Beyond Bethlehem
February 2006

Our Mission: To be the hands and feet of Jesus by providing good, clean, reusable items to the community at affordable prices.

The East Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop began as a vision of Rev. Paul Halvorson, retired pastor and Assistant to the Bishop. Paul was hoping for additional funds to help the many mission starts in the Grand Canyon Synod as well as other ministry needs within the synod. the East Valley Lutheran Shop opened in November 1999 and has met and even exceeded the synod's expectations.

In the summer of 1999, Sue Vogel-Herrara came to Mesa at the invitation of the synod to start a thrift shop in the East Valley. Sue had recently graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Arts in Lay Ministry. She needed a project to complete her work towards becoming a Diaconal Minister. Starting a thrift shop was just the ticket.

Sue opened the thrift shop, finished her project and the remainder of the candidacy process, and on June 1, 2000 was consecrated as a Diaconal Minister at our Synod Assembly in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sue's call is from the Grand Canyon Synod to manage the Lutheran Thrift Shop, which has doubled in size since it opened.

The Thrift Shop, a ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a non-for-profit organization staffed by volunteers. All of the inventory is good, clean, reusable items that have been donated by individuals and businesses. Proceeds go to fund various missions and ministries in the Lutheran Church.

Volunteers range in age from 16 to 90+ years old. You do not need to be Lutheran to volunteer; willing volunteers from many different denominations are accepted.

Go and visit the Thrift Shop and you will be surprised at the qualify of the merchandise that is received daily. Designer clothes, antiques, and unusual collectibles are some of the fund things that continue to come in daily.

Location:

East Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop
4830 East Main Street, Suite 19
Mesa, Arizona 85205

Store Hours:

Sunday - Closed
Monday - Open mid Oct – mid Apr
Tuesday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Thursday - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Phone: 480-218-1425

Website: www.lutheranthrift.org