Sharing Trustworthy Information About Where and How to Vote

As this post from ELCA Advocacy reminds us, our civic engagement as people of faith can help ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government. Some congregations use bulletin blurbs, some post a “Prepared to Vote Checklist” in the window from ELCA.org/civicengagementresources, some help neighbors check their voter registration status during church activities or at shelters they work with – among many creative approaches that fit their setting. Resources and ideas for this important non-partisan service by faith communities an election year are reprinted here by permission from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For those experiencing difficult transitions and in need of discernment…

  • For those experiencing warfare and escalating violence, especially in Gaza, Russia, and Ukraine…

  • For those affected by the murder-suicide at Rice University…

  • For those threatened by the path of typhoon Shanshan in Japan…

  • For those experiencing difficult or extreme weather conditions, such as the Midwest, Hawaii, and Alaska…

  • For NASA’s efforts to retrieve its two astronauts…

  • For all who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s military…

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United in Prayer: Ecumenical Vigils for Peace During the 2024 Election Season

Join ecumenical prayer vigils across Arizona as Christian leaders from various denominations unite to pray for peace and unity during the 2024 election season. The vigils will be held on September 9th at Our Lady of the Angels Conventual Church in Paradise Valley, October 14th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson, and November 3rd at Sun City Christian Church. All are welcome to come together in faith to seek God’s guidance and peace for our nation.

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From love to lament: ELCA team explores creative theology and global outreach at gathering

What does a team do when they cannot meet in person because the work spans the globe? If you are part of the Service and Justice home area of the ELCA, you hold a weeklong gathering to talk about the evolving landscape of the church, the mission abroad, and themes of love, gratitude and adaptive change. The event featured discussions on the church’s future in the landscape of an ever-increasing secularization in the United States, the continued importance of global work, and the need to embrace new forms of ministry to serve God’s call. Read the original article at Living Lutheran.

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2024 Vote Faithfully Toolkit: Resources for Christian Civic Engagement

With the 2024 presidential election fast approaching, we share a post from the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona as well as the Episcopal Church's Vote Faithfully Toolkit to help congregations engage in faithful civic participation. This toolkit offers resources for healthy election engagement, including crucial dates, action steps, and communication materials.

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Weigh In on LAMA’s 2025 Policy Priorities

The end of the year is swiftly approaching, which means it will soon be time for the LAMA Policy Council to decide what our 2025 Policy Priorities will be.

Take our one-question survey now and let us know what you want LAMA to work on next year! We encourage you to share this survey with your ministries, small groups, and congregations. We want to hear from our community members across Arizona.

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Embrace the Future: Reimagining Faith in an AI-Driven World

Rethink what ministry can look like in our increasingly digital world with the “Real Faith in an AI World: Rethinking Digital Ministry” Learning Community. This four-week course, starting on October 14, 2024, will equip you with the tools and strategies to integrate AI and digital tools into your ministry, ensuring authentic faith formation and community building in a tech-driven world.

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Unleash Your Leadership Potential with the School for Lay Ministry

Transform Your Ministry in Just One Year with Theologically-Sound Training and Leadership Development. The School for Lay Ministry Learning Community starts October 12, 2024. Join this year-long journey to enhance your leadership skills, deepen your faith, and serve your congregation more effectively. Enroll now to secure your spot!

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Safeguarding Religious Liberty: A Voter’s Guide for Challenging Times

As we face the 2024 elections, threats to religious freedom are more prevalent than ever. In the latest Christians Against Christian Nationalism newsletter, their Report from the Capital sheds light on the misuse of the Bible in politics and the dangers of Christian nationalism. Learn how you can prepare to vote, protect your freedoms, and engage in efforts to safeguard religious liberty.

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Plan for the Future: Estate Planning Tools and Tips from the ELCA Foundation

August is National Make-a-Will Month—a perfect time to review and update your estate plans. The ELCA Foundation provides essential resources to guide you through every step, ensuring your values and priorities are honored. Explore tools like Giving Docs, learn about the benefits of a trust, and consider supporting an ELCA ministry as part of your legacy.

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ELCA Spotlight: Domestic Hunger Grants

The ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants support transformative projects across the U.S. and Caribbean to combat the root causes of hunger and poverty. This initiative, part of ELCA World Hunger, empowers communities with resources to create sustainable change and ensure food security, reflecting our commitment to justice and Lutheran values of accompaniment and advocacy.

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All Valley Young Adults: New Monthly Events Bring Community Together

Kick off the new monthly young adult events in the Phoenix area with a fun night of unlimited bowling on Monday, September 9th, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Main Event in Tempe. This gathering, led by local young adult leaders, is the first of many opportunities to connect with peers across the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on the fun—join us for this exciting event!

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Rev. Jim Wallis to Address Faith, Democracy, and Peace-Building in Phoenix and Tucson

Join Rev. Jim Wallis for an insightful discussion on “Democracy, Faith, and Peace-Building in 2024.” Reflecting on his latest book, Wallis will address the challenges of Christian nationalism and the importance of reclaiming a faith that supports democracy. Co-sponsored by local faith organizations, this event is a must-attend for those passionate about the intersection of faith and politics.

  • Tucson: Wednesday, September 11, at 6:00 pm MST. Southside Presbyterian Church, located at 317 W. 23rd Street, Tucson, AZ 85713. Register here.

  • Phoenix: Thursday, September 12, at 7pm MST. Trinity Cathedral, 110 W Roosevelt St., Phoenix AZ 85003. Register here.

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Strengthen Your Counseling Ministry with Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Training

Enhance your counseling ministry by becoming a certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator at a special training on September 27th in Oro Valley. Offered at a discounted rate to Grand Canyon Synod clergy, this workshop equips you with essential tools for effective marriage counseling and supporting families. Register by September 15th to secure your spot.

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Faith Lens: Beyond “Good Guy vs. Bad Guy”

Even if you’re not old enough to vote, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about “the growing political divide in America.” Maybe you’ve seen evidence of it yourself on the news, in your church, or even in your own family. It seems like everywhere we turn we can find more and more evidence that people are less and less able to listen to each other, especially about politics. Sometimes it feels like the only thing anyone can agree on is how impossible it would be for us to agree. It can be pretty stressful to watch.

But what if our political divide isn’t as huge or even as real as it seems? A recent article in Time Magazine paints a very different story of our country. It explains that while a small number of people on both political sides are very divided, most average Americans actually agree a lot more than we disagree. Like, a lot more. Their survey discovered what they called “stunning agreement” on almost every single issue they asked about. 

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