This week’s updates highlight ongoing work in candidacy and formation, evangelism, generosity, governance, communications, and finance, as we prepare to welcome Bishop Hutterer back into shared leadership and ministry after her sabbatical.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Janice Von Rappard, who celebrates 21 years on January 30.
Rev. Jose Valenzuela, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 17 years on January 31.
Rev. Katie Langston, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 4 years on February 4.
Rev. Shari Bernau, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 21 years on February 5.
The Rev. Douglas (Doug) Moffat died on January 12, 2026, in Edmonton, Canada. His last day of service at Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma was March 12, 2025. We give thanks for his faithful ministry and commend him to God’s eternal care.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6th, 2026, at 1:00 pm at St. Albert Evangelical Church, 11 Glenview Cres, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 1B7. Reception to follow. He would be honored if any memorial gift in his name be given to the Alpha organization.
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Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter highlights opportunities for prayer, advocacy, and interfaith connection across Arizona—from the Statewide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 22 in Phoenix, to Environmental Day at the Capitol on February 11, along with ongoing meditation, youth interfaith events, justice vigils, and spiritual retreats.
Get dates, locations, RSVP links, and the full calendar by reading the complete AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
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Synod staff remain actively engaged in congregational life, campus ministry, evangelism, generosity, administration, and financial stewardship. This week includes preaching and greetings across the synod, Synod Assembly planning, grant administration, and preparation for upcoming council and staff meetings.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Tina Mills, Our Savior’s, Mesa, who celebrates 15 years on January 25.
Rev. David Sivecz, Grace, Phoenix, who celebrates 8 years on January 27.
Deacon Carol Arnold, who celebrates 44 years on January 27.
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! Tuesday, 1/27/2026, 6-7pm MST.
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The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter is now available, featuring upcoming opportunities for prayer, learning, and public engagement across Arizona. Highlights include weekly Monday Meditation, online conversations on democracy and voting rights, an interfaith exploration of faith and science from an Islamic perspective, the statewide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in Phoenix, and links to MLK Day events across the state.
The newsletter also includes partner events, interfaith observances, and ways to stay connected with AFN’s ongoing work. We encourage congregational leaders and lay members throughout the Grand Canyon Synod to read the newsletter in full, share it with others, and subscribe for weekly updates.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Luis Ochoa, Santa Trinidad, Chandler, and First Evangelical, Mesa, who celebrates 3 years on January 21.
Rev. Judi Tyler, Our Saviour’s, Phoenix, who celebrates 2 years on January 21.
The Synod Office will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with some staff attending MLK worship and community events around the synod, while this week’s Office of the Bishop update offers a snapshot of ongoing congregation visits, administrative work, financial processing, communications planning, and preparations for upcoming meetings and ministry commitments.
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Join Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ, January 16–19, 2026, for Living Into a New Story. Led by Pastor Ron Rude and hymnist Sharon Reinbott, this retreat explores how science, Scripture, and earth wisdom can renew our faith and reshape our relationship with creation. Scholarships are available.
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The Grand Canyon Synod gives thanks for the life and ministry of Rev. Richard “Dick” Glover, retired pastor and member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix, who died on November 17, 2025. A Service of Life and Resurrection will be held Saturday, January 17, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with visitation at 10:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m., followed by fellowship.
We invite the synod to hold Alice, the Glover family, and the St. Andrew community in prayer, trusting in God’s promises of baptismal grace, resurrection, and eternal peace in Christ.
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Spirit in the Desert (SITD) Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona, is seeking a new Executive Director to lead its Lutheran-rooted mission of grace-filled hospitality, renewal, and spiritual growth. The role includes strategic and hands-on leadership across operations, staff supervision, financial sustainability, donor relations, and community partnerships.
Applications received by January 15, 2026 will be assured of full consideration. Submit a letter of interest, resume, and five professional references (PDF format) to Melissa Maxwell-Doherty at melissa.maxwelldoherty@gmail.com. Nominations are also welcome.
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Thrivent members can make a big difference through Thrivent Choice Dollars and Thrivent Action Teams—two benefits that support ministry at no extra cost. Direct your 2025 Choice Dollars by March 31, 2026 to your congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, and apply anytime for a $250 Action Team grant to fund a service or outreach project. Learn more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice and Thrivent.com/actionteam.
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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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The Office of the Bishop settles into the new year with regular news postings, office management, visiting congregations, and financial oversight.
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Many congregations are facing rising costs, leadership shortages, and increasing pressures—but the gospel continues to call us forward together. Join the Grand Canyon Synod for “Possibilities in Partnership,” a synod-wide Zoom conversation on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 pm MST, 5:00 PM PST, exploring new ways congregations can collaborate and share ministry.
Led by Rev. David Pavesic, this gathering invites rostered ministers and lay leaders into reflection, conversation, and discernment around what it means to be church together in this season. Advance registration is required.
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