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.

The Youth Night of Connection planned for October 26, 2025, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa, has been canceled. Organizers thank all who showed interest and hope to reschedule at a later date.

Rev. Ryan Marsh will be installed at Crossroads Lutheran (2769 E Combs Rd, Building D, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140) on Sunday, 10/26/2025 at 2pm. Rev. Tina Mills will preach and preside. View live-stream on the Crossroads YouTube channel.

Following the installation service, there will be an angel food cake dessert celebration.

Celebrate 80 years of ministry with Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson during a History Walk on Saturday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. Walk through key spaces on campus as congregation members reenact moments from the church’s story, followed by a celebratory luncheon. Free and open to the public. For details or luncheon RSVPs, contact 520-327-6521 or oslc@lutherantucson.org.

Join Mountain View Lutheran Church for Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 24, 5–8 p.m. at 11002 S 48th Street, Phoenix. Enjoy a laser light show, food trucks, games, crafts, prizes, and more—plus a costume-friendly Trunk or Treat contest with a grand prize for best trunk. Volunteer or register your trunk at bit.ly/mvlctrunkortreat2025.

Join the Spirited Book Club at Spirit in the Desert on Thursday, October 23 (3:00–4:00 p.m. AZ/PDT) for a discussion of Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. The book invites readers to face global challenges with courage and creativity, offering a framework for resilience rooted in faith, gratitude, and community action. Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this conversation explores how Christians can live out “active hope” amid uncertainty. Register here: spiritinthedesert.org/events/spirited-book-club-active-hope.

Join the Oct. 23 one-day Virtual Addiction & Faith Conference, “Awakening the Church to Address Addiction,” hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Open to clergy, laypeople, and all impacted by addiction, this $50 event equips congregations to become safe, recovery-friendly communities. Register now and share the flyer to spread the word across our synod.

Join the Stephen Ministers at Desert Hills Lutheran Church on Wednesday, October 22, at 1:30 PM for a dementia and Alzheimer’s presentation by Rev. Jerry Haas of United Methodist Church of Green Valley. Learn, share, and support one another in faith. Dessert and coffee will be provided.

Join Mount of Olives Lutheran Church for Jazz Vespers on Sunday, October 12 at 5:30 p.m., featuring Beth Lederman and Donna Wilde. Last month’s concert raised $850, helping the Olive Branch Community of Hope Food Pantry serve 238 families. Enjoy an evening of jazz and generosity that feeds both body and spirit. 

Craft Fair & Bake Sale — Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix will host its first-ever craft fair on Saturday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The event is free to the public, featuring local vendors and baked goods. Vendor sign-up available online.

Resurrection Lutheran Church hosts its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 9am–2pm in Oro Valley. With 50+ vendors, food supporting the youth group, Art by Heart, and a diaper drive for local food banks, it’s a joyful day to shop local, support ministry, and share in community. Free admission and parking.

All rostered leaders in the Grand Canyon Synod are required to complete boundary awareness training in 2025. The synod has partnered with Faith+Lead to offer an online course at a reduced cost of $29, plus a mandatory Zoom review session with Pr. Jacqui Pagel. The course must be completed by October 8, 2025, and certificates submitted to the synod office by October 13, 2025.

The Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central (12 p.m. MST) at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Curry, the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. The service is open to the public, with livestream access available here: ELCA Installation of the Presiding Bishop.

Blessing of the Animals — Join Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix on Saturday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m. for a service in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Bring your pet—or a photo—for a special blessing as we give thanks for all God’s creatures. View the Facebook event page.

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.

Sept. 30 marks the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, honoring the children impacted by these institutions and acknowledging the church’s role in their harm. Congregations are encouraged to participate by offering prayer, wearing orange, and engaging in ELCA resources. Join us Sunday, Sept. 28 or nearby, as we remember, repent, and commit to healing. Resources and suggested liturgy available at elca.org/IndianBoardingSchools.

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.

His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Join the Spirited Book Club on Thursday, September 25 at 3:00 pm AZ (PDT) for a discussion of The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This short but powerful book invites readers to reimagine community and economy through Indigenous wisdom, reciprocity, and gratitude. Facilitated by Sheri Brown and aligned with the Season of Creation, the conversation will explore how gift economies can help cultivate peace with creation. Click here to register.

Join a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. CT titled “Addiction & Youth: Trends & Challenges” featuring Michael Durchslag, Director of P.E.A.S.E. Academy. Learn how early intervention can change lives and explore current trends in youth substance use and recovery. Hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith in honor of National Recovery Month. Register here.

Join us for Leadership Day 2025 on Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Tempe. Featuring ELCA guest speaker Rev. Anna-Kari Johnson, the day will include teaching sessions on disciple making, small group conversations, and practical tools for ministry leaders. Come for renewal, encouragement, and fellowship. Register here.

Join us Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran in Phoenix for “Service to Sanctuary,” featuring U.S. Army combat veteran Dr. Jason Phillips. Through original music and personal testimony, Dr. Phillips shares how music became a healing sanctuary after war. All are welcome for this free and powerful evening of story and song.

Come meet Dioany Yosuino on Thursday, September 18 at Mountain View Lutheran Church and hear how a simple Operation Christmas Child shoebox reminded her that God sees the desires of her heart. The Project Leader Workshop runs from 5:30–7:30pm. RSVP by 9/11/25. Visit the Facebook page.

Join us Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (AZ) for an online webinar and Q&A on how to apply for up to $15,000 in grant funding. About $175,000 is available this fall for innovative ministry projects that align with the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan.
👉 Register for the webinar
ℹ️ More info and application details

Dr. Philip Farah, Palestinian-American economist and founding member of the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, will speak at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Farah will share his personal story and insights on how Americans can support a just peace in Palestine and Israel. RSVP required. Refreshments served.