Office of the Bishop Updates: 8/6/2021

For the past few years, each newsletter shows what our team is doing in that week, with three bullet points for each person. We’re expanding this section, continuing with summaries for each person, but providing opportunities for expansion on their week if they desire. We hope this provides you with more insight into your synod.

We have an upcoming Grand Canyon Synod Council meeting, and Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui are traveling to House of Prayer and NELM in Rock Point. Pastor Miguel meets with First Evangelical Lutheran council in Mesa. View all the details for each team member in this post.

Bishop Hutterer: Another season of coronavirus

It’s been a few months since I wrote about Covid. I had hoped, like all of you, that we were past this virus.

We want to be done with Covid, but Covid isn’t done with us. It’s a phrase we hear a lot lately, as the Delta variant spikes the number of reported cases in the United States to 100,000 per day, eerily repeating last winter’s trajectory.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAugust 5, 2021Coronavirus, Bishop Hutterer LettersComment

Local Navajos to become worship leaders and spiritual guides

In partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod, House of Prayer has entered into a program for training local Navajo leaders to serve as ‘Wisdom Keepers’ and spiritual guides.

During the month of July, perspective candidates for leadership are committed to a time of prayerful consideration. On Sunday, August 8, 2021, Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Jacqui Pagel will be present to affirm the candidates choosing to move forward.

Bishop Hutterer attends Arizona Faith Network breakfast

Bishop Deborah K. Huttererer recently attended a breakfast sponsored by the Arizona Faith Network and Institutional Baptist Church. The breakfast, focused on voting rights, featured the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Rev. Jackson thanked Bishop Hutterer for the work ELCA leaders have been engaged in over the years on behalf of our neighbors.

2021 Bishop's Fall Gathering update

We’re excited to share updates on our 2021 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, as we gather under the theme: The Power of Story. We have hotel reservation info for our October 18-20, 2021 event at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Registration is $50.

All active rostered ministers or retired ministers serving as interim pastors are invited to this gathering which will include ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Rev. Roberto Federico Trejo Haager, Pastor President of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, and Ryan Panzer, author of Grace and Gigabytes. More info on our web page.

Bishop's Fall Gathering set for October, 2021 in Phoenix

All active Rostered Ministers or retired ministers serving as interim pastors are invited to the Bishop’s Fall Gathering to be held on October 18-20, 2021 in Phoenix. Bishop Eaton will be our guest for this event. More details are on the way.

Growing Generosity Appeal receives $281,656 in gifts and pledges

As part of the Synod Council and Bishop Report of our 2021 Assembly, Bishop Deborah Hutterer shared some exciting news about our new appeal, Growing Generosity. We are already over halfway to our $500,000 goal, with $281,656 in gifts and pledges!

With a 100% participation rate from the Growing Generosity leadership team, Synod Council, and Office of the Bishop staff, we have already received leadership gifts from three congregations: New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, UT; Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson; and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley. Read her report and learn how you can join us in growing generosity in our synod.

Synod assembly worship recording and sermon available

Our entire worship service is available for use by congregations and individuals. The service is provided by our assembly hosts at Community Lutheran in Las Vegas, including Rev. Benjamin Bergren, Rev. Brian Ward, and Bruce Ewing. Download on our Vimeo page.

Rev. Albert Starr's sermon is part of this worship service. His sermon is also available as a standalone file to download or view at bit.ly/starr-sermon.

Bishop Hutterer Annual Report: June 2021

As we look back, I am grateful for the ways you have embraced the world as it is, not as you want it to be. You ensured that the witness of the church continued even when it was not safe to gather in-person.

Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you went well beyond what you might have imagined possible. Through uncertainty, you spoke words of hope and offered reminders that nothing will separate us from the love of God.

Scam Bishop Hutterer emails are to be ignored

Once again, impersonators are pretending to be Bishop Hutterer, using a fake Gmail address. Please ignore these emails. The Bishop will never ask for money or gift cards via email.

Read on for more details on the fake email, how to report abuse to Google, and how to recognize scams online.

Bishop Hutterer, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMay 21, 2021Bishop Deborah K. HuttererComment

Scammers are impersonating as bishops, again

Once again impersonators are sending emails purporting to be bishops, and asking for money and gift cards. Please be assured that Bishop Hutterer would not solicit donations in this fashion. Please contact the office if you ever have questions about an email.

Avoid being duped with this info from the FCC: How to recognize and avoid phishing scams.

Bishop Hutterer, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMay 5, 2021Bishop Deborah K. HuttererComment

Bishop Hutterer: To care for creation, follow your love

This Earth Day, I write in celebration of God’s creation. I am an early bird. I enjoy the pre-dawn quiet. I especially enjoy the emergence of birds and their song as darkness gives way to light.

By far, my favorite bird is the scarlet tanager. Their breeding ground is in the eastern United States, where I was blessed with a few glimpses of the bright and exotic red bird with black wings. I can vividly recall those moments.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 22, 2021Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, Climate ChangeComment

Rostered Minister Reports are still welcome

We thank the 70 active and retired rostered ministers who checked in with Bishop Hutterer via our annual rostered minister reports. Your feedback is crucial in weaving the fabric of our synod. And your answers to financial questions help us promote the financial health of our leaders.

There’s still an opportunity to respond. Send in your report today! It takes just a few minutes.

Bishop Hutterer, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 15, 2021Bishop Deborah K. HuttererComment

Installation of Pastor Pam Reynolds

Pastor Pam Reynolds was installed at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, on Saturday, February 6, 2021.

We reprint an inspiring letter Pastor Reynolds wrote just before she was ordained from the church’s newsletter, Lifelines. Read it below or in this PDF.

Bishop Hutterer: Maintaining our vigilance in a pandemic plateau

I used to sell insurance. During that time, I learned that most car accidents occur within five minutes of home. Why? We’re overconfident in a familiar place. The most common collision isn’t caused by another person: it is us driving, on autopilot, into a neighbor’s parked car. Ask me. I’ve done it.

At this point in the pandemic, I believe we are in a similar situation. As we return to “normal,” we think we’re safe, and our old habits return. Tired from a year of pandemic, we stop practicing the vigilance and best behaviors that kept us safe on our long and strange journey.

Bishop Hutterer: Another Strange Easter

Another Easter arrives, and again, we proceed with hesitance and fear. We struggle with our beliefs. We are unsure how to celebrate. We can feel isolated and separated from each other, wondering if we should leave our homes. In a time of political unrest, we are unsure of the stories we are hearing from the outside world.

And in these circumstances, we are blessed to experience Easter in the same way as the first followers of Christ.

Bishop Hutterer, LettersBrian FlatgardApril 1, 20212021 Easter, Bishop Hutterer LettersComment

Good Friday Worship Service premieres on Grand Canyon Synod YouTube

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

Bishop Hutterer: Remembering Archbishop Óscar Romero

Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated, forty-one years ago, March 24, 1980. He is a saint to Catholics and Lutherans, and the unofficial patron saint of the Americas and El Salvador.

I became aware of Archbishop Romero while in Mexico City. I was a student at Luther Seminary at the time, and our class watched the movie Romero. His story continues to impact my view of the world and the church.

Bishop Hutterer, LettersBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2021Bishop Hutterer LettersComment

ELCA Conference of Bishops holds spring meeting

The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) held its online meeting March 4-5, 2021. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary. Bishop Hutterer serves on the executive committee.

ELCA, News, Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardMarch 19, 2021Conference of Bishops, Bishop Deborah K. HuttererComment

Good Friday Worship Service

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

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