Diakonia graduates are invited to one of three regional fellowship gatherings this January in Henderson, Peoria, or Tucson. Hosted by the Growing In Faith/Diakonia Steering Committee, each Saturday event (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) includes fellowship, a mini-course led by Diakonia instructors, shared lunch, and closing worship.

All graduates and instructors are welcome, and guests are encouraged. RSVP by December 31 to tinag963@gmail.com, including your chosen location and any dietary needs.

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church kicks off the new year with Jazz Vespers on Sunday, January 11. at 5:30 p.m., featuring Beth Lederman with Todd Herzog and a reception to follow. After raising over $10,000 in 2025 and supplying more than 8,000 family units with food, the Music for Food ministry continues to unite worship, music, and service to neighbors in need.

Join Spirit in the Desert’s Spirited Book Club on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 3:00–4:00 pm AZ (2:00 pm PST) for a conversation with author Peter Faur about his new novel, The Heretic Hunters: A Parable for Our Time. The book traces a denomination in crisis as authoritarianism, doctrinal purity campaigns, and personal courage collide—raising timely questions about faith, integrity, and the endurance of love.

The discussion will be facilitated by Sheri Brown, and registration is open. Learn more about the book, read early reviews, and sign up to join the conversation here: Read more & register →

Many congregations are facing rising costs, leadership shortages, and increasing pressures—but the gospel continues to call us forward together. Join the Grand Canyon Synod for “Possibilities in Partnership,” a synod-wide Zoom conversation on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 pm MST, 5:00 PM PST, exploring new ways congregations can collaborate and share ministry.

Led by Rev. David Pavesic, this gathering invites rostered ministers and lay leaders into reflection, conversation, and discernment around what it means to be church together in this season. Advance registration is required.

The “Effective Reentry Ministry for Ordinary Congregations” workshop scheduled for January 17, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix has been canceled.

Organizer Fred Nelson of the Inside Out Network is exploring the possibility of offering this training in an online webinar or alternate format in the future. Updates will be shared as plans develop.

Diakonia graduates are invited to one of three regional fellowship gatherings this January in Henderson, Peoria, or Tucson. Hosted by the Growing In Faith/Diakonia Steering Committee, each Saturday event (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) includes fellowship, a mini-course led by Diakonia instructors, shared lunch, and closing worship.

All graduates and instructors are welcome, and guests are encouraged. RSVP by December 31 to tinag963@gmail.com, including your chosen location and any dietary needs.

The Grand Canyon Synod gives thanks for the life and ministry of Rev. Richard “Dick” Glover, retired pastor and member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix, who died on November 17, 2025. A Service of Life and Resurrection will be held Saturday, January 17, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with visitation at 10:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m., followed by fellowship.

We invite the synod to hold Alice, the Glover family, and the St. Andrew community in prayer, trusting in God’s promises of baptismal grace, resurrection, and eternal peace in Christ.

Join the Grand Canyon Synod for our MLK Celebration worship service led by a synodwide choir lifting songs of hope and justice. Choir members arrive by 2:00 p.m.; service begins at 3:00 p.m. Full details and latest updates at gcsynod.org/mlk.

The Colorado River Conference invites you to a festive MLK celebration featuring guest preacher Rev. Dr. James Thomas, author of A Rumor of Black Lutherans: The Formation of Black Leadership in Early American Lutheranism (purchase at Amazon or Fortress Press). Learn more about Dr. Thomas here. Worship is followed by a reception.

Christians from across Arizona are invited to gather for the 2026 Statewide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Thursday, January 22, at 6:30 PM at Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church in Phoenix. Hosted by The Rev’d Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr. and the Tanner Chapel congregation, this ecumenical service is part of a global observance prayed by churches worldwide.

Using worship materials prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, the service offers a powerful opportunity to pray for Christian unity, deepen relationships across traditions, and witness together to Christ’s reconciling love. All are welcome.

As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ through word and deed. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, leaders are invited to a hybrid Evangelism and Congregational Vitality Workshop, with a local gathering option in the Grand Canyon Synod. This morning workshop connects congregations to regional teaching and local conversation and complements the January 22–24 in-person PLTS gathering. For details, contact Pastor David Pavesic at David.Pavesic@elca.org.

Diakonia graduates are invited to one of three regional fellowship gatherings this January in Henderson, Peoria, or Tucson. Hosted by the Growing In Faith/Diakonia Steering Committee, each Saturday event (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) includes fellowship, a mini-course led by Diakonia instructors, shared lunch, and closing worship.

All graduates and instructors are welcome, and guests are encouraged. RSVP by December 31 to tinag963@gmail.com, including your chosen location and any dietary needs.

Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Lutherans and friends from across Arizona are invited to gather at Wesley Bolin Plaza on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. for Lutheran Day at the Legislature. The morning includes meeting legislators, connecting with LAMA leaders, hearing speakers, and praying for justice, with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and lunch provided.

Held at the Arizona State Capitol in downtown Phoenix, this annual event equips us to live out our baptismal call to strive for justice and peace. Register today.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.

Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.

Join us this spring as the Grand Canyon Synod gathers across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Each gathering offers a chance for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to come together for learning, conversation, and community grounded in God’s Word. These events remind us that our lives and ministries are woven into God’s greater story of love, grace, and renewal. For full details, locations, and registration information, please visit our spring gatherings page. We look forward to seeing you there.