Celebrate the 2025 Diakonia graduates (view grads in this PDF) with us on Saturday, June 28 at 11:00 AM MST at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Tucson, or online via YouTube. This joyful service and luncheon, featuring a message from Bishop Hutterer, honors those completing one or two years of faith formation through the Diakonia program. RSVP by June 15 to tinag963@yahoo.com or watch the livestream.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Sarah Upham-Birdsall, who celebrates 23 years on June 22.
Rev. Matthew Dobyns, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 17 years on June 22.
Rev. Gary Hess, who celebrates 48 years on June 22.
Rev. Duane Peterson, who celebrates 67 years on June 22.
Rev. Andrew Schlecht, Maricopa, Maricopa, who celebrates 17 years on June 22.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Michael Johnson, who celebrates 38 years on June 21.
Rev. Roger Thompson, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.
Rev. Joseph Carucci, who celebrates 64 years on June 21.
Rev. Terry Pletkovich, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.
Rev. John Sersland, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.
Rev. Nancy Milleville, who celebrates 45 years on June 21.
Rev. Michael Girlinghouse, LCM Canterbury, Flagstaff, who celebrates 38 years on June 21.
In the latest Pivot podcast, Dr. Christian Smith explores why religion feels outdated in modern culture, citing shifts in family, institutions, and technology as key causes.
Read MoreRegistration is now open for the 2025 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering, taking place September 18–21 in Columbus, Ohio. Centered on Micah 6:8, the gathering will unite leaders to collaborate on ending hunger and its root causes. Thanks to a sponsorship from the Northeast Valley Consortium, the Grand Canyon Synod will fully sponsor three participants. If you’re interested in attending as a representative, do not register online—instead, contact Solveig at director@lamaz.org to be considered.
This is a key opportunity to reflect, connect, and act in our shared ministry for a world without hunger. Click here for full event details.
Read MoreJoin Lutheran Summer Music for our 43rd season at Valparaiso University, June 22–July 20! Can’t attend in person? Experience over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services online through Live from LSM.
Highlights include the beloved Bach Cantata Eucharist, the Festival of Hymns, the debut Faculty Organ Recital, and Festival Week performances by the Festival Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Explore the full schedule and tune in at LSMacademy.org/2025. All events are free and available to stream live or on demand. Don’t miss this transformative celebration of music, faith, and community!
Read MoreAlthough she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder too late to fully benefit from treatment, MaryBeth’s family became advocates that all infants be tested for the disorder. Her family has met others who, because of the now mandatory testing, started treatments as infants to counter the effects of the disorder. The post Advocacy Following Rare Diagnosis Helped Countless Others appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is honored to host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix this July 28–August 2. We need nearly 100 volunteers to help make this event a success! Open shifts include airport greeters, registration, worship support, and more. Learn how you can serve and sign up at gcsynod.org/cwa.
Read MoreWhile reports vary on the scale and freshness of a recently publicized password leak, it’s always a good time to review your digital security. The Grand Canyon Synod is regularly targeted by phishing scams, making it essential for individuals and congregations to update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and consider using passkeys. Read on for practical tips to keep your digital life and ministry secure.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. John Kautz, who celebrates 54 years on June 20.
Rev. Paul Nelson, who celebrates 43 years on June 20.
Rev. Charles Berdahl, who celebrates 60 years on June 20.
Arizona Faith Network is offering a wide range of opportunities this summer—from interfaith meditation sessions to heat relief service projects, public witness at the Eloy Detention Center, and training for Election Protection Arizona poll monitors. Events include the Bags of Hope packing days in Tucson and Tempe, a nuclear waste community conversation in Sahuarita, and a call to oppose a proposed public lands sell-off. Lutheran voices are needed to show up, speak out, and serve. Click here to read the full AFN newsletter and learn how you can get involved.
Read MoreLAMA Director Solveig Muus joined faith leaders from Arizona in Washington, D.C. for Bread for the World’s 50th Anniversary Advocacy Summit, urging legislators to support SNAP, WIC, and global nutrition programs. The Arizona delegation met with representatives across the political spectrum, combining public witness with prayer, partnership, and policy engagement. Click here to read the full story and reflections from Solveig’s five days in D.C.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of Nevada celebrates the opening of their retro-inspired 50’s Diner space at the Journey Center, now serving meals made in-house by Chef Dom. Throughout July, join the Peanut Butter Wars campaign to support the food pantry, and help provide dignity through the She Cares Initiative by donating hygiene items. Learn how partners like Total Promotions and churches like Holy Spirit Lutheran are making an impact—and meet Employee of the Month, Barbara Hudson, whose spirit of care uplifts us all.
Read MoreIn part two of the Pivot podcast conversation with Andy Root, we explore a radically different approach to sharing faith that moves beyond happiness-hunting strategies to embrace God's presence in brokenness.
Read MoreOn Juneteenth Day, we celebrate the end of slavery and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. But that freedom granted to all enslaved people in 1865 was short-lived. In her video, Bishop Eaton recalls the stark differences experienced by White American soldiers, like her father, and African American soldiers after World War II.
“Like my father, after the war, the Tuskegee Airmen came home to start families and build a life. However, despite their sacrifices, despite wearing the same uniform and flying the same missions, they were denied the benefits of the GI Bill because they were African American. This is white supremacy.” Watch the video on YouTube here, download at bit.ly/4eapi9h.
Read MoreWe’ve released the 50 mosaic-style images created for the 2025 Synod Assembly after many of you asked how they were made. Using Midjourney, an AI tool that turns text into art, we created visuals inspired by handcrafted tilework and the desert tones of our synod. These images are now available for all congregations and ministries to use. View and download the collection in this blog post.
Read MoreMissed the 2025 Synod Assembly or want to relive the highlights? Recordings of both days and the stunning Thursday evening concert hosted by Community Lutheran in Las Vegas are now available. Watch the worship, music, and ministry that brought our synod together.
Read MorePastor Lars Hammar, who has photographed our Synod Assemblies since 2016, captured 75 beautiful images during this year’s gathering — his final one with us before departing for a new call in Washington. We give thanks for his faithful camera ministry and invite you to view the full photo gallery.
Read MoreOur 2025 Synod Assembly was made possible by the faithful service of volunteers, leaders, and congregations across our synod. From hospitality and worship to technology and planning, every contribution helped shape a Spirit-filled gathering centered on connection, discernment, and shared mission. We extend deep thanks to all who served—named and unnamed—and celebrate the many ministries and partners who made our time together possible.
Read MoreNearly 300 gathered in Las Vegas for the 2025 Synod Assembly, celebrating new congregations, electing leaders including Vice President Mark Myers, and hearing inspiring messages from Bishop Hutterer and David Scherer. Read more for key decisions, ministry updates, and highlights from this year’s theme: Build Up the Body.
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