News Blog
Pastor’s Pen | July 2024
For this month’s Pastor Pen, Pastor Beth shares a video about the upcoming worship series: “A Place for You”
Arizona Faith Network’s Heat Relief Bag Drive
Join Arizona Faith Network for an afternoon of community service. Together we will pack heat relief bags for community members and cooling centers to hand out to those in need of heat relief. Donations are needed!
Missed the 2024 Assembly? Watch the Grand Canyon Synod’s Livestream Replays
For those who were unable to attend our recent Grand Canyon Synod Assembly in person or wish to revisit the discussions and celebrations, we have good news! All sessions of the assembly, including the special Diakonia Graduation, are now available to watch on the Love of Christ Lutheran’s Facebook page.
This post was shared from the Grand Canyon Synod’s website.
Deborah Hutterer Reelected Bishop of the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod
The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer was reelected June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-15 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa, Ariz.
This post was shared from the Grand Canyon Synod’s website.
2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly Summary
The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly convened Thursday through Saturday, June 13–15, 2024, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme, “Embody the Word.”
This post was shared from the Grand Canyon Synod’s website.
Imagine East Mesa Needs School Supplies!
Next project? Imagine East Mesa School Supplies! We do not have a wishlist yet, but you can keep your eyes out for great sales!. We'll aim to deliver our contributions to IEM in mid-July.
Empowering Refugee Artisans
Did you know that Afghan (and other) refugee women who are part of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest's women's empowerment program have their own Etsy site where handmade items can be purchased?
Thanks for the Summer Heat Respite Lunch Pack!
More thanks! What a great crew of 20 New Journeyans to launch the 2024 Summer Heat Respite Lunch Pack Series for Grace Lutheran in downtown Phoenix!
Thanks for supporting the book drive!
Books, books, books: New Journey's gathering of books for Living Water VBS book drive continues through Sunday, June 16. We would love to see those bins fill up! Read more details here.
May Council Meeting Minutes
To read the approved May Congregation Council meeting minutes, click here.
If you have questions, please contact any member of the Congregation Council.
Cindi Brady—President
Pete Galindez—Vice President
Mike Bartanen—Treasurer
Karl Flormoe—Secretary
Jo Martinson—Member at Large
Mike Wilson—Member at Large
Pastor Beth Gallen
The congregation council is taking a break for the month of July and we are not meeting again until August 13th at 5:30 pm. Council meetings are open to any member of the congregation to attend. Should you wish to address the council, please contact Cindi Brady a week before the scheduled meeting to be placed on the agenda.
Pastor’s Pen | June 2024
Towards the close of 2023, the congregation council articulated a vision for our community: “Telling the Story.”
When we began thinking about this vision and how it would direct us in 2024, we were, primarily, focused on celebrating 10 years as an organized congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
For the first quarter of the year, “Telling the Story” related to remembering the last 10 years of our shared ministry: the people whose gifts deeply shaped us, the pivotal moments that defined us as a community, and celebrating God who has accompanied us in this journey of faith.
Communication Corner | June
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Summer Blood Drives
Make a difference this summer by donating blood! Join us for not one, but two community blood drives this month.
Save the date: 2025 Food for Kidz Food Pack
Mark your calendars for New Journey’s 13th Food for Kidz Food Pack. The 2025 event will be held on Wednesday, February 26. The New Journey Lutheran Church Food for Kidz Team met May 29. The following Goals were set for 2025:
Embracing Diversity: Celebrating Pride Month
In June, we honor Pride Month—a time when the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates their freedom to express their true selves. As a congregation, we extend a warm welcome to people of all races, cultures, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, expressions, abilities, and economic backgrounds. At New Journey, our foundation rests on radical hospitality and openness. Through Christ’s teachings, we learn to love one another as God loves us, fostering growth in our faith.
Advocacy Alert: Oppose HCR 2060
Advocacy Alert: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMAz.org) urges us to let our State legislators know that we oppose HCR 2060, which would essentially bring back 2010's SB1070 anti-immigration law that was declared unconstitutional.
Join Our Social Ministry Team Meeting!
Social Ministry Team Meeting: June 30, 11:30 a.m., at church, to plan for the balance of 2024. Anyone is welcome to join.
NJLC Summer Heat Respite Lunch Pack
Be ready! Your NJLC lunch pack team is preparing for the June 17, 9:00 a.m., launch of the 2024 heat respite season. We will be joined by 4-5 observer-guests from Ascension, Christ the Lord, Living Water, and New Covenant so they are prepared for their lunch packs in the coming weeks. All New Journeyans are welcome!!
Living Water VBS Book Drive
Books, books, books: New Journey's gathering of books for Living Water VBS book drive continues through Sunday, June 16. We would love to see those bins fill up! Read more details here.
Celebrating Syttende Mai at New Journey
This is the most significant holiday in Norway, akin to our Fourth of July, but it is celebrated not by independence but by creating a constitution. It is properly called Constitution Day. The date was May 17, 1814.