Augsburg Fortress highlights new worship materials for fall and winter, including the Together by Grace Bible Conversations webinar (Oct. 15), Humble and Holy Advent devotional, insights on the three-year lectionaries by Gail Ramshaw, and a new Music Sourcebook. These resources support worship leaders and congregations in planning and prayer. See the full list of resources on the ELCA Worship blog.
Read MoreThis October, ELCA Coaching offers free events and trainings for leaders, including sessions on mental health, right relations, beloved community, and decolonizing worship. Registration is required for some opportunities. Visit elcacoaching.org/events for details.
Read MoreJoin the Oct. 23 one-day Virtual Addiction & Faith Conference, “Awakening the Church to Address Addiction,” hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Open to clergy, laypeople, and all impacted by addiction, this $50 event equips congregations to become safe, recovery-friendly communities. Register now and share the flyer to spread the word across our synod.
Read MoreArizona’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP) is open for FY2025/2026, providing up to $100,000 total per applicant to fund target hardening and security enhancements for at-risk nonprofits. Eligibility requires meeting FEMA NSGP nonprofit standards plus either (a) no federal award in 2024–2022 or (b) inability to front costs for the federal program. Application deadline: Wed., Oct. 15, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Submit to hs@azdohs.gov. Info & forms: azdohs.gov/az-nsgp. Webinars: Wed., Sept. 17, 1:00 p.m. and Thu., Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m.
Read MoreResurrection Lutheran Church hosts its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 9am–2pm in Oro Valley. With 50+ vendors, food supporting the youth group, Art by Heart, and a diaper drive for local food banks, it’s a joyful day to shop local, support ministry, and share in community. Free admission and parking.
Read MoreSanta Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson will celebrate its 40th Anniversary October 11–12, 2025. Saturday includes greetings, lunch, video presentations, history displays, cake, and mariachi music. Sunday’s worship, with Bishop Hutterer preaching, will bless a new youth-created banner and pray for future generations. Join in giving thanks for 40 years of ministry!
Read MoreJoin Faith–La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Phoenix for a joyful 80th Anniversary Celebration, October 24–26, 2025. The weekend includes worship, music, fellowship, and food. RSVP by Sept. 14 by phone, email, or online. Contributions are welcome toward the restoration of the pipe organ and church beautification.
Faith–La Fe en Phoenix celebrará su 80.º aniversario del 24 al 26 de octubre con un fin de semana de adoración, música y compañerismo. Confirme su asistencia antes del 14 de septiembre por teléfono, correo electrónico o en línea. Se agradecen donaciones para apoyar proyectos de restauración y embellecimiento del templo. (PDF)
Read MoreKathy Lueders, retired NASA associate administrator and member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Florida, reflects on her career in human spaceflight, her commitment to community service, and her grounding in faith. Her story highlights how vocation and discipleship intertwine in surprising ways. Read her story in Living Lutheran,
Read MoreFive years after its release, All Creation Sings continues to shape worship across the ELCA, offering prayers and songs that reflect diverse voices and expansive images of God. David Sims, Augsburg Fortress’ senior music editor, shares how ACS serves congregations and inspires faithful action. Read the full interview in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreELCA Sumud now offers a rich collection of resources for Advent and Christmas 2025: a four-week adult devotional series, a Biblical Botany guide, and a children’s Christmas book. An instructional video will launch October 15 to introduce each resource. Download Advent and Christmas resources here.
Read MoreThis week’s BJC newsletter highlights advocacy against Texas’s new Bible-infused school curriculum, previews the October 21–23 Shurden Lectures on sanctuary and migrant justice, and covers an upcoming Supreme Court case on religious freedom in prisons. Readers will also meet Rabbi David Segal, BJC’s new Policy Counsel, and find the latest Report from the Capital addressing how threats to religious freedom are becoming reality. Read the full issue for details and ways to engage.
Read MoreDr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda and others invite readers into a vision of an ecological, equitable, and democratic economy. The Building a Moral Economy series offers tools and inspiration for those seeking to live faithfully in ways that resist exploitative systems and embrace justice, joy, and life-giving relationships. Explore the series and resources here.
Read MorePartners for Sacred Places is hosting a photo contest to highlight how congregations and sacred places enrich their neighborhoods through arts, service, education, and community events. Submit up to ten photos showcasing the vitality of sacred places in your community. Entries close October 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and enter the contest here.
Read MoreBudget season is a time to reflect not only on pledges to our congregations but also on how our personal finances reflect our faith and values. From reducing household costs to choosing greener financial institutions, each decision shapes how we steward God’s creation. Explore practical steps to “green” your money and align it with your commitment to creation care. Read the full article at Blessed Tomorrow.
Read MoreDrawing from her journey from corporate consultant to ministry executive, Nicole Massie Martin reveals how most leadership models ignore the very heart of Christian faith and why pastors are burning out trying to lead like the world instead of following Jesus.
Read MoreResurrection Lutheran Church hosts its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 9am–2pm in Oro Valley. With 50+ vendors, food supporting the youth group, Art by Heart, and a diaper drive for local food banks, it’s a joyful day to shop local, support ministry, and share in community. Free admission and parking.
Read MoreThis week’s Faith Lens reminds us that even the smallest measure of faith is enough for the work God calls us to do. In Luke 17, Jesus uses exaggerated, even humorous, images—uprooting trees, masters serving servants—to teach that faith is already present within us and sufficient for the tasks ahead. Habakkuk, Paul, and Jesus all echo the same truth: though the work of discipleship can be difficult and even seem impossible, God equips us with the gift of faith to endure, serve, and trust in God’s promises.
Read MoreRegistration is now open for the Arizona Faith Network’s 2025 Annual Gathering, themed United We Rise. Join faith leaders from across Arizona on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 9:00 AM–12:30 PM at the Baháʼí Faith Community Center in Scottsdale, or participate online. This bilingual (Spanish & English) event will feature keynote speaker Gen Kelsang Chenma, a Buddhist nun and teacher known for her warmth and practical wisdom. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Learn more and register—click here.
Read MoreSeptember at Spirit in the Desert brought meaningful gatherings, including the Bishop’s staff retreat, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona, local church retreats, and the first-ever national meeting of the Young Onset Parkinson’s Network. Looking ahead, October will welcome both familiar groups and first-time guests, while special events such as Healing of Memories workshops, the Thanksliving Music Fest, and spring retreats are open for registration. Read the full update and upcoming opportunities from Spirit in the Desert—click here.
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