Featured News
Rev. David Peterson will be installed on Sunday, 10/11/2026 at 9:30 am at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church (11273 E 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service. No RSVP's necessary. The service will be live-streamed and can be found on the church’s website and Facebook and YouTube.
Bishop 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.
Join the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, pastor-in-residence at Global Refuge, for a free forum on refugee resettlement and Lutheran accompaniment from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 3, followed by a reception at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree. RSVP by Friday, October 2, to admin@ctlcarefree.org.
Pastor Shafer will also preach at the congregation’s 9 a.m. worship service Sunday, October 4. Learn how congregations can put faith and welcome into action alongside refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers.
Register by Friday, Sept. 18, for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, Oct. 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers will gather around the theme Rooted in God’s Story for worship, renewal, synod conversations, and keynote sessions with Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos exploring theology, neuroscience, liberation, and healing.
Single-room, shared-room, commuter, and extended First Call registration options are available. Registration includes meals.
Featured Events
A no-cost Portico Town Hall on Tuesday, September 22, will address the 15% base-rate increase planned for Portico health benefits in 2027. The session begins at 6:00 p.m. in Arizona and Nevada and 7:00 p.m. in Utah.
Rostered ministers, council members, treasurers and other congregational leaders are encouraged to learn what the increase may mean for their planning and to ask questions. Register in advance.
An applicant for this grant must be an organized congregation, a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC) or Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministry (SAOM), or a Strategic Ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod. Visit gcsynod.org/grants for more info.
Shop for treasures and support Faith-La Fe’s ministry at its annual rummage sale Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7 a.m.–4 p.m., at 801 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. This bilingual, multicultural congregation welcomes everyone. Donations and volunteers are welcome, too; contact (602) 265-3394 or info@faithalive.com to help or arrange a large-item drop-off.
Rev. Jenn Luong, called to serve University of Arizona Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 10/4/2026 at 4 pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (1200 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719). Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. Color of the day is green. There will be a reception and meal to follow.
Join SYAT Collective on Zoom this fall: October 8 at 6:30 p.m. for a 2027 National Youth Gathering info session, November 19 at 10 a.m. for Navigating Political Conversations, and December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for Advent renewal for children’s, youth, and young adult leaders. Register separately through each event link, and explore SYAT and youth ministry resources.
Rev. David Peterson will be installed on Sunday, 10/11/2026 at 9:30 am at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church (11273 E 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service. No RSVP's necessary. The service will be live-streamed and can be found on the church’s website and Facebook and YouTube.
Mark your calendar for next year’s Bishop’s Fall Gathering—a time of rest, renewal, and community for rostered ministers and lay leaders across the Grand Canyon Synod. This retreat will continue our 2026 theme, Rooted in God’s Story.
Times: Approximate and to be determined. First Call Accompaniment will be on October 14 and 15.
Additional details, registration information, and session themes can be found on our 2026 Bishop's Fall Gathering page.
Join SYAT Collective on Zoom this fall: November 19 at 10 a.m. for Navigating Political Conversations, and December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for Advent renewal for children’s, youth, and young adult leaders. Register separately through each event link, and explore SYAT and youth ministry resources.
Join SYAT Collective on Zoom, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for Advent renewal for children’s, youth, and young adult leaders.
Hear survivors’ stories and explore Arizona’s Indian boarding school history through Listening & Healing Pilgrimage, screening September 30 in Sedona, 4–6 p.m.; Scottsdale, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; and Tucson, 7–9 p.m. Tickets are $10–$12, with free admission for Native American attendees. Find ticket links and free-admission instructions in the full post, and join this invitation to listen, learn, and reflect on the church’s responsibility in truth-telling and reconciliation.
Join SYAT Collective on Zoom this fall: October 8 at 6:30 p.m. for a 2027 National Youth Gathering info session, November 19 at 10 a.m. for Navigating Political Conversations, and December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for Advent renewal for children’s, youth, and young adult leaders. Register separately through each event link, and explore SYAT and youth ministry resources.
Shop for treasures and support Faith-La Fe’s ministry at its annual rummage sale Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7 a.m.–4 p.m., at 801 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. This bilingual, multicultural congregation welcomes everyone. Donations and volunteers are welcome, too; contact (602) 265-3394 or info@faithalive.com to help or arrange a large-item drop-off.
The Grand Canyon Synod invites you to travel with Bishop Deborah Hutterer to Egypt, January 27–February 5, 2027, for a ten-day pilgrimage exploring the Pyramids, the Nile, and historic Coptic churches tied to the Holy Family. Hosted by Elias Tours, this active journey includes 5-star accommodations, a Nile cruise, daily meals, and expert guides. Cost is $3,890 (land only) with a $300 deposit required; registration is now open. Discern whether this faith-filled adventure is right for you and secure your space today.
