The ordination of Luis Ochoa was Saturday, 1/21/2023, 4pm MST, 3pm PST, at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chandler (739 W Erie St, Chandler, AZ 85225). Rev. Ruben Duran, the ELCA’s Director for New Congregational Development, preached, and Bishop Deborah Hutterer presided. The event was live-streamed on Holy Trinity’s YouTube channel.

Pastor Katie Langston, pastor of mission and outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah, shares her adventures in delivering cookies to the church’s neighbors.

“Operation Cookie Conversations” was the product of the question, “What would happen if we tried to talk to the neighbors near us?”

For the first time, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) ordained a woman into pastoral ministry, Sally Azar. Bishop Eaton invited us to join in the celebration by watching this short documentary about what women’s ordination means for the ELCJHL, as well as the livestream of the ordination service. 

What a day! For photos and a full recap, please visit lamaz.org. Highlights below.

• Nearly 100 advocates from 23 of Arizona’s 30 districts gathered at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy on January 30, 2023

• Sen. Raquel Terán (D), Senate Minority Leader from LD26 and Rep. Tim Dunn (R) from LD25 (Yuma) were featured speakers, along with Ashley St. Thomas, Arizona Food Bank Network; Jessie Gruner, Pinnacle Prevention; and Connie Phillips, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.

• Participants met with their legislators in support of anti-hunger bills HB2211 and HB2142

• Bishop Hutterer led the invocation in the Senate, advocates were introduced in the House gallery by Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D), LD13 and in the Senate by Sen. Raquel Terán (D), LD26.

• Advocates attended the Health & Human Services Committee to hear testimony in support of HB2211, which received a 9-0 due pass recommendation.

We welcomed Dan Potaznick to the Office of the Bishop team as Director of Generosity and Strategic Development.

Dan is called to the Grand Canyon Synod to help congregations & leaders across the desert in their mission to share the Good News of Jesus. In addition to serving the Grand Canyon Synod, Dan has been called as Associate Pastor for Outreach to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler hosted a Discipleship Journey Seminar on February 17-18, 2023. Keynote speakers included Rev. Charles Newman, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, and Bishop’s Associate Rev. Jacqui Pagel.

We prayed for Rev. Wallace Cole’s family and friends after he passed away on January 16, 2023 in Prescott, Arizona of natural causes.

He was ordained in 1958, then served churches in Minnesota (1958-65), House of Prayer Lutheran Church at Rock Point, AZ (1965-90) and American Lutheran Church in Prescott, AZ.

Thanks to the generosity of 225 volunteers, the March 2 Fountain Hills Food Pack for “Food for Kidz” provided 72,000 meals for hungry neighbors near and far. Read the full article in the Fountain Hills Times.

The ecumenical activity was organized by New Journey Lutheran Church and supported by Church of the Ascension and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran. Many other groups and individuals helped provide financing and volunteers including the Northeast Valley Consortium, Fountain Hills Presbyterian, Noon Kiwanis, Thrivent, Messinger Mortuary and Safeway.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) co-sponsored the Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13th, 2023.

The Ordination of Dan Potaznick was Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania. Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer presided and Rev. Timothy B. Johansen of Temple Lutheran Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania preached. Click here to watch the archived video on YouTube.

The Installation of Rev. Dan Potaznick was Saturday, April 1, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Bishop Hutterer will be preached and presided with Rev. Dr. Peter Perry. View the livestream here.

On March 26, 2023, Mount Olive Lutheran Church held a commemorative mortgage burning ceremony at all three of its worship services to celebrate the milestone accomplishment of paying off their building loan. They share their history and how this came to be in this post.

The Installation of Pastor Scott Klimke was Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at American Lutheran Church of Sun City. Rev. Dr. Peter Perry preached and presided.

In the last few months, I have had the privilege of traveling to various border regions around the world. These visits have left a deep impression on me, as I have seen firsthand the harm caused by physical walls and checkpoints. And now as we go through our Lenten journey, I am also reminded of the emotional and spiritual walls that exist within us.

As we move through our Lenten journey into Holy Week, I find myself thinking of the theme of our spring gatherings: From Worry to Wonder. 

The journey of the church involves becoming something new, not returning to the past. The path forward is to move together, exploring worries and shifting from a posture of worry to a posture of wonder.

Representatives from Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) gathered in Carson City, along with Bishop Hutterer, who delivered the invocation in both the Senate and the Assembly.

The Installation of Pastor Doug Moffat was Sunday, April 23, 2023, 9:30am, at Faith Lutheran in Yuma. Bishop Hutterer preached and presided. A livestream is available on their Facebook page.

