With Gratitude for Our 2025 Assembly

Our Synod Assembly would not be possible without the dedication, time, and faithful service of so many. To the volunteers, committees, task forces, and all who worked behind the scenes—thank you for your tireless efforts in making this gathering a place of connection, discernment, and shared mission.

A special word of appreciation to our voting members: your commitment to showing up, engaging in the work of the church, and lending your voices to important decisions is invaluable. Your presence and participation shape the future of our ministry together.

To everyone who played a role—whether seen or unseen—thank you for making this Assembly a meaningful and Spirit-filled time for our synod.

We were honored to welcome David Scherer of JUSTmove as our featured guest for this year’s assembly. Through story, music, and movement, David invited us into deeper intercultural awareness rooted in faith and grace.

For a smooth flow of our plenary sessions, we thank Ms. Barbara B. Carl, your Synod Vice President and Chair of the Synod Council; Rev. Stephen Springer, Synod Secretary; Mr. Erik Rehms, Synod Treasurer; and Rev. David Brandfass, our parliamentarian for this assembly.

We offer deep gratitude to the pastors, staff, and members of Community Lutheran Church for their gracious hospitality and technical support. Your welcome and hard work have provided a home for our gathering — a place where we can truly build up the body. We name only a few of the many people who make this assembly possible at Community.

  • Pastor Ben Bergren and Pastor Brian Ward

  • Dennis Allen

  • Tech directors Eric Paprotny and Cole Becker

  • Linda San (in charge of food)

  • Nelly Hutchinson (in charge of Matthew Kits)

  • Volunteers

  • Set up crews

  • Hospitality

  • The amazing music teams at Community Lutheran and Good Samaritan in Las Vegas

PLANNING TEAM

  • Kathye Hamm, chair

  • Pastor Ben Bergren

  • Pastor Mari Larson

  • Pastor Jason Adams

  • Dennis Allen

  • Marissa Metevelis

  • Mark Meyers

  • Bishop Deborah Hutterer

  • Barbara Carl, Synod Vice President

  • Theresa Thornburgh, Director for Administration and Events

  • Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications

We thank our stage managers: Pastor Jacqui Pagel and Pastor John Maroni.

Our Spanish translation services are provided by Anabel Estrada of San Juan Bautista in Tucson.

Vicar Kylee Bestenlehner is providing our tech support for voting.

A photographic record of the assembly was captured by Pastor Lars Hammar of Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson.

We thank all who offered themselves for service as nominees:

  • Wendy Weiske, Capital Conference representative

  • Fraass, Colorado River Conference representative

  • Bruce Rianda, Kino Conference representative

  • Vice President nominees: Dr. Richard Green and Mr. Mark Myers

  • Committee nominees Joy Smiley, Annette Chavez, Rev. Thaddeus Book, and Rev. Jill Doherty

We thank our conference deans for leading us in prayer throughout the assembly.

Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta delivered our ELCA update.

We thank all the youth who participated in our synod-wide art project.

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and California Lutheran University sponsored childcare services, making it possible for all members, including parents and guardians, to participate fully in the assembly.

We also offer our thanks to Clergy Financial Resources for sponsoring the electronic voting system used during this assembly.

Thanks to Pastor Chris Heller, Chair of the Nominating Committee, as well as Glenn Austad, Barbara Carl, and Janis Richert who served on the committee.

Thanks to all who helped present our Bishop and Synod Council Report with Bishop Hutterer and Vice President Barbara Carl:

  • Pastor Jacqui Pagel

  • Paula Pegues

  • Sandy Schable

  • Pastor David Pavesic

  • Pastora Veronica Alvarez

  • Pastor Lourdes Olson

  • Deacon Laura Book

  • Marissa Metevelis

  • Casey Goslin

  • Lisa Marie Higginbotham, ELCA Foundation planner

  • Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development

OUR EXHIBITORs

  • Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA

  • Grand Canyon Synod Coaches

  • University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry – ASU, NAU, and UA

  • Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

  • Mosaic

  • LAMA & Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network

  • ELCA Foundation

  • Navajo Lutheran Mission

  • LEIRN (Lutheran Ethnic and Inclusive Representational Network)

  • ReconcilingWorks

  • Lord of Life Lutheran Church – Benevolence Team

  • Leadership Lab & Synod Youth Advisory Team

  • Campformation

  • Camp ALOMA and Retreat Center

  • Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

  • Global Engagement Team

  • Light in the Desert Via de Cristo

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:12-13