Welcome, Rev. Jacqui Pagel!

This Sunday we welcome Rev. Jacqueline Pagel as our guest preacher. Rev. Pagel comes to us from the Grand Canyon Synod office in Phoenix. As Bishop's Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation, Rev. Pagel walks with people at all levels in their faith journey: youth, outdoor ministries, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Young Adults in Global Mission, Diakonia, Wisdom Keepers, Simon’s Project, and regular Jesus-loving people at our worshipping sites. This Sunday, you have an opportunity to ask Rev. Pagel any questions about becoming a pastor or a deacon. She will preach during worship and join us in the Activities Room for fellowship afterward.

ELCA World Hunger

Proceeds placed in the World Hunger Appeal Contributions Jar (on the stand inside the entrance to our worship area) are shared with the ELCA’s World Hunger program. Thanks for your generosity. February total: $186. ~ Ann Krohn and Timothy Johnson

There Is Still Time to Join the Region 2 Lent 2025 Challenge!

The Region 2 Lent 2025 Challenge is a meaningful way to engage in Lenten practices while supporting the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) water project. Last year, 16 people from Lutheran Church of the Foothills participated in the Region 2 Lent Challenge—can we increase that number in 2025?

What is the Region 2 Lent 2025 Challenge?

The Region 2 Lent Challenge is a friendly competition between the five synods, including our Grand Canyon Synod, that make up geographic Region 2 of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The synod with the most registered participants wins bragging rights.

This year the Region 2 Lent Challenge is partnering with Lutheran Disaster Response to raise funds for NELM’s water project, which is also our March–April Community Service Emphasis (see the Community Service article elsewhere in this newsletter).

To participate, each individual must register at www.LentenChallenge.org, where you can choose three or four Lenten practices from the following:

• Daily Devotion: Subscribe to receive a Lenten devotion daily in your email inbox from “40-40-40-Lenten Challenge.”
• Daily Diligence: Reflect on water’s importance by drinking water, playing in water, or finding ways to conserve water.
• Daily Dedication: Engage in faith, civic, and social activities related to water justice and advocacy.
• Daily Donation: Commit to giving at least $1 a day to Lutheran Disaster Response in support of NELM’s water distribution project.

We encourage everyone to select "Daily Donation" as one of their practices, to align with our Community Service Emphasis. You can give weekly or in a lump sum through Lutheran Church of the Foothills or donate directly to Lutheran Disaster Response.

Learn More and Register!

Registrations will be accepted throughout Lent. Let’s see if we can surpass last year’s number and make a real impact for our Navajo siblings.

• Go to www.LentenChallenge.org.
• Scan the QR code (in the banner above).
• Visit the displays on the Activities Counter and on the Community Service Emphasis table in the narthex at church.
• Watch this invitation video from Bishop Hutterer (and share it with others): vimeo.com/1058623529.

Lunch, Laugh, and Yak—Join Our Lively Book Discussion!

Looking for great conversation, good company, and an excuse to enjoy reading a good book? Bring your lunch and join us for Read & Yak, our monthly book discussion group, where we eat, chat, and dive into stories that inspire, challenge, and entertain.



• When? Fourth Saturday of each month, 12:00p–1:30p.
• Where? Activities Room. Or, Click here to join Read & Yak via Zoom. Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676. Passcode: 844657.

Each month, we tackle a new book, sharing insights, laughs, and maybe even a few strong opinions (all in good fun, of course). Haven’t finished—or even started—the book? No problem! You’re always welcome to join the conversation.

Next Up: March 22 – Of Time and Turtles by Sy Montgomery

Scientific American says of this non-fiction bestseller: "Montgomery's heart-tugging conversations with teammates and her commitment to helping an octogenarian named Fire Chief reveal turtles to be perfect conduits for meditations on aging, disability and chosen family.” Karen Nickey will lead what promises to be a thoughtful and engaging discussion.

So, grab your lunch, pull up a chair (or join in from home), and let’s yak about books!

Upcoming Reads:

•  April 26: Babel – R. F. Kuang (Science Fiction/Fantasy)
•  May 24: Miss Benson’s Beetle – Rachael Joyce (Fiction)
•  June 28: Why Fathers Cry at Night – Kwame Alexander (Memoir)

~ Leslie Johnson,

for the Read & Yak Book Discussion Group

Thursday Journey: Reflect on the Deeper Meaning of Easter

Thursday Journey Mission Statement

 Thursday Journey is a group that explores various topics that impact our calling to live as grace-filled, inclusive, generous, and justice-focused people in today's world.

During this current 12-week series, we are watching and discussing a video series called Easter Stories by John Dominic Crossan, a renowned biblical scholar, historian, and former priest, best known for his work on the historical Jesus and early Christianity. Through insights about Easter in both the Western and Eastern Christian traditions, with stunning visuals from the Holy Land, and with ideas from his book, The Last Week, Crossan invites us to reflect on the deeper meaning of Easter.

So, whether you’re curious, seeking, or just love a good discussion, we’d love to have you join us as we explore these powerful stories together and prepare for the celebration of Easter on April 20.

Meet New Friends From Around the ELCA!

Sign up to be one of up to a hundred volunteers who will be making the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly a friendly and positive experience for its approximately 1,000 participants. Volunteers are needed July 26 through August 2, 2025, and there are many ways you can give a welcoming Grand Canyon Synod greeting to our guests:

• Assisting with pre-assembly preparation and setup
• Greeting arrivals at Sky Harbor Airport (more people are needed to volunteer for this initial contact with participants)
• Welcoming participants to event hotels (Sheraton and Hyatt Regency downtown), and to the Phoenix Convention Center
• Helping with registration
• Supporting worship services by preparing materials and ushering
• Distributing materials to Voting Members during plenary sessions
• Assisting with meal seating and logistics
• And much more!

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, held every three years, is the primary decision-making gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is a process of communal spiritual discernment, where its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. It is also an opportunity for the host synod (this year, our Grand Canyon Synod) to extend hospitality and contribute to the work of the church in a meaningful way. Whether you can offer a few hours or several days, your presence will help make this event welcoming and impactful for all who attend, and you will get to meet fellow-Lutherans from around the country and the Caribbean.

Volunteering is a powerful way to live out our Lutheran call to serve. Sign up today and be part of this special event:  Volunteer Sign-Up

~ Leslie Johnson, Leader

Neighborhood Interaction Team

Ongoing Support for Interfaith Community Service Food Bank

As we look for ways to help all people in Tucson, Lutheran Church of the Foothills has found a way to help Interfaith Community Services (ICS) continue to provide food to all food-insecure people. We have donated 274 pounds of non-perishable food so far in 2025. A total of 107 packages of pasta, mac and cheese, and 5 large cans of tomato sauce for the February Lotsa Pasta Drive were included in that total. Thank you for continuing to love your neighbor as yourself.  A list of all non-perishable food items for ICS is posted above the basket in the Narthex. Blessings to all.

~ Beth Daum

Thank You for Your Mission Support Commitment!

I want to personally thank you and all of Lutheran Church of the Foothills for your faithful generosity and commitment to the mission we share as the Grand Canyon Synod. . . I am especially grateful for your planned mission support for the upcoming 2025 year. This is a testament to your commitment to strengthening our shared ministry. Thank you for your partnership in God's work!

With gratitude,

Rev. Dan Potaznick, CFRE

Director of Generosity & Strategic Development

Office of the Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod