Bishop Eaton shares her message for our 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jacqueline Pagel, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 15 years on June 12.
Rev. Bernard Carl, who celebrates 48 years on June 12.
Rev. Lois Shuart, who celebrates 32 years on June 12.
Rev. Neal Snider, who celebrates 65 years on June 12.
Rev. Scott Klimke, American, Sun City, who celebrates 21 years on June 12.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carl Jensen, who celebrates 53 years on June 11.
Rev. James Slater, who celebrates 47 years on June 11.
Rev. Karl Guhn, Trinity, Phoenix, who celebrates 43 years on June 11.
The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland has been reelected to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, receiving 224 votes on the first ballot during the synod assembly in Columbus, Georgia. Strickland, a former ELCA executive for worship, continues to serve a region spanning Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. To learn more about Bishop Strickland’s reelection and background, click here.
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The Rev. William “Bill” Tesch has been reelected to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA’s Northwestern Minnesota Synod. The vote took place May 31 during the synod assembly at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., with Tesch receiving 263 votes on the first ballot—meeting the 75% threshold. Tesch has served as bishop since 2019 and brings decades of ministry and mission experience. To read more about his reelection and service history, click here.
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The Rev. Yehiel Curry has been reelected to a second six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod. The vote took place May 30 at the synod assembly in St. Charles, Illinois, where Curry was elected on the third ballot with 265 votes. A graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Curry brings years of pastoral and mission experience to this continued role of leadership. To read the full ELCA news release, click here.
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Our final Jesus, Church, and Me gallery features expressive, moving art by teens ages 13–18. Their work, part of our lead-up to the 2025 Synod Assembly, reveals a depth of faith and insight that inspires us all.
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Children ages 9–12 offer creative and thoughtful reflections on Jesus, church, and community in this third installment of our synod-wide Jesus, Church, and Me art project. Their work will be shared at Synod Assembly and as commemorative postcards.
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Explore how children ages 6 to 8 across the Grand Canyon Synod depict Jesus, church, and community in bold, faith-filled art. Part of our Jesus, Church, and Me series leading up to the 2025 Synod Assembly. View the full gallery and be inspired.
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For our 2025 assembly, we are reposting a great symposium on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order by David Swartling. View the PDF handout here, and the presentation is available for viewing here with passcode: TQgC5E!7
Special thanks to our amazing guest, David Swartling, for providing this valuable information.
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For the upcoming Assembly week, the Grand Canyon Synod homepage will transform into a comprehensive digital hub. Just visit gcsynod.org and you’re there! This enhanced homepage will feature quick access links and real-time updates to keep you informed throughout the event. Accessible on any device, our goal is to make your Assembly experience as seamless and engaging as possible. Stay connected with us and check back regularly for the latest news!
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A recent May term course brought together seminary students across ELCA institutions to explore a theology of disability and the practical work of building accessible, anti-ableist ministry. Through models of disability, disability justice history, inclusive worship practices, and leadership by those with lived experience, the course offered powerful formation for future church leaders.
From dynamic guest speakers to real-life case studies, the experience highlighted both the urgent need and hopeful promise of churches committed to inclusion. Click here to read the full reflection at ELCA.org.
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Registration is closed, and the 2025 Synod Assembly is almost here! Join us June 12–13 at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. This blog post includes everything pre-registered attendees need to know—check-in times, electronic voting details, childcare, what to bring, and links to the agenda, Mission Plan presentations, worship offering, and more. Review maps, prep for tech support, and preview highlights like our Thursday service project, fellowship time, and evening concert. Visit gcsynod.org/2025/assembly for updates.
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Applications are now open for the ELCA Disability Ministry Grants, with up to $35,000 in total funding available for 2025. Individual ministries may apply for grants up to $10,000 through July 31. Projects must demonstrate active engagement with people with disabilities and align with one or more core goals of the Disability Ministry. To learn more and access the application, click here.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Luther Tolo, who celebrates 63 years on June 10.
Rev. Lester Hoffmann, who celebrates 69 years on June 10.
Rev. Ronald Rude, who celebrates 46 years on June 10.
Rev. Thomas Rogers, who celebrates 46 years on June 10.
Rev. John Elverum, who celebrates 63 years on June 10.
Join us at Synod Assembly 2025 in a special service project to assemble 200 hygiene kits for individuals in need! We’ve set up an Amazon Gift List where you can purchase needed items, which will be shipped directly to our host church, Community Lutheran. Help us reach our goal—donate by June 1, 2025, and join us on June 12 during check-in to pack the kits. Let’s build up the body of Christ together! Shop the Gift List here.
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Those who aren’t registered voters or visitors can join us online for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, livestreamed from Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, June 12–13. With the theme “Build Up the Body,” this year’s gathering invites the whole synod to connect in worship, discernment, and celebration. View the full schedule and livestream link at communitylv.org/media/live.
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The Proposed Mission Plan for 2026–2027 is now available for review ahead of the 2025 Synod Assembly. Watch the recorded webinars, download the presentation slides, and read the full plan to prepare for conversation and discernment as we chart our shared path forward across the Grand Canyon Synod.
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The Office of the Bishop will be closed on Monday, June 16 for post-Assembly rest and recovery. After a Spirit-filled weekend in Las Vegas, we pause to reflect and renew before returning to ministry. We’ll reopen on Tuesday, June 17.
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In her Pride Month message, Bishop Eaton urges us affirm every person, every body and join together as one in the body of Christ. "Our unity doesn’t come from all being the same. It comes from being joined in Christ, who gathers every member, every body, into one." Sign the Interfaith Alliance pledge to Recommit to Pride: Sign the Interfaith Alliance pledge to Recommit to Pride. More info at interfaithalliance.org. Download video here.
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