The ELCA Churchwide Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All, a social statement on the relationship between church and state. This theologically grounded document guides Lutherans in civic engagement, aiming to help shape conscience and inform faithful action in public life. Developed over several years through churchwide participation, this statement encourages us to pursue justice, peace, and the common good. To explore the full statement and the process behind it, click here for more.

Approximately 250 people gathered for the AMMPARO Candlelight Prayer Vigil on July 30 at Peace Park in Phoenix, across from the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Lutheran and interfaith leaders—including Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Deborah Hutterer—joined voices in prayer and witness for the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, and asylees. The vigil was a moving call to live out our faith through accompaniment and solidarity. Click here to view the full pictorial and read more.

Peter Faur, a lifelong Lutheran and member of La Casa de Cristo in Phoenix, has joined the LAMA Policy Council for a three-year term. With a background in journalism, public relations, and advocacy, Peter brings deep experience and a passion for justice to this important role. Please join us in praying for and supporting his work with LAMA. Click here to read the full announcement.

In the latest Here I Pod episode from ELCA Advocacy, Regina Banks interviews Phoebe Morad, Executive Director of Lutherans Restoring Creation, on how faith communities can integrate climate justice into congregational life. The episode also features young adults on Capitol Hill raising awareness about climate issues with elected leaders. Learn how Lutheran faith inspires advocacy and intergenerational dialogue for caring for God’s creation—click here for more.

Several ELCA synods, including our siblings in the New England, Greater Milwaukee, Southwest California, Southwestern Texas, and Sierra Pacific Synods, have joined other faith organizations in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. The case challenges a Trump-Vance administration policy that permits ICE raids at or near houses of worship—practices that plaintiffs argue violate religious freedom and harm congregational life.

The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Forward and partner organizations, highlights disturbing incidents of ICE activity during worship, preschool pickup, and pastoral preaching. The plaintiffs seek immediate relief to halt these actions nationwide. Click here to read the full story and view the complaint.

Discover newly released worship resources from Augsburg Fortress, including hymn accompaniments, prayers, and reflections on Lutheran liturgical life. Highlights include Joining in Glad Adoration, Vol. 2, Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks, and a refreshed edition of Baptized, We Live by Daniel Erlander. Plus, help celebrate the five-year anniversary of All Creation Sings by sharing a photo and testimonial by August 15 for a chance to win a $150 gift card. Click here to explore the full August resource roundup on the ELCA Worship blog.

Camp ALOMA’s 2025 summer season brought joy, spiritual growth, and unforgettable moments to children across our synod. From first canoe rides and faith-filled Bible studies to hilarious cabin moments and deepening friendships, campers returned home transformed. Read stories from Anna-Belle, Mae, Lucas, Maddie, and Reagan as they reflect on a season of God’s presence, laughter, and learning in the woods.

Seventeen-year-old Kenny from Love of Christ in Mesa served as both a voting member and Election Committee member at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. Invited by Bishop Hutterer, Kenny brought energy, thoughtfulness, and leadership to a week of worship, decision-making, and hope for the future of the ELCA.

In BJC’s August Faith Freedom Dispatch, meet the 2025 BJC Fellows, learn how North Texans are organizing against Christian nationalism, and read why the Johnson Amendment still matters for churches. Plus, celebrate a $50,000 grant awarded to the BJC Center for Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation. Read the full BJC newsletter here.

What does it mean to live more simply as a person of faith? In a world shaped by overconsumption and climate anxiety, One Home One Future invites us to embrace simplicity as a spiritual, ecological, and justice-oriented practice. Rooted in Scripture and supported by science, this reflection from Rev. Carol Devine explores how simple living—spending time outdoors, consuming less, and making sustainable choices—connects us to God, to our neighbors, and to all of creation. Click here to read the full reflection on Blessed Tomorrow’s blog.

This week’s Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes updates on the new Safe Communities Coalition, upcoming interfaith events, and ways to serve amid extreme heat. RSVP for AFN commissions, book groups, and meditation sessions. Find opportunities for service and justice—including heat relief canvassing, interfaith internships, and a contemplative retreat. Read the full newsletter and subscribe at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

Registration is now open for the Women of the ELCA 2026 Triennial Gathering, held July 16–19 in Des Moines, Iowa. With the theme “I Am Worthy,” this powerful event brings Lutheran women together for worship, learning, and connection. Reserve your spot today!

Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) will return to St. Olaf College in 2026, the site of its inaugural season in 1982. The move marks a homecoming and a fresh chapter for LSM as it partners with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) for a vibrant summer of sacred music and intergenerational learning. This follows a successful eight-year residency at Valparaiso University.

In response to a tragic act of political violence in Minnesota, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Minnesota (LA-MN) offers tools and hope to address the root causes of division. From the Graceful Conversations workshop to emerging resources on media literacy and Christian nationalism, this spotlight highlights how faithful advocacy, grounded in Lutheran theology, can help rebuild community and resist extremism. Click here to read the full article from ELCA Advocacy.

Keith Christensen, principal gifts officer at Mayo Clinic and member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene, Iowa, shares how his Lutheran faith shapes his calling in development and stewardship. With a legacy rooted in ELCA colleges, lifelong church involvement, and a commitment to generous leadership, Christensen reflects on listening, asking, and living out God’s call with humility and purpose. Click here to read the full story in Living Lutheran: I’m a Lutheran: Keith Christensen.

In A Liberation Theology of the Brain, Carmelo Santos-Rolón—ELCA theologian and former neuroscience instructor—invites us into a powerful dialogue between science and theology. Drawing on neuroscience and liberation theology, he explores how systems of oppression are encoded in our emotions and behaviors, and how the word of God can liberate us, body and mind. His insights point to a church that not only proclaims healing but practices it through dialogue, community, and transformation. Click here to read the full interview in Living Lutheran: Neuroscience and decolonial theology.