Brief summary excerpt

Make your voting plan for November 3: Arizona early voting begins October 7, Nevada early voting begins October 17, and Navajo Nation absentee ballot applications are due October 19 at 5 p.m. Utah’s registration deadline and Arizona’s mail-ballot request deadline follow on October 23. Review our nonpartisan guide for registration options, ballot-return rules, and official resources across the synod.

Crossings’ new “Law and Gospel” podcast offers weekly conversations on upcoming lectionary texts for preachers, Bible study leaders, and curious listeners. Shared by Pastor Matt Metevelis, this resource connects Scripture with daily life and Christ’s promise of freedom and new life. Listen on Spotify.

Explore how grace frees us to serve our neighbors at the Crossings Conference, January 10–13, 2027, in St. Louis or online. Speakers include Elizabeth Eaton, Piotr Małysz, George Heider, and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. Early bird pricing ends October 9, 2026.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is collecting new towel sets for older adults and new, unwrapped toys, games, sporting equipment, arts and crafts, and gift cards for children across Arizona. Gifts must be received by 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.

Shop the online wish list, give financially, volunteer, or organize a collection drive with your congregation through LSS-SW’s Christmas Wishes campaign.

For the Common Good: Prayers and Resources for Congregations in Public Life offers Lutheran theological grounding, worship materials and practical ideas for faithful, nonpartisan civic engagement during the fall 2026 election season.

Pastors, deacons, worship planners, councils and advocacy teams are invited to download the resource and adapt its hymns, intercessions, prayer services and other tools for communities across the Grand Canyon Synod. Help your congregation respond to anxiety and division with prayer, truthful discernment, humility and love of neighbor.

King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe will host a Senior Resource Fair October 17, 9 a.m.–noon, at 2085 E. Southern Ave. Older adults and caregivers can connect with resource organizations and attend 30-minute presentations on Medicare, aging in place, caregiver support, financial and legal considerations, and staying healthy and connected. View a PDF here.

Hear ELCA Presiding Bishop Emerita Elizabeth Eaton at Cal Lutheran’s Founders Day October 15, in Thousand Oaks or online: Convocation at 11:15 a.m. and “The Once and Future Church” at 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Register for the lecture, find livestream details, and join congregations in praying for Cal Lutheran on October 18.

Spirit in the Desert’s newsletter highlights a free veterans retreat November 20–22, ThanksLiving Music Fest November 27–30, and 2027 leadership and baseball retreats. Find daily devotions, weekly prayer gatherings, and public meditation paths—and discover how to share this ministry of hospitality. Read the full newsletter for details and registration links.

Veterans are invited to a free Healing of Memories retreat November 20–22 at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, from Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday at 2 p.m. The weekend offers reflection, compassionate listening, and support. Space is limited: contact Mike Wold at 651-687-9767 or michael_w_wold@msn.com. Please share with veterans in your congregation and community.

Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at ThanksLiving Music Fest, beginning November 27 at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree. Enjoy live music, meals, and fellowship while supporting its ministry of renewal and healing. Choose an on-site stay or individual concert-and-meal tickets. Explore options and register.

The Lutheran Diaconal Association has introduced a Rostered Minister Pathway for those with previous diaconal preparation and can now endorse eligible members pursuing professional chaplain certification. Its Traditional Pathway remains available, with no career change required. Explore opportunities with the LDA for a lifelong calling to Christian service.

Applications are open for Faith+Lead’s New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator, a 12-month online program equipping leaders to listen, discern, experiment, and cultivate Jesus-centered communities among people not connected to a local church. The $249 program combines courses, workshops, monthly gatherings, coaching, and peer learning—and synod leaders are encouraged to personally invite emerging leaders who may be ready to take this next faithful step.

Season 7 of the Pivot Podcast asked how the old treasures of the Christian tradition, its practices, liturgy, scripture, and doctrine, can reach people today and shape the way we lead, pray, and live among our neighbors.

To accompany the season, we've created a free guide, Rooted for the Road Ahead: A Season 7 Guide from Faith+Lead's Pivot Podcast. Each episode page has a short description, a key quote, and a few questions for reflection or group discussion. At the end you'll find books from our season guests. Download the guide.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and honor the value and talent workers with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces. At Mosaic, we get to witness how employment opportunities transform lives every day. We understand that applying and interviewing for a job can be both exciting and nerve-racking for everyone. Our employment coordinators at Living Innovations share five tips to help people with IDD turn that nervousness into confidence.

• Telling a different story of renewing Lutheran-Catholic communion

• Lutheran identity in Norway and the United Kingdom

• Preserving human rights heritage for future generations in Chile

• Strengthening HIV prevention, gender justice and youth resilience

• Sharing hope across diverse continents

An expanded ELCA partnership brings Realm church management and Vanco Giving together, with exclusive pricing and implementation packages for ELCA congregations. The platform connects giving, member records, communications and other ministry tools. An informational webinar is Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. Arizona and Nevada time / 11 a.m. Utah and Navajo Nation time. Read the announcement and find webinar details.