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.
The Grand Canyon Synod is launching a series highlighting the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub. Begin with a no-cost Zoom webinar, “Land Back as Property Stewardship Ethic,” on Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Central Time. Indigenous leaders and ELCA partners will explore land return, the Doctrine of Discovery, and faithful property stewardship. Register today.
Lay and rostered leaders are invited to Faithful Listening, Bold Proclamation, three interactive Zoom workshops with ELCA pastor and Womanist theologian Rev. Sharei Green on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Arizona/Pacific Time. Explore Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom while strengthening practices of listening and proclamation. Attend one session or all three.
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.
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.
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 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.
Lay and rostered leaders are invited to Faithful Listening, Bold Proclamation, three interactive Zoom workshops with ELCA pastor and Womanist theologian Rev. Sharei Green on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Arizona/Pacific Time. Explore Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom while strengthening practices of listening and proclamation. Attend one session or all three.
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.
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.
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.
Lay and rostered leaders are invited to Faithful Listening, Bold Proclamation, three interactive Zoom workshops with ELCA pastor and Womanist theologian Rev. Sharei Green on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Arizona/Pacific Time. Explore Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom while strengthening practices of listening and proclamation. Attend one session or all three.
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.
Children, youth and young adult ministry leaders are invited to Camp Pinerock in Prescott, October 16–17, for 24 hours of connection, renewal and shared learning. The $50 retreat includes informal fellowship and participant-driven conversations about faith formation, intergenerational ministry and the joys and challenges of ministry with younger generations.
Reserve your spot by emailing Deacon Laura Book at lbook@gcsynod.org by October 1, 2026.
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.
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.
Celebrate being beloved children of God at “We Are Worthy,” November 14, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., at Love of Christ Lutheran’s Compassion Center in Mesa. Enjoy Bible study, music, a keynote, painting, and worship with Communion. All women are welcome. Complimentary registration is available for synod rostered women, with scholarships for lay women of color. Register and bring a friend.
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.
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.
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 SYAT Collective on Zoom, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for Advent renewal for children’s, youth, and young adult leaders.
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.
Executive Skills for Church Leaders returns January 4–8, 2027, at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. This leadership development experience equips rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical skills for today’s ministry context. Join the interest list now to receive early updates and registration access: bit.ly/ExecSkills27.
The 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering will take place June 28–July 2, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Held every three years, the ELCA Youth Gathering is more than a large-scale event—it is a movement of faith formation, bringing together thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders for worship, learning, service, and community grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The theme for 2027, “Imagine More,” invites young people to expand their vision of what God is doing in the world and how they are called to participate—imagining more justice, more belonging, more courage, and more hope for the church and the world.