View reports for our 2023 assembly on our assembly mission and ministry stories page and in this collection of blog posts.

Connect People

Candidacy

Candidacy continues to evolve and revolve within the Grand Canyon Synod. There are 24 people officially in the process seeking ordination to become pastors or deacons in the ELCA. So far this year, one person has completed the rigors of candidacy and seminary and is anxiously awaiting his first call. Hopefully, two additional candidates will complete and be ready for ordination by the end of the calendar year of 2023. We have yet to have a candidate attend Trinity Seminary in Ohio, while we do have synod representation at the other six ELCA seminaries.

Diakonia

Lay leadership continues to thrive in the Grand Canyon Synod. Rev. Tony Scheer at Spirit of Hope in Mesa, AZ has been named Dean of that program. He and I will continue to work and strengthen that program to include more people and widen the geographic reach of education opportunities for people.

First Call Theological Education (FCTE)

There are more people as first called pastors and deacons in the syond than there has been in the 13 years since my ordination. We currently have eight pastors across the synod new to the roster within their first three years of ordination, and we continue to meet twice per year. Most recently we gathered at Spirit in the Dessert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ and leaned deeper into Family Systems and how they can work within our worshipping sites. In the Fall of 2023, we plan to gather up to 11 first called pastors to discuss what it means to handle the money in your church.

Create Possibilities

Youth Ministry

Youth Gathering “Created to Be” is ON! We are gearing up for the national event in New Orleans, LA July 16 – 20, 2024. Pr. Erin Morris at Resurrection in Oro Valley, AZ is our champion and will be working with all the youth and youth leaders to get us there and back safely and joyously. Summer programming is well in hand, with Campformation is scheduled for Camp Pinerock in Prescott, AZ July 3 – July 7, 2023. Western State Youth Gathering at California Lutheran University July 4 – July 9, 2023 and Leadership lab at Augustana University in Rock Island, IL is July 17 – 23, 2023. Numerous congregations across the synod have Vacation Bible School offerings this summer. Thanks to efforts made by many to get things going since COVID, there are more and more opportunities for children, youth, and young adults to form their faith and deepen their relationshipwith Jesus.

Lutheran Campus Ministry

Arizona State University Campus ministry finished strong with an end of the year bar b que for graduates. Northern Arizona University LCM/Canterbury, Lutheran/Episcopal is seeking a full time Campus Minister on board as we continue to work with the Espiscopal Dioceses of Arizona to find a leader that can lead that joint venture. The University of Tucson continues to thrive in their new space at Our Saviours in mid-town Tucson and closed out the spring semester with a barbecue and a blessing of graduates with a water pitcher to remember their baptisms.

Churchwide Candidacy Committee Work Group

The work of this group continues to identify the ways we can streamline the candidacy process that will accommodate the needs of tomorrow’s ELCA. The most recent update can be found at Candidacy Leadership Development - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)

Simon’s Project

The second cohort of Simon’s Project has started with twelve new leaders from across the valley. While the first cohort worked diligently to get Simon’s project known across the synod. We all continue to identify the ways we can support each other in encouraging diversity in our worshipping sites.

House of Prayer

The designated Wisdom Keepers at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission continue their work in gaining a strong grasp of Christianity through a Lutheran lens and the best ways to share their faith with all the people in the Navajo Nation.

Global Engagement

We continue work to develop our relationship in Mexico and Senegal. Bishop Hutterer recently visited President Trejo in Guadalajara, along with Bishop Beaudoin of the Northwest Ohio Synod and we are all anxious to learn the ways we can accompany each other and be church together.

Funds for Leaders

The Grand Canyon Synod has three candidates receiving full tuition via Churchwide Fund for Leaders scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of golfers across the synod everyone who has been fully entranced is receiving a minimum of $1,000 to go toward their education expenses.

 Communicate Jesus

There are many ways I get to represent the Office of the Bishop and encourage leadership development apart from the norm some of them are:

• Youth Leadership Summit

• Youth Leadership Extravaganza

• Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest devotion leader

• Global Missions Board

• Chaplain summer respite at Grace Lutheran, Phoenix

• Various synodical and region worship expressions

• Lutheran Day at the Legislature

• Region 1 & 2 Authentic Diversity work group

• Council of Religious Advisor at ASU

• Lily Foundation Preaching Cohort

• Agape campus ministry – ASU Poly Technic

• Churchwide Becoming Conference

As we continue to strive to have our leadership reflect the diversity of the Southwest, it is my pleasure to continue and work with you towards a brighter ELCA.

Respectfully submitted,

Pr. Jacqui
The Rev. Jacqueline Pagel,
Associate to the Bishop Candidacy and Faith Formation