This section is dedicated to celebrating and lifting up the everyday work of our congregations, ministries, and partners at various levels—from local to global. Join us in gratitude and prayer for these people and organizations. View all our spotlight posts here.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Grand Blanc, MI and Dallas, TX…
For rescue and recovery efforts following an earthquake in the Philippines…
For rescue and recovery efforts follow a school collapse in Indonesia…
For safety amidst protest in Morocco and Madagascar…
For all migrants and global travelers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care, clean water, and sufficient food…
For those who serve in the military…
For the health and flourishing of creation…
In thanksgiving for the ministries of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Yehiel Curry…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of
Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 6 years on October 5.
Rev. Kim Sterner, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, who celebrates 39 years on October 5.
Bishop Hutterer traveled to Minneapolis for the Installation of Rev. Yehiel Curry as ELCA Presiding Bishop as well as the Conference of Bishops. We also share photos from our 2025 Bishop’s Fall Gathering.
The Office of the Bishop gathers with rostered ministers at the Bishop’s Fall Gathering and prepares for the Bishop’s upcoming sabbatical. And we share photos from the most recent Synod Council Retreat.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Dallas, TX, and other acts of violence, including Pittsburgh, PA…
For all in the path of Typhoon Ragasa…
For the work of the United Nations as they meet in assembly…
For political transition in Malawi…
For those managing brush fires in Hawaii…
In gratitude for the diversity of human gifts, experiences, and abilities that all reflect God’s image…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Ryan Hersch, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 22 years on September 27.
Statement: LWF condemns civilian suffering in Gaza city, calls for global action
Cameroon: Church leaders reflect on climate justice and peace
“Aid makes a real difference,” says Swedish Archbishop meeting refugees in Kakuma
LWF Congratulates Rev. Philip Peacock on election as WCRC General Secretary
South Sudan: Refugee leaders committed to reopen learning centers for young children
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…
For government transitions in Nepal and Malawi…
For the plight of all migrants who seek safety, security, and opportunity…
For all who live under oppression, threat, and fear…
For Jewish neighbors preparing for Rosh Hashanah, and for all gifts of newness, self-reflection, and repentance…
The Office of the Bishop hosts the Synod Council Retreat, prepares for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, and attends Leadership Day 2025 at King of Glory in Tempe. We also share photos from the Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 22 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 46 years on September 24.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For peaceful resolution following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Orem, Utah and Evergreen, Colorado…
For victims of racism, racial profiling, and race-based violence…
For farmers and for all individuals and businesses navigating financial insecurity…
For colleges, universities, and all educational institutions…
For first responders, emergency personnel, and all who risk their lives in service of others…
The Office of the Bishop attends the Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, Sep 13, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, and Leadership Day 2025 at King of Glory in Tempe, Sep 20, 2025. We also share a photo from our in-person staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jill Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 27 years on September 13.
Rev. David Brandfass, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 30 years on September 13.
Rev. Daniel Volkmann, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 1 years on September 13.
Rev. Kylee Bestenlehner, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 0 years on September 13.
Rev. Richard Mauthe, who celebrates 39 years on September 14.
Rev. Carl Mangold, who celebrates 50 years on September 14.
Rev. Craig Geiger, who celebrates 53 years on September 17.
The Office of the Bishop attends an in-person staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert and plans for the upcoming year.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For victims of sexual assault and violence…
For earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan…
For landslide victims in the Darfur region of Sudan…
For wildfires in California…
For safety amidst protests in Indonesia…
For students, families, and school personnel beginning the new school year…
For all professional fields, vocations, and jobs of any kind, and for fair and equitable labor policies…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jeffrey Solheim, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 26 years on September 5.
Rev. Barbara Duhlstine-Robarge, who celebrates 34 years on September 6.
Rev. William Phillips, Christ, Las Vegas, who celebrates 40 years on September 8.
Rev. Corazon Aguilar, who celebrates 30 years on September 9.
Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 33 years on September 10.
Rev. Bill Voris, who celebrates 65 years on September 11.
The Office of the Bishop visits and preaches at various congregations around the synod, and takes a day off on Labor Day. We also share photos from the Installation and Ordination of Solomon Kuch at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…
For business owners and leaders, facing increased costs and challenges…
For victims of flooding and landslides in Vietnam and Thailand…
For police officers and military personnel…
For immigrants coming to the US to escape violence in their countries of origin…
For those without a home or secure housing and those who serve them…
For those seeking meaningful work and all who are unemployed, underemployed, or retired…
For students transitioning to college and for the staff and faculty who care for them in these spaces, especially at our ELCA Colleges and Universities…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Paul Ninnemann, who celebrates 49 years on August 29.
Rev. Carol George, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 26 years on August 29.
Deacon Barbara Sikkink, who celebrates 33 years on August 30.
Rev. Renee Geiger, who celebrates 37 years on September 1.
Rev. John Schaumburg, who celebrates 53 years on September 2.
Rev. Kirk Anderson, who celebrates 53 years on September 3.
Deacon Cathy Mannel, who celebrates 26 years on September 4.
Rev. Gregory Mannel, who celebrates 47 years on September 4.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX…
For those without secure housing and those criminalized for being homeless…
For flash flooding in Wisconsin, evacuations in Alaska, and all facing storms and flooding…
For nurses and healthcare workers, especially those serving on the frontlines of war and conflict…
For safety for journalists who bring stories and awareness to the tragedy of war…
For all marriages, relationships, and family groupings that reflect mutual love and trust…
The Office of the Bishop attends the Installation and Ordination of Solomon Kuch at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran, Aug 24, 2025, 1:00 PM. We also share photos from our time volunteering at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store in Sun City, followed by a delicious lunch and staff meeting at Shepherd of the Desert in Sun City.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Loren Swanson, who celebrates 54 years on August 22.
Rev. Gary Garvey, who celebrates 43 years on August 22.
Rev. Carlyle Smith, who celebrates 61 years on August 23.
Rev. Naomi Barcanic, who celebrates 28 years on August 24.
Rev. Julie Gerrish, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 1 years on August 24.
Rev. Nathan Bowman, Hospice of the West, who celebrates 40 years on August 25.
Rev. Sandra Jones, Bethany, Scottsdale, who celebrates 18 years on August 25.
Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 20 years on August 27.
Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 31 years on August 28.
Rev. Hildegardo González Gómez, who celebrates 26 years on August 28.
This week the Office of the Bishop volunteers at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, followed by a lunch and staff meeting.
Churches bring ‘voice of hope’ to human rights agenda
Burghardt: churches need each other to be fruitful
European Youth Gathering opens under theme of Peace
God the artist
FinnChurch Aid and LWF sign Letter of Intent
LWF launches new study on gender justice
Uganda: Protecting children’s right to learn and play