As part of the Lenten Challenge between the Southeastern Iowa and Grand Canyon Synods, more than 200 individuals from over 70 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, daily decluttering, daily wellness activities, or a donation of a dollar or more a day for ELCA World Hunger. Individuals raised nearly $7,000 for anti-hunger efforts. Thank you!

Ultimately, the Grand Canyon synod won the challenge with more than 120 participants. A trophy, along with a video message from Southeastern Iowa’s Bishop Amy Current, was awarded during the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.

The Grand Canyon Synod International Travel Scholarship is made available by a GCS pastor and spouse because they are grateful for such experiences in their own lives and ministries, and they want to make similar opportunities available to others.

The 2023 recipients were Pastor Amalia Vagts and Pastor Mateo Chavez. Pastor Vagts will be using the funds to travel to Palestine and Israel with Wartburg Seminary. Pastor Chavez will be traveling to Mexico City to spend time at the Augsburg Lutheran Seminary there.

We are the Grand Canyon Synod, our namesake formed by the waters of the Colorado River. As citizens of the Southwest commemorating Earth Day 2023, we are keenly aware of the preciousness of water and the need to preserve this life-giving resource.

The Ordination and Installation of Tim Perlick was Saturday, May 13, 2023, 3pm, at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church. Bishop Hutterer presided, with Rev. Stephen Talmage preaching.

Tim attended both Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and United Lutheran Seminary and interned at Crossroads Lutheran with Pr. Charles Newman in San Tan Valley.

 The Grand Canyon has been awarded the Platinum Seal by Candid, the highest level of recognition an organization can achieve. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity.

We thank Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development, who helped our synod to meet a comprehensive list of requirements to earn this recognition.

The Synod Assembly is an essential occasion for us to come together, not just as individuals or separate congregations, but as the body of Christ. Our gathering is a time to reconnect, to learn from one another, to share our struggles and triumphs, and to discern the path forward in unity and faith. It is during these meetings that we are reminded that we are not alone, but part of a larger, dynamic community of believers, bound together by our common faith and mission.

In the words of Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven….”. It is with mixed feelings that I write this note to notify our synod that I am ending my season as the Director for Evangelical Mission of the Grand Canyon Synod.

Starting on June 22, 2023, I will begin a new season in ministry as the Senior Director for New Ministry Development and Evangelism at the Churchwide Office of the ELCA. I will be responsible for setting the vision and leading the team that works on all new ministries and evangelism efforts in the ELCA.

We are pleased to announce that Sarah Morris, of Our Saviour's Lutheran in Phoenix, was appointed to serve on the ELCA's Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Read more about the process here.

Sarah's dedication and passion for our church's mission is a testament to her commitment to serve our faith community. Please join us in congratulating Sarah and extending our heartfelt thanks to her for stepping up to represent our Synod in this pivotal role.

We welcomed Reverend James Dew as our new Interim Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) starting June 19, 2023.

Pastor Dew takes on this role as we express our heartfelt thanks to Reverend Miguel Gomez-Acosta, whose service as our DEM has been invaluable.

Reverend Dew brings an impressive record of ministry and shares our commitment to growing as Church Together.

The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly convened Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, 2023, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley. You can view photos of the assembly here, and watch the entire assembly here.

We're excited to announce an important development in our ministry in northern Arizona. Reverend Michael Girlinghouse, the former Bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the ELCA, will be serving as the Interim Campus Chaplain at LCM|Canterbury at NAU, effective from August 1, 2023.

As Abounding Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson closed its doors, it opened its heart with a generous donation of resources to Faith/La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, transported by the Grand Canyon Synod's new Interim Director of Evangelical Mission, Pastor James Dew. This act of generosity not only supports the growth of the Faith/La Fe community, but also helps connect much-needed vestments to clergy in South & Central America.

Introducing a new video, Loving our Neighbor, from Lutheran Advocacy in Arizona (LAMA). This video introduction from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA) highlights the importance of civic engagement in faith communities, particularly in Lutheran congregations. As Lutherans and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

In turbulent times, our shared faith is both a source of solace and a beacon, guiding us towards the path of understanding and unity. With our nation grappling with all sorts of divisions, it is vital that we seek not to fight one another, but rather to engage in open and compassionate dialogue.

This comes after recent events have left our hearts heavy. Reports of church burnings in Southern Arizona, protests at our churches that openly welcome LGBTQIA+ members, and ongoing racial tensions nationally have underscored the urgent need for us to live out our call to be peacemakers and bridge builders.

