Lutherans Unite for Creation Care: April's Green Initiatives and How to Get Involved

April's Good Green News from Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) offers a slew of engaging opportunities for congregations to become proactive in creation care, from formulating action plans to participating in national climate discussions. Dive into this month's offerings and see how your faith community can contribute to a greener, more sustainable world.

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Christians Against Christian Nationalism: Does the Bible need endorsing?

On the most recent episode of Respecting Religion, the podcast from BJC (the parent organization of Christians Against Christian Nationalism), co-hosts Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman explain why the Bible doesn’t need anyone’s endorsement. You can listen to it wherever you get your podcasts or on BJC's website

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Blessed Tomorrow: Celebrating Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day this April with Blessed Tomorrow. Dive into the joy and sacredness of spring as we recommit to creation care and climate justice. Discover three powerful ways to engage your congregation and community in meaningful climate action, from participating in the National Faith + Climate Forum to joining One Home One Future and becoming a Climate Ambassador. Let's honor Earth Day and ensure the beauty of our planet for future generations.

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From Local Impact to Global Action: ELCA World Hunger's 50th Year of Making a Difference

In the April 2024 edition of "Go & Do News," Lauren Smith, Director at Building Resilient Communities Education and Networks, celebrates the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger. This issue invites readers to reflect on the half-century milestone of tackling hunger and poverty through ELCA's dedicated ministry.

It highlights the release of 50th-anniversary resources, a special video, and inspiring stories of partnership and action across the globe, including domestic spotlight on the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches and international focus on FLD-COMIN-CAPA's work in Brazil.

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Redefining Evangelism: A Journey to Sharing Deep Lutheran Insights

In Living Lutheran’s "Beyond Evangelism: Sharing What Matters," Anthony Bateza explores a nuanced approach to sharing the gospel, focusing on the therapeutic aspects of Lutheran theology rather than conventional evangelism.

Dr. Bateza reflects on the discomfort with traditional evangelist roles and the fear associated with being perceived as coercive. He suggests a shift from a caricatured evangelism to sharing theological depth and substance, emphasizing love, justice, and humility in faith communities.

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Embracing Autistic Children in Church: A Mother's Story of Inclusion and Hope

Creating a welcoming church environment for autistic children and their families involves understanding, adjustments, and compassion. In this blog post from faithlead.org, Kristin Thomas Sancken shares her personal journey with her daughter Lucy, revealing the significance of individualized care and accommodations. From recognizing sensory sensitivities to explaining church rituals, her congregation’s inclusive approach highlights the power of empathy and acceptance.

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ELCA Disability Ministries Announces Upcoming Grant Opportunities for 2024

Stay informed and engaged with ELCA Disability Ministries in their latest update. Look forward to a new grant opportunity aimed at supporting and enhancing the work of disability ministries across our community. Additionally, consider joining their advisory team to play a pivotal role in guiding and expanding our ministry efforts.

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Navigating Biases for Community Care: ELCA Coaching's Insightful Session

Discover the profound impact of biases and power dynamics in shaping our communities and relationships. Join ELCA Coaching for an enlightening one-hour session with anti-bias consultant Janelle Scales on Wednesday, 4/10/2024, 11 am MST/PDT. Login information on the ELCA Coaching website.

Delve into the intersectionality of power, the unique adult-child dynamic, and the path towards using radical compassion to foster deeper connections. Whether you're an educator, parent, or anyone committed to social justice, this session promises insights into practicing more inclusive community care.

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And the winner of the Lenten Challenge is … Grand Canyon Synod!

As part of the Lenten Challenge across the synods of Region 2, a whopping 717 individuals from 148 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, daily decluttering, daily wellness activities, or a donation of a dollar or more a day for ELCA World Hunger.

Region 2 raised an estimated $56,135 — meaning, more is coming in — for anti-hunger efforts through ELCA World Hunger. Thank you! Read more on the LAMA web site.

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Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars Interviewed by Telemundo Arizona about harmful SNAP Bills

On April 1st, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars was interviewed by José Ángel Galavis, senior multimedia journalist for Telemundo Arizona. The news network broadcast a story about the recent passage of HB2502 & HB2503, both harmful bills that if passed, would cause additional barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Read the full article on the LAMA website.

Autumn testified against these bills in a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 12 (see article), along with colleagues from Arizona Food Bank Network and the William E. Morris Institute for Justice. Through multiple action alerts, the entire LAMA community has been advocating hard against these bills, but nonetheless, they passed on March 28th.

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Tackling American Christian Nationalism: AFN's Webinar Series Continues

Don't miss out on the chance to support Arizona Faith Network through Arizona Gives Day—donations are welcome year-round! Plus, dive into enriching online discussions with our upcoming events, including AFN Monday Meditation, the insightful webinar series on dismantling American Christian Nationalism, and more in their weekly newsletter.

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