Honoring Orange Shirt Day: Remembering Indigenous Children of Boarding Schools

September 30 is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This annual observance honors Indigenous children taken from their families and placed in U.S. and Canadian boarding schools, where many suffered abuse and cultural erasure. The day is named for Phyllis Webstad’s story of surrendering her orange shirt on her first day at a residential school.

The ELCA invites us to join the Truth and Healing Movement, a commitment to confronting this painful history and standing with Indigenous siblings in Christ. Learn more at Living LutheranOrange Shirt Day article.

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Southeastern Synod Models Faithful Advocacy in Action

Advocacy is a grateful response to God’s grace and a way of living out our baptismal call. In the Southeastern Synod, congregations across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee engage, equip, and empower communities to stand with vulnerable neighbors. From disaster preparedness to immigrant support, advocacy reflects Christ’s love in action. Read more ›

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Rev. Yehiel Curry to Be Installed as ELCA Presiding Bishop Oct. 4

The Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central (12 p.m. MST) at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Curry, the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. The service is open to the public, with livestream access available here: ELCA Installation of the Presiding Bishop.

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Not Just a Conference: TENx10 Summit is A Convergence for Youth Discipleship

Join over 500 leaders from across denominations at the TENx10 Summit in Atlanta, October 8–10, 2025. This unique gathering invites passionate changemakers to reimagine how the Church forms faith in young people. Earlybird registration ends August 26. Learn more at tenx10summit.org.

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Mandatory Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders: Complete by October 8

All rostered leaders in the Grand Canyon Synod are required to complete boundary awareness training in 2025. The synod has partnered with Faith+Lead to offer an online course at a reduced cost of $29, plus a mandatory Zoom review session with Pr. Jacqui Pagel. The course must be completed by October 8, 2025, and certificates submitted to the synod office by October 13, 2025.

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Songs of Restoration: Watoto Choir at Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria

Join Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 p.m. for a powerful evening with the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda. Their new production, Better Days—There is Hope, features vibrant music, dance, and testimonies of God’s love. Come be inspired by their message of hope and restoration.

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Learn to Lead with Hope: LFCNA Workshop for Nurses, Clergy, and Caregivers

Learn evidence-based tools to offer hope during crisis. On Oct. 7, join LFCNA for Hope in Practice, a two-hour online workshop introducing Solution-Focused communication techniques for faith leaders, nurses, and caregivers. Led by Laurra Aagaard, this training emphasizes strengths-based care, with CE credits available. Open to all. Register here. View PDF here.

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Rev. Yehiel Curry to Be Installed as ELCA Presiding Bishop Oct. 4

The Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central (12 p.m. MST) at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Curry, the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. The service is open to the public, with livestream access available here: ELCA Installation of the Presiding Bishop.

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Grand Canyon Synod Leaders Join Global Gathering to End Hunger

Representatives from the Grand Canyon Synod joined hunger leaders from across the church at the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering in Columbus, OH, September 18–21. The event featured worship, experiential learning, and equipping sessions focused on building partnerships, engaging future generations, and connecting hunger ministry with issues such as climate justice, housing, and equity. Synod participants included Kristine Bartanen, Adrienne Kaye, Rev. Greg Mannel, Melanie Hobden, Solveig Muus, and Vicar Wanda Frenchman. Read the full recap on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.

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Register Now: AFN’s 2025 Annual Gathering, “United We Rise”

Arizona Faith Network invites you to the 2025 Annual Gathering, “United We Rise,” on December 2 in Scottsdale, with keynote speaker Gen Kelsang Chenma. The latest AFN newsletter also highlights weekly Monday Meditation, trainings on elder abuse and LDS 101, and calls to action on peace and protecting sacred lands. Read the full AFN newsletter here.

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