As we gather for the 2026 Synod Assembly under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” we are invited not only to reflect on God’s work—but to participate in it.

• Thursday, June 11 | 2:00–5:00 pm
• (Additional time available Friday during Assembly if needed)

This year’s Assembly service project brings us together in hands-on service for two vital community partners: The West Valley Community Food Pantry and First Place Community Center Food Bank. Together, we will pack 800 pounds of rice and 800 pounds of beans, providing essential food for families across our communities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Assembly participants will take part in simple, meaningful work:

• Opening produce bags
• Filling them with rice or beans
• Tying and preparing them for distribution

This is work that anyone can do—and when we do it together, it becomes a powerful expression of shared ministry.

WHY IT MATTERS

Rice and beans are staple foods that go a long way in supporting families facing food insecurity. Through this project, our collective effort will extend far beyond the Assembly, reaching neighbors throughout our synod and beyond.

At the close of the Assembly, these gifts will be blessed during worship, grounding our service in prayer and sending it forward as part of God’s ongoing story of provision and care.

MULTIPLY THE IMPACT

You can extend this ministry even further through a financial gift:

• $5 provides rice and beans for 5 families

WAYS TO GIVE

Online (Tithe.ly):

• Give at: tithe.ly/give?c=703652
• Select “Synod Assembly Service Project”

Zelle (no fees):

• Use: 602-957-3223
• Memo: Synod Assembly Service Project

By Check:

• Payable to: Grand Canyon Synod
• Memo: 2026 Synod Assembly Service Project
• Mail to: Grand Canyon Synod, 1819 E. Morten Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ 85020

In Luther’s explanation of the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for “daily bread”—not just for ourselves, but for our neighbors. This Assembly, we have the opportunity to be part of God’s answer to that prayer.

Come ready to serve, give generously, and help us share daily bread in tangible ways.

Inspired by a refugee family her own family hosted when she was just 11, Vicki Schmidt has dedicated decades to supporting those seeking safety. Watch her journey and discover how answering the call of welcome brings hope to refugees and immigrants, and meaning to those who choose to walk alongside them. Learn more in this video from Global Refuge.

During Nevada’s legislative interim, committees meet to listen, learn, and begin shaping the future of policy in our state. These meetings take place primarily in Las Vegas and Carson City, bringing together lawmakers, advocates, experts, and community members.

This week, Pastor Paul will be listening in on several key interim bodies, including the Regional Rail Transit Advisory Working Group, the Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary, the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Commerce and Labor, and the Interim Finance Committee.

Unlike the legislative session, interim committees do not vote on specific bills. Instead, they hear testimony on pressing issues facing Nevadans. That testimony—along with research and expert input, helps shape interim reports, typically released in the fall. These reports often become the foundation for legislation in the next session.

For example, last week Pastor Paul attended the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Commerce and Labor. This meeting is especially important as Nevada continues to grapple with a deepening housing crisis. Lawmakers heared recommendations from partners like the Nevada Housing Coalition and the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance, as well as research from the Guinn Center and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Why the Interim Matters

The interim is one of the most important, and often overlooked, opportunities for advocacy.

• For returning legislators, it’s a chance to reflect on past sessions and begin shaping what comes next.
• For candidates, it’s a critical time to learn about the issues before they take office—and to build relationships with advocates.
• For outgoing legislators, it’s a valuable moment to gather insight while their experience is still fresh.

In other words: this is where the groundwork is laid.

How LEAN is Engaging

Over the coming weeks, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) will be tracking interim charges and hearings closely. We’ll highlight areas that need focused energy and identify opportunities for meaningful engagement.

If you come across an issue or interim charge that speaks to you, reach out:

• If we’re already working on it, we’ll plug you in.
• If we’re not, we’ll connect you with trusted partners who are.

This Is a Season of Possibility

This time of year can feel wide open, full of possibility, even in a challenging political climate. That’s true for those we agree with and those we don’t. Everyone is preparing. Everyone is organizing.

So should we.

Lean into this moment. Engage deeply. Build relationships. Share your story.

And let us know how we can support your work.

Nevada is not an afterthought in national elections. We are a state where turnout, organizing, and faith-based engagement have shaped real outcomes.

National leaders are investing heavily here because they know what we already know: when Nevadans organize, elections shift.

Faith communities across Nevada have been part of that story. Congregations have hosted voter education forums, encouraged civic participation, and helped build cultures of engagement that last far beyond a single election cycle.

Our state is competitive because our communities are engaged.

That did not happen by accident. It happened because people kept showing up.

And we are doing it again.

Do you want to make an impact in the 2026 Nevada midterm elections?

Reach out to LEAN with the subject line Voter Education, and Pastor Paul will help coordinate with your congregation, county officials, and the Secretary of State’s office to host a voter education forum.

Now more than ever, we need trusted community spaces that strengthen confidence in our election system and encourage full participation in our democracy. Please vote.

Earth Day is April 22

Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive. That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd worldwide.

Earth Day 2026 affirms that environmental progress is real, resilient, and ongoing despite policy uncertainty. Innovation, education, and community problem-solving remain durable. Local systems — cities, schools, Tribal nations — continue implementing solutions that strengthen energy reliability, conserve resources, and reduce risk because they’re grounded in economic sense and public safety.

The theme for Earth Day 2026 remains Our Power, Our Planet, but its application reflects current global economic, environmental, and civic conditions. 

In 2026, Our Power. Our Planet. refers to the role of people and communities worldwide in sustaining environmental protections that affect the cost of living, public health, infrastructure reliability, and long-term stability. Environmental conditions influence food systems, water availability, energy access, disaster risk, and economic resilience across all regions. Community participation has historically shaped these outcomes across countries and political systems. 

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, civic action has helped establish and strengthen environmental institutions, laws, and international norms. These measures have been associated with reductions in pollution-related illness, improved access to clean water, and long-term public health and economic benefits in many parts of the world. 

Earth Day 2026 calls on communities worldwide to take action during Earth Week to support clean air, clean water, clean energy, protected natural resources, and climate stability. These factors are directly linked to human health, economic predictability, food security, and cross-border infrastructure performance. 

TAKE ACTION: Educate. Advocate. Mobilize. Pledge.

52 Ways to Invest in Our Planet

Every day is Earth Day! If this is how you feel, here are 52 actions and tips to make a difference, every day of the year.

https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/

For other ideas and resources, including an Earth Day Toolkit, click below.

https://www.earthday.org/our-toolkits/