Featured News
The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly convened Thursday through Saturday, June 13–15, 2024, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme, “Embody the Word.”
You can view photos of the assembly here, and watch the entire assembly here.
Rewatch the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly on Love of Christ Lutheran’s Facebook page. All sessions, including the Diakonia Graduation, are now available online. Whether you missed the live event or want to experience it again, find all parts of the assembly at your convenience. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and the Diakonia Graduation are available for streami
The FBI has reached out to the Office of the Bishop with vital resources to combat the rise in hate crimes during election years, offering support and emphasizing community safety and civil rights protection.
There is a movement in this country that seeks to define “real Americans” as white, Christian and native born. That is not only untrue but unpatriotic. In her video addressing Christian Nationalism, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “what binds us together is not ethnicity, but shared participation in our civic life springing out of our cultural heritages and working for the common good.” Download this message here, learn more about the Lutheran perspective on Christian Nationalism in this resource from ELCA Advocacy, and take action and join the movement here.
2024 Synod Assembly
June 13–15, 2024
Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa
Campformation Summer 2024 offers a transformative week of faith, fun, and fellowship for 6th graders and above in Prescott, AZ. Join for spiritual growth amid nature's splendor! For more details, view this PDF or visit Lutheran Campformation. Register today for this June 23-28, 2024 experience.
Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.
This June, join Autumn Byars every Thursday at 5:30 PM PDT/MST for a series of engaging discussions on the role of young Lutherans in electoral politics. These sessions aim to empower and prepare you for active participation in the upcoming elections. Register here and mark your calendars to be a part of this important civic engagement initiative.
Join Luther Seminar’s faith+lead for an exclusive workshop, “Living the Story: Moving from Membership to Discipleship,” on June 27th via Zoom, designed to empower church leaders to foster a culture of active, daily discipleship in their communities. Explore effective strategies for spiritual growth and community engagement, led by Dwight Zscheile of Luther Seminary.
This workshop is free for Faith+Lead members, with special membership rates available for new joiners. Rediscover the joy in your spiritual journey and transform your ministry practices. Register now and be part of God’s unfolding narrative in new and impactful ways.
Join Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, for their Indoor Fixture Sale on June 28th and 29th from 7 AM to 11 AM. Discover a wide range of quality fixtures that offer both style and functionality, perfect for any home. This event supports Ascension’s community missions and provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lutherans in the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on finding unique items that enhance your space while supporting a good cause! Ascension is at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ.
Join Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, for their Indoor Fixture Sale on June 28th and 29th from 7 AM to 11 AM. Discover a wide range of quality fixtures that offer both style and functionality, perfect for any home. This event supports Ascension’s community missions and provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lutherans in the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on finding unique items that enhance your space while supporting a good cause! Ascension is at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ.
Enjoy Shape Note Singing at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix on Saturday, June 29th, from 1-4 PM. Experience this unique style of acapella harmony in a friendly, judgment-free environment. Loaner books provided.
Join the Lutherans Restoring Creation art contest to envision a better future through your artwork! Open to youth and young adults, this contest encourages participants to reimagine their communities in harmony with the environment. Submit your art by June 30, 2024, for a chance to have your work displayed at the Youth Gathering in New Orleans and turned into advocacy postcards. All levels of art skills are welcome. Click to learn more and submit your vision of a sustainable tomorrow!
Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.
Join Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, AZ, for a comprehensive Godly Play Core Training from August 16-18, 2024. Perfect for educators, administrators, and parents involved in spiritual education, this training covers all aspects of the Godly Play method. Registration includes all materials and meals: Godly Play Core Training Registration.
Featured Events
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
We gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. The exact dates and time are subject to change.
The 2025 Churchwide Assembly will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Mark your calendars! Times and dates may shift for this event. More info will be updated at ELCA.org.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day
Lutheran Summer Music announces its 42nd season, offering over 30 free and open-to-the-public concerts and recitals. All events take place this July at Valparaiso University, and most will be livestreamed. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. The LSM 2024 season will culminate during Festival Week (July 21-28), featuring the LSM Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra, a Festival of Hymns, and closing each day with sung Evening Prayer.
Of special note, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) will join this year’s LSM community and offer an intergenerational performance of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 for a complete listing of events and to access the livestream.
King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe is seeking dedicated individuals for three key positions within their Music Department: Director of Music Ministries, Youth Music Leader, and Organist/Accompanist. These roles are integral to their vibrant worship and community engagement. Start dates for all positions are August 4, 2024. For more details and application procedures, visit our website or contact Vicki Hegebush at vickih@kogaz.org.
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is seeking a Director of Advancement to lead and manage its fundraising activities. This role involves developing fundraising goals, managing events, and utilizing CRM systems like Bloomerang for strategic decision-making. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in philanthropy, marketing, and event execution. View the job description as a PDF here. For further details or to apply, contact Executive Director Eric Simonson.
In honor of Juneteenth, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited Dr. Dianne R. Browne, Ph.D., CFLE, CSE, Chair of the ELCA New Jersey Synod’s Anti-Racism Team to share some thoughts about this federal holiday that many mark as the official end of legalized human enslavement in the United States. For more information on Juneteenth, visit What Is Juneteenth? | HISTORY.
One of the social events that Tribal nations and organizations host that welcome non-Indigenous people to attend is a powwow. There are plenty of powwows hosted across the United States and Canada. It is likely there is one planned and hosted somewhere near you. Some of you may have attended a powwow in the past and have enjoyed the drums, singing, dancing, ceremony and food while there!
