News

The 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).

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The 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.

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The 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.

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As 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.

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While 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.

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As 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.

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Grand 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.

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As 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.

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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.

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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.

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The Office of the Bishop continues its post-Assembly ministry this week through congregational visits, pastoral care, leadership development, stewardship planning, and ongoing support for congregations across the synod. Staff will also focus on communications, upcoming events, financial administration, and collaborative ministry opportunities while preparing resources and plans for the months ahead.

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It’s a week of reflection, follow-up, and faithful momentum at the Office of the Bishop as staff attend and then wrap up the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, continue preaching, ministry support, and administrative work, and begin preparing for the months ahead. From donor and ministry follow-up to communications planning, financial reporting, and regional gatherings, the synod staff continues walking alongside congregations and leaders across our territory.

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The Office of the Bishop is preparing for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly while continuing ministry across the synod, including the Installation of Rev. Patsy Koeneke at Epiphany of Christ in Apache Junction (June 7, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM), congregational leadership, faith formation, and ongoing support for congregations and ministry partners.

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As Synod Assembly approaches, synod staff are preparing for key meetings, mission plan conversations, congregational partnerships, candidacy and youth ministry work, financial stewardship, and the ongoing communication and administration that support ministry across the Grand Canyon Synod.

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Next week, the Office of the Bishop will continue preparations for Synod Assembly through planning, meetings, and behind-the-scenes coordination, while also supporting candidacy, mission planning, worship partnerships, communications, finance, and upcoming synod events. Bishop Deborah Hutterer and staff will remain engaged in conversations, presentations, and administrative work to support congregations and ministries across the synod.

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This week, Office of the Bishop staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing work related to candidacy, congregational support, Synod Assembly preparations, communications, mission planning, finance, and ongoing ministry across the synod. Bishop Hutterer will also participate in Synod Council, candidacy interviews, and ministry at New Journey Lutheran Church.

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