Church & Society

Arizona Faith Network's latest newsletter features interfaith celebrations, peacebuilding events, election reflections, a free veterans' healing retreat, and opportunities for community service throughout November and December. Explore upcoming events, registration details, and ways to connect with neighbors of diverse faith traditions.

Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer joins Arizona faith leaders in calling for a peaceful 2026 election grounded in human dignity and care for neighbors. Read the shared statement and watch the accompanying video for practical ways to encourage informed participation, protect voters and election workers, counter misinformation and practice peacemaking—before and after Election Day.

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter features Vote Is Sacred gatherings in Tucson October 29 and Flagstaff November 3, plus opportunities for interfaith learning, peacebuilding and supporting seniors experiencing homelessness. Explore Diwali celebrations, a Psalms conversation and more. Read the full newsletter for dates, details and registration links.

Preparation is faithful stewardship. LAMA’s new eight-page guide helps congregations plan for election-related disruption through trusted communication, care for neighbors and clear response roles. Begin with a 20-minute readiness checklist or gather leaders for a fuller discussion grounded in Lutheran faith. Read more and download the guide.

LAMA’s latest newsletter offers timely Arizona ballot-return guidance, a bilingual voter guide, upcoming interfaith gatherings and resources for congregations preparing for election-related disruption. You’ll also find Advent and giving resources, advocacy opportunities and an invitation to offer feedback on the ELCA’s homelessness social message by November 30. Read the full newsletter and find ways to put faith into action.

As Election Day approaches, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry invites Lutherans to practice healthy patriotism through prayer, civic participation and service to the common good. Drawing on Fannie Lou Hamer’s voting rights witness and Martin Luther’s reflections on Mary’s Magnificat, he calls us to hold leaders accountable and help every voice be heard—with our hope grounded in God’s steadfast love.

Read Bishop Curry’s full message on faithful citizenship and healthy patriotism.

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.

Nevada early voting ends October 30; Election Day is November 3. Explore LEAN’s October 23 newsletter for Nevada and Utah voter guides, explanations of local races, and resources connecting faith and civic life. Some reminders are dated—check current official guidance as you finalize your voting plan.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Nevada early voting and Navajo Nation in-person absentee voting end October 30. Arizona voters should use an official ballot drop-off location after October 27; Arizona and Utah ballots must arrive by their Election Day deadlines. Read our final nonpartisan guide, confirm your voting plan, and make your voice heard.

LAMA’s October 20 newsletter highlights census comments due November 2, a sacred lands sign-on letter due October 22, and Daily Bread Grant applications closing October 21. Find Arizona voting resources, election protection training, interfaith celebrations, and hunger ministry connections. Read the full newsletter for details and ways to participate.

LEAN’s newsletter shares Nevada and Utah voter guides, ballot-question resources, and practical help with early and mail voting. Nevada early voting runs October 17–30; Election Day is November 3. Read the full newsletter and make a plan to vote.

October 23 is the deadline for Arizona mail-ballot requests and Utah voter registration. Arizona voters should mail completed ballots by October 27; Nevada early voting and Navajo Nation in-person absentee voting continue through October 30. Check our nonpartisan guide for remaining registration options, ballot-return requirements, and official resources before Election Day, November 3.

Sign a regional hunger letter by October 18, explore Arizona voter resources, and find upcoming advocacy gatherings in LAMA’s October 13 newsletter. The issue also highlights Daily Bread Grants, with applications due October 21. Read the full newsletter and take action.

LEAN’s October 9 newsletter features Nevada and Utah voter guides, explanations of Nevada statewide offices, and tools for researching election information. It also explores how public appointments shape community life. Read the full newsletter and prepare to vote thoughtfully.

AFN’s October newsletter features the October 20 Annual Gathering, an October 21 conversation on reconciliation with Gary Mason, election protection opportunities, and community voting celebrations. Read the full newsletter for details and registration.

