NAU LCMCanterbury, the Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry in Flagstaff

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NAU LCMCanterbury, the Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry in Flagstaff

We are the Episcopal and Lutheran Campus Ministry in Flagstaff, serving Northern Arizona University. Welcome to LCM|Canterbury. We are so glad you are here!

We are the Episcopal and Lutheran Campus Ministries in Flagstaff,
Serving Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College. We are a community of students, faculty, staff, and supporters here in Flagstaff, supported by the Lutheran and Episcopal churches. We have come together from many backgrounds, so we know what feeling like a stranger is all about. Although during this time of a pandemic, we are not meeting for in-person inside events, we still have a lot going on. To learn more visit www.lcmcanterbury.org. Our campus community welcomes and actively affirms people of all ethnicities, races, national origins, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

09/09/2026

Prayers for Unity

Readings: 2 Samuel 6, Revelation 1 John 17, Psalm 133

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity. –Psalm 133:1

“I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. –John 17:20-23

It’s that time again! The weeks leading up to a major election when the airwaves are filled with political commercials where politicians and their supporters tell us how awful their competition is. Oh, yeah, and a few tell us what they hope to accomplish if they are elected. It’s rare to hear a commercial from anyone talking about unity, about working together with the other side to solve problems, about finding common ground, about creatively using disagreements to find solutions neither side had considered. They probably wouldn’t be elected. The seeds of the eventual division of Israel and Judah were already present in the time of David. Still, the Psalmist prays for unity. By the time the Gospel of John was written the young church was already divided. We have letters, like Jude, that decry the other side as “false prophets.” But the church remembered that Jesus prayed for unity. The devil laughs at the divisiveness and conflict. But Jesus prevails as we who follow him continue to seek for the elusive unity he prayed for. A unity where all people have a place at the table, no one is excluded, and everyone is valued as the beloved children of God they are. Just like Jesus did.

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

09/07/2026

In Celebration of Work

Readings: 2 Samuel 5, Jude, John 16, Psalm 132

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. –John 16:13

Happy Labor Day! While this weekend is the unofficial ending to the summer, and a weekend for enjoying summer things before we dive into fall. The other day, one of my students asked, “Why do we call it ‘Labor Day’ when we all get the day off?” I answered, “Labor Day is also a day to celebrate and give thanks for all those who work, to pray for those who are looking for work and to be mindful of those who, for many reasons, cannot work.” That was a new idea for them, and they liked it. These days, most of our students are working – have to work – while they are going to school. Acknowledging that is important. That fact has changed the way we do campus ministry.

Monday is always my day off. OK, most of the time. I know it has been a week since I last shared a reflection and, to be sure, I’ve been working! We have been busy packing up the Campus Ministry Center and giving away what we can, finalizing the paperwork for the sale, and, of course, attending to all the usual beginning-of-semester activities in our ministry. It has been a week of happy, sad, grateful and nostalgic moments, as well as the joy of welcoming newcomers to our ministry. Today is a “catch my breath” day before we dive back in tomorrow. So, as I read this morning’s lessons it was good to be reminded that the Holy Spirit never quits working among us. Guiding us. Teaching us. Advocating for us. And leading us into the future that our Lord is, even now, preparing for us. Thanks be to God!

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

09/02/2026

Friends:

My daily devotions have been a little less than daily lately. I miss writing them! However, we are in the process of selling one of our two buildings at LCM Canterbury and it has been a little hectic. We need to be completely out of the building (which means going through 40 years of stuff) by the end of the month. So... I will write when I can. (It's a spiritual discipline and therapy for me...) But, hopefully, once we reach October, life will return to normal (whatever that means).

Peace,
Pastor Mike

PS: If you are a church or 501c3, are in the area and interested in hearing what we might have to give away, let me know in the comments.

