You are invited to a Candlelight Prayer Vigil during Churchwide Assembly

Join us for a Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00 pm

What: Evening Candlelight Prayer Vigil
When: Wednesday, July 30 @ 9:00 pm, for approx 30 mins total (following the day’s assembly business)
Where: Peace Park (the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix park on E. Monroe St)
Theme: Recognizing and preserving the human dignity of all God's people, with special emphasis on migrant, asylee and refugee communities

The occasion is the triennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, in which 850+ Lutherans, including bishops and representatives of all 65 synods across the U.S. will gather in Phoenix to discuss church business, worship, and this year, elect a new presiding bishop. The ELCA has approximately 2.79 million baptized members in 8,498 congregations, and there are 30,000 ELCA Lutherans in Arizona.

The theme for the evening vigil is recognizing and preserving the human dignity of all God's people, with special emphasis on migrant, asylee and refugee communities. This is a critical time to respond to the needs of our neighbor as we continue to live our faith in action, to care for the most vulnerable among us, those whom Jesus has told us to love and to care for, the poor and the marginalized. The ELCA practices an accompaniment model, which means we work together in solidarity with our global companions, striving to share God's love and to participate in God's mission together.

The 30-min program includes remarks from Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA and other faith leaders and legislators, music and prayer.

We anticipate that all Lutherans gathered for Churchwide Assembly will attend the vigil. Judicatory heads from across all faith communities in Arizona are being invited, as well as local congregations.

PLEASE PROMOTE IN YOUR CONGREGATION AND INVITE FRIENDS!