Learn how to transform church properties into affordable housing at the Incubator Academy workshop on April 10th and 11th by Vitalyst Health Foundation and Corporation for Supportive Housing, featuring expert guidance and successful case studies. View this PDF for more info.
Read MoreHB2815, known as the 'Yes In God’s Back Yard' bill, received significant support from faith leaders and passed the Arizona House with a 38-21 vote. Advocacy by the religious community, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, played a pivotal role in raising awareness and influencing lawmakers. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.
Read MoreReligious leaders across Arizona, including Bishop Hutterer, rallied at the state Capitol to support legislative efforts aimed at alleviating the affordable housing crisis. They advocated for a bill, “Yes in God’s Backyard,” to permit religious institutions to develop affordable housing on their properties. Read or listen to the article from KJZZ here, and read the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona article here.
Read MoreRecently, LAMA's Policy Council outlined its pivotal 2024 priorities, emphasizing action on food insecurity, voting and civic engagement, the water crisis, and housing and homelessness. Rooted in ELCA's teachings, LAMA commits to being a publicly engaged church, advocating for foundational societal changes that echo throughout hunger prevention, voter participation, sustainable water use, and housing access.
Join us in these pressing endeavors that seek to uplift our community and address the root causes of these social concerns. Interested members are encouraged to contribute to this transformative journey. Read more at lamaz.org.
Read MoreGrace Lutheran Church in Phoenix partners with 'Street Medicine of Phoenix' to offer direct medical care to the homeless. Witness the transformative collaboration, as covered by FOX 10 News.
Read MoreCentral Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) provides more than just a safe place to sleep. The chaplaincy program at CASS cares for people experiencing homelessness who have a spiritual hunger.
Lay and rostered leaders are encouraged to volunteer their time with the chaplaincy program at CASS to teach Bible Studies and serve as outreach coordinators. Volunteer duties take two to three hours per week. Contact John Thurston john.thurston39@gmail.com or check out azchaplaincyforthehomeless.org to learn more.
Read MoreIn order to serve more people experiencing homelessness, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is pleased to announce that the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP) will be launching in Phoenix in January, 2023.
To support this program as an individual or have your ministry sign up as a host site, view more info here or send an email to Angel George, Community Engagement Supervisor.
Read MoreWe share ELCA Advocacy Connections for November/December 2022, from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director. Highlights include: Homelessness And Affordable Housing Awareness; Global Food Security Action; Status Of Title 42; World Aids Day Demands Attention; and Respect For Marriage Act.
Read MoreWendy Sontag, with Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Mesa, writes to share the good news of their Seniors Rock ministry, which meets every Thursday for a variety of activities.
Read more in this post, and be sure to share your ministry story with us.
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