With declining membership and limited finances, Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan didn’t have abundant resources—but it did have space and a willingness to take a leap of faith. Twenty years ago, the congregation began sheltering LGBTQIA+ young adults experiencing homelessness. Today, Trinity Place remains open every night, offering shelter, community and a path toward greater stability.

In Living Lutheran, the story becomes an invitation for congregations to consider how underused buildings and land might serve their neighbors. The article also introduces the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub, which helps congregations explore faithful and creative possibilities for their property. ⁠Read “From Scarcity to Sanctuary” in Living Lutheran.

What do Lutheran pastors, community organizing and the Pennsylvania Lottery have in common? In Living Lutheran, retired ELCA pastor P. Richard Grove recalls how Lutheran leaders helped organize older adults around affordable public transportation in the early 1970s—and how that advocacy contributed to a system that has since provided billions of dollars in benefits for Pennsylvania’s older adults.

Part of Living Lutheran’s America 250 series, the firsthand account offers a fascinating glimpse into Lutheran engagement in civic life and the lasting consequences of community organizing. ⁠Read “A Big Deal” in Living Lutheran.

The Mission Investment Fund’s 2025 Annual Report shares how congregations, individuals and ministry partners are putting financial resources to work in service of the church and their communities. In 2025, MIF reported $615 million in active loans supporting 700 ELCA ministries and $551.5 million in investments from individuals, congregations and organizations.

Beyond the numbers, the report shares stories of ministries expanding essential services, establishing permanent homes and aligning financial stewardship with service, justice and care for the neighbor. ⁠Explore the 2025 MIF Annual Report.

Our July 2026 Mission Support Memo highlights a story created by our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, about a community-centered ministry in West Lawn, Pa., called InsideOut.

Also, reconnect or connect with ELCA's The Generosity Project through a new webpage available in partnership with Kindling Faith. Finally, take the time to read a farewell from a beloved colleague, Victoria Flood.

ELCA Worship’s August roundup offers several opportunities for church musicians and worship leaders: more than 40 Lutheran Summer Music performances available on demand, fall webinars from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, October’s Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, and a formation opportunity for early-career church musicians through the Church Music Institute.

Several opportunities have fall deadlines or registration dates, making this a useful roundup to share with your congregation’s musicians and worship leaders. ⁠Explore all partner resources and events.

ELCA Worship highlights several resources from Augsburg Fortress for congregations and worship leaders, including the 2027 Sundays and Seasons calendar featuring the art of Kelly Latimore, a children’s introduction to the church year, ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, and a large-print edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship designed to make worship more accessible. ⁠Explore the August worship resources.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry reflects on religious diversity, Christian faith and the church’s calling to a “ministry of reconciliation.” Drawing on the ELCA’s interreligious commitments, Curry encourages Lutherans to build relationships across religious differences while resisting efforts to identify the nation or government with a single faith. ⁠Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s full message.

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

• The Rev. Cheryl Fox, who celebrates 17 years on August 15.

• Rev. Mark Powell, who celebrates 46 years on August 17.

• Rev. Deborah Hutterer, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 22 years on August 18.

• Rev. Brent Maxwell, who celebrates 19 years on August 19.

• Rev. Kurt Fangmeier, Sierra Evangelical, Sierra Vista, who celebrates 25 years on August 19.

• Rev. Marilyn Ascarza, who celebrates 36 years on August 19.

• Rev. Scott Hackler, Spirit of Grace, Surprise, who celebrates 37 years on August 20.

• Michael Purcell, who celebrates 48 years on August 20.

The SYAT Collective continues its free continuing education series for youth ministry leaders with two upcoming Zoom events: intergenerational ministry (August 20), and creative fundraising strategies (September 17). Congregational leaders, volunteers, and ministry staff are invited to learn practical tools for strengthening ministry with children, youth, and young adults.

Rev. Annemarie Burke will be installed Sunday, 8/16/2026 at the 9 am service at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (7570 North Thornydale Road, Tucson, AZ 85741).

Please check the calendar listing or beautifulsavior.net for this event for up-to-date info and details.

Join ELCA Director of Misconduct Prevention Kendra Stea on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m. Arizona/PDT for practical guidance on mandatory reporting, involving the bishop, sex offenders in congregations, behavior agreements, Safe Church policies, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Registration is now open for the Growing in Faith/Diakonia Foundation Year, beginning August 25 with Christianity in the Lutheran Key. Join others from across the synod for online learning, spiritual growth, and deeper engagement with faith in everyday life. View PDF here.

Save the date for the Grand Canyon Synod Growing in Faith Program’s upcoming symposium, “A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Nationalism — Hope, Courage and Community for Such a Time as This,” on Nov. 14, 2026, at American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Arizona, with virtual participation also available.

Featuring Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod, the event will explore faithful Lutheran responses to Christian nationalism through the lenses of hope, courage, discipleship and neighbor love. More details and registration information are coming soon.

The ELCA has released “Conscience and Conversation,” a new study resource to support churchwide discernment during the reconsideration of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Congregations, small groups, and individuals are invited to participate and share feedback with the task force.

The accompanying survey is open through September 30, 2026, and responses will help shape a draft statement for churchwide review. Ministry leaders are encouraged to prayerfully engage the study and ensure their voices are part of the conversation.