About the Lenten Challenge

In 2023, the Grand Canyon Synod and the Southeastern Iowa Synod challenged one another to participate in spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent. This 40-40-40 Challenge was a good-natured way to engage each other and raise awareness of anti-hunger ministry and wellness for both synods. In 2024, all of the ELCA synods in Region 2 challenged one another to raise money for ELCA World Hunger in honor of ELCA World Hunger’s 50th year in mission and ministry. In 2025, Isaiah 58:11 grounded the year’s Lenten journey, in which the five Region 2 synods challenged one another to explore the intersection of hunger and water while learning of one of our Region 2 Indigenous Ministries, the 70-year-old Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) in Rock Point, AZ.

The 2026 Lenten Challenge theme — “Lord, When Did We See You?”

The theme of this year’s challenge derives from Matthew 25:37-40. The passage emphasizes that caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized is an act of service to Christ, and that a person’s treatment of others is a reflection of their relationship with God. The spiritual practices for the six weeks of Lent will focus on stretching our learning, care and advocacy muscles on behalf of underserved communities. The six weeks will be broken up according to the gospel text, as below, with participants focusing on what we know and think about these siblings in Christ, as well as how we act in support and on behalf of these communities. Refer to the Matthew 25 Lenten Practices Toolkit for ideas.

• Week 1, February 22: Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food?
• Week 2, March 1: Lord, when was it that we saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink?
• Week 3, March 8: Lord, when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?
• Week 4, March 16: Lord, when was it that we saw you naked and gave you clothing?
• Week 5, March 22: Lord, when was it that we saw you sick and visited you?
• Week 6, March 29: Lord, when was it that we saw you in prison and visited you?

Why Lent? Lent is a season of 40 days to reflect, remember our dependence on God and one another, and look forward to the ways God calls us to be. Adding one or more of these spiritual practices to your observation of Lent might help you feel more connected. A light-hearted challenge like this could help our synods be the Church together, and to see God’s vision and invitation for us to be a church for the world as we share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Participating synods:

• Sierra Pacific (2A) – Rev. Jeff Johnson, bishop
• Southwest California (2B) – Rev. Brenda Bos, bishop
• Pacifica (2C) – Rev. David Nagler, bishop
• Grand Canyon (2D) – Rev. Deborah Hutterer, bishop
• Rocky Mountain (2E) – Rev. Meghan Johnston-Aelabouni, bishop

How does the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge work?

There are 4 Lenten practices to consider, and you commit to 3 of the 4.

1. Daily Devotion ~ Subscribe to receive devotions every day of Lent via email. These short reflections represent diverse voices and circumstances across our church. Learn more.
2. Daily Learning ~ Suggested learnings for children, youth, families and congregations such as reading ELCA social teachings, studying Matthew Chapter 25, joining ELCA networks, group studies, etc. are in the Matthew 25 Lenten Practices Toolkit. Learn more.
3. Daily Action ~ Suggested actions, such as volunteering at a food bank, donating clothes and sundries, visiting someone in the hospital, and praying for elected leaders can be found in our Matthew 25 Toolkit. Learn more.
4. Daily Donation ~ Pledge to give $1 a day (or more) to ELCA World Hunger for the 40 days of Lent. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to farm animals, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Ways to give.

How is this a Challenge?

This a little friendly competition for a good cause. Individuals from across the Region 2 synods will sign up to do three of four (or all 4!) of the practices and the synod with the most individuals signed up wins the challenge! Our goal is for individuals representing 50 congregations per synod to participate.

Join the Cross-Synod Challenge for Lent

The more individual sign-ups, the better.

Bragging rights goes to the synod with the most individual registrations. So if you’re a family of 4, enter all 4 email addresses, and have all 4 people commit to 3 things. And no, not all 4 need to donate to ELCA World Hunger (though it’s worth considering).

Share with your congregation

Use the Matthew 25 Lenten Practices Toolkit provided! All the resources you need to spread the word in your congregation are available on the Lenten Challenge website, created especially for this challenge. Announcements in PDF and artwork in jpg format for use in newsletters, bulletin inserts, and social media can help you promote this synod-wide event. Website is https://www.lentenchallenge.org/

What do we get if we win?