We are delighted to announce that Rev. Jonathan Linman, pastor at Faith/La Fe in Phoenix, has been appointed to serve as our synod representative to The Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Network (LEIRN). He will join Rev. Dr. Mari Larson in this capacity, strengthening our synod's voice within this influential organization.

LEIRN is a volunteer-based body representing all 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The network serves as a model for ecumenical and interreligious engagement, promoting dialogue and understanding within our church and beyond.

The Grand Canyon Synod hosted the 2023 Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix, which brought together ministers, deacons, and bishops from across the nation. It was a time of deep spiritual reflection, engaging conversations, and inspiring messages.

Watch insightful videos from the 2023 Rostered Ministers Gathering, featuring Bible studies with Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis and Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant, sermons by Bishops Kevin Strickland and Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and keynotes by Rev. Carmelo Santos, Jeff Chu, and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

The Ordination of Wyatt Linde was Wednesday, 8/9/2023, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley. Bishop Deborah Hutterer presided and Rev. Tim Nybroten preached.

Join us as we celebrate Lynn Hockenberger, the Early Childhood Director of the Year recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA). Serving as the director of Children of Hope Development Center at Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Lynn exemplifies administrative excellence and a deep commitment to integrating faith and education.

Every summer, this friendly competition brings together churches, businesses, and service groups in a race to collect peanut butter—one of the most in-demand food pantry items—and make a real difference in fighting food insecurity.

New Song Lutheran Church emerged as the 2023 champions with a jaw-dropping 16,235 pounds of peanut butter collected! They were closely followed by Community Lutheran Church, winning an award for the most creativity, with 9616 pounds. Other notable contributions came from churches such as Good Samaritan, Saint Andrew, Christ the Servant, and more, all of whom displayed impressive efforts in their collections.

The Installation of Rev. Ken Miller was Wednesday, 9/13/2023, at Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman. Bishop Deborah Hutterer preached and presided.

We prayed for Pastor Adele Stiles Resmer and the family and friends of Rev. Larry Resmer Stiles, who died unexpectedly after a fall on August 16, 2023.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, September 9, 2023, at The Fountains, A United Methodist Church, in Fountain Hills.

Lutherans across Tucson convened for a crucial discussion on allyship, advocacy, and justice. Led by Pastor Naomi Hartman, the gathering delved into Tucson's local challenges, the church's societal responsibilities, and ways to transform faith into actionable change.

We prayed for the family and friends of Rev. Roy A Guinn, who died August 24, 2023. Services were held at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oro Valley on October 16, 2023, with interment in the church’s columbarium.

We prayed for Rev. Chad Rimmer, his children, and the family and friends of Natalie Rimmer, who died August 28, 2023. Many in our synod know them through their work as ELCA missionaries in Senegal.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, 2 September, at St. Philip Lutheran Church, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Excerpts of Pastor Chad’s sermon and an acknowledgment of grief can be found here, and the full service can be watched here.

The Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission's House of Prayer celebrated 70 years with the historic installation of its first Navajo-speaking leaders, Patricia Charley and Patterson Yazzie, marking a significant milestone in their ministry.

We share an article from the Fountain Hills Times Independent featuring the churches of the Northeast Valley Consortium (Ascension, Christ the Lord, Living Water, New Covenant, and New Journey) and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and other partners. They helped pack over 200 welcome bags for refugees in Phoenix, offering essential items and a beacon of hope to those arriving from strife-torn regions.

Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix partners with 'Street Medicine of Phoenix' to offer direct medical care to the homeless. Witness the transformative collaboration, as covered by FOX 10 News.

The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, Berkeley, Calif., was elected Sept. 17, 2023, to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod. Johnson is the first openly gay man to be elected bishop in the synod. Read more at ELCA.org or at spselca.net.

Discover the journey of Autumn Byars, our new GCS Hunger Advocacy Fellow for 2023-24 on the LAMA blog. From her roots in the Southwest to her deep-seated faith, learn how Autumn is channeling her passion for justice and hunger relief in her new role with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona.

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Ralph K. Livdahl, who died October 16, 2023. He was 99 years old when he passed. A service was held Thursday, October, 26, 2023.

Glenn LaRue Schrader was ordained and installed Sunday, 10/22/2023, at Our Saviour’s in Tucson. Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer presided, and the Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan preached.

Rev. Carl Sirotzki was installed at Mount Cross Lutheran in Payson on Reformation Sunday, 10/29/2023, at their 9:30am worship service. Pastor Patricia Reed preached and presided. The service was live-streamed on Facebook and posted on mountcross.org.

