In the coming week, the Office of the Bishop staff will connect with congregations and ministry leaders, support faith formation and youth ministry, and advance generosity and mission support efforts. The team will also maintain synod communications and complete financial work, while Theresa Thornburgh is on vacation.
We also share a photo from our First Call event after the Bishop’s Fall Gathering.
Read MoreThis week, Bishop Hutterer meets with conference deans and the GCS Executive Committee and joins faith leaders for a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, hosted by Bishop Reddall. Synod staff support first-call and youth leaders, visit congregations, and advance grants, generosity, leader resources, communications, and financial reporting.
We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma and the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering.
Read MoreNext week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14, while supporting the Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma, congregational visits, retreats, and First Call accompaniment. Staff will also advance ministry partnerships, generosity efforts, grants, communications, event planning, and financial administration.
Read MoreChaired by Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Deborah Hutterer, the ELCA Conference of Bishops welcomed six new bishops during its Sept. 22–26 meeting in Chicago. Discussions addressed churchwide ministry, consultation on benefit changes, leadership formation and ongoing discernment around Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Read the ELCA report.
Read MoreNext week, synod staff will celebrate an ordination and installation, preach and participate in mission leadership training, and gather for an all-day staff meeting. Staff will also advance generosity and communications projects, support grants and upcoming events, maintain regular news updates and office operations, and prepare for September’s financial close.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop will support candidates for ministry, connect with congregations and youth leaders, and participate in church leadership, advocacy, and generosity gatherings. Staff will also lead a pastoral retirement service, coordinate grants and upcoming events, strengthen synod communications and website access, and complete monthly financial reporting. We also share photos from the Synod Council gathering.
Read MoreJoin LAMA and LEAN on September 29 at 6 p.m. Arizona time via Zoom for “Mercy and Compassion Merging for Hunger Justice.” Bishops Deborah Hutterer and Jeff Johnson join food-bank and ministry leaders to explore faith, hunger, and action. All are welcome; no registration required. Join the meeting.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the Synod Council Retreat and then Bishop Hutterer attends the Conference of Bishops Fall Gathering in Chicago. Staff will also support installations, retirements, candidacy and first-call ministry, congregational vitality and generosity, upcoming events, communications, security, and month-end financial work.
Read MoreBishop Deborah Hutterer invites the people of the Grand Canyon Synod to approach the November 3 election with prayer, confidence, and care for their neighbors. She offers key voting deadlines, reassurance about voting by mail, and a call to seek and share trustworthy information as an expression of faithful civic engagement.
Read MoreNext week, the Office of the Bishop will connect with congregations and leaders through visits, preaching, a retirement celebration, the Conference Dean Retreat, and various meetings. Staff will also advance candidacy, ministry, grants, communications, finance, event planning, and administrative work while welcoming the Rev. Jacqueline Pagel back from sabbatical. We also share a photo of Bishop Hutterer’s visit to Trinity Lutheran Church for Pastor Karl Guhn’s retirement.
Read MoreNext week, the Office of the Bishop will support congregations and leaders across the synod through Bishop Hutterer’s visits and meetings, fall and 2027 ministry planning, congregational leadership development, grants, communications, finance, and preparations for upcoming events. We also share photos from our staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop will gather for a staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert while continuing to support congregations and leaders across the synod. The week also includes the Ordination and Installation of Guy Ilunga at Trinity Lutheran in Phoenix (August 29, 2026, 10:00 AM), ministry at Central Lutheran in Arizona City, ongoing grants and communications work, and preparation for upcoming events and financial reporting.
We also share photos from Bishop Hutterer’s worship with Church of Our Saviour in Lakeside, Myrna Wells-Ulland’s birthday at Spirit in the Desert, the Office of the Bishop’s visit to West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and a visit by author Bill Kalaf and former Vice President Paul Gryniewicz (2017-2021).
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop will be active across the synod next week, preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with ministry and synod leaders, preparing for upcoming events and the staff retreat, and continuing stewardship, grants, communications, finance, and administrative work. We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop is engaged across the synod and beyond this week through worship, pastoral leadership, ministry site review, innovation planning, generosity work, staff service at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and preparations for upcoming events. Synod staff also continue the essential communications, administrative, financial, and stakeholder support that sustain our shared ministry.
Read MoreAs summer transitions toward fall, Grand Canyon Synod staff are focused on planning, ministry support, stewardship development, and financial oversight. This week also marks the return of Communications Director Brian Flatgard from sabbatical, bringing renewed energy and gratitude as the synod prepares for the season ahead.
Read MoreWhile Bishop Hutterer is on vacation, Grand Canyon Synod staff continue supporting congregations, strengthening ministry partnerships, and preparing for future initiatives. This week’s work includes ministry reviews, stewardship development, event planning, website improvements, and the completion of key financial reporting for the synod.
Read MoreAs summer continues, Grand Canyon Synod staff remain engaged in worship, planning, administration, and preparation for the months ahead. Alongside ongoing ministry responsibilities, staff are also taking time for family, renewal, and relationships that sustain faithful leadership and service.
Read MoreGrand Canyon Synod staff continue their work of leadership, planning, stewardship, and administration this week. From conference leadership meetings and worship with congregations to churchwide collaboration, donor engagement, and financial operations, staff remain focused on supporting the mission and ministries of the synod.
Read MoreAs summer ministry continues, Grand Canyon Synod staff are focused on congregational support, leadership development, stewardship initiatives, and preparations for a busy fall season. This week’s work includes preaching, planning, financial administration, grant development, and strengthening partnerships that support the synod’s mission across the region.
Read MoreAs 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.
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