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.
Bishop Deborah Hutterer invites the people of the Grand Canyon Synod to approach the November 3 election with prayer, confidence, and care for their neighbors. She offers key voting deadlines, reassurance about voting by mail, and a call to seek and share trustworthy information as an expression of faithful civic engagement.
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.
Register by Friday, Sept. 18, for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, Oct. 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers will gather around the theme Rooted in God’s Story for worship, renewal, synod conversations, and keynote sessions with Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos exploring theology, neuroscience, liberation, and healing.
Single-room, shared-room, commuter, and extended First Call registration options are available. Registration includes meals.
Eligible Grand Canyon Synod congregations and ministries may apply for up to $15,000 through the 2027 Synod Grants Program. Approximately $175,000 is available for projects advancing the synod’s strategic-plan goals, with preference given to innovative and collaborative proposals.
Completed applications and all required financial documents must be submitted electronically by midnight Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
On the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Grand Canyon Synod remembers those who died, those who responded, and all who continue to carry grief and trauma. Grounded in Christ’s promise that death and violence do not have the final word, we renew our calling to reject hatred, love our neighbors, and work for peace.
Join the SYAT Collective on Zoom Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. to explore creative, technology-savvy fundraising ideas for mission trips, the ELCA Youth Gathering, airfare to camp, and other youth ministry experiences. Come ready to share a successful approach or discover fresh possibilities for your congregation.
The 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 in Scottsdale, offers pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers space to step away from the demands of ministry for worship, learning, meaningful conversation, and connection with colleagues. Join featured presenter Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos and leaders from across the Grand Canyon Synod as we gather Rooted in God’s Story.
Registration is open through Friday, September 18.
The Office of the Bishop will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. We give thanks for the dignity of work and pray for rest and justice for all workers.
The 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant webinar recording and presentation slides are now available at gcsynod.org/grants, along with the application and complete guidelines. Approximately $175,000 is available, with grants of up to $15,000 supporting eligible ministries and projects across the synod.
Watch the webinar, review the resources, and begin your application now. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, and late submissions will not be accepted.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Register by Friday, September 18. Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers are invited for three days of worship, learning, renewal, and connection, featuring theologian, pastor, and author Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, PhD.
Rooted in God’s Story, this year’s gathering will explore faithful leadership, healing, identity, human flourishing, and emerging questions facing ministry today.
The Grand Canyon Synod has received new reports of fraudulent emails impersonating Bishop Deborah Hutterer, this time using a fake Gmail address. These messages are not from Bishop Hutterer. Learn how to recognize impersonation attempts, verify suspicious communications, and protect yourself and your congregation as AI makes online scams increasingly convincing.
What comes after deconstructing your faith? The Rev. Katie Langston of New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George hosts Faith After Faith, a new podcast and YouTube channel from the synod-supported Promise Studio ministry. Through honest conversations, theological reflection, and storytelling, it offers a grace-centered space for former Latter-day Saints, deconstructors, reconstructors, doubters, and spiritual seekers exploring what faith might look like on the other side of doubt.
A congregation averaging just over 70 people in worship collected 1,440 jars of peanut butter for Interfaith Community Services—earning New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson recognition as the drive’s top per-capita donor and third-highest donor overall. Fellow Tucson congregation Tanque Verde Lutheran was also among the top five donors, contributing 1,187 pounds.
Pastor Greg Hartman shares how a simple food drive became a story of moving from scarcity to abundance—and discovering that with the Holy Spirit, a small congregation can make a very big impact.
Resources are now available from our August 18 conversation with Kendra Stea, ELCA Director, Misconduct Prevention, on safeguarding worshiping communities. Explore or download Kendra’s presentation covering mandatory reporting, Safe Church policies, misconduct, sex offender covenants, behavior agreements, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Congregational leaders are encouraged to use and share these materials—and to contact the synod when questions or concerns arise.
