The Lutheran Diaconal Association has introduced a Rostered Minister Pathway for those with previous diaconal preparation and can now endorse eligible members pursuing professional chaplain certification. Its Traditional Pathway remains available, with no career change required. Explore opportunities with the LDA for a lifelong calling to Christian service.

Applications are open for Faith+Lead’s New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator, a 12-month online program equipping leaders to listen, discern, experiment, and cultivate Jesus-centered communities among people not connected to a local church. The $249 program combines courses, workshops, monthly gatherings, coaching, and peer learning—and synod leaders are encouraged to personally invite emerging leaders who may be ready to take this next faithful step.

Season 7 of the Pivot Podcast asked how the old treasures of the Christian tradition, its practices, liturgy, scripture, and doctrine, can reach people today and shape the way we lead, pray, and live among our neighbors.

To accompany the season, we've created a free guide, Rooted for the Road Ahead: A Season 7 Guide from Faith+Lead's Pivot Podcast. Each episode page has a short description, a key quote, and a few questions for reflection or group discussion. At the end you'll find books from our season guests. Download the guide.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and honor the value and talent workers with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces. At Mosaic, we get to witness how employment opportunities transform lives every day. We understand that applying and interviewing for a job can be both exciting and nerve-racking for everyone. Our employment coordinators at Living Innovations share five tips to help people with IDD turn that nervousness into confidence.

• Telling a different story of renewing Lutheran-Catholic communion

• Lutheran identity in Norway and the United Kingdom

• Preserving human rights heritage for future generations in Chile

• Strengthening HIV prevention, gender justice and youth resilience

• Sharing hope across diverse continents

An expanded ELCA partnership brings Realm church management and Vanco Giving together, with exclusive pricing and implementation packages for ELCA congregations. The platform connects giving, member records, communications and other ministry tools. An informational webinar is Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. Arizona and Nevada time / 11 a.m. Utah and Navajo Nation time. Read the announcement and find webinar details.

How can we lead faithfully through disagreement? Augustana University President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin shares how a campus conflict became an opportunity for apology, listening and renewed relationships. Grounded in Lutheran commitments to community and mutual flourishing, her reflection invites us to practice reconciliation in our congregations, families and workplaces. Read her reflection in Living Lutheran.

Hear ELCA Presiding Bishop Emerita Elizabeth Eaton at Cal Lutheran’s Founders Day October 15, in Thousand Oaks or online: Convocation at 11:15 a.m. and “The Once and Future Church” at 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Register for the lecture, find livestream details, and join congregations in praying for Cal Lutheran on October 18.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 9424 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix, seeks a pianist for Sundays and praise team rehearsals every other Wednesday evening. Interested? Contact Judy Vogt at 602-999-7620 or jkvsinger@outlook.com. Please share with musicians in your community.

King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe will host a Senior Resource Fair October 17, 9 a.m.–noon, at 2085 E. Southern Ave. Older adults and caregivers can connect with resource organizations and attend 30-minute presentations on Medicare, aging in place, caregiver support, financial and legal considerations, and staying healthy and connected. View a PDF here.

LAMA’s September 29 newsletter connects faith with action: support truth and healing for Indian boarding school survivors, explore hunger grants opening October 1, hear Global Refuge’s Eric Shafer October 3, and join a free voting celebration October 15. Read the full newsletter for advocacy opportunities, voter resources, and event registration.

Build interfaith community and prepare for peaceful elections with Arizona Faith Network. This issue features October voter education events, Poll Chaplain and Peacekeeper training on October 15, and the October 20 Annual Gathering honoring Azra Hussain. Read the full newsletter for registration links, community celebrations, and more ways to serve.

Next week, synod staff will celebrate an ordination and installation, preach and participate in mission leadership training, and gather for an all-day staff meeting. Staff will also advance generosity and communications projects, support grants and upcoming events, maintain regular news updates and office operations, and prepare for September’s financial close.

When the future feels uncertain, belonging to Christ gives us courage to keep going together. In Faith Lens for October 4, Pastor Ian McConnell reflects on Philippians 3:4b–14 and neighbors caring for one another in Minneapolis, connecting faith with practical love. Youth leaders will find discussion questions, activities, and a prayer to help young people imagine a future rooted in God’s love. Read the full Faith Lens reflection.

Find community and a next step for life and ministry at ELCA Coaching’s Wayfinding in the Commons, Wednesday, October 7, on Zoom. This 45-minute gathering begins at 11 a.m. in most of Arizona and Nevada; noon in the Navajo Nation and St. George, Utah. Join fellow leaders and seekers for grounding, leadership learning, and coach-facilitated conversation—and leave with at least one actionable step.