In 2025, the Grand Canyon Synod awarded $108,900 in grants to 19 ministries, funded through your mission support. From Talking Circles in Phoenix to a revived Summer Day Camp in Sedona and regional MLK worship services in Las Vegas and Tempe, your gifts are transforming lives across our synod. Looking ahead, $175,000 in grant funding is available for 2026. Read more in the post or view as a letter in PDF.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa shares that Pastor Brian Weinberger has made strides in recovery from hip and knee surgeries, though a recent setback has affected his healing. His wife, Bekkah, expresses deep gratitude for the prayers and support from across the synod. A Pastor Brian Recovery Fund has been established to support the family; contributions may be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Please continue to keep Pastor Brian, Bekkah, their children, and the congregation in prayer.
NAU student and campus ministry leader Sarah Lee represented the Grand Canyon Synod at the International Seminar for Laypersons in Church Leadership in Wittenberg, Germany, and Geneva, Switzerland. From walking in Luther’s footsteps to advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and meeting global Lutheran leaders, Sarah’s journey was a transformative experience in faith and leadership. She returns with renewed vision for campus ministry and gratitude for the synod’s investment in young adult leaders.
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.
Less than two weeks remain to register for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Rostered ministers and SAMs of the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to join Bishop Deborah Hutterer and Wartburg Seminary leaders Rev. Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen and Rev. Dr. S. Helen Chukka for worship, learning, and fellowship centered on the theme Life Together: Lament, Love, and Christian Hope in a Time Such as This. Onsite and commuter options are available; registration closes Friday, Sept. 5.
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! Tuesday, 8/26/2025, 6-7pm MST.
Diakonia’s new 2025-2026 Foundation Year courses begin on August 25, 2025. This program, a long-standing ELCA ministry, offers flexible learning tracks to deepen your faith. Enroll now at www.diakonia.education and explore both online and hybrid communities in the Grand Canyon Synod.
Kylee Bestenlehner will be ordained at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (2 S Pecos Rd, Henderson, NV 89074) on Saturday, 9/13/2025, at 2pm. Bishop Hutterer will preside. Rev. Dr. Brooke Petersen of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will preach.
Clergy and seminarians are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Click here to RSVP. The service will be streamed over Zoom, link will be shared after you RSVP.
Solomon Kuch will be ordained and installed at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Church (7205 N 51st Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301) on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 1 pm. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preach and preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red.
The service will be live-streamed on the Emannuel Sudanese Facebook page.
Enjoy Classic Notes on Aug. 24 at 3:00 PM at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix, featuring ASU graduate students in piano and voice. A light dessert reception follows, with a freewill offering supporting the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission. Jazz Vespers with Beth Lederman and Alice Tatum follows Sept. 14.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has sent a letter to President Donald Trump and members of Congress expressing support for Jewish-American and Israeli communities affected by the Oct. 7 attacks, while voicing profound horror over the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza. Citing famine, mass displacement, and civilian deaths, Eaton urges U.S. leaders to leverage their influence to halt the war, ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid, and pursue a just peace for all in the Holy Land. To read Bishop Eaton’s full letter, click here.
“For the love of God, the sake of our shared humanity and the future of our Palestinian siblings of all faiths, your swift action may be the best and perhaps only way to stop the war and plant seeds of peace in the Holy Land.” — Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Pastor Brian Weinberger of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mesa, continues to make steady progress in his recovery, uplifting others with his humor and hope. The Bethlehem council has established a Pastor Brian Recovery Fund to support the family during this time. Contributions can be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2745 N 32nd Street, Mesa, AZ 85213, with “Pastor Brian Recovery Fund” in the memo line. Unused funds will go toward the church’s sabbatical fund. Please continue to keep Pastor Brian, his family, and the Bethlehem congregation in your prayers.
For over 60 years, Campformation has nurtured faith, friendships, and leadership among youth in grades 6–12. This summer, campers Hunter, Annie, and Stella shared how worship, community, and adventure shaped their faith journeys. Past campers often return as leaders, continuing the cycle of ministry. Read their stories and learn how to share your own memories of Campformation.
This summer, seven congregations from the Grand Canyon Synod made the long journey from Arizona and Nevada to Rock Island, Illinois, for a week that would shape hearts, minds, and futures. Leadership Lab—hosted on the campus of Augustana College—is more than a summer program. It’s a living laboratory where faith meets leadership, tradition embraces innovation, and young voices discover their calling.
A new water tank now serves the Dodji site of the Fedannde Jolof program in Senegal, thanks to the support of the Grand Canyon Synod. Installed by Senegalese Lutheran Development Services, the tank provides a secure water source for community agricultural activities. Leaders and residents alike express deep gratitude for this gift, which will help sustain livelihoods and offer hope for the future.
Kylee Bestenlehner will be ordained at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (2 S Pecos Rd, Henderson, NV 89074) on Saturday, 9/13/2025, at 2pm. Bishop Hutterer will preside. Rev. Dr. Brooke Petersen of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will preach.
Clergy and seminarians are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Click here to RSVP. The service will be streamed over Zoom, link will be shared after you RSVP.
Help the students of our companion synod in Fatick, Senegal, by donating $25 to provide a full set of schoolbooks. The Grand Canyon Synod’s Global Engagement Team invites your support by August 20. Every gift equips a child for success. Contact Cheryl Jones at 480-620-8126 to learn more.
Our new Youth and Family Ministry page is live! Discover resources for faith formation, summer programs, Safe Church policies, and national initiatives like TENx10. Meet our Synod Youth Advisory Team and explore how we equip young people and families to grow in faith and leadership. Visit gcsynod.org/youth-family to get started.
Solomon Kuch will be ordained and installed at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Church (7205 N 51st Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301) on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 1 pm. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preach and preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red.
The service will be live-streamed on the Emannuel Sudanese Facebook page.
Diakonia’s new 2025-2026 Foundation Year courses begin on August 25, 2025. This program, a long-standing ELCA ministry, offers flexible learning tracks to deepen your faith. Enroll now at www.diakonia.education and explore both online and hybrid communities in the Grand Canyon Synod.
Pastor Brian Weinberger was seriously injured in a car accident on Tuesday and is currently hospitalized, undergoing multiple surgeries. Please keep Pastor Brian, his wife Bekkah, their children, and the people of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa in your prayers. We invite you to read a prayer and join the synod in lifting them up in love and support.
Camp ALOMA’s 2025 summer season brought joy, spiritual growth, and unforgettable moments to children across our synod. From first canoe rides and faith-filled Bible studies to hilarious cabin moments and deepening friendships, campers returned home transformed. Read stories from Anna-Belle, Mae, Lucas, Maddie, and Reagan as they reflect on a season of God’s presence, laughter, and learning in the woods.
Seventeen-year-old Kenny from Love of Christ in Mesa served as both a voting member and Election Committee member at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. Invited by Bishop Hutterer, Kenny brought energy, thoughtfulness, and leadership to a week of worship, decision-making, and hope for the future of the ELCA.
Jazz with a purpose! Join Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix on Sunday, August 10 at 5:30 PM for Jazz Vespers featuring Beth Lederman and Kimberly Weston. This free concert supports the Olive Branch Food Pantry, which feeds over 150 families weekly. Refreshments follow, and the series continues September 14—guest artist to be announced.
Deacon Emma Janzen will be installed Sunday, 8/10/2025, 10:45 AM, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, (11575 N 1st Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85737, livestream here), with Pastor Jacqui Pagel preaching and presiding.
Rostered ministers and candidates for rostered ministry are invited to process and wear their albs. Color of the day is green.
The 2025 cycle for ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants is now open, with applications accepted from August 4 through September 15. These grants—typically between $500 and $1,000—support educational and networking projects that help ELCA congregations, synods, and partners deepen understanding and engagement around the root causes of hunger and poverty. Projects can include workshops, climate justice education, youth service learning, or synod-wide awareness events.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or work with a fiscal agent like a synod office. To apply, pre-register at ELCA GrantMaker (approval may take up to 10 business days). Click here for full grant details and application links.
Bishop Yehiel Curry has been elected the fifth presiding bishop of the ELCA, marking a historic first as the denomination’s first bishop of African descent. A former teacher and social worker turned pastor and synod bishop, Curry brings a deep passion for lay leadership, community-rooted ministry, and faithful embodiment of the church’s call. His story is one of discernment, hope, and gratitude for the church’s investment in emerging leaders. Curry will be installed October 4 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Click here to read the full story on Living Lutheran.
Kevin Anderson will be ordained Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 1:30 pm. The service will be in the Sanctuary at Love of Christ Lutheran Church (1525 N. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205). Pastor Steve Talmage will be serving as Assisting Minister. Pastor Nanette Christofferson will be preaching. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will be presiding. The service will be live-streamed at on the church website, on Facebook and YouTube.
Rostered Ministers are invited to process, robes are encouraged. The color of the day is red. A light reception will be offered after the service in Love of Christ’s Center of Compassion. If clergy would RSVP, that would be helpful so we can know how many seats to reserve.
In response to a recent IRS court filing, the ELCA reaffirms its support of the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits churches from endorsing political candidates. The church warns that loosening these protections could compromise gospel clarity and introduce partisanship into congregational life. The ELCA encourages faithful, nonpartisan civic engagement rooted in Lutheran theology.
The Grand Canyon Synod grant cycle opens Sept. 8 and closes Oct. 31, 2025 (midnight) for projects that advance our GCS Strategic Plan. Up to $15,000 per award (about $175,000 total available). Priority for innovative, collaborative proposals. Applicants should attend the September webinar (registration posted soon) and must submit the application (Word/PDF, proper file name), a Statement of Financial Position, and (for congregations) last year’s/current Mission Support. Decisions by Jan. 24, 2026; funding begins Feb. 2026. Apply: gcsynod.org/grants. Contact office@gcsynod.org / 602-957-3223.