Pastor Jacqui Pagel returns from a sabbatical grateful for rest, travel, family, and the colleagues who sustained vital synod ministry in her absence.
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona has released an eight-page guide to help congregations prepare for potential election-related disruption, from misinformation and intimidation to division and uncertainty. Grounded in Lutheran commitments to truth-telling, peace and care for neighbors, the resource includes discussion scenarios and a practical readiness checklist.
Congregations are encouraged to identify a response team, trusted information sources, a spokesperson and key emergency contacts now. Read the full article and download the guide.
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Arizona Faith Network is recruiting Poll Chaplains and Peacekeepers for the November election, with online trainings September 28 and October 15. The latest newsletter also includes the October 20 Annual Gathering, nonpartisan voter education, community celebrations, interfaith events, and ways to support peaceful civic participation. Read the full AFN newsletter.
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LAMA’s latest update invites Lutherans to register or confirm their voter status, take the Faithful Arizona Voter Pledge, and join upcoming election-protection, advocacy, and hunger-justice gatherings. It also includes congregational election resources, ballot guidance, and actions for neighbors in need. Read the full LAMA newsletter.
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This week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the Synod Council Retreat and then Bishop Hutterer attends the Conference of Bishops Fall Gathering in Chicago. Staff will also support installations, retirements, candidacy and first-call ministry, congregational vitality and generosity, upcoming events, communications, security, and month-end financial work.
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Bishop Deborah Hutterer invites the people of the Grand Canyon Synod to approach the November 3 election with prayer, confidence, and care for their neighbors. She offers key voting deadlines, reassurance about voting by mail, and a call to seek and share trustworthy information as an expression of faithful civic engagement.
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Women of the ELCA offers a full September calendar of opportunities for worship, fellowship, study, retirement planning, and racial justice advocacy. Join the September 17 Boldcafe dinner, WELCA Reads beginning September 21, the September 24 Indian boarding schools presentation, and the Thankoffering Service livestream on October 15.
Explore the resources, register where needed, and share these opportunities with your congregation or women’s group.
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On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, 75 people gathered at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plainview, N.Y., to remember those lost, honor first responders, share stories, and worship the wounded Savior. The service named both enduring grief—including losses from 9/11-related illness—and the hope found when communities care for one another.
This Living Lutheran story reflects on remembrance as a call to healing, kindness, and renewed community. Read the original Living Lutheran story.
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On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, retired Lutheran Disaster Response director Gilbert B. Furst remembers the church’s sustained response: counseling, care, advocacy, financial support, and accompaniment for communities in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
His reflection testifies that God was present amid devastation—in the hands of firefighters, chaplains, counselors, neighbors, and all who served in Christ’s name. Read the original Living Lutheran reflection.
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The September issue of Administration Matters is available for ELCA congregational and synod leaders. Explore resources on ministry credit cards, the Season of Creation, 2027 Portico benefits, and safe trunk-or-treat planning. Portico benefit elections are October 1–14. Read the full issue.
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In Matthew 20:1–16, Jesus’ vineyard parable invites us to wrestle with fairness, grace, and our need for one another. This week’s ELCA Faith Lens reflection considers how congregations and groups can welcome new people, navigate conflict, and work together for the good of the whole community.
Read “Laboring Together,” by Pastor Adrianne Meier, for discussion questions, a group activity, and prayer resources. Read the full Faith Lens reflection.
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The recording of the ELCA Racial Justice Ministries webinar “Dismantle: Using the Devotional in Congregational Life” is now available. Explore practical, faith-rooted tools for engaging the Dismantle devotional and advancing justice, accountability, and beloved community.
Upcoming webinars are November 10, 2026, and January 12, 2027. Watch the recording and register for the remaining sessions.
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See how congregational mission support equips leaders like Pastorá Verónica Alvarez to build relationships and share the Lutheran witness of grace across the global church.
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Descubra cómo el apoyo congregacional a la misión capacita a líderes como Pastorá Verónica Alvarez para fortalecer relaciones y compartir el testimonio luterano de la gracia en toda la Iglesia global.
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Sun City author and American Lutheran Church member Jeanne Blanchet, Ph.D., has released The Monk Who Wrestled with God: A Novel of Martin Luther, a new historical-fiction exploration of Luther’s faith, doubt, and Reformation witness. The 381-page book is available in paperback and e-book formats through online booksellers, the publisher, and bookstores.
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Rev. Jose Valenzuela, called to serve University Lutheran and ASU Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 9/20/2026, during 10 am worship at University Lutheran Church (340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281).
Bishop Hutterer will preside through Communion. Reception will be an Einstein Bagels bar with coffee and orange juice. No RSVPs are necessary, color of the day is rainbow. Live-stream and post-video link will be on the front page ulctempe.org.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 23 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 47 years on September 24.
The Grand Canyon Synod is launching a series highlighting the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub. Begin with a no-cost Zoom webinar, “Land Back as Property Stewardship Ethic,” on Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Central Time. Indigenous leaders and ELCA partners will explore land return, the Doctrine of Discovery, and faithful property stewardship. Register today.
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Join Luther Seminary online Tuesday, September 22, at 4:15 p.m. Arizona/Pacific time for the 2026 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology. New Testament scholar Craig Koester will explore how John’s Gospel understands Jesus’ crucifixion as a revelation of God’s life-giving love—and what that cruciform love means for Christian witness today.
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Lay and rostered leaders are invited to Faithful Listening, Bold Proclamation, three interactive Zoom workshops with ELCA pastor and Womanist theologian Rev. Sharei Green on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Arizona/Pacific Time. Explore Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom while strengthening practices of listening and proclamation. Attend one session or all three.
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