New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson is seeking a part-time Minister of Worship & Music to lead and develop its worship ministry. The position averages approximately 15 hours per week and pays $19,500–$23,400 annually. This lay ministry position does not require ordination or ELCA rostered-minister status.

Candidates should bring musical leadership along with a passion for teaching, collaboration and developing others’ gifts for worship. Applications are being reviewed as they are received.

The Grand Canyon Synod celebrates the ordination and installation of Pastor Guy Ilunga at Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix on August 29, 2026. Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer preached and presided, and the full service is now available to watch online.

Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites the community to Connections every Monday from 6–8 p.m. at Hope Hall, 1124 N. 3rd St. September gatherings include Movie Soundtracks Live, Social Justice, a free Latin Night celebrating Mexico’s Independence, Karaoke Night, and Jazz Night. Come connect with neighbors through music, culture, conversation, and community.

Gather Valley of the Sun is relaunching this fall! ELCA young adults are invited to a Tie-Dye Workshop & Fall Kickoff at noon Sunday, Sept. 20, at University Lutheran Church in Tempe, with an optional lunch at 11 a.m. All materials are provided. Congregations are encouraged to share the invitation with young adults in their communities.

Our August 2026 Mission Support Memo spotlights a story by First Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Minn. of our Southwestern Minnesota Synod strategically using The Generosity Project to build a culture of intergenerational giving and gratitude that eventually allowed them to retire their mortgage - they call it a "Mortgage Miracle".  Speaking of stewardship, learn about how your congregation can participate in the Fall “Cultivating Generous Congregations” cohort at a great deal. Finally, hear about how the Congregation and Synod Support Team is adapting to new staffing and structure. 

Registration is open for “A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Christian Nationalism,” a Nov. 14 symposium featuring Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod. Join the Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program in Sun City or online for a biblical and theological exploration of faith, nation, power and our ultimate identity in Christ. Cost is $25.

Good Samaritan in Las Vegas welcomes Matt Baird, vocalist for Christian rock band Spoken, on Thursday, Sept. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are $20. Congregations are encouraged to bring youth groups and friends for an evening of live music and community.

• Exploring Lutheran identity and witness

• Called into courageous conversation

• A message of ‘hope in face of turmoil’

The 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 in Scottsdale, offers pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers space to step away from the demands of ministry for worship, learning, meaningful conversation, and connection with colleagues. Join featured presenter Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos and leaders from across the Grand Canyon Synod as we gather Rooted in God’s Story.

Registration is open through Friday, September 18.

Could a Grand Canyon Synod Grant help bring your ministry idea to life? Approximately $175,000 is available for 2027 grants, with awards of up to $15,000 for eligible projects aligned with the synod’s Strategic Plan. Learn what can be funded, review the webinar and application materials, and start preparing now for the September 25 deadline at gcsynod.org/grants.

Continue the conversation with 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly guest David Scherer of JUSTmove. David is offering an eight-week online Culture, Power, Race (CPR) Learning Cohort for faith leaders, meeting Tuesdays, September 8–October 27, 10–11:30 a.m. Arizona/Pacific time. Participants will gain practical, biblically grounded tools for navigating race, culture and power while leading meaningful change in their congregations and communities.

Grace Lutheran Church of Phoenix’s longtime member Betty turns 100 in September, and her congregation is inviting the Grand Canyon Synod to help celebrate with 100 cards for 100 years. Send a birthday card or note of encouragement by September 10 and help surround Betty with the joy and love of the wider church.

The Office of the Bishop will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. We give thanks for the dignity of work and pray for rest and justice for all workers.

Nearly five years after more than 17,000 Afghans were evacuated to the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, a federal court has ruled that the federal government cannot use travel-ban restrictions to prevent the spouses and children of Afghan asylees from joining their families in the United States.

Global Refuge—which has accompanied Afghan neighbors since the 2021 evacuation—welcomed the July 30 ruling while emphasizing that many families remain separated. The organization is calling for swift implementation of the ruling and broader protections for at-risk Afghans who have already been vetted and approved for lawful entry. Read Global Refuge’s full statement.

As the 1951 Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary, Global Refuge reflects on the United States’ historic role in protecting people forced to flee—and warns that recent policy changes are weakening those commitments amid record global displacement.

For Lutherans, the anniversary invites both reflection and action rooted in our call to welcome the stranger and accompany our neighbors. Global Refuge outlines the history, the challenges facing refugee protection today, and ways advocates can urge Congress to recommit to a strong U.S. refugee resettlement system. Read the full reflection and take action.