Support those impacted by Hurricane Helene through Lutheran Disaster Response: https://give.elca.org/page/68904/donate/1

This storm has has devastated communities across the southeastern United States. Our prayers remain with all who are affected, those experiencing grief and suffering, and workers providing emergency response.

Your gifts help provide immediate relief, such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since many hurricanes also require a long-term response, Lutheran Disaster Response provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, unmet needs, and emotional and spiritual care.

We are excited to announce our upcoming ministry team meetings!

These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to come together, share our progress, and plan for the future. Your presence and input are invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Here are the dates for October:

• Council—October 1 @ 5:30 pm

• “Hearts to Hands” Women’s Group—October 7 @ 10:00 am

• Food for Kidz Team —October 24 @ 4:00 pm by Zoom

• Worship & Music Team —October 28 @ 4:00 pm

• Stewardship Team—October 29 @ 4:00 pm

• Northeast Valley Consortium—October 30 @ 5:00 pm by Zoom

Step outside your comfy zone!

1. Grand Canyon Hunger Leaders Network:  The NEVC meeting also included an update from Solveig Muus on the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network. This group meets virtually on the last Tuesday of every month from 6:00 pm - 7:00 to support all hunger-related efforts among synod congregations. Addressing hunger is the top priority of the Grand Canyon Synod and we can learn more about collaborative opportunities to do our part more effectively. New Journey needs to name a representative to this group! Please let Pr. Beth know of your interest.

• Volunteer to Support Refugees: Be a “first friend” to a newly arrived person or family; mentor a student with their homework; or host a “Refugee 101” event for New Journey. Contact Ruth Escobar at rescobar@lss-sw.org if you’d like to learn more.

• Fall Festival:  Welcome new refugees and lead small carnival games for children. October 26, 10 am – Noon; Solano Elementary School in Phoenix. Contact Ruth Escobar at rescobar@lss-sw.org to join the fun.

• Ukrainian Event: November 9, 10 am – Noon; Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix. Children’s games, face-painting, etc. Contact Ruth Escobar at rescobar@lss-sw.org to join the fun.

1. 2025 Heat Respite Project Affirmed:  At the September 25 Steering Committee meeting, the group voted to continue the consortial heat respite project – lunch packs, water, and electrolytes – for summer 2025. Project leaders have conducted an initial debrief of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges; will be working on a grant proposal for 2025 funding; and will consider the best calendar as the high-heat season extended from May through September. Arizona Faith Network has seen over 40,000 visits to their 17 heat respite sites so far this year.

As you prepare to vote, here again, are two helpful resources:

• Church and Society — Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA (gcsynod.org)

• 2024 Voting Resources — Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (lamaz.org)

145 voices on the pages on Sunday, September 29 for New Journey’s 5th Sunday letter-writing!

• To thank Senators Kelly and Sinema and Representatives Schweikert and Gallego for their sponsorship of the H.R. 8940, the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement, and to urge their continued advocacy for this very significant legislation.

• To encourage Kelly, Sinema, and Schweikert, in the closing months of 2024 to attend to provisions of reauthorization of the U.S. Farm Bill that protect support for persons experiencing hunger and for our farming communities, including the significant proportion of women and indigenous farmers in Arizona.

• Keep keeping your eyes on the U.S. Farm Bill . . . The current legislation expired September 30, 2024 and has not yet received the needed five-year reauthorization that supports U.S. and world hunger relief, the farm system of our nation, and environmental programs linked to climate change. Follow updates here: Farm Bill Engagement Updates - ELCA Advocacy » ELCA Advocacy - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Help Us Improve Communication at New Journey

As New Journey’s Space Assessment Committee considers how we might make the best use of our limited space for maximum effectiveness, one item of consideration is how we might make better use of newer technologies as opposed to posting or distributing print materials in the worship and fellowship spaces. 

To read the approved September Congregation Council meeting minutes, click here.

If you have questions, please contact any member of the Congregation Council.

Featuring Amelia Gallen and Dorothy Schmidt

We recently enjoyed a special puppet show titled “Let the Little Children Come”! This delightful performance featured the talented Amelia Gallen and Dorothy Schmidt, who brought their puppets to life with a beautiful rendition of “Love the Way Jesus Loves Me”.

Through this heartfelt song, the puppets shared a message of love, kindness, and acceptance, reminding us all of the importance of embracing each other with open hearts.

