Gracious and merciful God,

You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

We come before you with hearts that are heavy yet hopeful, lifting up the people of Venezuela and the very complicated realities they face in these challenging times.

Bring calm where there is fear,

clarity where there is confusion,

and restraint where there is anger or despair.

Guide leaders, institutions and communities toward decisions that honor life, dignity and the common good.

We pray especially for our Lutheran church in Venezuela,

for pastors, deacons, lay leaders and all who serve faithfully amid uncertainty.

Sustain them with courage, wisdom and perseverance.

Let your church be a living sign of your grace

and a place of refuge, truth, accompaniment and hope for all who suffer.

God of justice,

where systems oppress and voices are silenced,

raise up pathways of accountability, reconciliation and peace.

Protect the most vulnerable, the poor, the displaced, the elderly and the children,

and strengthen all who labor for justice, healing and reconciliation.

God of hope,

when the future feels fragile and unclear,

remind your people that you are not absent.

By your Holy Spirit, kindle hope that does not disappoint

and peace that surpasses all understanding.

We entrust Venezuela, its people and your church into your loving hands,

trusting not in our own strength

but in your steadfast love made known in Jesus Christ,

who is our peace.

In his holy name we pray.

Amen.

January is when the bills feel heavier.
Heating costs rise. Groceries cost more. Rent still strains families.
Faith calls us not to look away—but to respond.
LEAN is advocating for policies that make Nevada more affordable and more just.

As we step into a new year, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada remains rooted in faith and committed to justice.
In 2026, we will continue to speak up for affordable housing, food security, clean energy, and the dignity of every neighbor across Nevada.
From pews to policy, this is our calling.

In 2025, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) lived fully into its calling to bring a faith-rooted voice into Nevada’s public square. Through sustained legislative engagement, timely informational resources, and national advocacy, LEAN ensured that the voices of Lutheran communities, especially those most impacted by policy decisions, were present where laws are shaped.

Throughout the year, LEAN met directly with Nevada legislators and offered public testimony on key bills. We hosted a Lutheran Lobby Day at the Legislature, beginning with worship and advocacy training and culminating in direct conversations with lawmakers in the Legislative Building. LEAN continued its advocacy throughout the regular Legislative Session and the historic and dramatic Special Session, showing up consistently even when the work was complex and demanding. Our programs and events in 2025 offered accessible entry points into advocacy, education, and community-building for congregations across the state.

LEAN also helped share and strengthen hunger-focused ministry and advocacy. The Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network met monthly to educate, equip, and encourage hunger leaders across that synod, while the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Leaders gathered more sporadically. LEAN shared these opportunities through our newsletter, helping connect congregations to broader networks of learning and support.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Deepening Congregational Partnership

In 2026, LEAN is focusing on deepening partnerships with congregations across Nevada by supporting churches as they intentionally connect worship, service, and public witness. We are actively working to build a lasting organization that empowers Lutherans to take faithful action in public life.

Launching “From Pews to Policy”

As part of this vision, LEAN is launching a new initiative: From Pews to Policy.

• Monthly LEAN Talks
  One key focus will be Monthly LEAN Talks – regular conversations with congregational liaisons and representatives who are interested in advocacy. These gatherings will provide policy updates, theological grounding, and shared strategy to address issues facing Lutherans across Nevada.
• Congregational Visits & Ongoing Learning
  LEAN is also encouraging congregations across Nevada to invite our Advocacy Director to preach, teach, and engage with local leaders. In addition, we will host gatherings throughout the year—both in-person and virtual—supporting ongoing learning around hunger advocacy, social justice concerns, and faithful civic engagement.

With Gratitude and Hope

As we give thanks for 2025, we celebrate the collective impact of faithful voices raised together. Each meeting, event, and conversation strengthened LEAN’s mission to accompany congregations and advocate for justice grounded in faith.

With gratitude for all who participated, supported, and prayed alongside this work, we look ahead with hope—confident that God continues to call us into public life marked by compassion, courage, and community.

January isn’t just the turning of the calendar—it’s also a season of new beginnings for our shared life together. As people of faith, we know that laws are not abstract policies; they shape real lives, real families, and real communities. Scripture reminds us that God’s concern is always for the flourishing of the neighbor—especially those most vulnerable among us. As several new laws from the 83rd Nevada Legislative Session take effect this January, we give thanks for ways these policies reflect care, dignity, and justice.

• Senate Bill 348 aligns Nevada with nationally accepted standards for newborn screening. From a faith perspective, this affirms the sacred worth of every child. Our tradition teaches that life is a gift from God, and ensuring early, comprehensive screenings is one way our society helps children begin life with care, attention, and the support they need to thrive.
• Senate Bill 138 streamlines Medicaid enrollment for eligible women and children at the time of delivery. This reflects our calling to accompany families during moments of vulnerability. Access to healthcare—especially during childbirth and postpartum care—is a matter of justice, compassion, and love of neighbor.
• Assembly Bill 163 allows licensed professional counselors from participating states to practice in Nevada without unnecessary barriers. As people who believe in caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—this expansion of mental health access supports healing, wholeness, and community well-being.
• Assembly Bill 367 strengthens Nevada’s language access laws for elections by requiring ballots and materials in more languages. In our faith tradition, participation and voice matter. This law honors the dignity of every voter and reflects our commitment to inclusion, hospitality, and a democracy where all can fully participate.
• Assembly Bill 220 authorizes the creation of identification cards for Nevadans experiencing homelessness. Scripture consistently reminds us that God is near to those pushed to the margins. Identification is often the first step toward housing, healthcare, employment, and stability—this law helps restore dignity and access for neighbors too often excluded.

Together, these laws reflect the values we lift up in faith: care for the vulnerable, justice for the marginalized, and systems shaped by compassion rather than indifference. At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we believe advocacy is one way we live out our baptismal call—to serve all people, strive for justice and peace, and participate faithfully in the public square for the sake of our neighbors.