August recess opportunity.
August Recess 2026: Faithful Advocacy Close to Home
August Recess is one of the best opportunities of the year for Lutherans in Arizona to meet with members of Congress while they are back home in their districts. During this time, senators and representatives often attend town halls, community events, site visits and meetings with constituents. That makes August a key moment for people of faith to share what we see in our congregations, ministries and communities — and to ask our elected leaders to protect vulnerable neighbors.
Advocacy does not have to be complicated. A faithful visit can be as simple as saying who you are, naming the congregation or ministry you are connected to, sharing one story from your community and asking your lawmaker to support policies that reflect dignity, justice, mercy and neighbor love.
Why August Recess Matters in 2026
This year, August Recess comes during a critical season. Congress is working through major federal budget and appropriations decisions, the 2026 Farm Bill remains under debate, and the midterm election season means lawmakers are especially attentive to the concerns of people in their home districts.
For LAMA advocates, this is a chance to speak clearly and respectfully about the issues our congregations know well: hunger, SNAP and food assistance, Medicaid and health care access, immigration and asylum, housing and homelessness, public schools, voting access, care for creation and support for ministries that serve vulnerable neighbors.
LAMA’s 2026 August Recess Priorities
Protect SNAP and strengthen the Farm Bill
“We realize that we do not eat alone; everyone needs to eat.” — ELCA Social Statement: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All
The Farm Bill shapes much of our nation’s food, farm and nutrition policy. Lutherans know that hunger is not abstract — it shows up in food pantry lines, school lunch needs, congregational feeding ministries and families making impossible choices between rent, medicine and groceries.
Ask your members of Congress to support a Farm Bill that protects and strengthens SNAP, invests in rural and farming communities, supports international food aid, promotes soil health and conservation, and helps ensure that all people have enough to eat.
Possible question:
As Congress continues work on the Farm Bill, will you oppose cuts or cost shifts to SNAP and support a bill that strengthens food security for families, seniors, children, rural communities and Tribal communities?
Protect Medicaid and health care access
“Caring for the health of others expresses both love for our neighbor and responsibility for a just society.”
—ELCA Social Statement: Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor
In Arizona, Medicaid is AHCCCS, and it is a lifeline for children, seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families and many of our neighbors in crisis. Federal changes to eligibility, documentation or funding can quickly affect families, health providers, shelters, behavioral health care and community ministries.
Ask lawmakers to protect Medicaid/AHCCCS from cuts, barriers and administrative burdens that make it harder for eligible people to receive care.
Possible question:
How will you protect Medicaid and ensure that Arizonans who rely on AHCCCS can continue receiving health care without unnecessary barriers?
Support housing and homelessness solutions
“An economy… is meant to meet people’s material needs.”
—ELCA Social Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All
Arizona congregations and ministries see the housing crisis every day. Rising rents, a shortage of affordable homes, extreme heat and the lack of adequate shelter all contribute to instability for families and individuals. Faith communities can be strong partners in addressing homelessness, but public policy and public investment are essential.
Ask lawmakers to support housing affordability, rental assistance, homelessness services and programs that help people move into stable housing.
Possible question:
What federal housing and homelessness solutions do you support to help Arizona families, seniors, veterans and low-income renters remain safely housed?
Protect immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers
“Hospitality for the uprooted is a way to live out the biblical call to love the neighbor…”
—ELCA Social Message: Immigration, p. 3
Lutherans in Arizona live and serve in border communities, immigrant communities and congregations where migration is personal. Our faith calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and to support humane, orderly and just immigration and asylum systems.
Ask lawmakers to support policies that respect due process, protect families and children, uphold asylum law, avoid unnecessary detention and strengthen community-based support.
Possible question:
How will you support immigration and asylum policies that protect human dignity, family unity, due process and safe reception for people seeking protection?
Strengthen democracy and civic participation
“The ELCA urges vigorous civic engagement for the public good as a responsibility of all U.S. residents and as one of our Christian callings.”
—ELCA Social Statement: Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All — Article 48
In 2026, Arizona voters will participate in primary and general elections that will shape our communities for years to come. Faith-based civic engagement is nonpartisan: we encourage people to vote, learn about candidates and ballot measures, and participate in public life with care for the neighbor.
Ask lawmakers to protect voting access, oppose intimidation and support election systems that are fair, accessible and trustworthy.
Possible question:
What are you doing to protect safe, fair and accessible elections for all eligible voters?
Ways Your Congregation Can Participate
Request a meeting
Invite your U.S. representative or senator to meet with members of your congregation or ministry during August Recess. This could be a small meeting with church leaders, a listening session with ministry partners, or a site visit to a food pantry, shelter ministry, campus ministry, border ministry, refugee ministry, heat relief effort or community meal program.
Host a site visit
Show your lawmaker what faithful service looks like in your community. A site visit helps elected officials see the real impact of public policy on neighbors who are hungry, unhoused, uninsured, newly arrived, elderly, disabled or struggling to make ends meet.
Attend a town hall
Watch for town halls and public events hosted by Arizona’s congressional delegation. Bring a few people from your congregation, prepare one clear question in advance and introduce yourself as a Lutheran constituent.
Send a letter or postcard
Letters, postcards and emails still matter. Invite members of your congregation to write brief, personal messages about hunger, health care, housing, immigration, public schools or another concern rooted in your ministry.
Pray and prepare
Include prayers for public servants, vulnerable neighbors and faithful civic engagement in worship. Use adult education, coffee hour or a ministry meeting to help people understand the issues and practice telling their stories.
How to Prepare for a Meeting
Before meeting with a lawmaker or staff member:
Choose one or two issues to focus on.
Decide who will speak and what each person will share.
Prepare one local story from your congregation or ministry.
Make a clear, respectful ask.
Thank the lawmaker or staff member for their time.
Follow up afterward with a note and any promised information.
A good advocacy visit is not a debate. It is a relationship-building conversation grounded in faith, compassion and the lived experience of our neighbors.
Sample Meeting Request
Dear [Scheduler Name],
I am writing on behalf of [Congregation/Ministry Name] in [City], Arizona. We would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with [Senator/Representative Name] or a member of the staff during the August district work period.
As Lutherans, we are deeply concerned about policies affecting hunger, Medicaid/AHCCCS, housing, immigration and the well-being of vulnerable neighbors in Arizona. We would welcome the chance to share what we are seeing in our congregation and community and to learn more about the senator’s/representative’s priorities.
We are available [offer several dates/times] and would be glad to meet at your district office, virtually or at our congregation/ministry site.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Congregation/Ministry]
[City, Arizona]
[Email / Phone]
2026 Resources
Use these resources to plan your August Recess advocacy:
ELCA Farm Bill Engagement Updates
Tell LAMA What You’re Planning
LAMA would love to know how Arizona Lutherans are showing up during August Recess. Are you requesting a meeting, attending a town hall, hosting a site visit, writing postcards or lifting up advocacy in worship? Let us know so we can support you, share resources and celebrate faithful public witness across the Grand Canyon Synod.
Contact LAMA: Solveig Muus
Together, we can use this August Recess to build relationships, speak with courage and compassion, and advocate for policies that help every neighbor thrive.