The National Fund for Sacred Places is now accepting applications, offering $50,000–$500,000 in grants plus expert support for congregations undertaking major historic preservation projects. An informational webinar will be held Thursday, January 22 at 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM AZ) to help congregations determine eligibility and learn more.
This program, led by Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supports churches seeking to preserve their buildings while strengthening long-term ministry and community impact. Learn more and apply at fundforsacredplaces.org.
Read More
The January Faith Freedom Dispatch from the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty highlights faith-rooted advocacy resisting Christian nationalism and defending religious freedom for all. Inside: organizing against state-mandated prayer in Texas schools, a January 20 info session for the BJC Fellows Program, powerful clergy witness at an ICE field office in North Texas, the new Winter issue of Report from the Capital, and an invitation to a January 29 faith-rooted clergy organizing call.
This issue offers both theological grounding and practical ways to engage. Read the full newsletter to learn more, access resources, and explore how people of faith are standing together for pluralism, democracy, and human dignity.
Read More
Clergy are invited to a timely online gathering, Confronting Christian Nationalism: Faith-Rooted Organizing for Clergy, on Thursday, January 29, from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. MT / 9:30–11:00 a.m. PT via Zoom. Hosted by BJC, this Clergy Quarterly Touchpoint offers space for connection, shared learning, and concrete action as faith leaders navigate growing pressure in their communities.
The gathering will include honest conversation, practical breakout sessions, and tools to help clergy move from concern to faithful practice. Open to clergy only. Registration required.
Read More
Becoming a friend with someone who has a disability starts with a simple, “Hello!” Here are a few things to remember about communications that are good for everyone, but especially true for people with disabilities.
The post Be A Friend to People with Disabilities: 7 Ways to Communicate Respectfully appeared first on Mosaic.
Read More
Registration is now open for the 2026 Western States Youth Gathering, happening June 28–July 1, 2026, at California Lutheran University in Southern California. Youth graduating 8th–12th grade and their adult leaders are invited to gather for worship, service, learning, and connection in this faith-forming regional event.
Held the summer before the ELCA Youth Gathering, WSYG 2026 offers a meaningful opportunity for congregations to invest in youth ministry and prepare young people for a larger churchwide experience. Registration includes housing, meals, and programming. Learn more and register at westernstatesyg.org.
Read More
The Center of Addiction & Faith invites faith leaders and caregivers to a free Zoom webinar, “When Play Becomes a Problem: Internet Gaming and Spiritual Formation,” on January 28, 2026, from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM MT (10:00–11:00 AM PT).
Featuring addiction psychiatrist Michael Hsu, MD, the session will explore how gaming and digital technology can both support and undermine well-being—and offer practical, compassionate tools for recognizing unhealthy patterns and supporting individuals and families with faith-centered care. Registration is free and required.
Read More
The IRS has released the 2026 standard mileage rates, effective January 1, 2026. The business rate increases to 72.5 cents per mile, while the charitable rate remains 14 cents per mile. Medical and certain moving rates decrease slightly to 20.5 cents per mile.
These updates affect pastors, church staff, and volunteers who drive in service of ministry. Congregations and leaders should review reimbursement policies and budgets in light of the new rates for the coming year.
Read More
Faith+Lead from Luther Seminary now offers eight online, self-paced certificate programs designed for today’s ministry leaders. These non-degree micro-credentials provide focused, practical learning in areas such as biblical foundations, leadership in difficult times, rural ministry, spiritual formation, and theology and church history.
Each certificate includes on-demand courses, structured reflection, and verified completion that can be shared with judicatory leaders. Designed for busy pastors and lay leaders, Faith+Lead certificates empower leaders to deepen their calling and lead with confidence—right where they are.
Read More
In this latest Pivot podcast, Keith Bodner shares how a moment of panic in the pulpit led him to rediscover the confrontational power of Jesus' money parables.
Read More
What does a “good life” look like? At Mosaic, we know the answer is always personal.
The post One Size Doesn’t Fit All: The Value of Personalized Services appeared first on Mosaic.
Read More
As the New Year begins, Deacon Laura Book reflects on faith, family, and the gift of time. Wrestling with modern challenges like screen use, parenting, and busy schedules, her family has embraced January as a sacred “reset”—a chance to reassess rhythms and begin again together.
Rooted in Scripture and Lutheran theology, this reflection reminds us that our resolutions need not be perfect to be faithful. In baptismal grace, we are free to try, fail, forgive, and start anew—trusting that God meets us in every season with mercy and love.
Read More
The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter is now available, featuring upcoming opportunities for prayer, learning, and public engagement across Arizona. Highlights include weekly Monday Meditation, online conversations on democracy and voting rights, an interfaith exploration of faith and science from an Islamic perspective, the statewide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in Phoenix, and links to MLK Day events across the state.
The newsletter also includes partner events, interfaith observances, and ways to stay connected with AFN’s ongoing work. We encourage congregational leaders and lay members throughout the Grand Canyon Synod to read the newsletter in full, share it with others, and subscribe for weekly updates.
Read More
The latest Faith+Lead Monthly Roundup offers new on-demand courses, free funding resources, leadership pathways, and podcasts designed for ministry in a changing church. Highlights include a free Funding Forward course, new training on community-based ministry and church finances, the School for Lay Ministry beginning January 24, a free ebook on church history and discipleship, and new Bible and leadership podcasts.
Explore what’s new—and find learning opportunities that fit real ministry life—by reading the full Faith+Lead Monthly Roundup from Faith+Lead.
Read More
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, leaders across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to gather in person at the Synod Office in Phoenix for a hybrid Evangelism and Congregational Vitality Workshop, connected by Zoom with regional partners and PLTS. The gathering runs 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, includes lunch, and blends shared teaching with local conversation. RSVP requested for food planning—contact Pastor David Pavesic at David.Pavesic@elca.org.
Read More
In this latest Pivot podcast, Pastor Brian Brown shares what it actually takes to build church unity across racial and cultural lines.
Read More
The ELCA, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress Publishers, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healingwith “Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA” on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 5–7 p.m. MST (4–6 p.m. PST). This free event will be offered online and in person in Naperville, Ill., featuring sacred storytelling that invites deep listening, reflection, and renewed commitment to racial healing.
Online participation requires no registration, while in-person attendance is limited and requires advance registration. The event will be recorded and shared later via the ELCA’s YouTube channel.
Read More
The ELCA 2025 Annual Report cover is now available for congregational use. Congregations are encouraged to use this cover for annual reports and meetings as a way to connect local ministry with the wider work of the ELCA.
The 2025 report highlights our shared life in Christ, grounded in Colossians 2:6–7, and offers a snapshot of how Mission Support, ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Where Needed Most help carry out God’s work across the church and the world. Download the cover and preview what’s inside.
Read More
Congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to prepare their 2026–2027 Mission Support Plans and submit their Statement of Intent by March 1, 2026. Mission Support resources—including the letter from Bishop Hutterer and Vice President Mark Myers and the fillable intent form—are now available. A downloadable thank you video from Bishop Hutterer is also provided for use in worship, newsletters, and council meetings.
Rooted in our 2026 theme, “Rooted in God’s Story,” congregations are encouraged to consider a 10% Mission Support commitment as we invest in leadership formation, local and global partnerships, justice advocacy, and ministries that transform lives across our synod and the wider church.
Read More
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Luis Ochoa, Santa Trinidad, Chandler, and First Evangelical, Mesa, who celebrates 3 years on January 21.
Rev. Judi Tyler, Our Saviour’s, Phoenix, who celebrates 2 years on January 21.