ELCA 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. Download Advent and Christmas resources here.
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Prepare your congregation for Advent with Vero Communications’ Advent Bundle—a set of customized postcards, flyers, banners, and social media graphics designed to help you invite your community to worship. With a two-week turnaround, Vero creates professional, ready-to-use materials based on your church’s Advent theme. Learn more →
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Join us Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix for Effective Reentry Ministry for Ordinary Congregations, a free interactive workshop led by Fred Nelson of the Inside Out Network. Explore a biblical foundation for reentry ministry, learn from new research, and discover eight practical models to help your congregation welcome and walk with returning citizens. Register today at the link provided—free parking and refreshments included.
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In the latest Pivot podcast, Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile and Rev. Ed Olsworth-Peter explore church plant leadership skills that begin with deep listening to the Spirit and to the neighborhood—not blueprints or programs.
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Explore the newest resources, stories, and opportunities for faith-rooted climate action in the December Blessed Tomorrow newsletter. Highlights include the 2026 American Climate Leadership Awards, sustainable holiday ideas, new research insights, and updates from congregations and national partners. Read the full newsletter for tools, inspiration, and ways to engage this season.
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The Fall 2025 Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram is now available, featuring updates on men’s ministry resources, national retreats, weekly Bible and book studies, and LMM’s 2025–27 strategic plan. Read the full newsletter—as a PDF or a Constant Contact link —and help us share it with men seeking to grow as bold followers of Jesus Christ.
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The Grand Canyon Synod continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the ELCA regarding the ongoing federal investigation involving former synod leader Casey Goslin. There are still no known victims within our synod, and all allegations involve online activity. This week’s update includes gratitude for those who attended our recent Holding Space gathering for prayer and conversation. The Office of the Bishop remains committed to transparency, pastoral care, and clear communication as the investigation continues.
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AFN shares a full lineup of upcoming events, including the 2025 Annual Gathering (Dec. 2), interfaith Thanksgiving services, prayer walks, ecology workshops, and the “No Amazon for Advent” campaign. Learn more and view all events and advocacy actions in the full AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
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This week, the Office of the Bishop visits congregations, works on year-end projects, and celebrates Thanksgiving.
We are grateful to be Church Together with you.
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Retired pastor Rev. Richard (Dick) Glover, a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix, died earlier this week on Monday, November 17, 2025. Details about services are not yet available. Please keep his wife Alice, his loved ones, and the St. Andrew community in your prayers. We will share service information as soon as it becomes available.
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The Office of the Bishop will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27–28, 2025, for the Thanksgiving holiday, reopening Monday, December 1. As we enter this season of gratitude, we give thanks for the faithful ministry of our congregations and partners across the Grand Canyon Synod.
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In the face of life’s uncertainty, Jesus calls us not to over-prepare or defend ourselves, but to trust that he will give us the words and wisdom we need. This devotion invites readers to release their fears into Christ’s care and remember that God’s promise of presence endures, even when all else seems to fall apart.
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For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all affected by the the eruption of the Semeru volcano in Indonesia…
For safety, dignity, and justice for immigrants…
For the health of the earth and for those working to mitigate environmental destruction…
For victims of abuse and trafficking…
For ELCA indigenous ministries and tribal relations, and for the work of truth and healing…
For all who await the reign of Christ to break into our world and our hearts…
The ELCA Church Council has approved major revisions to the roster manual, with updates now in effect across the church. Changes include new policies on on-leave and retired status, interim and supply ministry, expanded exceptions to the three-year congregational service bylaw, and a new 10-hour minimum for part-time calls. View and download as PDF here.
A webinar explaining these updates will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1–2 p.m. Central. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85159197176. Leaders are encouraged to discard old versions of the roster manual and direct questions to Keith.Fry@ELCA.org.
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Public voting is open for the 2025 Partners for Sacred Places Photo Contest through December 5. Help select the People’s Choice winners in four categories—Arts, Education & Service, Open Space, and Community Events. This year’s theme highlights sacred places as community “third spaces,” serving neighborhoods with beauty, care, and hospitality. Vote here: https://sacredplaces.org/photo-voting/
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Living Lutheran profiles Zander Hine, a high school senior and lifelong member of St. John Lutheran, Hagerstown, Md., whose faith has led him into deep engagement with food insecurity, environmental advocacy, and community service. From overseeing Micah’s Backpack and serving on local nonprofit boards to conducting research on food waste and hunger in his school district, Zander lives his baptismal call by “living grace through action.”
Be inspired by his story of service, leadership, and hope by reading the full “I’m a Lutheran” feature on Living Lutheran.
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Meeting electronically on Nov. 12, 2025, the ELCA Church Council adopted “Child Protection” as an official social message of our church and advanced several significant initiatives. Actions included beginning work on study resources addressing white supremacy, supporting educational debt relief for rostered ministers—especially women and people from historically under-represented groups—and revising spending authorization and benefits policies for 2026.
For a full overview of these actions and what they mean for the ELCA’s life and mission, read the complete news release from ELCA News.
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When migrants and other neighbors are labeled “invasion,” “animals,” or “illegals,” our faith compels us to respond. This AMMPARO reflection names dehumanization as sin and calls Lutherans to “faithful resistance” in our words, actions, and hearts, grounded in Scripture’s witness that every person bears the image of God.
Read how this resistance takes shape in daily life—through language, advocacy, and humble service rooted in Micah 6:8—by reading the full article from AMMPARO.
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After a 43-day shutdown, the federal government reopened on Nov. 13, 2025. In response, the ELCA shared a message of gratitude with federal elected leaders while urging them to prioritize good governance, affordable healthcare, and strong support for programs that address hunger, poverty, and illness. The statement lifts up our Lutheran conviction that government is called to serve the common good and protect human dignity.
Learn more about this message, including specific policy priorities and ways congregations can engage, by reading the full statement from ELCA Advocacy.
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