From guest blog by Raed AbuJries, Program Manager, AMMPARO US Network, Education and Communications: “As people of faith, we have to be honest: this isn’t just a political debate. It’s a spiritual one. The way we talk about and treat the marginalized is a gut-check for our faith.”

After 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations on Nov. 13, 2025, which funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. A message was sent to U.S. House and Senate representatives expressing gratitude for the reopening.

Yehiel Curry, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a pastoral message on living in troubled times. Read it here.

We need your help! Volunteer to be your district’s coordinator for Lutheran Day at the Legislature this year! Read what’s involved here.

Announcing the LAMA T-Shirt Design Contest! We need your help to design a T-Shirt that fans can wear to demonstrate support for LAMA’s work in Arizona. Submission deadline Dec. 31, 2025.

ELCA Action Alert from November 10. The United States is missing from important climate talks, leaving our global neighbors without a vital partner in caring for creation. Take action today!

LSS-SW staff and board members join in support of extending SNAP funding at a press conference on November 5, 2025. Read Arizona Republic article by Laura Gersony.

ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants are one way our church accompanies communities as they respond to hunger and poverty. Accepting applications Nov. 1 - Nov. 15, priority this year on rural ministries.

This OpEd by Dr. Kellie Sanders appeared in the Verde Independent on November 4, 2025. Dr. Sanders serves as church council president at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, Arizona.

ELCA Witness in Society staff want to share your stories with congressional offices. Sharing your Arizona story helps ELCA advocacy on issues you care about be more effective! Read more.

Host Regina Banks speaks with Karen Ehrens, US Policy Manager, Alliance to End Hunger. The interviews were recorded on Monday, October 27th, as advocates across the country expected SNAP funding to run out or be withheld starting November 1st.

ELCA Witness in Society Senior Director, the Rev. Amy Reumann, joins other faith leaders in calling the new goal ‘biased’, indicating it abandons those at risk, and is in need of reversal. Read the statement.

Living Lutheran article by the Rev. Ralen Robinson. “When we, as a community, stand up and speak boldly to advocate for change, we become the voice for those silenced by systems. This is the Reformation in everyday life, the reform church that accepts everyone and allows all of us to have accessible faith.”

Learn what’s going on with Refugee Resettlement, and how you can help, from our partners at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.

Searching for the perfect gift? Shop ELCA Good Gifts and choose from more than 50 life-changing, charitable gifts to give in lieu of traditional Christmas presents.

Register today! Lutheran Day at the Legislature 2026 is Monday, February 23. Rally, meet with legislators, tour, introductions in both chamber galleries, breakfast and lunch ~ what a day!

Grand Canyon Synod partners from the Safe Communities Coalition offer this helpful resource by the Digital Defense Fund for responding to online harassment and doxxing.

ELCA Action Alert includes update from November 3. There are 42 million Americans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed their families who are at risk of seeing delays of their November benefits due to the current government shutdown.