Pastor Beth will be on vacation beginning Tuesday, October 15 through Saturday, October 19. Returning to on Sunday, October 20. In case of pastoral emergencies, please contact Pastor Shari Bernau of Living Water Lutheran at (602) 214-7341.

This Stewardship season, New Journey will welcome Rev. Dan Potaznick in worship on Sunday, October 20.

Rev. Dan serves as the Director of Generosity and Strategic Development in our Grand Canyon Synod Office and as a part-time associate pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Glendale. We are excited to receive him as he extends greetings on behalf of our Grand Canyon Synod and guest preaches in worship.

On November 1, Rev. David Pavesic joins the leadership in our Grand Canyon Synod Office as the new Director of Evangelical Mission. As DEM, Rev. Pavesic will play a vital role in leading and supporting the mission and outreach efforts across our synod, fostering growth in congregational vitality and nurturing new ministries. Please keep Pr. David in prayer as he navigates his new role.  

In observance of the one-year anniversary of the start of the current conflict in the Holy Land, Bishop Eaton offers prayers for peace, healing and justice for all people in Israel and Palestine, and the regions where the war has escalated.

It’s that time of year on Church Council for the planning of our Mission Spending Plan for next year. Numbers will be crunched, discussions will begin on what are the priorities for our future and we will begin to pray and listen to God’s voice that is always filled with wisdom as vast as the years of time.

Can we truly separate church business from God’s business?

God’s business is all encompassing. The vastness of our world and beyond. What a grand business to be in which lovingly cares for our world, making the sun shine, the rain to fall and the moon and the stars to light the dark skies.

And then God’s eye focuses on the smallest of creatures in his creation to the most complicated of all, human beings. Forever forgiving us, encouraging us, challenging and celebrating with us. What a gift to have God’s eye on us!

In honor of World Communion Day, the people of New Journey Lutheran Church and The Fountains UMC are worshipping and communing together on Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 am at The Fountains UMC.

Saint Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church is hosting their 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 26th, 2024. For complete information and to register, click this link.

Last year’s tournament raised $2,000 for Food for Kidz, and New Journey Food for Kidz will be applying for another grant for the 2025 food pack.

Please consider forming a foursome or signing up individually to golf or attend the dinner in support of this fundraiser. Denny and Gwen Rubenow will be hosting a Food for Kidz table at the event to raise awareness about volunteer opportunities at New Journey’s food pack.

We’d love to see some familiar faces there!

We will celebrate the life of Howard Osborn on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 am in New Journey’s worship space.

Join us as we pray, remember, and commend Howard to the eternal care of God. An opportunity for family and friends to share a memory or remembrance of Howard will be offered during the service. Fellowship to follow, and the service will be live-streamed to New Journey Lutheran’s YouTube page.

We want to share some tips to help protect you from phishing attacks.

Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a type of cyber attack where scammers try to steal your money or identity by tricking you into revealing personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank details, or passwords, through emails or websites that appear legitimate.

How to Recognize a Phishing Email:

• Urgent Call to Action or Threats: Messages that create a sense of urgency or fear.

• First-Time or Infrequent Sender: Emails from unknown or rarely contacted sources.

• Spelling or Grammar Errors: Poor language quality can be a red flag.

• Generic Greetings: Phrases like “Dear sir or madam” instead of your name.

• Mismatched Email Domains: Check if the email domain matches the sender’s claimed organization.

• Suspicious Links or Unexpected Attachments: Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.

FAMILY PROMISE: Opportunity to partner with Fountains United Methodist Church colleagues in supporting families experiencing homelessness who are working to become re-housed.

• Program information:  HOME - Family Promise of Greater Phoenix (familypromiseaz.org)

• Fountains houses 3-4 families for one week, 4 times per year at their facilities; we can join them by:

  • coming over for a casual supper with the families, 6:00 p.m. one evening during the week of October 6-13;

  • helping to prepare the dinner one evening and joining the meal; or

  • learning about other volunteer options that make the host weeks possible.

• New Journey does not have facilities suitable for providing overnight hosting, despite clear need:  prior to Covid-19, 54 congregations were hosting families; that number has grown back 34 congregations, but is still a work-in-progress.

• New Journey is very generous in supporting people in need, but most of our work does not involve interaction with folks themselves. Recognizing that not every New Journey member is called to participate in every social ministry project, the Family Promise work at the Fountains offers – for those who wish – a chance to meet neighbors just down the street.