Jesus is a Chicken

Pastors Paul and Diane Krauszer raise chickens at their home in Palmer.  They are also humble servants of Christ.  Those two characteristics dovetail in Pastor Diane's homily she shared with the Synod Council in March, "Jesus is a Chicken." It is hard to top that title.

Study of Apostles' Creed take us through doubt, joy and sorrow

The Rev. Julia Seymour, Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage
This fall, take part in a three-session Gather Bible study on the Apostles' Creed and what we together say we believe. In "The Apostles' Creed," Bible study author Julia Seymour wrote: "For our life of faith together, creeds are more than just words. They are vessels for carrying one another through doubt, joy and sorrow."

The ACEs: Part Three: Kids, and School.....The ACEs Pyramid. By Jan Adasiak

In part three of this series, Jan Adasiak explains: Many of the things children have to do in school in order to be learn successfully are more difficult if their brains and bodies have been exposed to ACEs-level chronic stress.  Children in the stressed group have a hard time keeping themselves calm and focusing their attention. Read more here.

Enter the Bible: Does God Bless America (Only)?

Matt Skinner, Luther Seminary professor of New Testament, examines the belief that God holds America in special regard. Listen in on Skinner's discussion from 2013 with faculty colleagues Eric Barreto and Cameron Howard.

Final call for responses to Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement- respond by Aug. 31

As the Women and Justice: One in Christ Task Force prepares to release the draft of the upcoming social statement on gender justice, they want to hear from you. Review the statement and share your thoughts here.

Alaska Flag Day Celebration: July 9, 5:30- 8:30pm. 4600 Abbot Rd.

Join AK Child & Family for the 25th annual Alaska Flag Day Celebration! Bring the whole family for BBQ dinner, lawn games, live music by Nervis Rex, ice cream & MORE. Learn More and Register.

Challenge Update: Raise $50k by July 22! Lutheran Men in Mission

Five men have stepped forward and committed gifts totaling $50,000. They are challenging the rest of us to match that by our Saturday evening (July 22) offering at the Gathering. Please help us meet this generous challenge! Give here. See the work of LMM here. So far we have $27,740 toward our goal!

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing: Course August and October 2017

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing: Course August and October 2017
August 26- 27, 2017 & October 14-15, 2017 8:30 am - 5 pm. Providence Alaska Medical Center. The Alaska Faith Community Nurse Resource Center presents Foundations of Faith Community Nursing. This course will provide basic knowledge and skills needed to initiate a faith community nursing ministry. Learn more here.

Alaska Synodical Women's Organization Convention Sept. 22-24; Fairbanks

Join the women of the Alaska Synod at Fairbanks Lutheran Church, Sept 22-24, 2017 for their annual convention. Theme: Rooted in Love. Grow in Faith! Ephesians 3:16-19. Travel and Registration Scholarship available. Details here.

Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA 500. Oct. 31, 2017

Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as she co-hosts a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C. The event is open to the public and will be available online via livestream. Learn more here.

Seeds Monthly: June 2017

A look at the ELCA's interreligious relations, Reformation anniversary commemoration planned for Washington, D.C., and ELCA Advocacy- these are but a few of the items in this ELCA leadership resource. Read more here.

ELCA Campaign News: Summer 2017

Pigs with a purpose, 2016 Campaign Report, Global Church Sunday, Record number of Young Adults in Global Mission, and new ways of "being church together." Connect to the wider church in this issue of Campaign News.

Campus Ministry Referral Time!

Campus Ministry seeks to strengthen and support young adults as they learn and grow. Visit the LuMin Lutheran Campus Ministry Network website to learn more about Lutheran Campus Ministry. You can use this referral tool to find a ministry near you. If you are looking for a school that is not listed, we will direct your referral to the nearest ELCA Lutheran church.  Check it out: http://lumin-networkreferral.org/student-referrals/

ELCA500 Anniversary Planning and Promotional Tools

Visit ELCA500.org for details about the 500th anniversary celebration event and resources including Anniversary logo, Anniversary activity ideas, Ideas for promotion, Promotional PDF posters, Promotional postcard for social media and much more.

Congregation Constitution Updating.

The 2016 model constitution for congregations is located at elca.org.  Send your draft to the Alaska Synod office e-mail for our review team to review & return to you.

Domestic World Hunger Grants. APPLY BY JULY 7

In 2017, the ELCA World Hunger-funded Domestic Hunger Grants Program allocated a total of $691,810 to support 347 domestic projects and programs, including four projects in the Alaska synod! Grants range from $2,000-$6,000. With the 2018 & 2019 discretionary Domestic Hunger Grant application process, the Screening and Allocation Committee would like to see applications/proposals that focus on addressing root causes of food insecurity and poverty. Applications/proposals with this focus will receive funding considerations at or above the average amount of funding over the previous years. More info and how to apply HERE.

Join upcoming discussions: * What's Right With You? * Mormons * Curing Healthcare *

Chair Yoga - Get Fit Where You Sit.   Tuesdays, 11am & Thursdays, 10am.

St. Mark Lutheran Church - 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage - Ph:  (907) 276-6231
Join with others as yoga instructor Cat Kabira helps participants reconnect with their bodies every day through carefully designed yoga sessions.  Details here.