Jazz Vespers Supports Hunger Action at Mount of Olives in Phoenix

Join Beth Lederman and Jazz con Alma for Jazz Vespers at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 13, at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 3546 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix. This monthly “Music for Food” gathering combines live jazz, contemplative worship and fellowship while supporting a food ministry serving nearly 300 family units each week.

September is Hunger Action Month, making this a meaningful opportunity to put faith into action and help sustain the work of feeding neighbors in need. All are welcome.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSeptember 9, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church invites you to Jazz Vespers on July 12 at 5:30 PM, featuring Beth Lederman and guest musicians. As the congregation continues serving nearly 300 families weekly, this “Music for Food” ministry remains a vital response to rising food insecurity.

Join for worship, music, and fellowship—and be part of sustaining this ongoing ministry of compassion.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 1, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church invites you to Jazz Vespers on July 12 at 5:30 PM, featuring Beth Lederman and guest musicians. As the congregation continues serving nearly 300 families weekly, this “Music for Food” ministry remains a vital response to rising food insecurity.

Join for worship, music, and fellowship—and be part of sustaining this ongoing ministry of compassion.

Faith, Fellowship, and Food: Join June 14 Jazz Vespers at Mount of Olives

Join Mount of Olives Lutheran Church on June 14 at 5:30 PM for Jazz Vespers featuring Beth Lederman, Diana Lee, and Steven Powell. As the congregation serves nearly 300 families weekly through its food closet, this “Music for Food” ministry continues to respond to growing hunger across Arizona.

Come for worship, live jazz, and fellowship—and support neighbors in need through this ongoing ministry.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 9, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Faith, Fellowship, and Food: Join June 14 Jazz Vespers at Mount of Olives

Join Mount of Olives Lutheran Church on June 14 at 5:30 PM for Jazz Vespers featuring Beth Lederman, Diana Lee, and Steven Powell. As the congregation serves nearly 300 families weekly through its food closet, this “Music for Food” ministry continues to respond to growing hunger across Arizona.

Come for worship, live jazz, and fellowship—and support neighbors in need through this ongoing ministry.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 1, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Heat Relief Ministry Returns This Summer at Grace and First UCC in Phoenix

Grace Lutheran Church and First United Church of Christ are partnering once again to provide Heat Relief ministry from June 1–August 24, offering cooling space, water, snacks, and hospitality for vulnerable neighbors during the hottest months of the year. Congregations are invited to support the effort through donations of water, snacks, pet food, cooling supplies, and frozen burritos. Read a letter from Pastor David Sivecz here.

ELCA World Hunger Supports Women’s Entrepreneurship in Cambodia

Through ELCA World Hunger support, Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization is helping an agricultural cooperative in western Cambodia create jobs, strengthen local markets and support women’s entrepreneurship. Rom Chan Oun’s work driving the cooperative tuktuk has helped improve her family’s income and expand her role in the community. Read the World Hunger story.

ELCA, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardMay 23, 2026Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Jazz Vespers for a Cause: Support Families Facing SNAP Losses This Mother’s Day

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites the community to a special Mother’s Day Jazz Vespers on May 10 at 5:30 PM, supporting its “Music for Food” ministry as food insecurity rises across Arizona. With nearly 300 families served weekly and over 450,000 Arizonans losing SNAP access, the need is urgent.

Additional Jazz Vespers are scheduled for June 14 and July 12, offering ongoing opportunities to gather in worship, enjoy live music, and support neighbors in need through this growing ministry.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMay 4, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Op-ed: No One Should Have to Fight This Hard for Daily Bread

With SNAP participation in Arizona dropping by nearly half in the past year, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer calls attention to the real human impact behind the numbers and urges leaders to ensure access to food assistance as budget decisions are made.

From the Fields to the Table: How One Congregation Is Meeting Hunger

This month’s ELCA World Hunger spotlight shares the story of Floricel Liborio, a community leader in California, and the faithful response of Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina. Amid fear surrounding immigration enforcement and real hunger among farmworker families, the congregation—supported by an ELCA World Hunger grant—is providing grocery assistance and standing in visible solidarity.

Grounded in relationships, advocacy, and Christ-centered love, this story lifts up what it looks like to accompany neighbors in vulnerable moments. It is a powerful reminder of how the church participates in God’s work of abundant life. Read more.

ELCABrian FlatgardMarch 27, 2026hunger, Hunger, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger GrantsComment

New for 2026: ELCA World Hunger Resources for Your Ministry

ELCA World Hunger has released a wide range of 2026 resources to support congregations, synods, and ministry leaders—from feeding ministry guides and backpack programs to bilingual VBS curriculum and interactive youth experiences. These tools are designed to help communities better understand and address hunger at its roots.