The ‘winning’ bishop will play a short video with congratulatory clips recorded by the other participating bishops. This acknowledgement of the ‘superiority’ by the other synods for this one challenge is all in fun. All bishops may choose to air the video at their synod assemblies in 2026. Hunger leaders in each synod will receive progress updates each week.

The LWF expresses deep concern over the situation in Venezuela following the U.S. military action on 3 January and calls for urgent action to prevent further escalation.

The sovereignty and national integrity of Venezuela, and international law, must be respected.

The LWF stands in solidarity with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela and with the communities affected by the situation in the country, which has been deteriorating for months.

In this time of uncertainty and concern, we hold the people of Venezuela in prayer and invite the global Lutheran communion to join us in seeking stability and peace.

Let us pray together:

God of peace, we lift our sisters and brothers in Venezuela. Protect those who are in danger. Comfort those who live with fear, loss, or uncertainty. Give wisdom to leaders, give courage and perseverance to all who work for unity and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In a year marked by rising housing costs, extreme heat, and a housing market stacked against working-class Nevadans, our leaders, clergy, and community members showed what is possible when faith is put into action. Together, we helped advance policies that protect the dignity, safety, and well-being of Nevada’s families and communities.

Legislation LEAN advocated for and supported:

• AB 96 – Protecting Neighbors from Extreme Heat
  Expands protections for workers and vulnerable populations facing dangerous heat conditions.
• AB 121 – Eliminating Hidden Rental Fees and Protecting Tenants
  Increases transparency in rental housing and curbs unfair, surprise fees that drive up housing costs.
• AB 161 – Hospice Standards
  Strengthens oversight and care standards to ensure dignity and accountability in end-of-life care.
• AB 366 – Supportive Housing Fund
  Invests in long-term supportive housing solutions for Nevadans experiencing housing instability.
• AB 220 – Identification for People Experiencing Homelessness
  Removes barriers to obtaining identification, opening access to housing, employment, and essential services.
• SB 421 – Recruiting Poll Workers for Tribal Reservations
  Supports equitable access to democracy by increasing poll worker recruitment in tribal communities.

These victories reflect what happens when people of faith show up, speak out, and advocate together for justice.

Throughout 2025, LEAN has continued to show up at the Nevada Legislature and in communities across the state, advocating for policies that reflect our faith commitment to dignity, justice, and the common good. Rooted in Lutheran social teaching and lived experience from our congregations, our advocacy has focused on the following key areas:

Housing & Homelessness

• Expanding access to affordable housing
• Supporting renter protections and housing stability
• Addressing the growing housing wage gap impacting working families, seniors, and young adults
• Advocating for investments in supportive housing and homelessness prevention

Hunger & Economic Security

• Protecting and strengthening SNAP and nutrition programs
• Supporting emergency assistance programs during government shutdowns
• Addressing rising costs of living, including utilities, groceries, and healthcare
• Advocating for policies that support low-income workers and families

Health Care Access

• Protecting affordable health coverage for Nevadans
• Advocating against premium increases and coverage losses
• Supporting healthcare workforce recruitment and retention
• Standing with those forced to choose between medication, rent, and food

Immigration & Refugee Justice

• Standing in solidarity with immigrant and migrant communities
• Opposing policies that criminalize or scapegoat immigrants
• Supporting protections for students and families from ICE enforcement
• Advocating for dignity, due process, and humane treatment for all people

Criminal Justice & Public Safety

• Opposing harmful “tough on crime” legislation that disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities
• Supporting policies centered on rehabilitation, fairness, and community safety
• Advocating for transparency and accountability within the justice system

Creation Care & Climate Justice

• Supporting responsible environmental stewardship
• Advocating for clean energy investments that benefit communities
• Protecting public lands and natural resources for future generations

Faith in the Public Square

• Mobilizing Lutherans and faith partners for advocacy days and legislative visits
• Providing education, testimony, and moral framing rooted in faith
• Equipping congregations to live out their call to love neighbor through public witness

Are you looking for a meaningful way to deepen your antiracist commitment in community? Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center is offering a White Antiracist Practice Group Series 11: Somatic Antifascist Edition with facilitator Nicole Bauman beginning Wednesday, January 14, through February 18, 2026, 9 am – 10:30 AM PT on Zoom. Payment is by donation, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Register HERE!