Faith+Lead’s August roundup offers new opportunities for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations to learn and grow, including courses on purpose and money, a new Christian communities incubator, Susan Beaumont’s supervision training beginning August 18, and the fall School for Lay Ministry cohort.

The roundup also includes free resources for The Bible in a Year and the Narrative Lectionary’s upcoming Year of Matthew. Read the August 2026 Faith+Lead Monthly Roundup.

In this episode, Johnny Sertin and Meg Fry talk with hosts Dwight Zscheile and Alicia Granholm about what it takes to build trust in a neighborhood before ever bringing up faith.

When a child sees someone with a disability, they are naturally curious and may have questions. With students heading back to school this fall, we connected with Author and Speaker Tasha Schuh to discuss how parents can talk to their children about interacting with people with disabilities.

The post Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities appeared first on Mosaic.

The recording and resources from the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team’s “Mastering Money: Budgeting, Planning, and Living Generously” webinar are now available. Watch Duane Gilson explore budgeting, financial planning, and generosity as practices of faithful stewardship, and find recommended tools for managing money, receiving financial guidance, and growing generosity.

See Campformation 2026 through a new video shared by Pastor David Sivecz of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. From worship and friendship to outdoor adventures and faith formation, get a glimpse of a Grand Canyon Synod ministry that has been helping young people grow in faith and community for more than 60 years.

Two connected resources invite Grand Canyon Synod leaders to study and respond to Christian nationalism. Read the July 2026 issue of Currents in Theology and Mission, “Declaring Independence from Christian Nationalism,” then explore the separate Reclaiming the Heritage project and its “Democracy at Risk” declaration, which people of faith are invited to read and sign.

The Rev. Conrad Braaten, a Grand Canyon Synod pastor currently serving as Interim Pastor at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, helped develop the declaration and encourages synod leaders to engage these resources for theological study, discernment and faithful action.

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter features registration for the October 20 AFN Annual Gathering, “From Conflict to Community,” plus upcoming opportunities focused on digital security, elder abuse, election protection, peacemaking and interfaith service.

Read the full AFN newsletter for event details, registration information and more opportunities to connect with Arizona’s interfaith community.

The August 11 LAMA newsletter invites congregations to add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday on September 13 and features upcoming events, new ELCA advocacy resources, opportunities to comment on the church’s homelessness social message, and ways to engage faithfully in public life. Read the full LAMA newsletter and find ways to get involved.

The Office of the Bishop is engaged across the synod and beyond this week through worship, pastoral leadership, ministry site review, innovation planning, generosity work, staff service at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and preparations for upcoming events. Synod staff also continue the essential communications, administrative, financial, and stakeholder support that sustain our shared ministry.

The Generosity Project has a new online home! For several years, the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team helped host this cross-generational ELCA stewardship resource. We celebrate its next chapter and give special thanks to Grand Canyon Synod member and longtime project champion Linda Staats for her passion and leadership.

Explore The Generosity Project and discover resources for cultivating generosity, discipleship, and faith from generation to generation.

Spirit in the Desert Executive Director Rika Beckley reflects on her first month of leadership and the faith, hospitality and community sustaining the Carefree retreat center. The latest newsletter also features Wednesday Respite, an Aug. 14-15 Open House & Pop-Up Sale, daily and weekly prayer opportunities, fall retreats, the ThanksLiving Music Fest and ways to support Spirit’s ministry. Read the full Spirit in the Desert newsletter and explore upcoming opportunities.

Grace Lutheran Church of Phoenix’s longtime member Betty turns 100 in September, and her congregation is inviting the Grand Canyon Synod to help celebrate with 100 cards for 100 years. Send a birthday card or note of encouragement by September 10 and help surround Betty with the joy and love of the wider church.

Lutheran Men in Mission’s Summer 2026 Ambassador-Gram features newly revised men’s ministry resources, a new DIY half-day retreat series, fall One Year to Live retreats and Bold Gatherings, weekly online Bible and book studies, a discipleship course, and a Sept. 8 legacy giving webinar.

Explore the opportunities and resources available to help congregations strengthen men’s ministry and discipleship.

Women of the ELCA welcomed 1,000 registered participants to the “I Am Worthy” Triennial Gathering, July 16-19 in Des Moines, following the Thirteenth Triennial Convention. Explore highlights and photos from the gathering—and look ahead to the 2029 Triennial Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, with pre-registration savings available through September 1.

Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona is excited to begin the search for our next Director of Worship. This key leadership position will work closely with our pastors, staff, musicians, and volunteers to help shape meaningful worship experiences that inspire faith, build community, and glorify God. View PDF job description here.

In the latest Pivot podcast, Dwight Zscheile and Alicia Granholm talk with Joey Sherrard about what changed when he started reading Augustine as a pastor for pastors.