June 2025 Mission Support Memo: Not Good to Be Alone
June 2025 Mission Support Memo: Not Good to Be Alone

Our June 2025 Mission Support Memo connects us to Peoples Church, one of our Indigenous Ministries of the ELCA. A church that lives out its call to love and serve Creator God by opening its doors year-round as an overnight shelter, providing hot meals for the community every day and joyfully celebrating in a festival worship meal every Sunday. Peoples Church believes everyone deserves shelter, a meal, community and dignity. It is a place where folks need not pretend to be anything other than exactly who they are — with imperfections and quirks, with longings and failures, with all their hopes and their visions of the future.

The memo also provides tips to stay connected with members in the busy summer months and thanks our synods for their partnership during assemblies and in ministry. View the memo in pdf as well.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment
Innovation Needs a Foundation: Why Infrastructure Must Come First
Innovation Needs a Foundation: Why Infrastructure Must Come First

Innovation is a powerful tool in ministry—but for many congregations, it’s a privilege they can’t afford. In this compelling piece from Rahel Mwitula Williams of the ELCA Innovation Lab, we are challenged to consider how crumbling infrastructure, financial instability, and lack of basic resources prevent many churches—especially in marginalized communities—from engaging in bold new ministry. True innovation, she argues, must be grounded in justice and stability. Click here to read the full article on the ELCA Innovation Lab blog.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardInnovation, ELCA Innovation LabComment
How Ohio Advocates Treat Budgets as Moral Documents
How Ohio Advocates Treat Budgets as Moral Documents

State budgets shape the everyday lives of our communities—from schools and libraries to food security and elder care. In a powerful reflection, Deacon Nick Bates of the Hunger Network in Ohio highlights how Lutherans and faith leaders across Ohio engaged the budget process as a matter of moral responsibility. Through advocacy meetings, prayer chains made from paper plates, and public witness, they worked to ensure that faith values shaped public policy. Click here to read more about this inspiring and strategic advocacy work.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Seeds of Hope: How Ibu Dewi’s Organic Farm Changed a Village
Seeds of Hope: How Ibu Dewi’s Organic Farm Changed a Village

What began as a small farm has blossomed into a powerful story of transformation. In a quiet village in Indonesia, Ibu Dewi joined an organic farming program supported by the Lutheran World Federation and grew not only her crops—but also her confidence and community. Now a teacher and leader, she’s helping others thrive with the same sustainable techniques that changed her life. Click here to read the full story from ELCA World Hunger.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Immigration, Faith, and the Gospel’s Invitation to Welcome
Immigration, Faith, and the Gospel’s Invitation to Welcome

In light of recent immigration executive orders, Deacon Erin Brown reflects on John 1:14—“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood”—and what it means to welcome the stranger as a neighbor. Drawing on her border immersion trip with ELCA young adults, she calls the church to live out God’s incarnational love with humility, compassion, and action. Read more about how AMMPARO invites us to accompany our immigrant siblings with dignity and hope. Click here for more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardImmigration and Refugees, AMMPAROComment
When Pastoral Call Meets Personnel Challenges: New Training Starts Soon
When Pastoral Call Meets Personnel Challenges: New Training Starts Soon

Stepping Up to Supervision is a practical, faith-based leadership training designed to help ministry leaders supervise with clarity and care, while staying rooted in their pastoral identity. Led by author and coach Rev. Susan Beaumont, this live online training runs August 5–19 and includes 9 contact hours, a comprehensive workbook, and year-long access to all materials. Scholarships available.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian Flatgardfaith+leadComment
One Body, Many Gifts: Strengthen Our Synod by Sharing Your Updates
One Body, Many Gifts: Strengthen Our Synod by Sharing Your Updates

Your ministry matters! Help us share the good news of faith in action across the Grand Canyon Synod. Whether your congregation is hosting an event, looking for volunteers, or seeking to fill a ministry position, we want to hear from you. Submitting is easy—just visit gcsynod.org/share to send us your updates. Let’s strengthen our synod by sharing the ways God is working in our communities!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
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