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Celebrating Seven Ordinations in 2025: Your Mission Support Makes It Possible

Celebrating Seven Ordinations in 2025: Your Mission Support Makes It Possible

The Grand Canyon Synod is celebrating a record year of leadership formation with six ordinations in 2025 and a seventh scheduled for December, including our first-ever two deacons in Word and Service Ministry. Thanks to your congregation’s mission support, leaders across the synod are being raised up, equipped, and called into ministry.

Bishop Hutterer’s 2025 Impact Story highlights the journey of Rev. Solomon Kuch, a South Sudanese refugee who served Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship for years while working night shifts, raising a family, and completing seminary. His ordination shows what becomes possible when a community’s generosity meets God’s call. Download and share the full story to celebrate how your mission support is transforming lives and empowering ministry across our synod. View the letter in English and Spanish here.

Grand Canyon Synod, Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardNovember 14, 2025Bishop Hutterer Letters, Mission Support, Stewardship, Mission Support ImpactComment

Siete ordenaciones en 2025: Su congregación está formando líderes

Siete ordenaciones en 2025: Su congregación está formando líderes

El Sínodo del Gran Cañón celebra un año histórico con seis ordenaciones en 2025 y una séptima prevista para diciembre, incluyendo por primera vez dos diáconos en el Ministerio de Palabra y Servicio. Gracias al apoyo misionero de sus congregaciones, nuevos líderes están siendo acompañados, formados y enviados a servir en comunidades de todo nuestro sínodo.

La historia destacada de este año es la del Rev. Solomon Kuch, un refugiado sudsudanés que sirvió fielmente durante años mientras trabajaba turnos nocturnos, criaba a su familia y completaba el seminario. Su ordenación muestra lo que sucede cuando la generosidad de una congregación se une al llamado de Dios. Descargue y comparta la carta completa para celebrar cómo su apoyo transforma vidas y fortalece el liderazgo en nuestro sínodo. Descarga la historia completa aquí:: Inglés y Español.

Grand Canyon Synod, Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardNovember 14, 2025Bishop Hutterer Letters, Mission Support, Stewardship, Mission Support ImpactComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

This week, the Office of the Bishop gathers for the synod council meeting and travels to churches for worship and giving thanks..

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardNovember 13, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

This week, the Office of the Bishop continues its work across the synod, from preaching, teaching, and stewardship support to event planning, communications, and financial administration.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardNovember 6, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

This week, the Office of the Bishop is actively engaging across our synod and Churchwide—preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with youth and parents, developing mission and stewardship plans, collaborating with national partners, and tending to communication, finance, and event planning to support ministries across the synod.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 30, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop is navigating a difficult and tender time for our synod community. Even as we respond with care and transparency, the staff continues its steady work of supporting congregations, leaders, and ministries throughout our synod.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 23, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

From congregational visits and grant consultations to teaching and preaching, our team is actively supporting ministries across the synod, as Bishop Hutterer and Theresa take well-deserved time for rest and renewal.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 16, 2025Office of the BishopComment

ELCA Bishops Convene in Minneapolis — Bishop Hutterer Begins Her Term as Chair

ELCA Bishops Convene in Minneapolis — Bishop Hutterer Begins Her Term as Chair

The ELCA Conference of Bishops gathered in Minneapolis Oct. 5–7, following the installation of Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. Bishop Curry announced that his first-year focus will be on building “a connected church,” drawing from the image of Christ as the vine and the church as the branches. During the meeting, Bishop Hutterer began her term as chair of the conference. Bishops discussed communication and unity amid political polarization, received updates on task forces and global partnerships, and reflected on how to live faithfully as a connected, sustainable church.

Read the full ELCA news release here: ELCA Conference of Bishops Gathers in Minneapolis ›

Bishop Hutterer, ELCABrian FlatgardOctober 15, 2025Conference of Bishops Comments

ELCA Bishops: Love Must Be Our Public Witness

ELCA Bishops: Love Must Be Our Public Witness

Nearly every ELCA bishop—including Bishop Deborah Hutterer—has signed a letter calling Lutherans to be a public witness of love and justice in a time of fear and division. The letter affirms that Christian Nationalism distorts the gospel and urges faithful action grounded in God’s inclusive love.

