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

A Prayer Shawl is started with a prayer blessing for the recipient; prayers continue through the creative process. It is a blend of prayers, talents, gifts, and grace and show that we are all knit together by God’s guiding hands and love. Many many thanks to Lynn Becker and Mary Ann Salz for getting this idea launched!

At ULC this is a loosely knit group! Meaning anyone can join in that knits or crochets or knows of someone needing a prayer shawl, lap robe, gift, reminder that you are loved, We discovered that quite a few of us knit and a few crochet, or know how to crochet and there may be others who would like to contribute, but don’t or can’t knit or crochet. We will accept donations of yarn, money to send the shawl, and ideas or desires of who to send shawls to. You will find a chest that holds the shawls in or around the ULC campus (we’re not sure where to put it yet). The only requirement is that you tell your story of who the shawl is going to and where it is going such as our first story below and add it to the Trail of Tales. 

Trail of Tales: 

#1: Our first shawl is going to our recently relocated member, Janet Anderson. She was always chilly in services, and since she left without a lot of notice, we ladies of the ULC wanted to send her a shawl as our replacements for hugs and warmth. We ladies also wanted her to know that we miss her and think of her often. We are happy for her relocation close to her son and his family. 

(I’ll purchase a chest or box of sorts and print on card stock to attach to the shawls the story of the shawls. I’m not sure where to place it yet, but we’ll work that out later and make an announcement for them.)

Thanks so much,

Lori Zurcher

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!!