In observance of the one-year anniversary of the start of the current conflict in the Holy Land, Bishop Eaton offers prayers for peace, healing and justice for all people in Israel and Palestine, and the regions where the war has escalated. “We grieve this violence and loss of life with all people of the Holy Land — and with the Palestinian community of the ELCA, our Jewish and Muslim neighbors, and all who live in fear, pain and anguish. We believe the presence and love of God in Jesus Christ can always be found in the places of the cross. Wherever violence, injustice and death seem to have the last word, God is there and has not abandoned the people.”
Read MoreWatch a Zoom webinar from ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools, available on YouTube.
Read MoreIn anticipation of Election Day in the United States, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “civic engagement through political and nonpolitical processes is how we live into our baptism and share Christ’s love as we work to make a difference in our communities and strive for justice and peace across the globe.”
Read MoreJoin Arizona Faith Network and the Election Protection Arizona as a nonpartisan, volunteer poll monitor for the 2024 General Election! Sign up to be an EPAZ volunteer at allvoting.org/afn2024. Zoom-based training dates are on the form.
As a nonpartisan volunteer poll monitor, you will assist voters on Election Day should they encounter any problems voting.
Read MoreEarly voting for the 2024 General Election begins soon! Arizona voters can start as early as October 9, with early voting starting in Nevada on 10/19/2024 and Utah on 10/22/2024. Early voting ends on 11/1/2024 for all three states.
Find out key early voting dates, locations, and how to sign up for mail ballots in our latest blog post, and be sure to make your voice heard before Election Day!
Read MoreYou can check your voter registration status and find more information on Nevada’s election website and Utah’s election website. Vote411.org also has clear information for Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
Nevada registration deadlines are postmarked by 10/8/2024 by mail, and Election Day, 11/5/2024 for online and in-person.
Utah registration deadlines are 10/25/2024 by mail and online, and Election Day, 11/5/2024 for in-person.
The Navajo Nation spans multiple states, so voter registration follows the respective state guidelines (Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah). Contact the Navajo Election Administration for localized information.
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona reminds us that October 7, 2024 is the BIG CUTOFF DATE for registering to vote in Arizona general election. Check your registration status, check your friends and loved ones’ status, check, check, check!
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Jonathan Linman, Rev. Verónica Alvarez and the people of Faith / La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at faithalive.com.
Read MoreSave the date for World Food Day—Celebrating 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger—a Zoom webinar on Tuesday, 10/15/2024, 5 pm MST/PDT, 6pm MDT. Register here.
This special online event will be hosted by the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, vice president of the ELCA.
Read MoreThe ELCA has released a comprehensive set of worship resources for the upcoming national elections, including scripture readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions. These materials are designed to support congregations during prayer vigils, weekly worship, or personal devotions. Download the free resource to help guide your community through this important time.
Read MoreThe 2024 Election Season Toolkit from Faith+Lead provides essential resources to help church leaders guide their congregations through the political tensions of election season. Learn how to foster empathy, promote peace, and ground conversations in Gospel values. Access the toolkit and subscribe for updates at faithlead.org/toolkit/2024election.
Read MoreJoin us on Sunday, October 13th, 2024 following the 9:00 AM worship service at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman, AZ, as they celebrate 60 years of ministry and community. Stay tuned for more details and visit glckingman.com for updates. Save the date and be part of this joyful milestone!
Read MoreTransform 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!
Read MoreRooms for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering are sold out, but commuter registration is still open through October 7! Join Bishop Hutterer and special guests Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe and Elder Perci Ami for worship, storytelling, and fellowship at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Meals are included for commuters—register now to secure your spot!
Read MoreRethink 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.
Read MoreJ.W. Pepper is celebrating its 150th anniversary by launching a nationwide scholarship program, awarding 52 scholarships to future music educators. With $3,000 for each state’s recipient and an additional $10,000 for the top scholar, this initiative supports students entering college as music education majors in fall 2025. Applications open in October 2024—learn more and sign up for updates on this extraordinary educational opportunity.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Ryan Hersch, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 21 years on September 27.
Read MoreThe FBI has reached out to the Office of the Bishop with vital resources to combat the rise in hate crimes during election years, offering support and emphasizing community safety and civil rights protection.
Read MoreThe Campaign for Kindness Preaching Series from the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod is designed to guide congregations through the 2024 election season with messages of kindness, humility, and reconciliation. Starting on a suggested date of October 6, this six-week sermon series encourages pastors to address political anxiety from a faith perspective. Learn more about the resources and join weekly discussions to promote kindness in your faith community.
Read MoreThe ELCA invites members to engage with a draft social statement on civic life and faith, reflecting our relationship with government as individuals and a church body. This statement, currently under review, offers guidance on church teaching and policies, serving as a vital tool for discernment on civic issues. Members can contribute feedback through an online survey or synod hearings until September 30, 2024. Post-feedback, the statement will be considered for official adoption at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, potentially shaping the church's stance on civic engagement.
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