Thank you for attending the joint World Communion Sunday worship service with our friends at The Fountains UMC on Sunday, October 6. It was a truly special day filled with unity, reflection, and joy.

We invite you to look at all the wonderful photos taken by Mike Wilson. Each photo tells a story of community and faith, highlighting the smiles, the prayers, and the connections made.

Thank you once again for being a part of this meaningful celebration.

Dear New Journey Friends and Family,

We rejoice in the promises of God revealed by the prophet Isaiah:

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.”

Through the past 10+ years, God has guided us and made us strong. Did we ever imagine where the journey would lead us? Perhaps we began the journey just like the Israelites leaving Egypt: worried about what we left behind, anxious about God’s provision, and unsure if we would survive the journey. Over the past decade and in this last year, God has been faithful, teaching us to trust in God’s provision. In 2024, we responded to God’s promised provision, embodying beloved community, generosity, and creativity in these ways:

Pastor Beth

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Presiding over Howard Osborn Celebration of Life Service & Internment

  • Preaching & co-leading worship with The Fountains UMC for World Communion Sunday

  • Supporting the Stewardship Drive

  • Conducting staff reviews

  • Vacation 

  • Advent and Christmas Planning

Susan

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Helping with the Stewardship Drive

  • Website Updates

  • Food 4 Kidz Marketing Projects

  • Staff Review

Jamie

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Joint choir collaboration with The Fountains for World Communion Sunday

  • Choir Rehearsal Leadership

  • Worship Leadership

  • Worship Leader meeting & Staff Review

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!