2024 Lutheran Day at the Legislature Recap

125 advocates from all around Arizona gathered at the State Capitol on Thursday, January 18, 2024 for a day of advocacy.

Ooooooh… hot coffee!

Pastor Mateo Chavez (Iglesia Luterana San Juan Bautista, Tucson) and Pastor Bob Jones (Santa Cruz, Tucson) check in as Wshiar Kallye waits his turn.

Rev. Rock Fremont (Shepherd of the Hills UCC, Phoenix) enjoys the day.

A “bishop selfie” with Tucson residents Janice Richert and Vicar Wendi Van Beek

Pastor Brian Weinberger, LAMA Policy Council chair, sets the tone for the day.

Bishop Deborah Hutterer brings greetings and leads morning prayer.

Senator Lela Alston (D), LD05 shares thoughts from her 40+ years in the Arizona State Legislature.

Inspiring remarks from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Senator Lela Alston (D), LD05

Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, executive director of Arizona Faith Network (AFN) shares the story of a successful AFN bill that passed with bipartisan support last year.

Connie Phillips, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, raises the… roof?

The LD24 delegation is on fire!

LD28 rocks!

Participants gathered in the Senate Majority Caucus Room to strategize, write letters, eat, and meet with legislators who dropped by.

LAMA Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars chats with Rep. Analise Ortiz (D), LD24.

LD03 strategy session.

Pastor Dan Hoeger (All Saints, Phoenix) and team from LD02 meet with Rep. Judy Schweibert (D).

Making friends the LD29 way.

The LD04 delegation with Rep. Laura Terech (D), LD04.

Great meeting with Rep. Marcelino Quiñonez (D), LD11.

Senator Ken Bennett (R), LD01 drops by the caucus room to chat.

The LD03 delegation met with Rep. Alex Kolodin (R), LD03.

The LD12 delegation in the able hands of district coordinator Melanie Hobden, had three meetings with their legislators.

The LD27 team observes a senate hearing.

Pastor Pam Reynolds (Lord of Life, Sn City West) and crew pose for a pic on the floor of the floor of the House.

Click here to see more amazing images of a great day spent building relationships and activating our faith in love at the Capitol.

Our thanks to photographer David Hoye and to everyone who sent us your shots ~ so fun!

This year, we had participants from 24 of our state’s 30 legislative districts, and met over 30 legislators to discuss our policy priorities for the upcoming year.

Our day began in Wesley Bolin Plaza, where we shared hot coffee and breakfast with each other, our speakers, a handful of lawmakers, and many legislative staff members. Pastor Brian Weinberger, chairman of the LAMA Policy Council, was this year’s emcee. Bishop Deborah Hutterer led us in our opening devotional and prayers.

Our featured speakers, Senator Lela Alston, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood from Arizona Faith Network, and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest CEO Connie Phillips, offered remarks. The speakers this year focused on the necessity of nonpartisan, across-the-aisle cooperation when it comes to tackling big, impactful issues like hunger, water use, and housing, as well as the special role that we, as people of faith serve in our advocacy. At the conclusion of the remarks, participants met with their fellow district members and prepared for their meeting(s).

A special thanks is owed to our District Coordinators! This year, we had many volunteers coordinate their own districts, making and handling appointments, getting to know fellow district participants ahead of time, identifying specific talking points and strategies for each meeting, and making sure everyone got where they needed to be. As everyone found their fellow district members, and Coordinators made sure everyone had the information they needed, groups began heading to the legislative buildings for the day.

The rest of the day was spent registering for Request to Speak (RTS) accounts, exploring the Capitol grounds, talking with other participants, writing thank you notes, and, of course, meeting with lawmakers. Our home base was the Senate Majority Caucus Room and for the first time, we enjoyed lunch together! Catered by the United Methodist Outreach Group (UMOM)’s Helpings Café & Catering, lunch offered everyone the chance to get to know each other, prepare for meetings together, and debrief together over food.

Several lawmakers and staff stopped in to share our meal with us — special thanks to Representative Analise Ortiz (LD24), Representative Stacey Travers (LD12), and Senator Ken Bennett (LD01) for taking time to address all of us!

All in all, participants reporting exciting new friendships with their fellow constituents, thoughtful listening from lawmakers, lots of learning, and plenty of important new relationships. What a great kick-off to our 2024 season of advocacy!