Posts in News
Help Students Start Strong: Support the LSS Back-to-School Drive by July 21
Help Students Start Strong: Support the LSS Back-to-School Drive by July 21

The annual Back-to-School Drive from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is underway! Help students across Arizona and southern Nevada—especially refugee youth, foster youth, children with disabilities, and families in need—start the school year with the supplies they need. Donate items, host a drive, or make a financial gift by July 21. Supplies can be dropped off in Phoenix or Tucson, or ordered via the Amazon Wishlist.

Click here to learn more and view the full list of urgently needed supplies: lss-sw.org/backtoschool

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment
From Soil to Spirit: Exploring Jeff Chu’s Memoir in Spirited Book Club
From Soil to Spirit: Exploring Jeff Chu’s Memoir in Spirited Book Club

Join the Spirited Book Club this July to explore Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu, a memoir that weaves together faith, identity, food, and the lessons of the land. In two thoughtful sessions—July 10 and 24 from 12:00–1:00 pm (AZ/PDT)—participants will reflect on Chu’s journey from Manhattan magazine editor to seminary farmhand, where spiritual formation meets ecological practice.

Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this virtual gathering invites readers into a moving story of transformation, rooted in theology, community, and grace. Good Soil is a compelling read for anyone yearning for meaning, connection, and hope in today’s world. Click here to learn more and join the discussion.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSpirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Spirited Book ClubComment
Register today for "Bearing Worthy Fruit," A Retreat for Rostered Ministers with Rev. Karoline Lewis
Register today for "Bearing Worthy Fruit," A Retreat for Rostered Ministers with Rev. Karoline Lewis

Rostered and synodically authorized ministers are invited to “Bearing Worthy Fruit,” a fall retreat led by Rev. Karoline Lewis, October 13–15 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Together, participants will explore gender justice, embodied leadership, and preaching rooted in God’s transformation. Registration is open and act fast, as space is limited to 25 participants.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
Join the Growing Network of Creation Care Ministries 
Join the Growing Network of Creation Care Ministries 

The Grand Canyon Synod is already represented on the national Lutherans Restoring Creation map—and your ministry can be too. Whether through gardens, green teams, outdoor worship, or advocacy, congregations across our synod are invited to share their creation care efforts and connect with others doing this vital work across the ELCA. The Stewardship team invites you to add your ministry at www.LutheransRestoringCreation.org and help highlight how we care for creation in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Stewardship, Lutherans Restoring Creation, GCS Stewardship TeamComment
Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC) Kicks Off Second Annual Heat Respite Project
Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC) Kicks Off Second Annual Heat Respite Project

Ascension Lutheran, Scottsdale (top photos) and New Journey, Fountain Hills (lower photos) launched the second year of NEVC provision of lunches, water pallets, and electrolyte powder to Arizona Faith Network (AFN) cooling centers. Christ the Lord in Carefree, plus Living Water and New Covenant Lutheran Churches in Scottsdale join in the summer calendar of lunch packs.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNortheast Valley Conference, Northeast Valley Consoritum, Heat ReliefComment
Help Students Start Strong: Support the LSS Back-to-School Drive by July 21
Help Students Start Strong: Support the LSS Back-to-School Drive by July 21

The annual Back-to-School Drive from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is underway! Help students across Arizona and southern Nevada—especially refugee youth, foster youth, children with disabilities, and families in need—start the school year with the supplies they need. Donate items, host a drive, or make a financial gift by July 21. Supplies can be dropped off in Phoenix or Tucson, or ordered via the Amazon Wishlist.

Click here to learn more and view the full list of urgently needed supplies: lss-sw.org/backtoschool

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment
Final Push for Churchwide Assembly Volunteers—See Where We Still Need You
Final Push for Churchwide Assembly Volunteers—See Where We Still Need You

The Grand Canyon Synod is making a final push to fill open volunteer roles for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, July 28–August 2. We need nearly 100 volunteers to assist with tech, hospitality, support, and more. Learn how you can help welcome the wider church and be part of this historic event. Sign up today and join the team that makes it all happen.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide Assembly, Help WantedComment
Empowering Women with Love and Hygiene: LSSN’s Bold New Program
Empowering Women with Love and Hygiene: LSSN’s Bold New Program

Lutheran Social Services of Nevada has launched She Cares, a new initiative providing purses filled with essential hygiene items to women in need, along with ongoing monthly refills through a dignity-centered care model. Supported by local congregations and generous business partners, She Cares offers more than supplies — it offers restored confidence, peer support, and compassion. Learn how congregations like Holy Spirit, New Song, and Good Samaritan are involved, and join us in celebrating this meaningful ministry in our synod.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of Nevada, High Country ConferenceComment
Meditation, Book Studies, and Bag Packing: AFN’s July Lineup
Meditation, Book Studies, and Bag Packing: AFN’s July Lineup

From heat relief efforts to interfaith meditation, Arizona Faith Network is calling on communities to serve and grow together this July. Pack Bags of Hope, join clergy gatherings, learn about the Bahá’í faith, or participate in a prophetic book study. Learn more and find ways to get involved at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Climate Change, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
47 New Climate Projects Take Root in Faith Communities Nationwide
47 New Climate Projects Take Root in Faith Communities Nationwide

Faith communities across the U.S.—including 47 supported by Blessed Tomorrow—are launching new climate initiatives through small grants aimed at youth education, community gardens, Indigenous land restoration, and advocacy. These projects build relationships across congregations and expand on the momentum of 2024’s efforts. Save the date: the next National Faith + Climate Forum is April 26, 2026. Click here to read more about these inspiring projects and how your congregation can get involved.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Vision of Hope and Collaboration: Meet Bishop-elect Emily Hartner
Vision of Hope and Collaboration: Meet Bishop-elect Emily Hartner

The North Carolina Synod has elected its first woman bishop, the Rev. Emily Hartner, who brings a bold vision of abundance and creative collaboration to her new role. With experience across a variety of ministry contexts and a deep love for her home synod, Hartner encourages congregations and leaders to share their gifts freely to meet one another’s needs.

She begins her term August 1 and will be installed on November 15. To learn more about her leadership perspective and hope-filled vision for the future of the church, click here to read the full interview from Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Back to Basics, Forward in Faith: Meet Bishop-Elect Philip Hirsch
Back to Basics, Forward in Faith: Meet Bishop-Elect Philip Hirsch

Philip Hirsch, newly elected bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, shares a bold and hopeful vision for the future of the ELCA—one that both honors our Lutheran roots and embraces Spirit-led innovation. Drawing from a lifetime of leadership across the church and a passion for justice and inclusion, Hirsch lifts up the urgent need to reach new generations, name systemic barriers, and return to the heart of the gospel. His leadership begins this fall, and his insights reflect key themes identified by over 11,000 ELCA members nationwide. Click here to read the full Living Lutheran interview.

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News, ELCABrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Building up the Body: The Impact of Our 2025 Synod Assembly Offering
Building up the Body: The Impact of Our 2025 Synod Assembly Offering

Your generosity during the 2025 Synod Assembly raised $3,365.80, now supporting wildfire recovery in Southern California and essential services in Las Vegas through Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Social Services of Nevada. It’s not too late to give—join us in building up the body of Christ and making a lasting impact in our region and beyond.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardRev. Dan Potaznick, Stewardship, 2025 Synod AssemblyComment