But whether you have attended a powwow in the past or have yet to attend a powwow, this presentation from the Grand Canyon Synod’s Wanda Frenchman will provide you with information and instructions on how to be a respectful and successful visitor/guest. For more information: http://elca.org/indigenous
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who have embodied the Word in their contributions to this year’s Synod Assembly. From committees and task forces to volunteers on the ground, your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Visit our thank you page to discover all the wonderful people who helped us embody the Word at our 2024 assembly.
A special thank you goes to our voting members. Your commitment to travel, engage, and participate in the complex business of the church is invaluable, especially in this year of a Bishop election. Your willingness to serve, your discerning voices, and your passion for our mission have been vital in shaping the direction of our church. This Assembly’s success is a testament to your meaningful contributions and active participation. Y’all truly embody the Word!
For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For Native Americans celebrating cultural identity through powwows this summer and for preservation and appreciation of indigenous heritage…
For victims of landsides in Central and South America…
For cleanup efforts after a major oil spill near Singapore…
For those grieving the heat-related deaths of more than 500 pilgrims in Mecca during Hajj…
For extreme heat in India and other places around the globe…
For the health of our planet and people, creatures, and habitats most impacted by climate change…
For migrants missing or lost after shipwrecks in the Mediterranean…
For victims of human rights violations, especially in Greece, and for protection for all migrants…
For a resolution to violence in the South China Sea…
The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly convened Thursday through Saturday, June 13–15, 2024, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme, “Embody the Word.”
You can view photos of the assembly here, and watch the entire assembly here.
In this episode of the Pivot podcast, Rev. Clara King discusses how small, rural churches can empower laypeople, with the church's "edges" driving innovation and collaborative ministry.
Join Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, for their Indoor Fixture Sale on June 28th and 29th from 7 AM to 11 AM. Discover a wide range of quality fixtures that offer both style and functionality, perfect for any home. This event supports Ascension’s community missions and provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lutherans in the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on finding unique items that enhance your space while supporting a good cause! Ascension is at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ.
Fund for Leaders and the ELCA invite you to join our online discernment groups starting July 1. Designed for those curious about seminary or church leadership, these groups serve as a platform for exploring your spiritual calling. Register at elcaseminaries.org or contact recruitment@elca.org. Rostered ministers interested in leading can reach out to Rick.Summy@elca.org. Discover your path in a supportive community of faith leaders.
Our June 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo takes us back to U.P. Wild Church, in Northern Great Lake Synod: “a spiritual home for the seekers of beauty, wonder, & awe; where the ‘church goers’ supplement their journey and the ‘misfits’ finally feel connected within the congregation of paper birch trees & squawking geese via the Mystery which creates all things.”
Additionally find free access to ELCA Stewardship recordings on “The Spirituality of Capital Campaigns,” “Creating a Year-Round Stewardship Calendar,” “Narrative Budget Construction,” “Donor Motivations” or “Four Mindset Shifts” which are perfect for stewardship teams wanting to do some continuing education or for councils curious about what’s happening in the realm of stewardship.
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares an article after having had the pleasure of visiting several churches and feeding ministries in Tucson! They want to use their blog to help share the stories of various ministries around our synod, both to celebrate ELCA World Hunger’s 50th anniversary, and to foster connections between people doing God’s good work. Stay tuned over the coming weeks to hear more about ministries in Tucson and around the state!
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Michael Johnson, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.
Rev. Roger Thompson, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.
Rev. Joseph Carucci, who celebrates 63 years on June 21.
Rev. Terry Pletkovich, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.
Rev. John Sersland, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.
Rev. Nancy Milleville, Our Savior’s, Mesa, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.
Rev. Michael Girlinghouse, LCM Canterbury, Flagstaff, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.
Rev. Sarah Upham-Birdsall, who celebrates 22 years on June 22.
Rev. Matthew Dobyns, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.
Rev. Gary Hess, who celebrates 47 years on June 22.
Rev. Duane Peterson, who celebrates 66 years on June 22.
Rev. Andrew Schlecht, Maricopa, Maricopa, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.
Rev. Glenn Zimbelman, who celebrates 40 years on June 24.
Rev. Scott Hove, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 29 years on June 25.
Rev. Paul Overvold, who celebrates 46 years on June 25.
Rev. Dennis Hagstrom, who celebrates 47 years on June 25.
Rev. John Geske, Mayo, Scottsdale, who celebrates 36 years on June 26.
Rev. David Towers, who celebrates 48 years on June 27.
We thank everyone who helped us with our Grand Canyon Synod Assembly. The Office of the Bishop takes the next few weeks to put our house back in order and prepare to create new possibilities.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of the various regions of our synod. The Grand Canyon Synod is spread across lands in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, which are currently home to over two dozen tribal nations.
We acknowledge and honor these communities, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We give thanks to our Indigenous siblings who have cared and continue to care for this place — this land — and call it their home.
Learn more about ELCA Indigenous Ministries, land acknowledgments, and Native American and Indigenous education resources.
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who have embodied the Word in their contributions to this year’s Synod Assembly. From committees and task forces to volunteers on the ground, your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Visit our thank you page to discover all the wonderful people who helped us embody the Word at our 2024 assembly.
A special thank you goes to our voting members. Your commitment to travel, engage, and participate in the complex business of the church is invaluable, especially in this year of a Bishop election. Your willingness to serve, your discerning voices, and your passion for our mission have been vital in shaping the direction of our church. This Assembly’s success is a testament to your meaningful contributions and active participation. Y’all truly embody the Word!