LAMA Update: Put Advocacy Into “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday

The August 11 LAMA newsletter invites congregations to add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday on September 13 and features upcoming events, new ELCA advocacy resources, opportunities to comment on the church’s homelessness social message, and ways to engage faithfully in public life. Read the full LAMA newsletter and find ways to get involved.

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Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop is engaged across the synod and beyond this week through worship, pastoral leadership, ministry site review, innovation planning, generosity work, staff service at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and preparations for upcoming events. Synod staff also continue the essential communications, administrative, financial, and stakeholder support that sustain our shared ministry.

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The Generosity Project Finds a New Home

The Generosity Project has a new online home! For several years, the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team helped host this cross-generational ELCA stewardship resource. We celebrate its next chapter and give special thanks to Grand Canyon Synod member and longtime project champion Linda Staats for her passion and leadership.

Explore The Generosity Project and discover resources for cultivating generosity, discipleship, and faith from generation to generation.

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On a Wing and a Prayer: Hope and Hospitality at Spirit in the Desert

Spirit in the Desert Executive Director Rika Beckley reflects on her first month of leadership and the faith, hospitality and community sustaining the Carefree retreat center. The latest newsletter also features Wednesday Respite, an Aug. 14-15 Open House & Pop-Up Sale, daily and weekly prayer opportunities, fall retreats, the ThanksLiving Music Fest and ways to support Spirit’s ministry. Read the full Spirit in the Desert newsletter and explore upcoming opportunities.

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Lutheran Men in Mission Shares New Resources, Retreats and Fall Opportunities

Lutheran Men in Mission’s Summer 2026 Ambassador-Gram features newly revised men’s ministry resources, a new DIY half-day retreat series, fall One Year to Live retreats and Bold Gatherings, weekly online Bible and book studies, a discipleship course, and a Sept. 8 legacy giving webinar.

Explore the opportunities and resources available to help congregations strengthen men’s ministry and discipleship.

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Women of the ELCA Celebrate “I Am Worthy” Gathering and Look Ahead to 2029

Women of the ELCA welcomed 1,000 registered participants to the “I Am Worthy” Triennial Gathering, July 16-19 in Des Moines, following the Thirteenth Triennial Convention. Explore highlights and photos from the gathering—and look ahead to the 2029 Triennial Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, with pre-registration savings available through September 1.

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Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley Seeks Director of Worship

Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona is excited to begin the search for our next Director of Worship. This key leadership position will work closely with our pastors, staff, musicians, and volunteers to help shape meaningful worship experiences that inspire faith, build community, and glorify God. View PDF job description here.

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Mosaic | Set up for Success: School Preparations for a Child with a Disability

Back-to-school time for parents who have a child with a disability doesn’t need to cause anxiety. Here are a few suggested activities that will help prepare your child, you, and your child’s teacher to start the year set up for success. The post Set up for Success: School Preparations for a Child with a Disability appeared first on Mosaic.

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Lutheran World Federation newsletter
From Scarcity to Sanctuary: When Church Property Becomes Ministry

With declining membership and limited finances, Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan didn’t have abundant resources—but it did have space and a willingness to take a leap of faith. Twenty years ago, the congregation began sheltering LGBTQIA+ young adults experiencing homelessness. Today, Trinity Place remains open every night, offering shelter, community and a path toward greater stability.

In Living Lutheran, the story becomes an invitation for congregations to consider how underused buildings and land might serve their neighbors. The article also introduces the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub, which helps congregations explore faithful and creative possibilities for their property. ⁠Read “From Scarcity to Sanctuary” in Living Lutheran.

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A Big Deal: How Lutherans Helped Shape the Pennsylvania Lottery

What do Lutheran pastors, community organizing and the Pennsylvania Lottery have in common? In Living Lutheran, retired ELCA pastor P. Richard Grove recalls how Lutheran leaders helped organize older adults around affordable public transportation in the early 1970s—and how that advocacy contributed to a system that has since provided billions of dollars in benefits for Pennsylvania’s older adults.

Part of Living Lutheran’s America 250 series, the firsthand account offers a fascinating glimpse into Lutheran engagement in civic life and the lasting consequences of community organizing. ⁠Read “A Big Deal” in Living Lutheran.

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Mission Investment Fund Annual Report Highlights Faithful Partnership and Impact

The Mission Investment Fund’s 2025 Annual Report shares how congregations, individuals and ministry partners are putting financial resources to work in service of the church and their communities. In 2025, MIF reported $615 million in active loans supporting 700 ELCA ministries and $551.5 million in investments from individuals, congregations and organizations.

Beyond the numbers, the report shares stories of ministries expanding essential services, establishing permanent homes and aligning financial stewardship with service, justice and care for the neighbor. ⁠Explore the 2025 MIF Annual Report.

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July Mission Support Memo: Building community from InsideOut

Our July 2026 Mission Support Memo highlights a story created by our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, about a community-centered ministry in West Lawn, Pa., called InsideOut.

Also, reconnect or connect with ELCA's The Generosity Project through a new webpage available in partnership with Kindling Faith. Finally, take the time to read a farewell from a beloved colleague, Victoria Flood.

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Supporting the Church’s Song: Resources and Events for Fall 2026

ELCA Worship’s August roundup offers several opportunities for church musicians and worship leaders: more than 40 Lutheran Summer Music performances available on demand, fall webinars from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, October’s Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, and a formation opportunity for early-career church musicians through the Church Music Institute.

Several opportunities have fall deadlines or registration dates, making this a useful roundup to share with your congregation’s musicians and worship leaders. ⁠Explore all partner resources and events.

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Resources for Worship Planning, Accessibility and the Church Year

ELCA Worship highlights several resources from Augsburg Fortress for congregations and worship leaders, including the 2027 Sundays and Seasons calendar featuring the art of Kelly Latimore, a children’s introduction to the church year, ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, and a large-print edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship designed to make worship more accessible. ⁠Explore the August worship resources.

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Bishop Curry: Choosing Reconciliation Over Division

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry reflects on religious diversity, Christian faith and the church’s calling to a “ministry of reconciliation.” Drawing on the ELCA’s interreligious commitments, Curry encourages Lutherans to build relationships across religious differences while resisting efforts to identify the nation or government with a single faith. ⁠Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s full message.

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