Whether you’re planning for synod assembly, expanding an existing ministry, or engaging new leaders, these materials offer practical, faith-grounded support for the work of justice. Explore the full list of resources and learn how to access and share them.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2026Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

“Lord, When Did We See You?” Join the Region 2 Lenten Challenge This Season

This Lent, individuals and congregations across ELCA Region 2, including the Grand Canyon Synod, are invited to participate in the “Lord, When Did We See You?” Lenten Challenge, a set of simple daily practices rooted in Matthew 25. The toolkit offers intergenerational activities that connect prayer, worship, advocacy, and daily acts of compassion.

Participants are also encouraged to support ELCA World Hunger using Appeal Code R2LENT2026, or donate to ELCA World Hunger here . Explore the toolkit and join the challenge: lentenchallenge.org/toolkit.

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry to Join February Hunger Leaders Call

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry will join the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network for their next monthly call on Tuesday, February 24, from 6:00–7:00 pm (AZ time). The virtual gathering will include a short devotion, an update from Bishop Curry, a local hunger ministry spotlight, and shared resources and grant updates from across the synod.

If you’ve been meaning to connect with others working to address hunger and food insecurity, this is a great time to jump in. No registration is required—just bring your curiosity and commitment. Read more on the LAMA web site, and click this link to join the Zoom call.

Showing Up as Light: A Devotional for Faithful Public Witness

In this week’s ELCA Advocacy devotional, Zachary Olson reflects on Lutherans who gathered in Washington, D.C., during a federal shutdown to advocate for disaster response reform — embodying Jesus’ call to be “salt and light.” Grounded in Matthew 5, this reflection invites us across the Grand Canyon Synod to consider how our faith shapes our public witness, compassion, and advocacy today.

ELCABrian FlatgardFebruary 11, 2026Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, HungerComment

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry to Join February Hunger Leaders Call

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry will join the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network for their next monthly call on Tuesday, February 24, from 6:00–7:00 pm (AZ time). The virtual gathering will include a short devotion, an update from Bishop Curry, a local hunger ministry spotlight, and shared resources and grant updates from across the synod.

If you’ve been meaning to connect with others working to address hunger and food insecurity, this is a great time to jump in. No registration is required—just bring your curiosity and commitment. Read more on the LAMA web site, and click this link to join the Zoom call.

Cheer, Give, Repeat: Turning Game Day Into a Win Against Hunger

From now through February 8, two ELCA synods — Team Northwest Washington and Team New England — are going head-to-head in a friendly fundraising challenge to support ELCA World Hunger. The team that raises the most by midnight Central time on February 8 will be crowned ELCA World Hunger Champion, no matter the outcome on the field.

Every gift helps address hunger’s root causes and puts faith into action. Choose a team, give what you can, and help make sure hunger loses — every time.

ELCABrian FlatgardFebruary 2, 2026Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

From Forest to Family: How Beekeeping Is Transforming Lives in Indonesia

In the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, a simple yet powerful initiative is changing lives. Through a forest bee farming program supported by Lutheran partners, Pak Esli—a fisherman and father of two—has gained new skills, sustainable income, and hope for his family and community. What began as unfamiliar work has become a source of economic stability, environmental care, and shared opportunity for an entire village.

This story from ELCA World Hunger highlights how faith-rooted global partnerships support livelihoods that honor both people and creation. Read more at ELCA.org to explore how forest beekeeping is helping communities thrive while caring for the land God has entrusted to them.

ELCABrian FlatgardJanuary 23, 2026Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Music for Food Kicks Off 2026 with Jazz Vespers on January 11

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church kicks off the new year with Jazz Vespers on Sunday, January 11. at 5:30 p.m., featuring Beth Lederman with Todd Herzog and a reception to follow. After raising over $10,000 in 2025 and supplying more than 8,000 family units with food, the Music for Food ministry continues to unite worship, music, and service to neighbors in need.

A Stable Lamp Is Lighted: Advent 2025 Resources from ELCA World Hunger

This Advent, ELCA World Hunger invites you to “light your own stable lamp” with free 2025 Advent resources, including a study guide, calendar, and congregational action guide. Centered on the theme A Stable Lamp Is Lighted, these materials encourage reflection, generosity, and hospitality while exploring justice and hope through the church’s work to end hunger and poverty. Download or order resources for your household or congregation at ELCA.org/our-work/relief-and-development/elca-world-hunger/wh-advent.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 24, 2025Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Share the Bounty: Thanksgiving Food Drive for Flood-Affected Families in Globe/Miami

Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites all to support families in Globe and Miami recovering from September’s floods through a Thanksgiving Food Drive, November 1–10. Donations of traditional Thanksgiving items—or financial gifts for turkeys and other foods—will benefit the Gila Community Food Bank in Globe. A special drive-up drop-off event will be held Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Together, we are blessed to be a blessing.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNovember 6, 2025Hunger, Mountain View Phoenix, Fiesta ConferenceComment

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