Posts tagged Church and Society
From Conflict to Community: News and Opportunities from AFN

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter features registration for the October 20 Annual Gathering, opportunities to serve as an Election Protection Poll Chaplain or Peacekeeper, and September meetings addressing housing, voting rights, creation care and community well-being.

Read the AFN newsletter and subscribe for complete event details, registration links and more ways to join Arizona’s interfaith community in building justice, dignity and courageous unity.

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Hunger Action Month and Faithful Civic Engagement: LAMA’s September Update

LAMA’s September 1 newsletter invites Arizona Lutherans to act during Hunger Action Month and offers resources for faithful, nonpartisan civic engagement. Explore LAMA’s 2026 Voter Guide, election and advocacy events, voter-registration information, “God’s work. Our hands.” resources and the September 25 Grand Canyon Synod Grants deadline.

Read the full LAMA newsletter and find your next opportunity to serve, advocate and seek the well-being of your neighbors.

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A Different Way: Following Jesus Beyond Christian Nationalism

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.

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AFN: Digital Security, Election Protection and Building Community Across Differences

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes opportunities for congregations and leaders to strengthen digital security, learn about preventing elder abuse, volunteer as nonpartisan Poll Chaplains and Peacekeepers, and register for AFN’s October 20 Annual Gathering. Also inside: heat-relief needs in Tucson, upcoming community events and more ways to put faith into action across Arizona. Read the full AFN newsletter

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LAMA: Put Advocacy Into Action This “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday

The latest LAMA newsletter invites congregations to add faithful advocacy to their September 13 “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday activities. Also inside: upcoming digital security, elder abuse, election engagement, hunger and creation-care events; new advocacy articles; and a reminder that Grand Canyon Synod Grant applications are due September 25. Read the full LAMA newsletter

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Stolen Stories Episode 3 Explores the Intifadas and Oslo Accords

Episode 3 of ELCA Sumud’s five-part “Stolen Stories” series explores the Intifadas and Oslo Accords through Palestinian Christian voices. Hear pastors, bishops, and scholars offer historical and theological context while sharing the lived experiences of Palestinians in their own words.

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Bishop Curry Calls Lutherans to Be “Trusted Messengers” This Election Season

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry calls Lutherans to be “faithful, informed and engaged” this election season—and to serve as trusted messengers in a time when misinformation can undermine trust and participation. Grounding civic engagement in our baptismal calling, love of neighbor and the commandment not to bear false witness, Bishop Curry encourages congregations and individuals to seek accurate information, participate thoughtfully and help strengthen their communities.

His Aug. 19 message also highlights new ELCA election resources, including the ELCA Election Engagement Toolkitand a Sept. 3 toolkit launch webinar. Read Bishop Curry’s full message and explore the resources →

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From Digital Security to Peaceful Elections: This Week from AFN

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter offers opportunities to learn, serve and build community across differences. Explore upcoming digital security and elder abuse workshops, volunteer as a Poll Chaplain or Peacekeeper, register for the Oct. 20 AFN Annual Gathering, and discover more interfaith events and ways to get involved across Arizona.

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LAMA News: Take Action for Temporary Protected Status Holders

The latest LAMA newsletter calls Arizona Lutherans to advocate for neighbors with Temporary Protected Status and offers new opportunities for faithful public witness. Find the TPS action alert, upcoming Hunger Leaders Network and digital security events, “God’s work. Our hands.” advocacy ideas, election resources and more.

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What Do the “Four Freedoms” Have to Do With Lutherans?

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Living Lutheran explores President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms”—freedom of speech and worship, and freedom from want and fear—through a distinctly Lutheran lens.

Leah Taber connects these enduring ideals with unity in Christ, reconciliation, community, grace and faith, asking what it would mean for Lutherans to embody these commitments in our congregations, communities and civic life. Read the full reflection in Living Lutheran.

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Two Resources for Responding to Christian Nationalism: Read, Reflect and Engage

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.

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AFN News: Annual Gathering Registration Opens, Plus Upcoming Events

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.

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LAMA Update: Put Advocacy Into “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday

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.

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Bishop Curry: Choosing Reconciliation Over Division

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.

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From August Recess to Hunger and Health Care: What Lutherans Need to Know This Week

This week’s LAMA newsletter highlights opportunities for Lutherans to engage Congress during the August recess, serve neighbors facing heat and homelessness, strengthen hunger ministries, and advocate for health care and immigration justice. Read the full newsletter for upcoming events, action alerts, and resources for advocacy across the synod.

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America at 250: Holding Gratitude and Humility

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry invites Lutherans to hold both gratitude and humility. In the latest installment of his All Together in One Place series, Curry reflects on the nation’s aspirations, its failures to live fully into those ideals, and the Christian call to repentance, justice, and service rooted in Christ’s resurrection.

Drawing on Scripture and the ELCA’s social teaching, Curry encourages the church to remember its baptismal unity, name sin honestly, and work for the common good while trusting in God’s ever-unfolding grace. Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s full reflection.

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Bags of Hope, Poll Chaplains, and Sacred Land Advocacy

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter features upcoming Bags of Hope heat-relief events, Election Protection volunteer opportunities, interfaith dialogue and prayer gatherings, a summer healing book study, and advocacy efforts related to Oak Flat and sacred land protection.

Readers are encouraged to explore the full newsletter for registration links, volunteer opportunities, event details, and additional resources from AFN and its partners across Arizona.

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From Cuba to the Ballot Box: Opportunities to Serve and Advocate

The newest LAMA newsletter features an ELCA Action Alert on Cuba, Election Protection volunteer trainings, immigration detention discussions, hunger ministry collaboration, and new resources on faithful public witness. Readers will also find opportunities for advocacy, service, and community engagement across Arizona.

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Protecting Democracy, Caring for Neighbors: This Week from AFN

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter features Election Protection volunteer opportunities, extreme heat advocacy, interfaith dialogue events, meditation gatherings, and summer service opportunities. Explore the full newsletter for upcoming events, trainings, and practical ways to live out faith in public life.

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