Sierra Pacific Synod is hiring a Synod Disaster Response Community Organizer. This position will focus on building a synod-wide team over a three-year period to prepare for and respond to both climate-related disasters. This hybrid position can be split into two part-time roles, or one full-time position, depending on the candidates.
Interested? Learn more HERE!
The filing deadline to run for office in Nevada is quickly approaching, and many questions still remain about the future of our elections.
Voting is the most essential way to participate in democracy. It is the most common and universal form of civic participation, the baseline of civic engagement. As faithful Lutherans and advocates for education, immigration, climate action, and responsible gun laws, we must first safeguard our right to vote. If that right is weakened, our influence on these other policy areas will also be diminished.
Nevada currently has more than 2.1 million active registered voters, yet participation in primary elections remains very low. In the 2024 primary election, only about 16% of registered voters cast a ballot. That means a relatively small portion of the electorate determines which candidates move forward to the general election.
Much has happened in recent months that could alter voting policies nationwide, and Nevada is at the center of these debates. The state is currently involved in litigation regarding access to Nevada’s voter rolls, which contain highly sensitive personal information. Regardless of the issues we care most about, we cannot ignore what is happening in our elections.
The June primaries are critically important elections. Whether you belong to a political party or not, your vote shapes who appears on the ballot in November. Early voting begins Saturday, May 23, and Primary Election Day is June 5.
LEAN encourages every person of faith to make a plan to vote. Talk with your friends, family, and congregation members. Encourage one another to participate in this essential act of democracy. When people of faith participate in civic life, we help shape a more just and compassionate society.
As the United States has begun military combat operations in Iran, we are called to pray and ask for God’s mercy.
Several resources are available to assist you.
Below are three prayers from the resource Prayer Book for the Armed Services. (In addition to the print resource, PBAS is available digitally through Sundays and Seasons.)
Time of war
Eternal God, whose steadfast love never ends, we ask that you look upon the nations now engaged in war and hasten the day of peace. Look in mercy on those exposed to peril, conflict, sickness and death; and show compassion to the dying. In your good providence, remove all causes and occasions of war. Incline the hearts of all people to follow the path to peace and concord, that war may cease and the day of reconciliation may come quickly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Those Who Suffer from War
Merciful God, you grieve amid the pain, fear and suffering of your children. Look with compassion on all who endure the miseries of war. Be mindful, too, of those who day and night face peril in defense of our nation. Guide them in their duties as they seek justice for those subjected to tyranny and liberty for those who are oppressed. Eternal Protector of the helpless, hear the cry of the distressed and grant speedy deliverance in a new day of peace and concord. Amen.
Those in the country’s service in a time of war
Almighty God, let your protection be upon all those who are in the service of our nation. Guard them from all danger and harm; sustain and comfort those at home, especially in hours of anxiety, loneliness, and sorrow. Prepare the dying for death and the living for your service. Uphold those who bear arms on land and sea and in the air; and grant unto us and all nations a speedy, just and lasting peace, the glory of your holy name. Amen.
See also the “Litany for our Nation in a Time of War” on page 75.
Prayers in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings include the prayers for Peace; National Distress; Time of Conflict, Crisis, Disaster; The Nation; Those in Civil Authority; Those in the Armed Forces. See pages 76–77 in ELW and pages 48–49 in ACS.
Hymns and songs, especially of lament, can help voice the stark reality of war and the hope for peace. See especially:
Come Now, O Prince of Peace/Ososǒ, ososǒ (ELW 247)
Bring Peace to Earth Again (ELW 700)
God of Grace and God of Glory (ELW 705)
Dona Nobis Pacem (ELW 753)
When Our World Is Rent by Violence (ACS 1052)
Ayúdanos, oh Dios/Oh, Help Us, Save Us (ACS 1055)
For the Troubles and the Sufferings/Pelas dores deste mundo (ACS 1051)
Let Your Peace Rain upon Us/Yarabba ssalami (ACS 989)
For the Healing of the Nations (Singing Our Prayer 12a)
For many more hymn suggestions and additional prayers, see the ELCA resource, “Worship Resources for Crisis in the Holy Land”. Although this resource was assembled to respond to the immediate crisis in October of 2023, many of these prayers and laments could be slightly refashioned for our current moment. The topical indexes in our worship books can also be very helpful in identifying assembly song.
