Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jeffery Gallen, who celebrates 43 years on July 25.
Rev. Matthew Metevelis, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Las Vegas, who celebrates 15 years on July 25.
Rev. David Tiede, who celebrates 54 years on July 25.
Rev. Louis Liss, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 1 years on July 25.
The ELCA urges action to ensure safe and neutral humanitarian aid access in Gaza. Current aid delivery mechanisms, backed by U.S. and Israeli authorities, force Palestinians to risk their lives for food and fail to provide access to medical and hygiene supplies. As people of faith, we are called to advocate for peace and human dignity. Learn how you can contact your lawmakers and make your voice heard. Click here for more.
Read MoreThe second season of Here I Pod from ELCA Advocacy launches with a compelling episode on faith, advocacy, and community in the face of political violence. Host Regina Q. Banks speaks with Lutheran leaders in Minnesota and across the church, including the Rev. Amy Reumann and the Rev. Angela Denker, about how we can respond theologically and practically to violence in our public life. To explore how our faith informs action in this moment, click here.
Read MoreJoin a free, one-hour webinar on Wednesday, July 30 at noon Central hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. This interactive forum is a chance to share your congregation’s experiences with addiction and mental health ministry, hear from others, and discover what’s working across the church. Let’s build a stronger, more compassionate network for healing. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Read MoreELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to a recent IRS ruling that may reinterpret the Johnson Amendment to permit partisan activity by religious organizations. Emphasizing the church’s theological commitment to remain nonpartisan, Eaton urges vigilance while affirming our gospel call to advocate for justice. Watch the video and read the ELCA’s full statement online.
Read MoreIn response to a recent IRS court filing, the ELCA reaffirms its support of the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits churches from endorsing political candidates. The church warns that loosening these protections could compromise gospel clarity and introduce partisanship into congregational life. The ELCA encourages faithful, nonpartisan civic engagement rooted in Lutheran theology.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop welcomes the ELCA to Phoenix for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. Join us as a volunteer!
Read MoreToday 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.
Read MoreDiscover 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.
Read MoreExplore 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MorePresiding 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.
Read MoreAt 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.
Read MoreToday 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.
Read MoreNow 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.
Read MoreToday 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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