Join LAMA’s new book club, “Book Time with LAMA,” starting Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at noon. Our first book, I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, explores grace-filled political conversations. Monthly meetings will provide a safe space for discussions on social justice. Register now to join the conversation! Register for Book Time: ‘I Think You’re Wrong’
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In this article from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, learn how Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson partners with Project AZUL to bring essential resources to the community. With the help of Sahuarita Food Bank, the mobile project offers education, health services, and job assistance, enhancing our food ministry. As new homes are built nearby, they aim to expand their services to include GED, resume writing, and ESL classes. Support and prayers are welcomed as they strive to fulfill our “God’s Work, Our Hands” vision.
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In this story by Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars, discover how Santa Cruz Lutheran Food Bank in Tucson, led by Pastor Bob Jones and Joanie Contreras, extends Christ’s love beyond food distribution. Open every Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm, the food bank offers flexible support, additional services, and hosts resource fairs. Serving southern Tucson and nearby reservations, this holistic approach creates a strong community, addressing broader issues of food insecurity. Explore the inspiring story of Santa Cruz and their dedicated volunteers who make a difference every week on the LAMA website.
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August is a key time to meet with your U.S. representatives and advocate for your policy priorities. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona provides a 2-page toolkit with tips on arranging, preparing for, and following up on in-district meetings. Download the toolkit here and make your voice heard this August.
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Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byar visited Tucson to learn more about the partnership between Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Grace St Paul’s Episcopal Church as they find new ways to get involved in neighbor-love right in their own neighborhood.
“From food pantries to mobile showers, our ELCA churches have found many different ways to minister to the needs of their neighbors, each one tailored to the specific needs of the community. For Our Savior’s, it didn’t make sense to build a new ministry like this when a robust community partner exists just around the corner. Our Savior’s Lutheran sits right across the street from the University of Arizona and Banner University Hospital. It isn’t the only church to occupy this advantageous area; just a few blocks away sits Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal parish.” Read the full article on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) website.
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Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn traveled up to the Grand Canyon to tour and volunteer at the Grand Canyon Community Food Bank— the ONLY food bank in a national park! Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona website.
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In an article for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, Autumn Byars, GCS Hunger Advocacy Fellow, shares her experience at the West Valley Community Food Pantry, housed at and run by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale. At the invitation of Associate Pastor for Outreach and Synod Director Of Generosity And Strategic Development, Pastor Dan Potaznick, Byars joined director June Kelsey and her team. Read the full article at LAMAZ.org.
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Join the Grand Canyon Synod and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona in supporting the 2024 Arizona primary elections by volunteering as a poll monitor. View full information in this LAMA article. Training sessions are offered on multiple dates in July by Election Protection Arizona and the Arizona Faith Network. Register now to ensure that every vote is counted and every voice heard in a fair and dignified manner. Let’s live our faith by advocating for justice and integrity at the polls!
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares an article after having had the pleasure of visiting several churches and feeding ministries in Tucson! They want to use their blog to help share the stories of various ministries around our synod, both to celebrate ELCA World Hunger’s 50th anniversary, and to foster connections between people doing God’s good work. Stay tuned over the coming weeks to hear more about ministries in Tucson and around the state!
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This June, join Autumn Byars every Thursday at 5:30 PM PDT/MST for a series of engaging discussions on the role of young Lutherans in electoral politics. These sessions aim to empower and prepare you for active participation in the upcoming elections. Register here and mark your calendars to be a part of this important civic engagement initiative.
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The ELCA Advocacy's latest updates highlight new initiatives and resources to enhance Lutheran participation in the 2024 elections. From a six-session online series exploring Lutheran civic duties to practical training for poll monitors, these opportunities aim to deepen our engagement and understanding of political processes.
Personal experiences from poll monitors and greeters, like Solveig Muus and Autumn Byars from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, offer insights into the practical aspects of ensuring fair and accessible voting processes.
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Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest shares their webinar on the importance of voting. LAMA also shares one of the testimonies from an LSS staff member, and you can read it here.
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Join ELCA World Hunger’s Generation Zero-Hunger initiative and contribute to ending global hunger. This youth-led fundraising challenge, which will see contributions matched dollar for dollar up to $250,000, invites congregations and individuals to support vital hunger relief efforts. Participants can bring their offerings to the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans or engage through various fundraising activities, amplifying their impact on this global crisis. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona blog.
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LAMA invites us to join the Interfaith Campaign for Food and Nutrition Security on May 2, 2024, for a National Day of Prayer dedicated to ending hunger in the U.S. This virtual gathering will unite faith leaders and activists to mobilize support for national efforts against food and nutrition insecurity, aligning with the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Register here.
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At University Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry, a commitment to advocacy led to the annual Offering of Letters event, supporting Bread for the World's mission to tackle hunger through federal assistance programs. This year's focus was the pivotal Farm Bill, impacting SNAP funding and food access nationwide. The congregation's letter-writing party fostered community involvement, educated members on policy, and encouraged direct action. Read more on the LAMA website.
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On April 1st, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars was interviewed by José Ángel Galavis, senior multimedia journalist for Telemundo Arizona. The news network broadcast a story about the recent passage of HB2502 & HB2503, both harmful bills that if passed, would cause additional barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Read the full article on the LAMA website.
Autumn testified against these bills in a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 12 (see article), along with colleagues from Arizona Food Bank Network and the William E. Morris Institute for Justice. Through multiple action alerts, the entire LAMA community has been advocating hard against these bills, but nonetheless, they passed on March 28th.
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ELCA Advocacy shares their March 2024 updates. Our post focuses on Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s highlights. Read the full post here at ELCA.org.
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World Water Day 2024 (March 22, 2024) emphasizes the critical need for sustainable water use and universal access to safe water under the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace.” Highlighting the challenges of water scarcity, the importance of water in preventing diseases, and the ongoing efforts for equitable water distribution, this observance calls for collective action to secure water resources for all. Read more and find resources on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.
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HB2815, known as the 'Yes In God’s Back Yard' bill, received significant support from faith leaders and passed the Arizona House with a 38-21 vote. Advocacy by the religious community, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, played a pivotal role in raising awareness and influencing lawmakers. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.
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Mark your calendars for a pivotal event in the fight against hunger in Arizona—the AZ Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day on February 21, 2024, at Wesley Bolin Plaza. Learn more about this event, sponsored by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona and other members of the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance.
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