Update • December 26, 2023

Thank you for reading Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)’s newsletter, featuring excerpts and highlights from our website at LAMAz.org. LAMA is an advocacy ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA.

This week’s Action Alert: As 2023 comes to a close, we invite you to celebrate with us the work we’ve accomplished together. We are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and we look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. Thank you! Now register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature!

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ACTION ALERTS

EVENTS

AFN SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSION

Thursday, January 4 @ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

The Social Justice Commission is the branch of Arizona Faith Network (AFN) that engages in justice and advocacy work. All are welcome to join this group!

AFN FAITHFUL VOTER AZ (VOTING RIGHTS) COMMITTEE

Thursday, January 4 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Help protect our cherished right to vote! Join this working committee to stay up to date with voting advocacy in AZ and beyond. The interfaith working committee meets online the first Thursday of the month from 2:00-3:00pm.

ANTI-HUNGER & FOOD SYSTEMS ADVOCACY CALL

Friday, January 5 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Connect with hunger advocates in Arizona and get legislative updates through monthly advocacy calls. Facilitated by Arizona Food Systems Network and Arizona Food Bank Network.

REQUEST TO SPEAK (RTS) TRAINING

Friday, January 5 @ 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Do you have an RTS account but don’t know quite how to use it? Need a refresher? This 30-minute training will equip participants to use Arizona’s Request to Speak (RTS) system in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.

LAMA KICKOFF AT SPIRIT OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, SURPRISE

Sunday, January 7 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (map)

Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Surprise will host Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) for an introductory Adult Forum on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 9:00am. All are welcome!

LUTHERAN DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE

Thursday, January 18 @ 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

• Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at the Arizona State Capitol (map)

• Google Calendar ICS

Lutherans from across the state will gather at the Arizona Capitol in Wesley Bolin Plaza for a day of advocacy on Thursday, January 18, 2023 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm to learn, to witness, eat! and voice our common needs in the public square, activating our faith in love.

2023: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

CAUSES WE CHAMPIONED

This Week at LAMA HQ

Here’s what Solveig, Autumn and the LAMA team are up to 12/25 - 12/31:

• Lutheran Day at the Legislature planning & appointments

• LAMA newsletter, correspondence & social media

• Holiday

We’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for being partners in advocacy ministry in Arizona. We’re glad you’re here! Please contact LAMA if we can help you or your church, including:

• Speak to your congregation or meet with your social justice team

• Connect you with advocacy volunteer opportunities

• Advocate on behalf of community programs you care about

• Help you set up a AZ Legislature Right to Speak (RTS) account