Let us pray without ceasing for peace in world, for peace in our homes, for peace in our hearts.
Almighty God, all thoughts of truth and peace come from you. Kindle in the hearts of all your children the love of peace, and guide with your wisdom the leaders of the nations, so that your kingdom will go forth in peace and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (Prayer of the Day for Peace, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 63)
Urge Congress to Vote YES on War Powers Resolution.
On Feb. 28, 2026, the United States and Israel initiated extensive military strikes against Iran. This war has now escalated to involve much of the region, spreading fear, destruction and instability. Mounting casualties include civilians in several nations and U.S. service members. Administration officials indicate this war could continue for weeks.
President Trump ordered these military strikes without congressional authorization, disregarding the constitutional requirement that the authority to declare war is reserved for the U.S. Congress. It is essential that our representatives be urged to uphold the Constitution and resist unchecked executive war powers. Congress is considering the bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution (S.J.Res. 104 & H.Con.Res. 38). This legislation affirms Congress’s constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace and would require congressional discernment and approval before continued military action against Iran.
As the ELCA, love of neighbor obligates us to act to prevent wars and to seek alternatives to them. ELCA social teaching affirms “that governments should vigorously pursue less coercive measures over more coercive ones: consent over compulsion, nonviolence over violence, diplomacy over military engagement, and deterrence over war” (ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World, p. 10).
As a church that accompanies global partners, our advocacy responds to faith voices from the region. Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) sent a message to partners about the impact of the war on the church and region, writing, “Dear partners, we urge you: pray, and pray fervently. But do not let prayer become a substitute for responsibility. Let your prayers be joined with courageous and concrete action. Stand publicly with those who are afflicted. Advocate persistently for a just peace that safeguards the dignity and security of all people. Challenge policy makers whose narratives make endless war appear inevitable.”
Let us pray and act. Pray for civilians in harm’s way, for first responders, for those who mourn, for the safety of our troops and for leaders to seek a just peace. Act as disciples in a democracy through advocacy to oppose unauthorized military action without congressional approval.
This vote is anticipated soon. Use your words in the message to your elected officials.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month, and here in Nevada we have a lot to celebrate. Our state has been a national pioneer in women’s political leadership, and it is even bipartisian.
Nevada women have been shaping public life for more than a century. In 1914, Nevada women secured the right to vote—six years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Just months later, Sadie Hurst was elected to the Nevada Assembly, becoming the first woman to serve in the Nevada Legislature.
In 1935, Frances Friedhoff became the first woman appointed to the Nevada State Senate. Later, in 1966, Helen Herr became the first woman elected to that chamber. Nevada continued breaking barriers when Barbara Vucanovich became the first woman elected to represent Nevada in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Today, Nevada continues this legacy. Women such as Congresswoman Dina Titus and Susie Lee, Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto serve in Congress and help shape national policy.
Across Nevada, women continue stepping forward to lead. Senator Nicole Cannizzaro is running for Attorney General. Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui is running for Lieutenant Governor. Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill is running for Governor. Senator Robin Titus leads the Senate Republicans.
Nevada is also making national history in representation. In 2019, Nevada became the first state in the nation to seat a female-majority legislature. Today, our Supreme Court and Court of Appeals also have female majorities, and Nevada leads the nation in the number of women of color serving in state legislatures. Leaders like Senator Dina Neal and Assemblywoman Selena Torres-Fossett continue to expand representation and bring new voices to the policymaking table.
Nevada’s story reminds us that progress is not accidental, it is built through courage, participation, and leadership.
The “herstory” of Nevada continues to unfold, and women across our state are still shaping the future of our communities, our democracy, and our shared public life.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada 