Grand Canyon Synod

News

Installation of Pastor Jeff Hackler at Christ Evangelical Church in Goodyear

Installation of Pastor Jeff Hackler at Christ Evangelical Church in Goodyear

Rev. Jeff Hackler will be installed Sunday, 7/12/2026, during the 9am worship service at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (918 S Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ. 85338). Rev. Cherlyne Beck, Grand Canyon Synod Transition Coach will preside and install. Pastor Lisa Hackler, Pastor Jeff’s wife, will preach.

All are welcome and will be seated as part of the congregation. No procession or robes required for clergy. Reception immediately following the service, no RSVP required.

The installation service is available at either the church YouTube channel or christgoodyear.org.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 6, 2026Ordinations and InstallationsComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Arlyn Norris, who celebrates 51 years on July 6.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 6, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Deacon Bernice Johnson, who celebrates 67 years on July 5.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Bishop Hutterer: A Pastoral Letter for the 250th Anniversary of the United States

Bishop Hutterer: A Pastoral Letter for the 250th Anniversary of the United States

As the nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer reflects on this milestone through the lens of faith—holding together gratitude, honesty, hope, and concern while reminding us that, through every season of uncertainty, we remain rooted in God’s enduring story.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 4, 2026Bishop Hutterer Letters, 2026 Synod Assembly, PentecostComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

This week, Grand Canyon Synod staff remain engaged in leadership development, stewardship planning, camp ministry, and ongoing support for congregations and ministry partners. Bishop Hutterer joins colleagues from across the church at the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering, while synod staff continue preparations for future ministry initiatives, events, and financial operations.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 2, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church invites you to Jazz Vespers on July 12 at 5:30 PM, featuring Beth Lederman and guest musicians. As the congregation continues serving nearly 300 families weekly, this “Music for Food” ministry remains a vital response to rising food insecurity.

Join for worship, music, and fellowship—and be part of sustaining this ongoing ministry of compassion.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 1, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Glenn Zorb, who celebrates 47 years on July 1.
Rev. Jan Flaaten, who celebrates 53 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Hutson Jr., who celebrates 53 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Rod, who celebrates 53 years on July 1.
Rev. James Dew, who celebrates 36 years on July 1.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 1, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Randy Winsand, Lord of Grace, Tucson, who celebrates 13 years on June 30.
Rev. Myron Nysether, who celebrates 52 years on June 30.
Rev. John Williams, who celebrates 53 years on June 30.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 30, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Gayle Bintliff, who celebrates 25 years on June 29.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 29, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Craig Corbin, Mount Olive, Lake Havasu City, who celebrates 39 years on June 28.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 28, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. David Towers, who celebrates 50 years on June 27.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 27, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Giving Thanks and Continuing to Pray for Pastor Nanette Christofferson

Giving Thanks and Continuing to Pray for Pastor Nanette Christofferson

We give thanks for Pastor Nanette Christofferson’s successful surgery and invite the Grand Canyon Synod to continue holding her in prayer as she recovers in the weeks ahead.

Grand Canyon Synod, PrayersBrian FlatgardJune 26, 2026Love of Christ MesaComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. John Geske, Mayo, Scottsdale, who celebrates 38 years on June 26.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 26, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

King of Glory Preschool in Tempe Seeks Assistant Teacher for Pre-K Classroom

King of Glory Preschool in Tempe Seeks Assistant Teacher for Pre-K Classroom

King of Glory Preschool in Tempe is hiring an Assistant Teacher for its Pre-K classroom. The preschool is seeking a compassionate individual with experience working with young children who is passionate about helping them learn and grow in a caring Christian environment. Interested applicants can contact preschool@kogaz.org for more information. View PDF job description here.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 25, 2026help wanted, King of Glory Tempe, Fiesta Conference, Help WantedComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Scott Hove, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 31 years on June 25.
Rev. Dennis Hagstrom, who celebrates 49 years on June 25.
Rev. Stephen J. Nelson, who celebrates 48 years on June 25.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 25, 2026Ordination Anniversaries Comments

Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month

Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month

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! Tuesday, 7/28/2026, 6-7pm MST.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 23, 2026hunger, Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders NetworkComment

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Music for Food Lives On: Join the July 12 Jazz Vespers Gathering

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church invites you to Jazz Vespers on July 12 at 5:30 PM, featuring Beth Lederman and guest musicians. As the congregation continues serving nearly 300 families weekly, this “Music for Food” ministry remains a vital response to rising food insecurity.

Join for worship, music, and fellowship—and be part of sustaining this ongoing ministry of compassion.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 23, 2026Capital Conference, Hunger, Mount of Olives PhoenixComment

America at 250: Holding Gratitude and Humility

America at 250: Holding Gratitude and Humility

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry invites Lutherans to hold both gratitude and humility. In the latest installment of his All Together in One Place series, Curry reflects on the nation’s aspirations, its failures to live fully into those ideals, and the Christian call to repentance, justice, and service rooted in Christ’s resurrection.

Drawing on Scripture and the ELCA’s social teaching, Curry encourages the church to remember its baptismal unity, name sin honestly, and work for the common good while trusting in God’s ever-unfolding grace. Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s full reflection.

ELCA, Bishop CurryBrian FlatgardJune 23, 2026Bishop Curry Letters, Church and SocietyComment

$100 Stipend Offered for Storytelling Focus Groups Beginning This Weekend

$100 Stipend Offered for Storytelling Focus Groups Beginning This Weekend

Focus groups for the ELCA’s Rooted + Rising storytelling initiative begin June 26, and organizers are seeking participants now. The project is especially interested in hearing from people who are not currently connected to a church but are willing to share their experiences of faith, spirituality, belonging, or Christianity. Selected participants will receive a $100 stipend for a two-hour virtual conversation.

ELCA, Region 2, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 23, 2026Thriving Leadership Formation Program, Lilly GrantComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Grand Canyon Synod staff continues its ministry across the synod this week, with Bishop Hutterer participating in Diakonia graduation and new bishop formation, while staff members engage in leadership development, congregational visits, stewardship conversations, event planning, and ongoing support for congregations and ministry partners. Two staff members are also on sabbatical as the work of the synod continues through collaboration and shared leadership.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 23, 2026Office of the BishopComment