News from the ELCA Church-wide Assembly

There are a variety of things that go into the work of the ELCA. Our business at the Churchwide Assembly includes budgeting and elections, but also includes receiving reports from church organizations that are accountable to the ELCA and greetings from partner organizations with whom we work in settings around the world. Highlights of our Churchwide Assembly today include personal greetings from the president of the Lutheran World Federation and the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Sometimes we might be tempted to think of our church as the building where we gather each week, but we are a part of the church around the world every time we gather.  It is so important to be reminded, and to nurture those relationships. Thank you for your prayers and support in our work together. You can learn more and see our agenda at www.ELCA.org and you can live stream the plenary sessions and worship.

Update from Pr. Jeff Kallevig, Our Saviour’s, Tucson

News from the ELCA Church-wide Assembly

The work of our gathering has begun, and my backside is tired of sitting already. But the things we are learning and accomplishing are exciting. For example, today we learned about "Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist" which is the latest summary of all the ways the Lutheran and Roman Catholic dialog has found agreement. In addition to the business of elections and budget we are also making significant connections with those from other parts of the country. 

Walk along with the assembly as we do OUR work. You can learn more and see our agenda at www.ELCA.org and you can live stream the plenary sessions and worship.

Update from Pr. Jeff Kallevig, Our Saviour’s, Tucson

News from the ELCA Church-wide Assembly

As we prepare to begin the work of the ELCA, today is a day of reunion.

I first came to New Orleans in 2006, leading a group of adults in relief work following Hurricane Katrina. Alex O'Connell was the local coordinator for our work. As a native of New Orleans he shared deeply of himself, his experience and the history of his home. I brought groups back repeatedly in the years that followed, and he visited me while he was traveling. Reconnecting with Alex has been the highlight of my return to this city, and for me shines a light on the evolution of my ministry and the work of the ELCA. Our work together has helped heal this city, and in every way the city shows its gratitude. There have been many other reunions, and many other places where we are working where God is leading us.  I am so blessed to be a part of this church.

Update from Pr. Jeff Kallevig, Our Saviour’s, Tucson

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: Week 8 (August 1st - August 5th)

Thank you to all of the donors of water, time, money, and love.  We could not do this without you.  Here are the numbers from Week 8:

Volunteers contributed hours 227.5 this week.

Over the past week, as well as the week of July 18th – 22nd, the congregation at Lord of
Life Lutheran Church prepared and delivered 200+ sack lunches a day. That is over
2000 lunches that were passed out to guests of our program and those in need in the
surrounding area. Thank you very much, and to all those who donate, for your time
and service.

An additional thanks to First Congressional United Church of Christ who have been providing lunch on Monday's throughout the summer.

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: Week 7 (July 25th - July 29th)

Thank you to all of the donors of water, time, money, and love.  We could not do this without you.  Here are the numbers from Week 7:

Volunteers contributed 275 hours

Thank you to the Highlands Church Youth Group for coming out with a crew of about 40 last week. While the Heat Respite is going on, our maintenance demands are focused on Hope Hall, and we can get behind on other projects that need to be done. The youth group helped to clean the sanctuary, basement, and the grounds, a project that seemingly was not directly related to the Heat Respite, but a project that helped us out a ton, allowing us to focus on giving those participants of Heat Respite the best experience and care we can.

We also wanted to thank Be Coffee for their donations.  They are a small coffee shop down the street from the church at 214 E. Roosevelt Street.  You can find the menu here and text your order to 602.687.7544.

You might have noticed the big jump on Monday.  That is partly due the great work that Lord of Life does with the Grace Room.  Every Monday throughout the year the Grace Room opens Monday mornings as a clothes pantry, providing shirts, pants, socks, hygiene, and other necessities to folks who need them. As this program runs year-round, if you ever have new or used clothes, shoes, or backpacks/suitcases that you would have otherwise taken to Good Will or another location, we can take them as well. We do not sell any of the items we receive and we work with Native American Urban Ministry and ICM if we receive an overflow of items.

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WEEK 6 (JULY 18TH - 22ND)

Thank you to all of the donors of water, time, money, and love.  We could not do this without you.  Here are the numbers from Week 6:

Volunteers contributed 156 hours.

