC/LCM. God seems to like what you do here. In Advent we are to keep watch. Keep watch for what God may be calling you to do. That will help you then discern who it might be to lead you in that call.

If you caught any of the Wednesday service you know I had a lovely time in the ULC/LCM neighborhood. Thank you. The gratitude is deep and will be ever-lasting. As was read in Sunday’s second lesson, “I thank my God for you.” And so I will continue to do.

Gratefully in Christ,

Gary N. McCluskey

PS Picture is of gifts given to Pastor Gary from ULC Young Adults and LCM students. The wooden board was made by architect major, Sean Meseng. Note that the base is the ULC driveway sign.

Pastor Gary’s Retirement

Sunday, December 3, 2023, marked the end of an era. Pastor Gary had is last Sunday worship service. During the Litany of Farewell, he returned a stole, chalice, and Bible that were given to him to use while he was here. Bishop Deborah Hutterer also presided at worship.

A small reception was held in the Campus Center following the service. A special thank you to: Lynn Aiken, Pat Carper, MaryBeth LaMont, Ann Poole, Katherine Stevens, and Lisa Zelenski for organizing the reception.

Enjoy retirement, Pastor Gary! You’ve earned it.