GCS Hunger Leaders Network hosts special meeting on Sept. 29: Mercy and Compassion Merging for Hunger Justice
Join the Special Hunger Leaders Meeting on Sept. 29: Mercy and Compassion Merging for Hunger Justice
LAMA and the Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy Network invite Grand Canyon Synod hunger leaders, Sierra Pacific Synod hunger leaders, LAMA liaisons, ELCA churchwide hunger leaders, pastors, deacons, congregational advocates, and ministry partners to a special Hunger Leaders Meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Arizona time. This month’s theme is “Mercy and Compassion Merging for Hunger Justice,” and the evening will bring together churchwide voices, synod leaders, food-bank partners, congregational advocates, and state public-policy leaders for a focused conversation on hunger, faith, and action.
This special gathering reflects the truth that hunger does not stop at state lines — and neither does our Lutheran public witness. Across Arizona, California, Nevada, and beyond, congregations are responding to food insecurity through mercy ministries, food pantries, community partnerships, advocacy, voter engagement, and public-policy work. On Sept. 29, we will gather to connect those efforts, learn from one another, and act together for hunger justice.
We will hear from Bishop Deborah Hutterer of the Grand Canyon Synod and Bishop Jeff Johnson of the Sierra Pacific Synod, who will help frame the conversation for this shared regional gathering. We will also welcome Milt Liu, CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank, who will speak about what is happening with SNAP and food insecurity from the perspective of the first food bank in the country.
The meeting will also feature Pr. Steve Holm, who will share practical advocacy wisdom from his journey “From a Hunger Jar to fighting for World Hunger,” and Pr. Nelson Rabell of Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria Peregrina in Stockton, California, who will share a Get Out the Vote video from the Sierra Pacific Synod.
Besides these guest speakers, we will spend time asking what we can do to advocate for hunger justice in our own states, sharing updated resources, and taking immediate action together by signing a letter to the governor of each participant’s state. This is designed to be more than an information session — it is a chance to connect faith, hunger ministry, civic participation, and public witness in a concrete way.
All are welcome, whether you are already leading a congregational hunger ministry, serving in a food pantry, participating as a LAMA liaison, working with ELCA World Hunger, learning about SNAP and food policy, or simply wondering how people of faith can respond faithfully to hunger in this moment.
Special GCS Hunger Leaders Meeting
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
6:00 p.m. Arizona Time
Zoom Meeting ID: 874 3817 1116
Come ready to listen, learn, pray, and act for hunger justice — until all are fed.