From Lament to Leadership: Climate Action Opportunities for Congregations in 2026
From Lament to Leadership: Climate Action Opportunities for Congregations in 2026

The February 2026 Blessed Tomorrow Newsletter offers timely encouragement and concrete opportunities for faith-based climate leadership amid ongoing global and local challenges. Highlights include registration for the 2026 National Faith + Climate Forum (April 25), the American Climate Leadership Awards (April 16), new local action tools from ecoAmerica, and inspiring stories from Climate Ambassadors making a difference on the ground.

Designed to equip congregations and leaders, the newsletter centers on visible faith, local action, and hope for a thriving future. Read the full newsletter for events, resources, and practical ways to lead on climate where you are.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Thinking Faithfully About AI: PLTS Hosts a Disputatio for Our Time
Thinking Faithfully About AI: PLTS Hosts a Disputatio for Our Time

Artificial intelligence is reshaping daily life—and raising urgent ethical and theological questions. On Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. PST), Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will host a Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence, online and in Berkeley, inviting leaders into faithful, rigorous inquiry grounded in Lutheran tradition.

The day includes worship, lunch, expert-led conversations, and the Elizabeth and Harvey Mohrenweiser Lecture on ethical decision-making at the intersection of faith, science, and medicine. Learn more and register at admissions.callutheran.edu/register/AIDisputatio.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader Resources, Region 2Brian FlatgardPacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Artificial IntelligenceComment
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Protect Religious Freedom and Hold ICE Accountable
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Protect Religious Freedom and Hold ICE Accountable

Immigrant and refugee communities are increasingly facing fear as immigration enforcement enters churches and other sacred spaces. The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty is calling on Congress to hold ICE accountable and pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to safeguard places of worship, schools, and healthcare facilities.

People of faith are urged to contact their members of Congress and take action now.

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Brian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, Christians Against Christian Nationalism, BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), Church and SocietyComment
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge

Lent is soon upon us (Ash Wednesday February 18). Once again, we are invited into a holy season of prayer, repentance, and renewed love of neighbor. If you’ve participated in the Region 2 Lenten Challenge before, you already know how powerfully God can work through simple, daily steps: a Scripture-based reflection, a faithful action, a moment of courage, a practice of compassion. This year’s challenge is ready for you at lentenchallenge.org—and your place in it matters.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2Brian Flatgard2026 Lent and Easter, 2026 Lenten ChallengeComment
Ordination celebrations
Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Janice Von Rappard, who celebrates 21 years on January 30.

  • Rev. Jose Valenzuela, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 17 years on January 31.

  • Rev. Katie Langston, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 4 years on February 4.

  • Rev. Shari Bernau, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 21 years on February 5.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Free Hymnals Available: Lord of Life Sun City West Shares Worship Resources
Free Hymnals Available: Lord of Life Sun City West Shares Worship Resources

Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona, is offering free hymnals and service books for local pickup. Available resources include 72 Gather hymnals, 24 Worship & Praise hymnals, and four well-used Service Book and Hymnal volumes. Congregations or ministries in need of worship materials are encouraged to take advantage of this shared resource.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardClassifieds, Cactus Conference, Lord of Life Sun City WestComment
Free ELCA Coaching Opportunities in January: Support, Training, and Growth for Leaders
Free ELCA Coaching Opportunities in January: Support, Training, and Growth for Leaders

ELCA Coaching is offering a full month of free January opportunities for ministry leaders, including gatherings, workshops, formation offerings, and racial justice and wellness training opportunities—most requiring advance registration. Additional subsidized leadership trainings begin in April. These resources support leaders across the ELCA, helping strengthen ministry, deepen resilience, and remind us that nobody journeys alone. Learn more at elcacoaching.org/events.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Rev. Tim Brown Named Churchwide Representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly
Rev. Tim Brown Named Churchwide Representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

Rev. Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, will serve as the churchwide representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, June 11–13, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona.

Gathering under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” and inspired by Psalm 78, the assembly will invite the synod to reflect on God’s enduring work among us. Additional assembly details and registration information will be shared in the weeks ahead.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment
Prepared to Welcome: Why Congregational Security Is a Ministry of Care
Prepared to Welcome: Why Congregational Security Is a Ministry of Care

Security planning is not about fear—it is a ministry of care. In 2026, the Grand Canyon Synod is launching a year-long series on congregational security, grounded in theology, stewardship, and practical wisdom.

This opening reflection frames security as an expression of faithful welcome and invites congregations to explore the synod’s new Congregational Security & Preparedness Resources page as we move through the year together.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSecurityComment
Faithfulness Amidst Change: Pastor Kristin Engstrom’s Expanding Call in Global Mission
Faithfulness Amidst Change: Pastor Kristin Engstrom’s Expanding Call in Global Mission

Pastor Kristin Engstrom, ELCA global missionary, shares an update on her expanding call as ELCA Regional Representative for Madagascar and English-speaking West Africa. Her January 2026 newsletter highlights recent travels, companion church ministries, and how Lutheran mission is rooted in relationship and accompaniment.

Read the full newsletter, view additional photos and stories, and watch Pastor Kristin’s new ELCA video reflecting on global mission—all pointing to God’s faithfulness in changing times and our shared call to walk together in Christ.

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ELCA, Global Church, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardPastor Kristin EngstromComment
Enter Lent in Stillness: A Silent Prayer Retreat at All Saints in Phoenix, Feb. 28
Enter Lent in Stillness: A Silent Prayer Retreat at All Saints in Phoenix, Feb. 28

All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites you to begin Lent with a half-day Silent Prayer Retreat on Saturday, February 28, from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Rooted in monastic tradition, the retreat includes silent and communal prayer, worship, a shared meal, and service projects.

Space is limited. Contact the church office at 602-866-9191 or email Pastor Daniel Volkmann at dvolkmann@allsaintsphoenix.org to register or learn more.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Lent and Easter, All Saints Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Douglas Moffat
In Memoriam: Rev. Douglas Moffat

The Rev. Douglas (Doug) Moffat died on January 12, 2026, in Edmonton, Canada. His last day of service at Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma was March 12, 2025. We give thanks for his faithful ministry and commend him to God’s eternal care.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6th, 2026, at 1:00 pm at St. Albert Evangelical Church, 11 Glenview Cres, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 1B7. Reception to follow. He would be honored if any memorial gift in his name be given to the Alpha organization.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, In MemoriamBrian Flatgard Comments
Faith Leaders Gather for Prayerful Vigil at ICE Phoenix Office
Faith Leaders Gather for Prayerful Vigil at ICE Phoenix Office

The Arizona Faith Network invites faith leaders and community members to a nonviolent prayer vigil on Sunday, January 25 at 4:00 PM outside the ICE Phoenix Field Office (2035 N. Central Ave, Phoenix). This vigil calls faith communities to public witness and prayer in response to harms connected to ICE enforcement, standing in solidarity with those under threat of detention and separation.

Clergy from many traditions will offer prayers and reflection. Participants should bring a candle, water, and wear clergy or justice-themed attire. Nearby church parking is available. Register and share with others here: bit.ly/azfaithfulwitness.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Immigration and Refugees, Church and Society Comment
From COP to Congregations: New Opportunities for Climate Faithfulness
From COP to Congregations: New Opportunities for Climate Faithfulness

January Good Green News highlights new opportunities to live out our faith through climate justice, learning, and community. From the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice to upcoming retreats, coffee conversations on environmental policy, and calls for eco-lectionary writers, there are meaningful ways for congregations and leaders to engage.

Explore resources, register for upcoming events, and learn how your congregation can take faithful action—read the full newsletter for details and links.

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ELCABrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutherans Restoring CreationComment
January Mission Support Memo: Bridge-builder for Justice
January Mission Support Memo: Bridge-builder for Justice

Our January 2026 Mission Support memo connects us to Community Lutheran Church in Sussex County, Delaware where they are working to build-bridges for justice and love. Read about how they deeply care for their community through being a feeding hub, offering English classes and advocacy, caring for creation, and working toward dismantling racism, building equity, and empowering inclusion.

Learn how to join our new ELCA  Church Property Hub on Feb. 12th for Property Development 101 for Synods. In these times, staying connected through our stories seems vitally important, so please share your stories by contacting us at missionsupport@elca.org. Here is a pdf version too!

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ELCABrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
From Forest to Family: How Beekeeping Is Transforming Lives in Indonesia
From Forest to Family: How Beekeeping Is Transforming Lives in Indonesia

In the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, a simple yet powerful initiative is changing lives. Through a forest bee farming program supported by Lutheran partners, Pak Esli—a fisherman and father of two—has gained new skills, sustainable income, and hope for his family and community. What began as unfamiliar work has become a source of economic stability, environmental care, and shared opportunity for an entire village.

This story from ELCA World Hunger highlights how faith-rooted global partnerships support livelihoods that honor both people and creation. Read more at ELCA.org to explore how forest beekeeping is helping communities thrive while caring for the land God has entrusted to them.

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ELCABrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
January 2026 Administration Matters: Start the Year Strong with Key Church Admin Updates
January 2026 Administration Matters: Start the Year Strong with Key Church Admin Updates

The January 2026 issue of Administration Matters offers timely guidance to help congregations and church leaders start the year with clarity and confidence. Highlights include Portico’s 2026 New Year Checklist for benefits administration, updated Internal Revenue Service mileage rates effective January 1, best practices for church benevolence programs, and practical insights on repurposing aging church buildings.

Also featured are tips for more productive meetings and essential considerations for secure digital giving in an increasingly complex online landscape. These concise resources are designed to support faithful stewardship, sound governance, and effective ministry administration. Read the full January 2026 issue of Administration Matters to learn more.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration MattersComment