From September 17 - 20, State Public Policy Office (SPPO) directors from across the country met at Spirit in The Desert Retreat Center in Carefree. The faith based offices gathered to discuss priorities, advocacy and engagement strategies, attend lectures and discussions led by guest Amanda Tyler, and welcome the 2023-24 Hunger Advocacy Fellows.

All about Hunger Action Day around the Grand Canyon Synod! See how the LAMA team, the Arizona Food Bank Network, and community members commemorated the day, and what you can do to get involved!

Autumn Byars joins the Grand Canyon Synod staff as the ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow for 2023-24. Welcome, Autumn! Meet her here.

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton joins the GCS Hunger Leaders Network monthly call on Tuesday, August 29 at 6:00 pm AZ (PDT). Also joining is the Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood from Arizona Faith Network.

On Sunday, July 24, New Journey Lutheran Church hosted as guest preacher and fellowship discussant, Solveig Muus, director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), the advocacy arm of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA.

In light of the GCS Assembly approving the Hunger Leaders Network’s Resolution, the HLN will be tracking the hunger ministries and hunger leaders in every GCS congregation. Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey for your church.

Bishop Hutterer accepts a trophy from the Southeastern Iowa Synod on behalf of the GCS for edging out its sister synod in the friendly 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge.

Grand Canyon Synod Resolution S23.01 titled Encouraging congregations to support local hunger ministries, increase awareness of hunger and poverty issues, and increase opportunities to financially support the work of ELCA World Hunger passed unanimously on Saturday, June 10 at the 2023 Synod Assembly in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Loving Our Neighbor: Striving for Justice and Peace through Advocacy. This video introduction from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA) highlights the importance of civic engagement in faith communities, particularly in Lutheran congregations.

Apply by July 31, 2023! Manna Grants are intended to support new and continuing projects in the Grand Canyon Synod that work to alleviate hunger and address the root causes of hunger, and which demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.

We are the Grand Canyon Synod, our namesake formed by the waters of the Colorado River. As citizens of the Southwest commemorating Earth Day 2023, we are keenly aware of the preciousness of water and the need to preserve this life-giving resource.

As part of the Lenten Challenge between the Southeastern Iowa and Grand Canyon Synods, more than 200 individuals from over 70 congregations pledged to participate. Thank you!

One option in the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge is to commit to doing one wellness activity every day for the 40 days of Lent. Need ideas? Portico Benefit Services has compiled a list of 40 activity ideas that might spark your interest. Get inspired to join the challenge!

The Grand Canyon Synod vs. the Southeastern Iowa Synod in a winner-take-all challenge to raise money for ELCA World Hunger. Pledge to participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent. The synod with the most participants wins!

The third annual LAMA Summit featuring Rev. Eugene Cho of Bread for the World was engaging, thought provoking, informative and fun for the nearly 40 clergy, LAMA liaisons and hunger leaders in attendance. A review in pictures is included.

LAMA is the proud and grateful recipient of a Manna grant in the amount of $3,000, courtesy of Ascension Lutheran Church using a legacy gift from longtime member Orpha Hoganson.

Apply by July 31, 2022! Manna Grants are intended to support new and continuing projects in the Grand Canyon Synod that work to alleviate hunger and address the root causes of hunger, and which demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) was featured on the Advocacy page of the March 2022 issue of Living Lutheran.