Read the bishops’ full letter on the LAMA site.

Bishop Hutterer, ELCABrian FlatgardOctober 15, 2025Conference of Bishops, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Church and SocietyComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop helps Santa Cruz Lutheran in Tucson Celebrate 40 Years this weekend, attends the "Bearing Worthy Fruit" Retreat, and some of the staff departs for the 2025 Pilgrimage to Greece.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 9, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Bishop Hutterer: Stepping into Sabbath

Bishop Hutterer: Stepping into Sabbath

Bishop Deborah Hutterer shares her gratitude for the people and ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod as she prepares for a sabbatical in November and continuing through January 2026. During this time of prayer and renewal, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop, working closely with synod staff to ensure continuity. Bishop Hutterer invites prayers for renewal and guidance as our synod enters this season of reflection and preparation for the work ahead.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2025Bishop Hutterer LettersComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

Bishop Hutterer traveled to Minneapolis for the Installation of Rev. Yehiel Curry as ELCA Presiding Bishop as well as the Conference of Bishops. We also share photos from our 2025 Bishop’s Fall Gathering.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 2, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop gathers with rostered ministers at the Bishop’s Fall Gathering and prepares for the Bishop’s upcoming sabbatical. And we share photos from the most recent Synod Council Retreat.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 25, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop hosts the Synod Council Retreat, prepares for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, and attends Leadership Day 2025 at King of Glory in Tempe. We also share photos from the Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 18, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Rev. Mike Girlinghouse to Serve as Acting Bishop During Sabbatical

Rev. Mike Girlinghouse to Serve as Acting Bishop During Sabbatical

This fall, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop while Bishop Hutterer is on sabbatical. A former bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod (2011–2023) and now Chaplain at LCM Canterbury at NAU in Flagstaff, Pastor Mike brings decades of leadership experience and will meet weekly with our Office of the Bishop staff.

We are grateful for his steady presence and pastoral care during this sabbatical season, and we invite your prayers for him, Bishop Hutterer, and our synod’s continued ministry.

Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 17, 2025Comment

Preparing for Renewal: Bishop Hutterer’s Upcoming Sabbatical

Preparing for Renewal: Bishop Hutterer’s Upcoming Sabbatical

This fall, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will begin her first sabbatical, traveling to Malta with her husband Alan and continuing through January 2026. Sabbaticals are a best practice in the church, offering time for renewal, prayer, and grounding in God’s Word.

Our synod is well prepared for this season with strong leadership, stable systems, and Rev. Mike Girlinghouse on call for emergencies. Please keep Bishop Hutterer in prayer as she prepares for this sabbatical journey of rest, renewal, and hope.

Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 17, 2025Comment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop attends the Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, Sep 13, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, and Leadership Day 2025 at King of Glory in Tempe, Sep 20, 2025. We also share a photo from our in-person staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 11, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop attends an in-person staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert and plans for the upcoming year.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 4, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop visits and preaches at various congregations around the synod, and takes a day off on Labor Day. We also share photos from the Installation and Ordination of Solomon Kuch at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 28, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Obispa Hutterer: Por el Bien del Mundo

Obispa Hutterer: Por el Bien del Mundo

La Obispa Hutterer comparte con gratitud sus reflexiones sobre la Asamblea de toda la Iglesia de la ELCA 2025, donde el Sínodo del Gran Cañón fue anfitrión. Destaca la dedicación de los voluntarios, las transiciones históricas de liderazgo en la ELCA y la alegría de ser una sola iglesia expresada en congregaciones, sínodos y en toda la organización eclesial.

Bishop Hutterer, Letters, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAugust 27, 2025Bishop Hutterer Letters, 2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment