Faith in the Public Square: LAMA Reflects on a Year of Advocacy and Neighbor Love

In a year marked by uncertainty and growing need, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) continued equipping Lutherans across Arizona for faithful public witness rooted in justice, mercy, and neighbor love. From hunger advocacy and health care access to civic engagement, immigration, public schools, and Lutheran Day at the Legislature, LAMA partnered with congregations and advocates throughout the Grand Canyon Synod to bring faith into the public square in meaningful ways.

Read highlights from LAMA’s 2025–26 ministry year, including updates on the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network, congregational advocacy, legislative engagement, and new opportunities for faithful action. Read the full ministry report.

ELCA Advocacy Highlights State Public Witness, Including Arizona

ELCA Advocacy’s spring state update includes Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, a ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod, highlighting work around food insecurity, voting, health care, housing, immigration and public witness at the Arizona Capitol. Read the full advocacy roundup.

What Arizona Lutherans Need to Know This Week from LAMA

This week’s LAMA newsletter includes an Arizona election action alert, anti-hunger and immigration-related events, cooling center resources, advocacy updates, and opportunities for congregations to engage faithfully in public life. Explore highlights from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona and read the full newsletter for ways to stay informed and advocate for neighbors across our communities.

Hunger, Immigration, Voting Rights: LAMA Highlights Key Advocacy Opportunities

The latest LAMA newsletter features advocacy alerts on hunger funding, immigration, voting rights, and nonprofit security, along with upcoming events and opportunities for faithful public engagement across Arizona. Read the full newsletter to stay connected with LAMA’s ongoing work for justice and advocacy.

LAMA Newsletter Highlights Advocacy for Indigenous Communities, Hunger Relief, and Civic Engagement

LAMA’s newest newsletter highlights the ELCA’s observance of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day, upcoming advocacy and hunger ministry events, Arizona budget updates, voting rights engagement, and new nonprofit security grant information.

Act Now: Farm Bill Vote Could Impact SNAP and Hunger Ministries

LAMA’s latest newsletter highlights an urgent Farm Bill vote that could significantly impact SNAP and hunger programs, along with action alerts and advocacy resources from the ELCA. The update also includes upcoming events, grant opportunities, and Bishop Hutterer’s recent op-ed on food access in Arizona.

Read the full newsletter to stay informed, connect with advocacy efforts, and take faithful action in support of our neighbors.

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.

ELCA Action Alert: Protect Employment Authorization for Those Seeking Asylum

LAMA is highlighting an ELCA Action Alert urging action by April 24 against a proposed federal rule that would severely restrict work permits for people seeking asylum. The ELCA is calling on Lutherans to submit a public comment and contact members of Congress in support of protecting asylum seekers’ ability to work and meet their needs safely in our communities. Read the full post for background, theological grounding, and links to take action.

Take Action This Week: LAMA Highlights Advocacy, Events, and Hunger Initiatives

LAMA’s latest update highlights urgent advocacy opportunities, including a public comment period open through April 24 to support work permits for those seeking asylum. The newsletter also features upcoming events like the Earth Day Vigil at the Capitol, advocacy training, hunger network gatherings, and funding opportunities for ministries.

Read the full newsletter for key actions, events, and resources—and find your place in this week’s work for justice.

Take Action Now: LAMA Urges Advocacy on Voting Rights and Upcoming Events

LAMA’s latest newsletter highlights an urgent ELCA Action Alert opposing the SAVE America Act, along with upcoming events on immigration, voting rights, and public witness. Additional updates include legislative news, advocacy opportunities, and ways to stay engaged across Arizona.

Holy Week Prayer and Public Witness: This Week from LAMA

This week’s LAMA newsletter invites us into Holy Week with a call to rest, pray, and renew our commitment to advocacy. Upcoming opportunities include hunger advocacy calls, environmental collaboration, poll chaplain training, and a national conversation on faith and democracy.

