Posts in Assembly
2019 Synod Assembly recap
2019 Synod Assembly recap

Under the theme “Sing a New Song,” 385 attendees from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah gathered at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, for the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.

After a year’s work and discernment, the Synod council and Bishop Hutterer presented a new strategic plan which can be summarized as “Communicate Jesus, Connect People, and Create Possibilities.” This plan will guide and focus us in the coming years.

Other highlights included:

  • $4,636 collected in worship offerings, to be split equally between the ELCA Campaign and the Bishop’s Leadership Fund

  • Churches and individuals donated a truckload of in-kind donations for families seeking asylum

  • Elected new Synod Council members

  • Adopted the 2020/2021 Mission Spending Plan

  • Video reports from over a dozen mission and ministry partners

  • Wasabi-flavored communion wafers to bring the fiery spirit of Pentecost into our midst

  • Installation of the Synod staff and council

  • Celebration of pastoral milestones and retirements

  • Remembrance of pastors who passed away this year

  • Breakout and discussion sessions to discuss the new strategic plan and to hear from a variety of presenters

  • Diakonia Graduation & Dinner

  • Bishop Deborah’s report and sermon

Thanks to the people of Love of Christ Lutheran—Dick Beckman, Pastor Steve Talmage, and the brigade of volunteers—who warmly welcomed and graciously fed their Synod brothers and sisters. 

Thanks to the musical team from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, Nevada for providing the music and to Pastor Dave Drach-Meinel for writing 26 new songs(!) to drive home our theme.

Thanks to the assembly planning team for their work in creating a new way of assembling: Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Pastor David Brandfass, Pastor Dave Drach-Meinel, Pastor Steve Springer, Norine Floyd, Brian Flatgard, Dick Beckman, and Paul Gryniewicz.

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AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Bargain book sale at assembly
Bargain book sale at assembly

Herb Chilstrom, ELCA's first presiding bishop, has authored eight books since retirement in 1995. After income of more than $180,000, all donated to ELCA sseminaries and colleges, he's "going out of business." Some of his books are on one-half price sale at the Assembly. Come and take a look. Find some bargains!

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AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Prep for Synod Assembly with our handy resources page
Prep for Synod Assembly with our handy resources page

Let’s create a new song! Review our assembly resources page, where voting members and visitors can quickly find information and tools needed before and during the 2019 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.

During the week of assembly, this page will temporarily replace our regular home page. From June 9-16, 2019, you’ll be able to quickly access this resource page by visiting gcsynod.org or clicking the logo at the top of any page on the site. (You can find other assembly information on the main assembly page.)

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AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Last chance to register for Synod Assembly
Last chance to register for Synod Assembly

Don’t miss this important assembly, as 2019 is a year of transition for the Grand Canyon Synod. We are served by a new Bishop and seek to redefine our strategic vision, mission and goals.

We embrace this transition with a sense of excitement, adventure and hope for the future. We hope you will join us as we seek to “Sing to the Lord a New Song!” Registration continues through May 31, available on our main assembly page.

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AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Assembly Stewardship Opportunities
Assembly Stewardship Opportunities

Our synod assembly has stewardship opportunities for your worshipping communities and voting members. We will be collecting in-kind donations for families seeking asylum, as well as worship offerings to be shared equally with the ELCA Campaign and the Bishop’s Synod Leadership Development Fund.

Items needed include new and WHITE towels, medications, underwear, socks, hygiene items, food, backpacks, used or new clothing. For particular details on these items, please view our blog post, or read this Word document or PDF.

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AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Volunteer: coordinate exhibitor display tables at Synod Assembly
Volunteer: coordinate exhibitor display tables at Synod Assembly

Exhibitor display tables are an important part of the Synod Assembly. They give our ministry partners an opportunity to tell people in our synod about their ministries. Would you be interested in helping coordinate the display tables? The coordinator would work in tandem with the synod office to contact the list of exhibitors, get them registered and provide our guidelines for tables. This would take place in February and March. The coordinator would also oversee the set-up of the display table space at the Synod Assembly in June. Please contact Norine Floyd at office@gcsynod.org or 602-957-3223 for more details.

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Assembly, VolunteerBrian FlatgardComment