Preparing to vote in Nevada or Utah? LEAN’s 2026 voter guides explain proposed constitutional amendments, connect them with Lutheran social teaching, and encourage careful attention to ballot questions.

Download the Nevada Voter Guide (PDF): Covers proposed constitutional amendments concerning abortion rights and voter identification.

Download the Utah Voter Guide (PDF): Covers publication requirements for proposed constitutional amendments and a proposed 60% approval threshold for tax-related citizen initiatives.

Key voting deadlines fall October 19–23: Navajo Nation mail-ballot applications are due October 19, Clark County’s online registration window with mail-ballot eligibility ends October 20, and Arizona mail-ballot requests and Utah registration are due October 23. With Arizona early voting underway and Nevada early voting October 17–30, review our nonpartisan guide to prepare for November 3.

BJC’s October newsletter connects religious freedom with service to our neighbors: final poll chaplain training October 15, lectures October 21–22, court updates, advocacy for safe worship, and a November 12 clergy gathering. Read the full issue for details, registration, and ways to act.

Preparing to vote in Nevada or Utah? LEAN’s 2026 voter guides explain proposed constitutional amendments, connect them with Lutheran social teaching, and encourage careful attention to ballot questions.

Download the Nevada Voter Guide (PDF): Covers proposed constitutional amendments concerning abortion rights and voter identification.

Download the Utah Voter Guide (PDF): Covers publication requirements for proposed constitutional amendments and a proposed 60% approval threshold for tax-related citizen initiatives.

Explore AFN’s October opportunities for voter education, creation care, and interfaith connection—including an October 14 ballot webinar, October 15 brunch in Chandler, and October 20 Annual Gathering. Read the full newsletter for details and registration.

LAMA’s October 6 update features ballot tracking, its bilingual voter guide, October 15 brunch in Chandler, and Daily Bread Grant applications due October 21. Read the full newsletter for these opportunities, advocacy alerts, and ways to connect faith with care for our neighbors.

Gather October 15, 2026, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie Street, Chandler, for a free, nonpartisan Community Voting Celebration. Enjoy food, ballot education, Peacekeeper training, and transportation to an official ballot drop-off for participants with completed ballots. All are welcome at this interfaith open house—come when you can. Register here.

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.

LAMA’s September 29 newsletter connects faith with action: support truth and healing for Indian boarding school survivors, explore hunger grants opening October 1, hear Global Refuge’s Eric Shafer October 3, and join a free voting celebration October 15. Read the full newsletter for advocacy opportunities, voter resources, and event registration.

Build interfaith community and prepare for peaceful elections with Arizona Faith Network. This issue features October voter education events, Poll Chaplain and Peacekeeper training on October 15, and the October 20 Annual Gathering honoring Azra Hussain. Read the full newsletter for registration links, community celebrations, and more ways to serve.

ELCA Worship’s election resources now include an “Affirmation of Vocation in Civic Life,” recognizing our holy calling to serve neighbors through public life. Find readings, prayers, and song suggestions for congregational worship and home devotions, alongside resources for public witness, civic engagement, and ongoing community prayer. Read more on the ELCA Worship Blog.

Registration is open for “A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Christian Nationalism,” a Nov. 14 symposium featuring Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod. Join the Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program in Sun City or online for a biblical and theological exploration of faith, nation, power and our ultimate identity in Christ. Cost is $25.

Preparing for November 3? Arizona’s October 5 registration deadline and Nevada’s October 6 standard registration deadline are approaching. Utah’s registration deadline is October 23; Navajo Nation absentee ballot requests are due October 19. Read this week’s reminder for official links, ballot-return requirements, and the separate Navajo Nation election deadlines.

Arizona Faith Network’s newsletter highlights election protection training September 28 and October 15, the October 20 Annual Gathering, and nonpartisan voter education events. Discover opportunities for interfaith learning, prayer, and service—including community celebrations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. Read the full newsletter for details and registration links.