ecoAmerica’s January newsletter calls us to action, sharing new research on growing climate concerns, opportunities like the 2025 American Climate Leadership Awards, and inspiring stories from faith communities leading the way. Learn how you can deepen your commitment to creation care and advocate for climate justice in 2025. Read more.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is transforming lives in Indonesia through disaster preparedness training for church members in vulnerable communities. With over 40 participants engaged in November 2024, this ELCA-supported initiative equips churches to act as first responders, spreading God’s love and building resilience in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. Read more at ELCA.org.
Read MoreJoin the choir for a special Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Diversity event on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 3 PM at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe. Rehearsals begin January 4, and all vocalists are welcome to participate in this inspiring service featuring gospel-style music and a message from Bishop Yehiel Curry. Sign up today to be part of this unforgettable tribute at Sign-Up Genius.
Read MoreWe are excited to announce the release of the updated 2025 Congregations in Transition Manual, designed to guide congregations through the four phases of the transition and call process with spiritual focus and practical tools. Now available for download, this resource includes templates, liturgies, and actionable steps to help congregations navigate change with grace. Visit gcsynod.org/transition to access the manual and learn more.
Read MoreMerry Christmas from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona! This year, Spirit welcomed diverse groups seeking healing and renewal while continuing to provide exceptional hospitality and spiritual connection. Looking ahead, Spirit offers retreats and programs to deepen faith, including Centering Prayer, contemplative Zoom services, and a Spring Training baseball retreat. Discover how Spirit continues to serve as a haven for peace and renewal.
Read More2024 was a year of remarkable advocacy through the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona (LAMA), with record participation at Lutheran Day at the Legislature and impactful work in areas like hunger, housing, and international aid. As we celebrate Christmas, we reflect on the Nativity’s call to care for the vulnerable and recommit to advocacy in 2025. Read more for highlights from LAMA Director Solveig Muus and an inspiring message from Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars.
Read MoreLiving Lutheran returns to print in spring 2025, offering quarterly issues filled with inspiring stories and church updates. Subscribe individually or as a congregation today. Plus, explore meaningful holiday gifts with the ELCA Good Gifts catalog, join the National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 21, and prepare for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starting Jan. 18. Find these updates and more in this month’s Seeds Monthly.
Read MoreArizona’s Christian leaders have issued a powerful statement calling for immigration reform that upholds human dignity and family unity. They denounce unjust deportation practices, including raids on churches and other critical locations, and call on law enforcement to act with conscience. Grounded in Gospel values, the leaders urge us all to see the image of God in every human being and advocate for a fair and humane immigration system. Read the full statement to learn how our faith compels us to stand with the vulnerable.
Read MoreHow do we define success? As college football celebrates a new twelve-team playoff, Advent invites us to reflect on a very different kind of victory. Mary’s song in Luke 1:39–55 reminds us that God lifts up the lowly so that all may share in divine blessings. As we approach the manger this week, let us celebrate the true meaning of success: God’s victory for all.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Susan Swanson, who celebrates 26 years on December 27.
Rev. Kim Taylor, American, Tucson, who celebrates 40 years on December 30.
The Office of the Bishop will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The staff enjoys some time off with family and friends, and does our final wrap-up on 2024.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop will be closed on January 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. Regular hours resume January 2. May the new year bring you joy, hope, and renewed faith in Christ.
Read MoreIn the ELCA, we recognize that some of our members are of Syrian nationality or heritage. Through ecumenical bodies such as the Middle East Council of Churches, we have long been in relationship with the Syrian Christian communities, which date back to the earliest days of the church and whose members live and worship today as a religious minority that is not always welcomed or accepted. These Christians hope that a new Syria will include a place of safety, security and freedom of worship for them and their neighbors. Syria’s diversity is integral to the fabric of Syrian society and should be protected.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Sharon Brown and the people of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, part of the High Country Conference.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Mark Rossman, Rev. Shari Bernau and the people of Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference.
Read MoreWhat happens to LGBTQIA2S+ families if marriage equality is overturned? Join Central Lutheran Church on January 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM for Planning for Your Future in Uneasy Times. Estate Attorney Aaron Fransua, Esq., will share essential steps to safeguard your family and rights in uncertain times. This vital event is open to all—come and learn how to protect what matters most.
Read MoreIn our December 2024 Mission Support Memo hear from Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar of our Oregon Synod, telling her story of joyful and important accompaniment with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Explore the eight enlightening things she learned about Poland and Polish Lutherans.
We are grateful how Mission Support connects us globally. You can also find out about an exciting series on aligning your pocketbook with your values, so learn how to join January 13th to explore “6 Weeks on Money.”
Read MoreAFN would like to thank the many people who made the 2024 Annual Gathering a success. We'd especially like to thank the generous sponsors and exhibitors who made the event possible and enabled people to connect with many important organizations and resources.
If you weren't able to attend, here's a link to the Annual Gathering Program and here's a YouTube recording of the program portion of the event (here's a link starting at the beginning of the keynote address from Rev. Eugene Cho).
Read MoreFaith communities across the U.S. are embracing solar power to care for God’s creation and reduce energy costs. Federated Community Church in Flagstaff has cut its energy bills by 96%, while Lutheran congregations nationwide are becoming leaders in climate justice through solar adoption. Supported by incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act, congregations are proving that collective faith can inspire real change. Explore how solar energy helps churches live out stewardship and care for future generations.
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