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Take advantage of early bird registration for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly and secure your place at a discounted rate. Join us from June 13-15 for a gathering full of worship, fellowship, and decision-making. Act now—early bird rates end April 15, 2024.
As part of the Lenten Challenge across the synods of Region 2, a whopping 717 individuals from 148 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, daily decluttering, daily wellness activities, or a donation of a dollar or more a day for ELCA World Hunger.
Region 2 raised an estimated $56,135 — meaning, more is coming in — for anti-hunger efforts through ELCA World Hunger. Thank you! Read more on the LAMA web site.
Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes, Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity at California Lutheran University, joins the 2024 Synod Assembly as a special guest and Bible study leader, bringing her extensive experience in Lutheran higher education and commitment to fostering faith communities.
Pastor Carol George will be installed Wednesday, 4/17/2024 at 6:15pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church (11575 N 1st Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85737). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white.
A dessert reception will follow (please RSVP the church for the reception, not not for the installation). A livestream will be available on Resurrection Lutheran’s YouTube channel.
2024 Synod Assembly
June 13–15, 2024
Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa
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April 22, 2024 is the final day to submit Resolutions & Memorials and Nominations for our 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.
Set aside time for spiritual nourishment at the "Loving God with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Thomas Aquinas" day. Learn from the lives of these saints in a quiet setting, hosted by the Church of the Epiphany on April 27, 2024. Delve into discussions, enjoy peaceful prayer, and savor a provided lunch with like-minded individuals seeking deeper faith.
Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.
LAMA invites us to join the Interfaith Campaign for Food and Nutrition Security on May 2, 2024, for a National Day of Prayer dedicated to ending hunger in the U.S. This virtual gathering will unite faith leaders and activists to mobilize support for national efforts against food and nutrition insecurity, aligning with the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Register here.
You are invited to Servant Leader: Present, Equipped, Here—this year’s churchwide-sponsored leadership online event—Saturday, May 4 from 11am – 3:30pm PST/MDT. It’s open to all, whether involved in Women of the ELCA or not.
Including worship, Bible study, speakers and breakout sessions, this year’s leadership event will reintroduce the servant leader concept and its connection to relationships and community while acknowledging the many challenges facing organizations like ours in our current context. Participants will explore the leader-full community that is Women of the ELCA.
The ELCA is encouraging congregations and individuals to learn more about the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW). Visit ELCA.org/MMIW for a full list of resources to educate yourself and your community and plan a recognition of May 5, MMIW day.
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
Discover innovative and economical communication methods tailored for church leaders at the Grand Canyon Synod in the upcoming webinar. Learn to craft compelling content, manage social media efficiently, and build a volunteer communication team. Register here.
Explore the afterlife in a unique tri-faith discussion with leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic communities on May 7, 2024. Join this free virtual event hosted by ISBA to gain insights into diverse religious perspectives. More information and register here.
Join Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA) for the "Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice" webinar on May 9, presented by Rory Farrand of NHPCO. Discover the nuances between palliative and hospice care to guide patients thoughtfully through their end-of-life journey. View a PDF with info and registration here.
Featured Events
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At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
Discover innovative and economical communication methods tailored for church leaders at the Grand Canyon Synod in the upcoming webinar. Learn to craft compelling content, manage social media efficiently, and build a volunteer communication team. Register here.
We gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa. The exact dates and time are subject to change.
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
We gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. The exact dates and time are subject to change.
The 2025 Churchwide Assembly will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Mark your calendars! Times and dates may shift for this event. More info will be updated at ELCA.org.
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Submit your resolutions for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly by April 22, 2024. Ensure they align with procedural guidelines for a chance to shape our collective direction. Details on submission and review process inside.
Thank you to the 130+ rostered ministers who have submitted their annual reports, reflecting active engagement in our synod. We encourage remaining ministers to complete their reports, aiming to surpass last year’s total and strengthen our community bonds.
Discover how to create and live out a meaningful land acknowledgement in your congregation with Wartburg College's Land Acknowledgement Workshop on April 22. Gain insights, resources, and inspiration to honor the history and people of the land. View this PDF for more info and use this link to connect via Zoom.
The Office of the Bishop invites synod members to share their uplifting stories of faith and community. Inspired by the vibrant narratives from our spring gatherings, we look forward to celebrating your experiences and the remarkable ways God works through us. Submit your stories at gcsynod.org/share and let's inspire each other.