08/31/2026

“Above My Pay Grade”

Readings: 2 Samuel 4, 3 John, John 15, Psalm 131

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. –Psalm 131:1-2

Last week, the security light above the front doors of our chapel was out. At night, people often sit on the front steps of the church and the light is important. Not only so we can see what is going on through our security camera, but for the safety and security of those who linger there. I tried the switch, checked the breakers and then called our electrician. I can fix some things, but, for the most part, I know what is “above my paygrade.” I’m not opposed to trying new things, to stretch myself, but I have also learned (often painfully) what I cannot handle myself. What I am not very good at. When I need help. I think today’s Psalmist is reflecting on the same thing. There are things too great and marvelous for us as fallible, limited mortals. Things that are way, way above our paygrade! Things that need to be placed in the LORD’s hands. Times when we need to calm ourselves and just trust. To know our Heavenly Mother is there caring for us, even if we don’t understand.

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

08/29/2026

Passing the Peace

Readings: 2 Samuel 3, 2 John, John 14, Psalm 130

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. – John 14:27

Different congregations “pass the peace” at different places in their worship services. Some do it at the beginning of the service as a way of welcoming one another to worship. Some do it at the end of the liturgy as they share Christ’s peace with one another as they go out to share that peace with the world. The end of the worship and the beginning of the service. In our community we “pass the peace” as we gather around the altar to taste the peace of Christ which passes all understanding in the gifts of his body and blood. The peace of Christ is a powerful gift. It is the presence of Christ in our hearts and lives through the power of the Holy Spirit that anchors us in a world that is rarely peaceful. It is the wholeness which comes from believing and trusting in the promise of Life Christ gives now and for eternity even when we are surrounded by brokenness and suffering. The promise of the cross and resurrection. Whether we are welcoming one another, and especially newcomers, to worship, gathering around the altar to share in the sacrament of peace, or heading out to share that peace with the world when we say, “The peace of Christ be with you!” is not just saying “good-morning.” It is offering one another the amazing gift that Jesus gave his disciples before he went to his death, again when he appeared to them alive in the upper room, and extends to us each and every day.

The peace of Christ be with you!
Pastor Mike

08/27/2026

Distractions

Readings: 2 Samuel 2, 1 John 5, John 13, Psalm 129

Little children, keep yourself from idols. –1 John 5:21

The last line of 1 John seems weird to me. There is nothing else in the letter about idols or idolatry. John wants his writers to understand God’s love in Christ, encourage them in their faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the word made flesh, to follow his commandment to love one another and to argue against those who believe otherwise. Why did John tack this on at the end? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, in a world full of idols and the worship of other gods, idols can distract his readers from focusing on their faith, and on all that God has done for them in Christ. We may not have temples to the Greek and Roman gods all around us... but we have plenty of things that can distract us from the faith. From trusting in Jesus. From loving one another in the way of Jesus. To living God’s commandments. I have to admit that when I read today’s texts, nothing really spoke to me. I am (like Martha) distracted by many things right now. It’s hard to focus on texts when the phones ring, the texts buzz and the emails pour in. When other things demand my attention. So, after reading the texts through a third time John said to me, “Little child, keep yourself from idols!” The phone just buzzed again. I’m ignoring it.

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

08/26/2026

Our First Love

Readings: 2 Samuel 1, 1 John 4, John 12, Psalm 128

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. –1 John 4:10-12

Do you remember the first time someone (not a family member) told you they loved you? Do you remember how that felt? The rush of joy. The feeling that you mattered to that person. Really mattered. The connection. The happiness. The desire to tell everyone. John’s words couldn’t be plainer. God loved us first. God declared that love to us by sending Jesus into our worlds. We respond to that love by loving others. But what does that love look like? It looks like Jesus’ love. The truth is: we have seen God. Jesus says so in our Gospel lesson. We see God in Jesus. (John 12:45). And there is no hate in him. Not even for his enemies. Not even for those who killed him. Anyone who claims to be a Christian and spews hate is not a Christian. John says that plainly too. (1 John 4:20). First loves often fade away and come to an end. But God is truly our first love and that love never fades or fails us. How does that make you feel? Don’t you just want to tell everyone?!

