Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Robert Jones, Santa Cruz, Tucson, who celebrates 42 years on July 24.
Rev. Craig Larson, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 37 years on July 24.
Explore how ELCA chaplains serve in places beyond church walls—offering God’s love to people of all backgrounds through specialized and federal ministries. This month’s Mission Support Memo also highlights a fresh way to use The Generosity Project and gives thanks for the storytellers who share grace across our church.
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Discover how congregations are stepping up for climate justice in the August Blessed Tomorrow newsletter. From Earth Care booths and cooling centers to new climate research, plastic-free living tips, and a powerful podcast on ecological lament, this month’s update offers resources and reflections for every faith leader. Read the full newsletter.
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Explore this week’s AFN newsletter for interfaith events, service opportunities, and community news—including Bags of Hope updates, faith-based learning events, advocacy opportunities, and a call for urgent donations. Read the full update or subscribe at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
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What if your joy is part of your spiritual practice? In this faith reflection originally published by Boldcafé, Sarah Carson invites us to honor the Spirit’s presence in the things we love—doodling, reading poetry, wandering a thrift store. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, Carson lifts up the “artist’s date” as a sacred invitation to play, explore, and reconnect with our God-given uniqueness. Read more in “A Spiritual Endeavor” on Boldcafé—click here.
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s daughter, Beckah Selnick, offers a heartfelt reflection on a life and ministry rooted in the sacred intersection of the ordinary and extraordinary. From late nights in the sacristy to leadership on the global stage, Bishop Eaton has modeled a ministry of presence, resilience, and grace. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran: Ordinary and extraordinary.
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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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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Janice Brosen, who celebrates 41 years on July 22.
Rev. Paul Scheitlin, who celebrates 46 years on July 22.
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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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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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Dennis D. Nelson, who celebrates 51 years on July 21.
Rev. Harold Kriesel, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Rev. Richard Miller, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Rev. Doug Heskin, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Joaquin Garcia, Vida Nueva, Glendale, Pan de Vida, El Mirage, who celebrates 42 years on July 20.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Alan Field, who celebrates 40 years on July 18.
Rev. Amy Janssen, Tanque Verde, Tucson, who celebrates 5 years on July 18.
Catastrophic flash floods in South Central Texas have caused heartbreaking loss of life and widespread destruction. Bishop Sue Briner calls us to fervent prayer for those affected. Join the Grand Canyon Synod in supporting survivors through Lutheran Disaster Response, which is providing both immediate aid and long-term recovery. Give today.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Timothy Brown, who celebrates 31 years on July 17.
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The Office of the Bishop gathers for an in-person staff meeting, and prepares to welcome the ELCA to Phoenix for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. Join us as a volunteer!
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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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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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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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