For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…
For people in Central and South America affected by the dengue fever outbreak…
For farmers and farm laborers as spring arrives…
For peaceful and fair elections in India beginning this week…
For corals that will die and ecosystems that will suffer as ocean temperatures rise…
For communities grieving gun violence, especially New Orleans, Louisiana; Salisbury, North Carolina; and Chicago, Illinois…
For areas of the nation experiencing storms and severe weather…
For safety, understanding, and earnest dialogue amidst protests in Illinois, California, New York, and Oregon…
The ELCA Church Council convened for their spring meeting at the Lutheran Center in Chicago from April 11-14, focusing on enhancing the ELCA's commitment as a welcoming, thriving, and sustainable church. Key highlights included the reappointment of Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, the adoption of new social messages, and updates on ongoing dialogues and initiatives. The council also celebrated the ecumenical efforts and internal governance advancements. Read more at ELCA.org.
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and AMMPARO, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) migrant ministry, have partnered to enhance training and support for asylum-seeker sponsors through the Neighbor to Neighbor program. This partnership aims to bolster community sponsorship efforts by offering practical support and fostering connections for asylum-seekers in areas such as housing, education, and employment. Read more at ELCA.org.
In the ELCA webinar "Go and Tell," held on April 13, 2024, Rev. Rodny Said provided a poignant update from Ramallah, highlighting the current situation in the West Bank. Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni took center stage to discuss effective methods of advocating for justice in Palestine and Israel, addressing frequently asked questions and explaining the concept of Sumud—the ELCA's commitment to partnership, awareness, and advocacy in the region.
As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Isak Tranvik, Uncivil Religion, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.
Martin Luther King Jr. has entered the pantheon of American heroes, to be sure. But his legacy is contested, especially in his relation to the assumptions of American civil religion, the common ideals of the nation. Perhaps King pushed beyond these assumptions and challenged them to the core with his concerns for the poor and the radical nature of love. —Isak Tranvik
For peace among nations, especially Palestine and Israel, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Minnetonka, MN; Washington D. C.; Chicago, IL; and West Philadelphia, PA…
For safety, protection, and compassion for all refugees, migrants, and those fleeing political violence…
For areas affected by storms and extreme weather, especially tornadoes and flooding along the Gulf Coast…
For Muslim communities celebrating Eid al-Fitr…
"Christian Leadership for a Tech-Shaped Culture" workshop on April 25th, 2024, offers faith leaders essential tools to navigate the digital age, ensuring technology enhances rather than hinders spiritual growth. Through interactive learning and practical coaching skills, this course empowers leaders to create meaningful digital spaces for their communities.
Carol Devine of Blessed Tomorrow urges clergy to weave creation care seamlessly into their sermons, advocating for an approach that melds personal encounters with nature, scriptural insights, and current environmental realities to inspire congregational action towards climate justice.
The Table in Nashville, led by Pastor Dawn Bennett, emerges as a pioneering ELCA congregation focused on the LGBTQ+ community's spiritual needs. Highlighting the creation of the first LGBTQ+ Women of the ELCA unit, this congregation’s journey underlines the importance of acceptance, love, and spiritual healing for marginalized individuals within the faith. Read the full article in Living Lutheran.
In a candid interview with Living Lutheran, Ále Suárez, a Master of Divinity graduate, talks about their unique journey to ministry as a queer Venezuelan American, the transformative role of expressive arts therapy, and the necessity for the church to embrace love and inclusivity for marginalized communities.
Join Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA) for the "Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice" webinar on May 9, presented by Rory Farrand of NHPCO. Discover the nuances between palliative and hospice care to guide patients thoughtfully through their end-of-life journey. View a PDF with info and registration here.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of the various regions of our synod. The Grand Canyon Synod is spread across lands in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, which are currently home to over two dozen tribal nations.
We acknowledge and honor these communities, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We give thanks to our Indigenous siblings who have cared and continue to care for this place — this land — and call it their home.
Learn more about ELCA Indigenous Ministries, land acknowledgments, and Native American and Indigenous education resources.
Submit your resolutions for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly by April 22, 2024. Ensure they align with procedural guidelines for a chance to shape our collective direction. Details on submission and review process inside.