Explore new stories, action alerts, and events happening across the synod and beyond. Read the full newsletter and share it with your networks to stay engaged in this vital work.

From the Capitol to Congregations: LAMA’s Weekly Advocacy Update

This week’s LAMA newsletter includes a critical health care Action Alert (including HCR2056), along with opportunities to engage in advocacy, hunger ministry collaboration, voting rights efforts, and interfaith public witness.

Stay informed, take action, and live out our call to justice. Read and share the full LAMA newsletter.

Act Now: Voting Bills Move Forward + Key Advocacy Opportunities This Week

This week’s LAMA newsletter highlights Interfaith Day at the Capitol (March 25), upcoming hunger and justice events, and key ELCA action alerts on Dreamers, the Farm Bill, and child protection.

Read the full newsletter to stay informed, take action, and engage in faithful advocacy across Arizona and our synod.

Take Action for Dreamers: Highlights from the Latest LAMA Advocacy Update

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s latest newsletter highlights an urgent ELCA Action Alert supporting a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, along with upcoming advocacy opportunities including the LAMA Liaison Roundtable (March 16) and Interfaith Day at the Capitol (March 25).

The update also includes legislative resources, hunger advocacy opportunities, and ELCA statements on peace and justice. Read the full LAMA newsletter to learn more and take action.

185 Lutherans Gather at Arizona Capitol for 2026 Lutheran Day at the Legislature

On February 23, 2026, 185 advocates from 28 Arizona legislative districts gathered at the Arizona State Capitol for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, joining together as people of faith to advocate for their neighbors. The day included prayer and devotion led by Bishop Deborah Hutterer, remarks from lawmakers and community leaders, and meetings with legislators during the busy opening of Crossover Week. Participants built relationships, discussed key policy issues, and witnessed the impact of faithful public engagement.

The event also included opening prayers in both the House and Senate chambers, remarks from advocacy partners, and coordination by volunteers from across the state. Read more and view photos from the day.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMarch 4, 2026Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), AdvocacyComment

LAMA Update: Action Alert on War Powers Resolution and Key Arizona Advocacy Events

The latest Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) newsletter highlights a new ELCA Action Alert urging Congress to vote YES on the War Powers Resolution, along with upcoming advocacy events, justice initiatives, and policy updates affecting Arizona communities.

The update also includes a recap of 2026 Lutheran Day at the Legislature, changes to SNAP eligibility guidelines, hunger advocacy resources, and worship materials for times of war. Read the full newsletter to learn how you and your congregation can engage in faithful advocacy.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMarch 4, 2026Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), AdvocacyComment

Healthcare, Hunger & Voting Rights: LAMA’s February Advocacy Update

LAMA invites Lutherans to gather for Lutheran Day at the Legislature on February 23 at the Arizona Capitol and to take action through RTS on healthcare and food insecurity legislation moving during crossover week. Additional opportunities include the Hunger Leaders Network (Feb. 24) and voting rights advocacy. Read the full LAMA newsletter for event details and action links.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFebruary 19, 2026Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment

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.

Striving for Justice and Peace: Join Lutherans at the Capitol on February 23

Lutherans from across Arizona will gather at the Arizona Capitol for Lutheran Day at the Legislature on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza in downtown Phoenix. Rooted in our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace, the day will include speakers, legislative meetings, prayer, training, and opportunities to engage directly with public leaders.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast and lunch provided. All Lutherans and friends of Lutherans are invited to learn, witness, and raise a faithful voice in the public square. Registration is now open.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFebruary 17, 2026Advocacy, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Church and SocietyComment

From Hunger to Voting Rights: LAMA’s February Updates

LAMA’s February update highlights urgent action on food insecurity legislation, preparation for Lutheran Day at the Legislature (Feb. 23), Environmental Day at the Capitol, and national ELCA action alerts. Lutherans across Arizona are invited to activate their faith in love through advocacy, prayer, and public witness. Read the full LAMA newsletter for action links and registration details.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFebruary 11, 2026Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment

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