Coaching for Spirit-Led Leadership, an online training from July 7 to September 8, equips leaders to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and support others without taking over. With 9 live sessions and 3 coaching labs, participants will learn how to foster discernment and share ministry in a more sustainable, Spirit-led way. Cost: $375. Scholarships available. Registration now open.
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Although she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder too late to fully benefit from treatment, MaryBeth’s family became advocates that all infants be tested for the disorder. Her family has met others who, because of the now mandatory testing, started treatments as infants to counter the effects of the disorder.
The post Promise Magazine’s ‘Advocacy Issue’ Highlights The Faces of Medicaid appeared first on Mosaic.
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ION’s Summer 2025 newsletter is out now! Highlights include a new vodcast partnership with Arizona prisons, expansion to Oregon prison tablets, and growing momentum in Arizona and Montana. Meet new board member Sarah Estes, celebrate Maddi Briguglio’s ASU award, and check out ION’s new book on reentry ministry for congregations. Read the full ION Summer Newsletter.
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Join the Spirited Book Club this July to explore Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu, a memoir that weaves together faith, identity, food, and the lessons of the land. In two thoughtful sessions—July 10 and 24 from 12:00–1:00 pm (AZ/PDT)—participants will reflect on Chu’s journey from Manhattan magazine editor to seminary farmhand, where spiritual formation meets ecological practice.
Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this virtual gathering invites readers into a moving story of transformation, rooted in theology, community, and grace. Good Soil is a compelling read for anyone yearning for meaning, connection, and hope in today’s world. Click here to learn more and join the discussion.
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Spirit in the Desert welcomes summer with deep cleaning, needed renovations, and a new Lock Project to improve guest safety. You’re invited to help sponsor a door for $900. Plus, explore upcoming opportunities for spiritual renewal—including devotions, prayer, book club, and retreats. Read the full update.
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The Office of the Bishop will be closed Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. We encourage all to use the holiday as a time for rest, reflection, and renewed commitment to our call in Christ. Read more and join us in prayer.
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Each month, ELCA Worship highlights new and essential resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers to support worship leaders, musicians, and planners. This month’s update includes tools like In Sure and Certain Hope: A Funeral Sourcebook, a Year A Lectionary using the NRSVue translation, choir devotions, and a call for stories celebrating All Creation Sings five years after its release. You’ll also find information on upcoming Summer Music Clinics and a renewed focus on ELCA social teaching on faith, sexism, and justice. Click here to read the full July update and explore all resources.
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Our June 2025 Mission Support Memo connects us to Peoples Church, one of our Indigenous Ministries of the ELCA. A church that lives out its call to love and serve Creator God by opening its doors year-round as an overnight shelter, providing hot meals for the community every day and joyfully celebrating in a festival worship meal every Sunday. Peoples Church believes everyone deserves shelter, a meal, community and dignity. It is a place where folks need not pretend to be anything other than exactly who they are — with imperfections and quirks, with longings and failures, with all their hopes and their visions of the future.
The memo also provides tips to stay connected with members in the busy summer months and thanks our synods for their partnership during assemblies and in ministry. View the memo in pdf as well.
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Innovation is a powerful tool in ministry—but for many congregations, it’s a privilege they can’t afford. In this compelling piece from Rahel Mwitula Williams of the ELCA Innovation Lab, we are challenged to consider how crumbling infrastructure, financial instability, and lack of basic resources prevent many churches—especially in marginalized communities—from engaging in bold new ministry. True innovation, she argues, must be grounded in justice and stability. Click here to read the full article on the ELCA Innovation Lab blog.
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State budgets shape the everyday lives of our communities—from schools and libraries to food security and elder care. In a powerful reflection, Deacon Nick Bates of the Hunger Network in Ohio highlights how Lutherans and faith leaders across Ohio engaged the budget process as a matter of moral responsibility. Through advocacy meetings, prayer chains made from paper plates, and public witness, they worked to ensure that faith values shaped public policy. Click here to read more about this inspiring and strategic advocacy work.
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What began as a small farm has blossomed into a powerful story of transformation. In a quiet village in Indonesia, Ibu Dewi joined an organic farming program supported by the Lutheran World Federation and grew not only her crops—but also her confidence and community. Now a teacher and leader, she’s helping others thrive with the same sustainable techniques that changed her life. Click here to read the full story from ELCA World Hunger.
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In light of recent immigration executive orders, Deacon Erin Brown reflects on John 1:14—“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood”—and what it means to welcome the stranger as a neighbor. Drawing on her border immersion trip with ELCA young adults, she calls the church to live out God’s incarnational love with humility, compassion, and action. Read more about how AMMPARO invites us to accompany our immigrant siblings with dignity and hope. Click here for more at ELCA.org.
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The Rev. Kristen Papson was elected June 14 as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod on the fifth ballot. She will take office Sept. 1 and be installed Oct. 19. Learn more: click here.
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Rev. Scott A. Dalen of Underwood, Iowa, was elected June 14 as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod. He will begin his term Sept. 1 with installation planned for Sept. 27. Read the full announcement: click here.
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The Rev. Keith A. Marshall of Enumclaw, Wash., was elected June 14 as bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod. He begins his six-year term Aug. 1 and will be installed Oct. 11. Click here for more.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Glenn Zorb, who celebrates 46 years on July 1.
Rev. Jan Flaaten, who celebrates 52 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Hutson Jr., who celebrates 52 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Rod, who celebrates 52 years on July 1.
Rev. James Dew, who celebrates 35 years on July 1.
Stepping Up to Supervision is a practical, faith-based leadership training designed to help ministry leaders supervise with clarity and care, while staying rooted in their pastoral identity. Led by author and coach Rev. Susan Beaumont, this live online training runs August 5–19 and includes 9 contact hours, a comprehensive workbook, and year-long access to all materials. Scholarships available.
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Your ministry matters! Help us share the good news of faith in action across the Grand Canyon Synod. Whether your congregation is hosting an event, looking for volunteers, or seeking to fill a ministry position, we want to hear from you. Submitting is easy—just visit gcsynod.org/share to send us your updates. Let’s strengthen our synod by sharing the ways God is working in our communities!
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Randy Winsand, Ascension, Scottsdale, who celebrates 12 years on June 30.
Rev. Myron Nysether, who celebrates 51 years on June 30.
Rev. William Dowling, who celebrates 65 years on June 30.
Rev. John Williams, who celebrates 52 years on June 30.