News

Dear friends,

In September the synod council, staff, and conference deans gathered in Tucson for a weekend of church business, worship, fellowship, and a border immersion experience. The experience comes out of our commitment to live into our strategic plan of communicating Jesus: “We will grow our public witness through advocacy, integrating our ELCA theology and engagement with current issues and contextual realities.”

The workshop included time to examine our perceptions and current knowledge and attitudes around border issues, to actually cross the border and visit our Lutheran-Episcopal ministry, Cruzando Fronteras, and worship with the GCS’s oldest Spanish speaking congregation, Iglesia San Juan Bautista and hear personal stories of their members. We also made commitments of how to share this experience with their congregations, conferences, friends and family. 

READ THE ENTIRE BISHOP’S LETTER ONLINE

Arizona’s highest demand for food in food pantries is summer. Thanks to all who fill our food box year round. Your gifts of non-perishable food items, toilet paper, and Frys food gift cards are especially needed. Place the food cards in the offering or give them to the church office. The food, etc. is placed in the food box at the church entrance. Thank you!!

Thrivent insurance members have a few ways to help ULC/LCM at no cost. 

1. Choice Dollars. Everyone with an account accumulates Choice Dollars. They can only be used for congregations, campus ministries, Lutheran Church colleges, etc. They cannot be utilized for personal use. Thrivent.com has further info.

2. Action Teams: Each member can apply for 2 projects for ULC and/or LCM each year. If approved a $250 prepaid Visa card is sent. You may also request T shirts, thank you cards, and a few other items for the project. Previous projects have been the LCM banquet, retreats, lefse supplies, paint, flower pots, landscape items, and more. Thrivent.com has more info.

You can also ask Terry Pochert or Pastor Gary for further info. Possible projects are retreats, landscape, lefse supplies, and more. Thanks to all who have helped us through Thrivent!

If you would like to select your own books to read during summer, go to www.ulctempe.org. Click on Amazon icon. Ordering through our website gives ULC a percentage of your purchase. On average we receive $100 per month through people who order through our website. Tell your friends and family! Thanks!!

Thanks to all who have signed up to feed students this fall! There are still opportunities to provide food through your cooking gifts or financial gifts. Interested? Talk to Pr. Gary or Amy Gauthier. Also, there is a brochure on the desk at the church entrance titled, “Ministering Through Meals” that has some information. The sign up is on the Moving Bulletin board. Thank you!!