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

08/25/2026

Thomas the Brave

Readings: 1 Samuel 31, 1 John 3, John 11, Psalm 127

Then Jesus told [the disciples] plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:14-16

It had to be a scary time for the disciples. The tensions between Jesus and the religious leaders had been building to the point where Jesus’ life was being threatened. As Jesus’ closest followers, the disciples must have felt their lives were at stake too. Going back to Jerusalem, or even to nearby Bethany, didn’t sound like a good idea. But, if Jesus was willing to go back, Thomas was ready to follow him. I take his statement at face value. I don’t think it was false bravado, but a sign of his trust in Jesus. Trust that translated into courage and bravery. (Remember, after the Resurrection Thomas was the only one not cowering in fear in the upper room!) Sometimes Jesus calls us to follow him to places we’d rather not go. Being a disciple and walking in his Way of love, grace and mercy can be challenging. It can be risky. It can draw the critique of the people around us. It can set us at odds with the ways of the world. But when Jesus called Lazarus out from the tomb, Jesus demonstrated the power and truth of the Life he gives. A power and truth which became even more clear when he rose from the dead. A power and truth which changed the lives of the women at the tomb, the disciples, and even brave Thomas – calling them out from their tombs of fear and doubt to become powerful proclaimers of Jesus’ Good News in word and deed. A power and truth which can call us from our tombs and empower us too.

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

08/24/2026

Other Sheep

Readings: 1 Samuel 30, 1 John 2, John 10, Psalm 126

I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. –John 10:14-16

We had our first “club fair” of the new school year yesterday morning. At a club fair there are literally hundreds of groups at tables of inviting students to get involved during their time at the University. From sports clubs, to groups related to majors, fraternities and sororities, interest groups and religious groups. We had the privilege of talking to a lot of incoming students who were interested in our open, inclusive, affirming ministry – unique among the religious groups on our campus. A few left us their names. Many took our fliers or scanned our QR code. We hope and pray some of them find their way to our group in the weeks ahead. Many of the students we spoke with are the “other sheep” Jesus talks about in today’s Gospel. I love this passage because it reminds me that, whether they know it or not, God is already at work in the lives of students we met yesterday. The Holy Spirit is at work in them so that they can hear Jesus’s voice – hopefully through us! At worship last night one of our “newcomers” talked about the importance of embodying the love of Christ in the little things we do day by day. They were right! When we live in the Way of Jesus, the “other sheep” notice. They hear the voice of the shepherd. We just need to be ready to tell them the Shepherd’s story and invite them to come and meet the rest of the flock.

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

08/22/2026

The Mountains Around Us

Readings: 1 Samuel 29, 1 John 1, John 9, Psalm 125

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds the LORD’s people. –Psalm 125:2

As you can probably tell from the pictures I post with my devotions, I live in a place surrounded by mountains. I have always loved the mountains. A long, long time ago I said, “Someday I want to live someplace where I can get up every morning and see a mountain.” That prayer was answered! The mountains surrounding the valley where I live offer some protection. Last year, a huge sandstorm was coming north. It hit the mountains and fell apart. I’ve seen severe thunderstorms do the same. I remember a lightning show that circled the valley one time. It was better than fireworks! That doesn’t mean we never get storms, or dust, or strong winds. We do. But the mountains are always there. The Psalmist compares the LORD’s protection to surrounding mountains. I get it. God is always there for us. That doesn’t mean the storms of life don’t come. They do. But the LORD is there: solid, unmovable, majestic, protecting us, watching over us and ultimately saving us from sin, death and the devil for Jesus’ sake. We live in the valley of the LORD’s hand and we can get up every morning and see God’s providence in the gift of a new day. Praying yours is a good one!

Praying for Peace,
Pastor Mike

Address

500 S. Riordan Road
Flagstaff, AZ
86001

Telephone

+19284335679

Website

http://lcmcanterbury.org/

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