Considering a 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant? Start with the Grant Application Webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m. Arizona/Pacific time. Approximately $175,000 is available this grant cycle, with eligible projects able to request up to $15,000. Visit gcsynod.org/grants for more info.
The application window opens August 24 and closes September 25. Congregations and ministries with ideas to Communicate Jesus, Connect People or Create Possibilities are encouraged to review the new grant information and register for next week’s webinar.
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, 8/25/2026, 6-7pm MST.
Guy Ilunga will be ordained and installed Saturday, 8/29/2026, 10 am, at Trinity Lutheran (9424 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021). Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside. Color of the day is red. Rostered ministers are invited to process, robes are optional.
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.
Rev. Jose Valenzuela, called to serve University Lutheran and ASU Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 9/20/2026, during 10 am worship at University Lutheran Church (340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281).
Bishop Hutterer will preside through Communion. Reception will be an Einstein Bagels bar with coffee and orange juice. No RSVPs are necessary, color of the day is rainbow. Live-stream and post-video link will be on the front page ulctempe.org.
Save the date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. This year’s Rooted in God’s Story gathering will feature Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, theologian and author of A Liberation Theology of the Brain, alongside worship, synod conversations, ministry stories, and time for renewal and connection.
The ELCA mourns the death of the Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport, 70, the first African American woman elected a bishop in the ELCA. Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry remembers Davenport for urging the church, especially in difficult moments, to “pause, pray and listen for the Holy Spirit” so that we might respond rather than react. Read the ELCA remembrance.
The SYAT Collective continues its free continuing education series for youth ministry leaders with two upcoming Zoom events: intergenerational ministry (August 20), and creative fundraising strategies (September 17). Congregational leaders, volunteers, and ministry staff are invited to learn practical tools for strengthening ministry with children, youth, and young adults.
Rev. Annemarie Burke will be installed Sunday, 8/16/2026 at the 9 am service at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (7570 North Thornydale Road, Tucson, AZ 85741).
Please check the calendar listing or beautifulsavior.net for this event for up-to-date info and details.
Join ELCA Director of Misconduct Prevention Kendra Stea on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m. Arizona/PDT for practical guidance on mandatory reporting, involving the bishop, sex offenders in congregations, behavior agreements, Safe Church policies, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Rev. Jeff Hackler will be installed Sunday, 7/12/2026, during the 9am worship service at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (918 S Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ. 85338). Rev. Cherlyne Beck, Grand Canyon Synod Transition Coach will preside and install. Pastor Lisa Hackler, Pastor Jeff’s wife, will preach.
All are welcome and will be seated as part of the congregation. No procession or robes required for clergy. Reception immediately following the service, no RSVP required.
The installation service is available at either the church YouTube channel or christgoodyear.org.
As the nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer reflects on this milestone through the lens of faith—holding together gratitude, honesty, hope, and concern while reminding us that, through every season of uncertainty, we remain rooted in God’s enduring story.
We give thanks for Pastor Nanette Christofferson’s successful surgery and invite the Grand Canyon Synod to continue holding her in prayer as she recovers in the weeks ahead.
The Grand Canyon Synod raised $3,702.84 during the 2026 Synod Assembly to support the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Now, following an urgent appeal from Bishop Imad Haddad, the need is even greater as the church faces a serious financial crisis affecting schools, congregations, and core ministries.
Learn how your congregation or household can continue supporting our Lutheran siblings in the Holy Land through prayer, solidarity, and financial gifts.
The Grand Canyon Synod invites you to travel with Bishop Deborah Hutterer to Egypt, January 27–February 5, 2027, for a ten-day pilgrimage exploring the Pyramids, the Nile, and historic Coptic churches tied to the Holy Family. Hosted by Elias Tours, this active journey includes 5-star accommodations, a Nile cruise, daily meals, and expert guides. Cost is $3,890 (land only) with a $300 deposit required; registration is now open. Discern whether this faith-filled adventure is right for you and secure your space today.