In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Nausin
In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Nausin

We pray for the family and friends of Pastor Frank Nausin, who died April 15, 2025.

Tanque Verde Lutheran Church shares: “Pastor Frank faithfully served as Lead Pastor of TVLC from 1982-2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016. We will forever be grateful for the leadership, inspiration, and love that Pastor Frank poured into our congregation over the years.

Please keep Linda, Tim, Jeremy, and their whole family in your prayers during this time. We ask that you help them maintain their privacy and peace while they spend this holy time with their family. As Linda is currently transitioning apartments, they ask that all cards be directed to the TVLC office. Details on a memorial service will be forthcoming.”

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
Bishop Hutterer: Christ Is Risen—Now What?
Bishop Hutterer: Christ Is Risen—Now What?

This resurrection we celebrate as Easter people is not a retreat from the world, but an uprising of love within it. It is God’s way of saying that goodness is stronger than evil and that love is stronger than death. Every time we welcome the stranger, tend to the broken, or speak truth in love—we bear witness to resurrection.

Let us be bold and courageous in speaking for justice, compassionate in amplifying voices often unheard, and steadfast in proclaiming God’s grace through actions that heal and reconcile.

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Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardBishop Hutterer Letters, 2025 Lent, Church and SocietyComment
Bishop Eaton: The scent of Easter
Bishop Eaton: The scent of Easter

In her Easter message, Bishop Eaton recalls the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with a powerful, pungent substance used to offset the stench of death. But the substance also signified royalty. Eaton says we discover the promise of Easter in Mary’s act. “Instead of removing the stench of death, the substance anointed a royal king. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the usual cycle of life and death has been disrupted forever. Jesus' death and resurrection promises new life and brings us new life.”

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, News, LettersBrian Flatgard2025 Lent, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
Grill to Glory: Serving God and Neighbor in St. Louis’ Ville
Grill to Glory: Serving God and Neighbor in St. Louis’ Ville

For nearly a century, St. Philip Evangelical Lutheran Church has served as a spiritual and community anchor in the Ville, a historically Black neighborhood in St. Louis. Through vibrant partnerships, public prayer, and outreach programs like Grill to Glory and Trunks Up, the congregation meets both the practical and spiritual needs of its neighbors—offering food, clothing, hygiene kits, and connection. Pastor Richard E. Ashley describes their ministry as grounded in community heritage and shaped by a commitment to meet people where they are. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery

Explore the intersection of neuroscience, faith, and addiction recovery in a free webinar on April 30 featuring Dr. Jeffrey Leighton and Jeff Jensen. Discover how prayer, neurofeedback, and hospitality-driven care can help regulate brain activity, relieve anxiety, reduce cravings, and restore hope. Open to clergy, counselors, and all affected by addiction.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAddiction, The Center of Addiction & FaithComment
Earth Day Worship and Action Opportunities from Lutherans Restoring Creation
Earth Day Worship and Action Opportunities from Lutherans Restoring Creation

Celebrate Earth Day and explore new ways to engage in creation care with Lutherans Restoring Creation Join an Earth Day sermon watch party on April 22, encourage young adults to attend the April 21 kickoff of the Young Adult Climate Alliance, register for conversations on climate justice, and explore synod advocacy opportunities. Learn more and read the full newsletter here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
Why Aren’t We Talking About Climate Change in Church?
Why Aren’t We Talking About Climate Change in Church?

While nearly 90% of Christian religious leaders believe climate change is real and human-caused, most rarely discuss it with their congregations. A new study shows this silence has consequences—many church members underestimate their pastor’s views, and conversations about climate action stall. Yet we are uniquely called and positioned to lead. This piece from Blessed Tomorrow urges clergy and lay leaders alike to speak out, teach, and preach on creation care. Support and training are available for those ready to start. Click here to read the full article on Blessed Tomorrow.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Building Safer Congregations: Creating Your Own Safe Church Policy
Building Safer Congregations: Creating Your Own Safe Church Policy

Every congregation in the Grand Canyon Synod is encouraged to create written Safe Church guidelines to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults. This blog post outlines who should be on your policy-writing team, what legal and insurance steps to follow, and includes dozens of helpful links, resources, and sample policies from across the ELCA

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSynod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Youth and Young AdultComment
Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson memorial service is 4/26/2025 at Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Surprise
Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson memorial service is 4/26/2025 at Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Surprise

We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.

Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardCactus Conference, Spirit of Grace Surprise Comment
One Body, Many Gifts: Strengthen Our Synod by Sharing Your Updates
One Body, Many Gifts: Strengthen Our Synod by Sharing Your Updates

Your ministry matters! Help us share the good news of faith in action across the Grand Canyon Synod. Whether your congregation is hosting an event, looking for volunteers, or seeking to fill a ministry position, we want to hear from you. Submitting is easy—just visit gcsynod.org/share to send us your updates. Let’s strengthen our synod by sharing the ways God is working in our communities!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation

Is your church prepared to communicate faithfully in a crisis? Join a free live webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:30pm, as part of the Thriving Leadership Formation series. Learn how to build a crisis communications team, develop a ministry-specific strategy, and gain sample statements to guide your response. Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/EventsTLF.

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Region 2, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Engage, Connect, and Cool Off: Be a Resident Theologian at Campformation
Engage, Connect, and Cool Off: Be a Resident Theologian at Campformation

Engage with youth, cool off in the pines, and explore stewardship this summer! Campformation at Camp Pinerock, June 30–July 4, 2025, invites three rostered leaders to join for free as Resident Theologians. Travel, room, and board are covered. Apply by March 15, 2025. Contact Pr. Tim Perlick at tim.perlick@gmail.com.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, News, Help WantedBrian FlatgardStewardship of Life Institute (SOLI), Campformation, Camp Pinerock, Youth and Young Adult, Outdoor Ministry, help wantedComment
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend

Want to lead worship with a guitar around the campfire? Join Camp ALOMA in Prescott, April 25–27, for a weekend retreat focused on learning how to lead and support campfire worship. Designed for guitar players with basic chord skills, the $110 weekend includes lodging, meals, and musical leadership training grounded in Lutheran faith. Register now at campaloma.com or call 928-778-1690.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardOutdoor Ministry, Camp ALOMAComment