Myrna Wells-Ulland has been elected as the president of the Women of the ELCA for the 2023-2026 term at the Twelfth Triennial Convention in Phoenix. Read further updates to discover more about her vision and the organization's future pursuits.

Join the Jubilation: Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center celebrates 30 years of spiritual guidance and community bonds. Festivities, reflections, and forward visions were celebrated on October 21, 2023.

Traditionally, we view Reformation Sunday as both a time of remembrance as well as a renewed commitment to the transformative power of the Gospel. This year, however, Reformation Sunday carries an added weight, as Living Hope Lutheran Church in Las Vegas closes its doors after 75 years of faithful ministry. 

As the Living Hope community gathers in their final worship service, we are reminded of the transient nature of earthly institutions, in contrast to the eternal promise of Christ's church.

It is with profound joy and gratitude that because of you that we—the Growing Generosity Task Force—announce the successful accomplishment of the Growing Generosity appeal goal! As Church Together, the Grand Canyon Synod has borne witness to a benevolent spirit through YOU, congregations and individuals, reaching and surpassing our stretch goal of $750,000 within three fruitful years!

Your contributions—whether one-time gifts, fulfilled pledges, and those who will achieve their pledge by the end of 2023—make ministry happen. It is your faithful generosity in response to God’s love that enabled the Grand Canyon Synod to unlock an additional matching 3E Lilly Grant of $150,000, lifting the total impact to over $900,000!

Recently, LAMA's Policy Council outlined its pivotal 2024 priorities, emphasizing action on food insecurity, voting and civic engagement, the water crisis, and housing and homelessness. Rooted in ELCA's teachings, LAMA commits to being a publicly engaged church, advocating for foundational societal changes that echo throughout hunger prevention, voter participation, sustainable water use, and housing access.

Join us in these pressing endeavors that seek to uplift our community and address the root causes of these social concerns. Interested members are encouraged to contribute to this transformative journey. Read more at lamaz.org.

We prayed for the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Carl Braaten, who died October 28, 2023. A memorial service was held November 25, 2023.

The Installation and Celebration of a New Ministry for The Reverend Donald Bebber as Vicar of St. Raphael in the Valley in Benson was Saturday, 11/11/2023. View online at facebook.com/straphaelinthevalley.

Rev. Joshua Pontius was installed as Associate Pastor at Community of Grace, Peoria on Sunday, 11/5/2023. The service is available on the Community of Grace website (boldrecklessgrace.org).

Welcome our new Transition Coach, Pastor Phil Gustafson, an experienced leader and Coordinator of ELCA Coaches in the Grand Canyon Synod, and join us in thanking Pastor Glenn Zimbelman for his exceptional service. Pastor Phil is set to continue guiding our community through transformative times.

As you gather this Thanksgiving season with friends and family—whether they be relatives or connections as family in Christ—I want to express my deep gratitude to each congregation and individual for your support and commitment to our mission as church together. Through prayer, presence, and financial gifts, your generous support has allowed the Grand Canyon Synod to accomplish so much this year. I am continually inspired by the way you live the call to love God and serve our neighbor.

Save the date! Lutherans and friends of Lutherans from across the state will gather at the Arizona Capitol in Wesley Bolin Plaza for a day of advocacy on Thursday, January 18, 2023 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm to learn, to witness, eat! and voice our common needs in the public square, activating our faith in love. Register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature 2024.

We're excited to announce the election of Rev. Benjamin B. Bergren to the ELCA Church Council, serving until August 2025. Join us in thanking Pastor Karn Carroll for her impactful service and in welcoming Pastor Bergren, as he brings his ministry experience from Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas and elsewhere to our churchwide leadership.

Join us in celebrating Rev. Lowell Nelson's impactful service as the Grand Canyon Synod Emissary and Encourager in 2023. Pastor Lowell's dedicated work in strengthening our community and leaders is a legacy that will resonate for years to come.

The Grand Canyon Synod is delighted to announce Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions, starting January 2024.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Janice Zimbelman and Rachel Line for their dedicated service. Deacon Janice Zimbelman will be retiring from this half-time position that is shared with the Grand Canyon Synod as Deacon Katie Kline takes up this work in an interim capacity.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” If you’re like me, when we enter the liminal season of Advent, this is the song that slows me down to a time of waiting and reflection. I imagine the quiet of Bethlehem, a world waiting for the birth of Jesus, waiting for the profound message of peace and reconciliation he brought into our world.

With the world, we are still waiting.