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!

Congress is preparing to reauthorize the Farm Bill in 2023. Each reauthorization provides an opportunity to improve or expand programs that ensure access to fresh and healthy food while addressing root causes of hunger.

The Interior Department last summer dropped a bomb on the seven states that depend upon the Colorado River for water. By Bruce Babbitt for New York Times Opinion. Mr. Babbitt, the secretary of the Interior Department from 1993 to 2001 in the Clinton administration, is a former governor of Arizona (1978 to 1987).

The purpose of this field guide is to invite and equip synods and congregations to have fruitful public conversation across the frontiers of culture about the full range of ministry matters. It also invites ministries to go beyond conversation, whenever appropriate, to deciding and acting together with those of different cultural backgrounds.

Talking Together as Christians about Tough Social Issues is a six-session introduction on how to begin conversations on tough social issues. From ELCA.

Molly Watson joined the LAMA Policy Council today, accepting the call to serve a three-year term on the board.

A six-session study suitable for congregations on how Lutherans approach ethics. This 32-page congregational study invites you to think and talk about how your faith in Jesus Christ shapes the way you live your daily life.

Earth Day 2023 Theme: Invest in Our Planet. Click for tips, actions and activities for Earth Day 2023, and watch the theme video. Join the world’s largest environmental movement!

What can we do to join Apache Stronghold and protect Oak Flat today? Watch this 7-minute video created TODAY for the latest update.

Urge Congress to Pass a Budget with Strong Homeless and Affordable Housing Programs. From ELCA Advocacy.

The farm bill is legislation that is critical to addressing hunger in the United States and globally. It covers federal nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), environment, trade, foreign aid and rural development.

Applications are now being accepted for 2023 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants! Call us at LAMA if you need help applying for this grant.

In February, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took new steps toward addressing patterns of segregation and expanding fair access to housing by proposing a change in policy through a proposed rule. Comment by April 10 as it makes its way through the federal rulemaking process.

As homelessness overwhelms downtown Phoenix, a small business wonders how long it can hang on. By Eli Saslow for The New York Times.

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

World Water Day is observed each year on March 22 to promote the responsible use of water and access to safe water for everyone. What does water mean to you?

Nearly 100 hunger advocates from across the state gathered at the State Capitol for the very first Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13, 2023.