The ELCA has released “Conscience and Conversation,” a new study resource to support churchwide discernment during the reconsideration of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Congregations, small groups, and individuals are invited to participate and share feedback with the task force.
The accompanying survey is open through September 30, 2026, and responses will help shape a draft statement for churchwide review. Ministry leaders are encouraged to prayerfully engage the study and ensure their voices are part of the conversation.
Wondering whether God may be calling you toward ministry, theological education, or church leadership? Join representatives from all seven ELCA seminaries online Sunday, September 27, from 2–4 p.m. in Arizona, the Navajo Nation, and Utah—or 1–3 p.m. in Southern Nevada. Learn about programs, ask questions, and take a faithful next step in discernment.
Where in the world is your congregation connected? The Grand Canyon Synod Global Engagement Team invites congregations and faith communities to complete a brief 3–5 minute survey about their international ministries and outreach—and learn more about our companion church relationships in Senegal and Mexico. Please respond by September 30.
Faith+Lead’s September roundup includes Bible courses, a Scripture certificate, a free Matthew study guide, leadership formation, a new-Christian-community incubator and fresh podcast resources.
Explore opportunities to deepen your learning, discern your next step and strengthen ministry in your context. Read the full September roundup.
Partners for Sacred Places is accepting entries for its 2026 national photo contest, “250 Years of Religious Diversity.” Photographers may submit up to 10 qualifying images of historic U.S. sacred places in four categories, with prizes up to $500. Learn about the guidelines and submit an entry.
Youth musicians in grades 8-12 are invited to Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2027 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. Churches from around the country send students to LSM for an unforgettable summer of musical growth and connections in faith and community.
Churches are encouraged to nominate students, and students can apply now through December 1 for a Priority Enrollment $100 discount.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites people discerning seminary, ordained ministry or another vocational path to Signs Along the Way, October 30-November 1 in Berkeley, California. Lodging and meals are covered, and travel assistance is available.
Come explore your call, experience PLTS and connect with students, faculty and others in discernment. Learn more and register.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary’s free, online Founders Day Luther Lecture takes place Wednesday, September 30, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Arizona and southern Nevada; 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in Utah.
The Rev. Dr. Brandon Westengard will explore Martin Luther, Mary’s Magnificat and mystical experience in Lutheran theology. No registration is required. Join by Zoom.
Siobhan Gonzales is a shining example of someone who was “Called to Care.” Long before she earned her Direct Support Professional title, she grew up helping care for her autistic brother, an experience that gave her an understanding of what families want: someone they can truly trust.
Today, she brings that perspective to her work supporting two individuals with their daily routines and goals.
The reasons people become a Shared Living Home Provider vary from wanting flexible work to earning income at home. But the reason they stay Home Providers is often the same: meaningful relationships. Learn more about that in our latest blog post.
Today, she brings that perspective to her work supporting two individuals with their daily routines and goals.
The post Meaningful relationships are the top reason people are Shared Living Home Providers appeared first on Mosaic.
LEADconnects offers fall opportunities for congregations and leaders to practice holy listening, strengthen communications, discern strategic direction, and find peer support. The LEAD Exchange begins in October, with registration due September 30; a strategic-planning information meeting is September 23. Explore LEAD’s fall offerings.
2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering
October 12–14, 2026
Franciscan Renewal Center | Scottsdale, Arizona
Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers are invited to gather for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, a time of worship, learning, renewal, and connection with ministry colleagues from across the Grand Canyon Synod.
This year’s gathering will feature Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, PhD, theologian, pastor, and author of A Liberation Theology of the Brain.
Upcoming Ordinations & Installations
Rev. Jenn Luong, called to serve University of Arizona Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 10/4/2026 at 4 pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (1200 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719). Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. Color of the day is green. There will be a reception and meal to follow.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of the various regions of our synod. The Grand Canyon Synod is spread across lands in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, which are currently home to over two dozen tribal nations.
We acknowledge and honor these communities, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We give thanks to our Indigenous siblings who have cared and continue to care for this place — this land — and call it their home.
Learn more about ELCA Indigenous Ministries, land acknowledgments, and Native American and Indigenous education resources.
The Grand Canyon Synod invites you to travel with Bishop Deborah Hutterer to Egypt, January 27–February 5, 2027, for a ten-day pilgrimage exploring the Pyramids, the Nile, and historic Coptic churches tied to the Holy Family. Hosted by Elias Tours, this active journey includes 5-star accommodations, a Nile cruise, daily meals, and expert guides. Cost is $3,890 (land only) with a $300 deposit required; registration is now open. Discern whether this faith-filled adventure is right for you and secure your space today.