Small businesses do not grow on determination alone.

Across Nevada, entrepreneurs work long hours, take risks, hire neighbors, and help make our communities feel like home. But hard work alone cannot overcome unaffordable commercial space, crumbling infrastructure, limited broadband, or a lack of access to capital.

Every business depends on public investment.

The people we elect make decisions about small-business grants, workforce development, public procurement, neighborhood infrastructure, transportation, and economic-development funding. Those choices shape whether local businesses can open, grow, and stay open.

Supporting small businesses means shopping locally, sharing their stories, advocating for equitable economic policies, and voting for leaders who invest in our communities.

Economic justice means building a Nevada where every entrepreneur has the opportunity to succeed—not just survive.

Strong communities need thriving small businesses.

As World Homeless Day approaches (observed annually Oct. 10), we reflect on the needs of those experiencing homelessness. A lot has changed in our understanding of homelessness and housing insecurity in the United States since the ELCA Church Council adopted the social message “Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment” in 1990. At the request of the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the Church Council has authorized reconsideration of a section of the message for possible substantive revision.

Visit ELCA.org/homelessness to read the draft reconsidered social message and to submit your feedback via a survey before Nov. 30.

Feedback, questions and concerns can also be sent to DraftSocialMessage@ELCA.org.

Join people around the world in raising awareness of hunger and taking collective action to end it for good.

This year’s World Food Day theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”, highlights how we can combine traditional knowledge with forward-thinking solutions to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. Your congregation or community is invited to join ELCA World Hunger in taking action.

Set a goal to raise money for an ELCA Good Gifts bundle or use ELCA World Hunger resources to learn more about global hunger and inspire innovative projects in your community. When we work together, we can build a just world where all are fed.

Learn more.

Sept. 30 is the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, but for the Rev. Wanda K. Frenchman, who was raised by survivors of a Catholic boarding school, that day of remembrance is every day.

The ELCA is deepening its commitment to truth-telling and healing around the legacy of Indian boarding schools. ELCA Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities (MDCC) Indigenous Ministries helps to equip congregations to observe the National Day of Remembrance. The “Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative” is researching and acknowledging Lutheran and broader Christian involvement in Indian boarding schools and their continuing impact on Native peoples. Ministries around the country are doing community work to restore traditions and relationships.

Read a personal reflection from Frenchman in Living Lutheran and learn more about the work of ELCA MDCC.

Honoring our church’s commitment through the social policy resolution, “Supporting ELCA Land Back Efforts and Indigenous Ministries,” join the ELCA for a webinar on September 24 at 4:00 PM PT exploring the work of land return.

Hear from Indigenous leaders, congregations, and synods engaged in land return and reconciliation efforts, and learn how communities across the ELCA are putting this commitment into action.

Register today.