New Journey members and friends have twice written in recent years to support Bread for the World’s annual offering of letters. In light of current federal budget cuts to national and international nutrition programs, and the Grand Canyon Synod’s #1 priority of addressing hunger, our upcoming letter focuses on domestic and world funding for hunger relief. Download a copy of the letter here.

You can still sign-up today! The focus of the challenge is on positive commitments for self and our neighbors. All details are at www.lentenchallenge.org and also posted on the Red Door at New Journey.

This is the second in a series of short articles presenting the current philosophy of the congregation council and their strategic planning activities. Last month’s discussion provided an overview of New Journey’s strategic planning activities. These efforts are influenced by the work of scholars and practitioners at the Luther Seminary and elsewhere that can be described as the “pivot in posture” movement. The goal of this approach is to position congregations and the church at large to meet current and future challenges to the health of organized religious practice. There are four aspects of pivoting.

Enjoy these photos from our recent Lenten Wednesday Night Soup & Study session and our new congregational council:

New Journey’s Church Council has determined that a new ministry team needs to be established titled: Nominating Ministry Team. The Nominating Team is a dedicated group of church members tasked with the responsibility of identifying and recommending qualified individuals for various elected and non-elected positions, including but not limited to the congregation council, ministry leaders, and other key volunteer roles. The team works prayerfully in identifying congregation members to guide and lead our church’s ministries, fostering an environment of faith, love, and service.

During January's Annual Meeting, the Congregation Council made you aware of our lease agreement expiration and shared our intention to discern pathways forward for our congregation’s location. We shared our intention to reach out to members of our congregation for input, feedback, and wisdom. This letter is our first attempt at inviting you into the discernment of our congregation’s space and future. 

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

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

Thank you to those who joined in our “Pop-up” Letter-writing Sunday on February 23rd!

“The refugee program, created by Congress in 1980, is a form of legal migration to the U.S. for people displaced by war, natural disaster or persecution — a process administered by the United Nations – that often takes years and involves significant vetting. It is different from asylum, by which people newly arrived in the U.S. can seek permission to remain because they fear persecution in their home country.” (Associated Press) Refugees are *not* illegal border crossers. Lutheran Social Services only works with legal refugees and vetted, formally designated evacuees (e.g., post-war Afghans).

The Northeast Valley Consortium (Ascension, Christ the Lord, Living Water, New Covenant, and New Journey Lutheran Churches) is “all in!” for the 2025 Lenten Challenge. You can still sign-up today! The focus of the challenge is on positive commitments for self and our neighbors. Choose at least 3 of the 4 categories of challenge areas bolded below:

Let the Little Children Come: Puppet Show

With Amelia Gallen and Dorothy Schmidt

Pastor Beth will be on vacation on March 16 - March 21.

During her absence, if any pastoral emergencies arise, please reach out to Pastor Anna Rieke from Christ the Lord for assistance. Her contact information is:

pastor@ctlcarefree.org

office: (480)488-2081

cell: (206)291-8841

Thank you for your understanding and support!

This year, we began our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday (March 5) at 12:00 pm at New Journey Lutheran Church with a contemplative worship service. Alternatively, we joined our friends at The Fountains UMC at 6:30 pm for a joint, outdoor Ash Wednesday service around a bonfire.

We are excited to announce the installation of our new council members, who were officially welcomed on Sunday, February 16th. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the following individuals who have graciously stepped into their new roles:

Pastor Beth

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Planning & Facilitating Wednesday evening "Soup & Study" 

  • Planned vacation: March 14-21

  • Walk for Water on March 22

  • Holy Week & Easter Planning

Susan

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Social Media Planning

  • Digital Advertising

  • Lent & Easter Planning

Jamie

• Current Ministry Projects:

  • Choir Leadership

  • Worship Leadership

  • Holy Week & Easter Worship Planning

In just two hours, 376 community members came together in an incredible display of teamwork and compassion, setting up and packing an astounding 140,800 meals!

We've got a new Property/Facilities Maintenance Form to help keep our church in great shape! If you spot anything that needs fixing, like a leaky faucet, broken light, or if paper towels or toilet paper need replacing, just let us know using this form.

The Social Ministry Team is dedicated to supporting and connecting with our community, region, and the world. Our projects focus on feeding the hungry, helping kids succeed, supporting our neighbors, and advocating for social change. We believe in making a positive impact and bringing hope to those in need.

What has happened:

• Day 1 – President Trump issued executive orders – one to “pause” [cancel] from January 22 – April 30, all immigration travel. After 90 days, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State are to report on impact; every 90 days thereafter, another report; all to decide whether programs are worth continuing. So, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW, as an example refugee support agency) is to receive no further refugees.

Food for Kidz, is this Wednesday, February 26! We have 75 dedicated core volunteers ready to set up, and 290 packing volunteers prepared to make a difference.

One of the roles of the Congregation Council Treasurer is to encourage and assist the Council and Congregation in long-range planning. This is one way a congregation avoids “gulping down” their resources and preparing for what God has in store for us. As the shop-worn trope says, “if you fail to plan you plan to fail.”  Of course, we know that God provides for our needs, but one of the ways that happens is to give us foresight and tools to address the challenges, near and far, which are always present.