As we hit the halfway point of this Heat Respite we thank all those who have made it so successful thus far.  We have served over 5,200 folks this summer, putting us on pace to be well over 10,000 by the end of the program.  We could not do this without the donations provided, the support given, and the 1,500+ volunteer hours so generously spent providing food, water, and shelter here at Grace.

Below are the folks who have come out to serve with us this summer so far.  I want to make special mention of Marlene Haller and Frank Soto.  These two have headed the kitchen and have collectively volunteered for almost 450 hours so far this summer.  These two are the brains behind some excellent breakfasts, lunches, and snacks that we are blessed to be able to serve.  Thank you again everyone and we look forward to another 6 weeks of the 2016 Heat Respite @ Grace Lutheran Church.

Alfredo Alvarado
All Saints Lutheran Church
Amanda
Anthony Hendricks
Bob
Brandy
Brendan O'Connor
Caroline Cerda
Charles Mack
CHEEERS
Cheryl Shila
Christina Wright
Christine Robinson
Crystal Burnett
Crystal Robeson
Denisha Browining
Devalyn
Deven Bennett
Devonte Greer
Doug
Emine Ulu
Foundation for Intercultural Dialogue
Francis Blanden
Frank Soto
Frankie Gilchrist
Highlands Church
Jarvis Family
Katherine Roxlo
Kathy Spitler
Kate Sims
KD
Kim Hall
Marlene Haller
Micheal T.
Nathaniel Hendricks
New Journey Lutheran Church
North Phoenix Baptist Student Choir
Olga Gilchrist
Reid
Rosalie Littrell
Saint Mary's Basilica
Sharyl Owens
Tarvis Mayweather
Unmuhan
Vonda Bennett
Yvonne Parks
Zenasia Davis

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WEEK 5 (JULY 11TH - 15TH)

Thank you to all of the donors of water, time, money, and love.  We could not do this without you.  Here are the numbers from Week 5:

Your donations not only allow us to provide shelter, food, and water. We are also able to connect participants with other services available to them. Throughout the summer we have visits from Health Care for the Homeless (HCH), Circle the City's Mobile Medical Clinic, Yoga by Tami Link, and substance abuse education from Sonoran Prevention Works.

• HCH provides health care services for homeless individuals and families throughout Maricopa County through integrated primary care, mental health services, substance abuse services, case management, and nutrition services.
• Circle the City's mission is, to create and deliver innovative healthcare solutions that compassionately address the needs of men, women, and children facing homelessness.
• Tami Link is a Certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor, Certified Massage Therapist who "want(s) to be more than just a movement educator. My hope is to inspire a way of  living, moving and being that allows the pursuit of what is truly valuable in life. In making choices about our health, I believe in moving from a place of meaning and grasping our unique physical dignity."
• Sonoran Prevention Works is a grassroots group of Arizonans working to end overdose and other vulnerabilities associated with drug use. We provide direct service to people who use drugs and their families by facilitating free trainings and by distributing risk reduction materials and condoms to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens. We advocate for widespread Naloxone accessibility, a 911 Good Samaritan bill, and syringe decriminalization in Arizona. We do this all in solidarity with the individual's autonomy and right to self-actualization. 

Thank you again for helping us create this space of possibility.

2016 Heat Respite @ Grace Lutheran Church: Week 4 (July 4th - 8th)

Thank you to all our donors and participants.  Here are the numbers for week 4:

Our volunteers performed 259.25 hours of service.

We are now 33% through the 2016 Heat Respite.  Thank you so much to all those who donated water, due to your efforts, at this point we will have enough to make it through the summer and not only provide for those who come to Grace, but also share with a community of refuge and hydrations stations coordinated by MAG.  Click here for a map.

This week we would like to highlight St. Mary's Basilica.  They been part of a long term ecumenical connection with Grace, including participating in the heat respite.  This past Friday a group came out, lead by Olga Gilchrist, and provided a spaghetti lunch that folks really loved.  Many noted not just the flavor but the portion size, with enough for seconds and thirds for those who still had room.  We heard many compliments and wanted to share that with all of you.

As we head into the middle third of the Heat Respite @ Grace Lutheran Church we again want to emphasize how much we appreciate everyone who make this happens through their volunteering, donations, and prayers.  

