Posts in News
Campus Ministry as Home: Building Belonging at Midland University
Campus Ministry as Home: Building Belonging at Midland University

At Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, the Office of Campus Ministry and Spiritual Wellness is responding to the crisis of loneliness among young adults with intentional, Spirit-led programs. From guided meditation to family-style community meals and service opportunities, students are finding a place where they are “noticed, named, and known.” Their experience reflects the heart of ELCA campus ministry—cultivating love, building community, and offering a sense of home. Click here to read more on Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
“No Place Is Sacred”: ELCA Responds to Strike on Holy Family Church
“No Place Is Sacred”: ELCA Responds to Strike on Holy Family Church

In response to an Israeli military strike that killed three people and injured several others at Holy Family Church in Gaza, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a powerful statement mourning the lives lost and condemning the repeated targeting of sacred spaces. She calls for an immediate ceasefire, international adherence to humanitarian laws, and renewed dialogue toward peace in the Holy Land.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardIsrael and PalestineComment
Manna Grant Now Open: Apply by July 31 to Fund Anti-Hunger Ministries
Manna Grant Now Open: Apply by July 31 to Fund Anti-Hunger Ministries

Now accepting applications: The 2025 Manna Grant offers up to $20,000 in total funding to Grand Canyon Synod ministries that address hunger and its root causes. Projects must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive leadership. Apply by July 31. Made possible through a legacy gift from Orpha Hoganson of Ascension Lutheran, this grant continues her mission to combat hunger with love and equity.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardGrants, Manna Grant, HungerComment
Feeding Neighbors, Fighting Waste: C.A.M.P. Partners with Sun City Lutherans
Feeding Neighbors, Fighting Waste: C.A.M.P. Partners with Sun City Lutherans

Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Sun City partners with Community Action Market & Produce (C.A.M.P.) to bring fresh, rescued produce to neighbors across the Northwest Phoenix Valley. This nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers, distributes nutritious food through its Saturday Shop & Select markets, prepacked produce boxes, and delivery programs for the elderly and disabled—all with no income qualifications required. To learn more about this inspiring ministry or how you can support it, click here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Shepherd of the Desert Sun CityComment
“Grounded in Faith, Committed to Service”: Lutheran Services Responds to Budget Cuts
“Grounded in Faith, Committed to Service”: Lutheran Services Responds to Budget Cuts

Lutheran Services in America has released a strong public statement following the passage of H.R. 1, a budget reconciliation bill that includes nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts projected to leave 17 million fewer people insured over the next decade. While some harmful provisions were successfully removed, the bill poses real challenges for caregivers, providers, and vulnerable communities. The Lutheran network continues to stand firm—grounded in faith, committed to service, and urging leaders to work with nonprofits on practical, people-centered solutions. To read and share the full statement from Lutheran Services in America, click here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Services in America (LSA), Church and SocietyComment
From Energy Savings to Moral Economy: LRC’s July Opportunities for Action
From Energy Savings to Moral Economy: LRC’s July Opportunities for Action

Explore the July update from Lutherans Restoring Creation featuring new webinars, book discussions, climate trainings, and a 2026 in-person retreat. From a July 22 energy-saving session to a September Christian Climate Training and an ongoing Book Club on Building a Moral Economy, there are many ways to get involved. Plus, help shape LRC’s future through a strategic planning survey. Read the full LRC newsletter.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutherans Restoring CreationComment
From Relief Bags to Sacred Dialogues: Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities
From Relief Bags to Sacred Dialogues: Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

This week’s AFN newsletter is full of hands-on ways to live your faith. Join the Interfaith Bag Packing event, sign up for Monday meditations, attend Bahá’í 101, or join the book study on The Tears of Things. You’ll also find volunteer opportunities, interfaith connections, and a special Prayer Circle for Oak Flat. Read the full newsletter and RSVP today: arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Meet Bishop-Elect Benjamin Quanbeck: A Vision for Gospel-Rooted Leadership
Meet Bishop-Elect Benjamin Quanbeck: A Vision for Gospel-Rooted Leadership

Bishop-elect Benjamin Quanbeck, chosen to lead the Montana Synod beginning September 1, brings a leadership vision grounded in trust, collaboration, and gospel-centered hope. In an interview with Living Lutheran, Quanbeck emphasized supporting congregations and leaders with the tools they need to thrive—and letting the Spirit lead from there. His mantra, “people over programs,” shapes his pastoral and adaptive approach to ministry. Get to know his vision, values, and hopes for the synod by reading the full interview in Living Lutheran —click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Called to Renew: Church Reform for the Sake of the Gospel
Called to Renew: Church Reform for the Sake of the Gospel

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) has released its final report ahead of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, offering a bold roadmap for structural reform grounded in equity, inclusion, and the gospel. Key recommendations include constitutional amendments, support for lay leadership, and commitments to dismantling racism. As our synod prepares to send voting members to Phoenix, this is a critical moment to reflect on who we are—and who we are called to become. Click here to read the full article in Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCommission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, Living LutheranComment
Ritu Rishidev: A Young Lutheran Partner Lifting Up Human Rights in Nepal
Ritu Rishidev: A Young Lutheran Partner Lifting Up Human Rights in Nepal

Meet Ritu Rishidev, an 18-year-old student from Nepal’s marginalized Musahar community, who is rising as a powerful advocate for women’s rights and social justice. Supported through a Lutheran-led training in human rights and advocacy—organized by the Lutheran Community Welfare Society and funded by the ELCA—Ritu is now a bold voice speaking out against gender-based violence and discrimination. To read more about Ritu’s inspiring journey and the Lutheran support behind her work, click here.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment