Nearly a year after Congress approved Medicaid funding cuts, questions remain about whether Medicaid should pay for home- and community-based services. In Mosaic’s latest blog, President and CEO Linda Timmons shares why that investment matters: Long-term care is too expensive for most families to afford on their own, and people with disabilities, like anyone else, deserve a say in what their lives look like.
Read MoreThe Rev. Lisa Lewton of Dickinson, N.D., has been elected bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod, following action at the synod assembly held May 29–31 in Watford City. Lewton, pastor of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church since 2015, was elected on the fourth ballot and will begin a six-year term.
She will be installed Aug. 29 as the synod prepares for a leadership transition following Bishop Craig Schweitzer’s move into a new churchwide role this fall. Read the full ELCA news release.
Read MoreHow might disability theology reshape how we imagine ministry and belonging in the body of Christ? At this summer’s Rostered Ministers Gathering, ELCA Disability Ministries will lead a workshop exploring how the gifts, leadership, and lived experiences of people with disabilities are central to God’s inclusive vision for the church. The session takes place July 7 in Indianapolis during the first workshop block.
The workshop invites participants into faithful reflection grounded in both theology and action, offering practical ways to embody a more inclusive and life-giving ministry. Read more from ELCA Disability Ministries.
Read MoreOn June 11, the ELCA churchwide organization will host a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Learning Day focused on strengthening relationships with historically underrepresented communities and deepening practices of belonging across ministry settings. ELCA Disability Ministries Coordinator Rev. Lisa Heffernan will present a workshop on inclusive language, disability models, and building more equitable relationships among colleagues.
The event reflects ongoing efforts to help the church live more fully into inclusion, accessibility, and shared ministry. Read more about the learning day.
Read MoreIn the latest Pivot podcast, Wesley Ellis makes a case that will reframe the way you think about prayer.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Arlyn Saathoff, who celebrates 61 years on June 6.
Rev. Vern Barlow, who celebrates 61 years on June 6.
Rev. Daniel Carlson, who celebrates 44 years on June 6.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stephen Beyer, who celebrates 45 years on June 5.
Rev. Jason Adams, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 12 years on June 5.
Rev. Ryan Marsh, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 10 years on June 5.
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For the wounded and all who grieve those killed in major Russian assaults in Ukraine…
For the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire…
For all immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and travelers…
For peaceful engagement and resolution to protests in Albania and Mexico…
For elections and political transitions, domestic and global…
For all affected by tropical storm Jangmi in southern Japan…
For the work of climate scientists, ecology researchers, and meteorologists…
For children and their families struggling with food scarcity, especially in the absence of school lunches…
For all God’s beloveds in the LGBTQIA+ community during this Pride month…
For all impacted by the Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies and for bishops and bishops-elect…
The Rules of Procedure for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly are available online. Voting members and attendees are encouraged to review the document ahead of the June 11–13 assembly in Mesa, including important details about resolutions, debate limits, electronic voting, and assembly participation.
The rules outline how the assembly will conduct business while emphasizing respectful Christian community grounded in Galatians 5 and the shared work of discernment, governance, and ministry together.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network’s 2026 Extreme Heat Relief Program is now serving communities across the state, providing cooling spaces, water, supplies, and compassionate care during dangerous summer temperatures. Congregations and individuals can support this ministry through donations, volunteering, supply drives, sharing resources, and using a congregational toolkit to help protect vulnerable neighbors this summer.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter includes opportunities for advocacy, service, and interfaith engagement across Arizona this summer. Highlights include heat relief efforts, election protection volunteer opportunities, environmental justice conversations, meditation and dialogue gatherings, and ways to support vulnerable neighbors during extreme heat.
Read MoreThis week’s Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) newsletter features an urgent Farm Bill action alert, opportunities to advocate around hunger and immigration, updates on extreme heat relief and Oak Flat, and upcoming events focused on justice, creation care, and faithful civic engagement.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop is preparing for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly while continuing ministry across the synod, including the Installation of Rev. Patsy Koeneke at Epiphany of Christ in Apache Junction (June 7, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM), congregational leadership, faith formation, and ongoing support for congregations and ministry partners.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 27 years on June 4.
Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 65 years on June 4.
Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 47 years on June 4.
Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 37 years on June 4.
The timeline and full agenda for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly (June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa) are now available. Highlights include opening worship with Bishop Hutterer, keynote leadership from Rev. Tim Brown, workshops, assembly business, and a Friday evening variety show.
Participants are encouraged to review the full schedule in advance and plan for key moments including voting, workshops, and worship. View the complete agenda and begin preparing for our time together as a synod rooted in God’s story.
Read MoreWorkshops for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly are now set. On Friday, June 12, participants can choose from two sessions featuring topics like AI in ministry, youth voices, congregational safety, conflict resolution, and more—led by presenters from across the synod.
Review the full workshop lineup, including presenters and room locations, and plan your afternoon of learning at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa.
Read MoreJoin the 2026 Synod Assembly service project on Thursday, June 11 (2:00–5:00 pm) as we pack 800 pounds of rice and 800 pounds of beans for the West Valley Community Food Pantry and First Place Community Center Food Bank. This hands-on project invites all participants to serve together, with the food blessed during closing worship.
You can also support the effort financially—$5 provides food for 5 families. Give online via Tithe.ly, by Zelle, or by check. Together, we share daily bread and live out our call to serve our neighbors.
Read MoreLutheran Church of the Foothills in Tucson is seeking a Part-Time Music Ministry Leader to support worship, choir leadership, and congregational music ministry. The flexible position is envisioned at approximately 20 hours per week, with compensation around $30,000 annually, and applicants with strengths in organ, piano, or choir direction are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.
Read MoreWe share a video of 2026 Assembly Greetings from Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, Pastor President of the Mexican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM).
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