As we are in such a good situation with water going forward  we are happy to take more donations (especially with the commitments some congregations and organizations have made), but if you are looking to donate anything else we are asking for the following:

Non-perishable goods

• Noodles (any style)
• Rice
• Tuna
• Canned Goods (beans, fruits, vegetables)

Clothing and Hygiene

• Feminine hygiene products (tampons)
• If you are donating clean used clothes to places like Goodwill think of us as well
• Underwear and socks are items of the most frequent turnover and need

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WEEK 3 (JUNE 27TH - July 1ST)

Thank you to our donors and participants.  Here are the numbers from week 3:

Volunteers logged 295.75 hours.

We closed June serving 2357 folks (including repeated visits) for an average of 139 people per day being able to find a place to escape the heat, receive water and food, and find a place of rest.  This does not happen with out the help of the 77 volunteers who provided 750.75 hours of service during the month of June.

Special thanks to Marlene Haller and Frank Soto who lead the kitchen crew and combined to volunteer almost 250 hours in June.  Additionally, last week we had a visit North Phoenix Baptist Student Choir who graced us with song and kitchen help.  As well as, folks from CHEEERS Recovery Center.

We received an enormous water donation from Mountain View Lutheran Church totaling 377 cases of water.  This is critical as we maintain triple digit temperatures.  It is not just these large donations that make this happen but those also who have brought in one or two cases, clothes, socks, hygiene, a smile, or prayer and blessings.

As we move into the second month of the 2016 Heat Respite @ Grace Lutheran Church we again thank all of those who make this possible and all those who participate.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact richard at outreach@graceinthecity.com.

2016 HEAT RESPITE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WEEK 2 (JUNE 20TH - 24TH)

Thank you for all the donations and to all the participants last week, here are the numbers:

Volunteers logged 255 hours.

It is not without the generosity of many that this program has existed for the past 11 years.  We all feel blessed to be the vessel through which your love can be shared with others.

We had a special visit from the Turkish Cultural Center at the Foundation for Intercultural Dialogue.  The folks that came out prepared böreks, a meat filed pastry, on-site for over 170 people. Ramadan Kareem!

2016 Heat Respite @ Grace Lutheran Church: Week 1 (June 13th - 17th)

Thank you to all for your donations, time, and prayers. We could not do this without your help. Here are the numbers of guests from the first week of the heat respite:

Volunteers logged 218.25 hours

As you can see, numbers increased steadily with the temperatures.  Though the days will start to get shorter as we passed the summer solstice Monday, the heat does not seem to be leaving and we have seen this trend continue.

Thank you to all our donation and ministry partners, with a special note to Desert Cross Lutheran Church for the donation of 4 pallets of water, totaling 988.65 gallons of water.

Thanks to those who donated in the past week:

• St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
• Katherine Roxlo
• Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Phoenix
• Waste Not
• Mountain View Lutheran Church
• Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness
• Linda Schwall
• Carol Lindsay (in honor of her mother June Lindsay)
• Yvonne Parks
• Kathy Spitler
• Damsel in Defense
• Richard Gayer
• Christ Lutheran Church
• First Congregational UCC
• Sons of Norway, Sol Byer Lodge
• Mount of Olives Lutheran Church
• Alvin and Virginia Kitts
• Mary J. Reed
• Ross Orr
• Desert Streams Lutheran Church
• Clarence Harvey
• Pete Boshen
• Freddie Roberts
• Michael Tetrick
• Alice Bauder

Give a Gift of Time

In this season of springtime and renewal, won't you consider becoming a Duet volunteer?

Attend one 2-1/2 hour volunteer orientation to begin and choose from many service options.

Call 602-274-5022 or visit dueataz.org to register. Thank you!

Vacation Bible School

June 6-10, 5:30 pm, Hope Hall

Surf Shack is the theme for some great fun, food and activities. Mark your calendars and look for the registration sheets in the May newsletter and bulletins. Tell your friends because All Are Welcome! 

Contact Linda Schwall at 602-617-0610.

Volunteering at Grant Park Community Garden

It's spring, and the garden is blooming! All youth and interested adults are welcome at the Grant Park Community Garden, (3rd Avenue and Grant Avenue) to help weed, mulch, and pick fresh veggies. If you are interested in spending time in the garden, please speak with Pastor Sarah about how to get access and to be put on the email list for upcoming work days.

Sanctuary open Monday through Wednesdays during lunch hour

Get mindful during lunch. Grace is proud to open its doors to the community for prayer and meditation. Doors are open Monday through Wednesday, noon to 1 pm, through May.