This OpEd by Rev. Christine Stoxen appeared in The Chandler Arizonan on June 1, 2025. Rev. Stoxen serves of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler. AZ.

Experts say there’s been an increase of many kinds of hate over the past few years. In this KJZZ interview, Rev. Katie Sexton of Arizona Faith Network, and Rabbi Andy Green of Congregation Or Tzion share more.

The spring 2025 issue of LifeLines offers stories of how your gifts to ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response help communities and families in the United States and around the world, as well as a map and financial highlights from 2024.

70 years on, Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission meets needs in new ways. Read this deep dive about NELM, the ELCA Navajo mission in Rock Point, Ariz. by John Potter for Living Lutheran. NELM is the beneficiary of funds raised through LDR from this year’s 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge.

Connie Phillips, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, in an interview for The Arizona Republic on how funding has affected LSS-SW and refugee resettlement in Arizona.

Read the statement: “As a faith-based nonprofit, we have faithfully walked alongside legally admitted refugees and immigrants for more than 85 years.”

Ten Arizona Bishops release joint statement on Immigration via an op-ed in The Arizona Republic. “Reports suggest that places of worship, hospitals and schools could be the target of deportation raids. As religious leaders across Arizona, we're asking others not to participate in these plans.”

On May 22, Autumn joined Arizona Faith Network at the capitol during the Senate’s vote on HCR2060. Sen Hernandez (LD24) even read a letter from a LAMA member! Read more about the action-packed day!

The Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Southern Paiute tribes are entering the final stages of a water rights settlement with the state! The tribal councils have begun deliberating and voting on the current proposal.

March 2024. ELCA Advocacy publishes monthly updates from Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (SPPOs) in the ELCA Advocacy BLOG each month.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes reached a water rights settlement with the State last week! Read to learn more.

Watch Christian Nationalism webinar sponsored by Diakonia—Grand Canyon Synod.

See our recap for AzAHA’s 2024 Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day!

Vicar Wendi Van Beek of Our Saviour’s Tucson joins the LAMA Policy Council, accepting the call to serve a three-year term on the board.

We celebrate the passage of an extension to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill, which expired on September 30) until September 2024. Contacting Congress on Farm Bill measures will be a critical priority for faith-based advocates as negotiations come to the fore in 2024.

November 2023. ELCA Advocacy publishes monthly updates from Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (SPPOs) ~ LAMA included ~ in the ELCA Advocacy BLOG each month.

Updates on Advent preparations in the Holy Land amidst the current conflict. Read about how you can support our fellow Christians, as well as all suffering the effects of war.

Read about Lutheran Disaster Response’s support of the Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem amid the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza.