Simple Ways to Serve: Join LSS-SW in Caring for Our Neighbors
Simple Ways to Serve: Join LSS-SW in Caring for Our Neighbors

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest invites congregations to deepen their impact through simple, actionable opportunities: becoming a Connector, supporting essential needs through an Amazon Wishlist, or organizing a Thrivent Action Team with up to $250 in funding. These efforts directly support refugees, families, and older adults across Arizona.

Grounded in the call to serve our neighbors, these opportunities offer meaningful ways for congregations to live out their faith—strengthening communities and extending care where it is needed most.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment
Sacred Spaces Reimagined: 2026 Faith & Form Award Winners Announced
Sacred Spaces Reimagined: 2026 Faith & Form Award Winners Announced

The 2026 Faith & Form International Awards recognize 12 projects worldwide for excellence in religious architecture, restoration, and sacred design. From the honored restoration of the Mesa Arizona Temple to innovative new and renewed worship spaces across the globe, these projects highlight how sacred environments continue to support faith, community, and formation.

Submissions for the 2027 awards open August 3–October 9, 2026. These award-winning spaces offer inspiration for congregations seeking to steward their buildings as living places of worship, rooted in tradition and shaped for the future.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardPartners for Sacred SpacesComment
In Memoriam: Pastor Bill Dowling
In Memoriam: Pastor Bill Dowling

Pastor Bill Dowling died March 31, 2026. A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held Friday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, with a reception to follow and a livestream available.

Those wishing to send condolences may contact the synod office for details. Please keep Pastor Dowling’s family and all who mourn in your prayers, trusting in the promise of resurrection in Christ.

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In Memoriam, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLord of Life Sun City West, Cactus ConferenceComment
LWF Easter Message 2026: Leaving behind our old self
LWF Easter Message 2026: Leaving behind our old self

In this year’s Easter message from Lutheran World Federation, Nepalese pastor Rev. Rinki Rachel Soren reflects on the transformation made possible through Christ’s resurrection, freeing believers from sin and redefining their identity in him. Rather than observing this season only as an event, Easter is an invitation to leave behind the old self, choose justice over injustice, and love over division, in a world marked by violence, inequality, and broken relationships.

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Global ChurchBrian Flatgard2026 Lent and Easter, Lutheran World FederationComment
Holy Week Prayer and Public Witness: This Week from LAMA
Holy Week Prayer and Public Witness: This Week from LAMA

This week’s LAMA newsletter invites us into Holy Week with a call to rest, pray, and renew our commitment to advocacy. Upcoming opportunities include hunger advocacy calls, environmental collaboration, poll chaplain training, and a national conversation on faith and democracy.

Explore new stories, action alerts, and events happening across the synod and beyond. Read the full newsletter and share it with your networks to stay engaged in this vital work.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment
Interfaith Action in Arizona: Events, Advocacy, and Opportunities Ahead
Interfaith Action in Arizona: Events, Advocacy, and Opportunities Ahead

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter highlights upcoming interfaith opportunities, including dialogue events, advocacy training, a Phoenix-based Prophetic Witness gathering, and community health initiatives. From faith and democracy conversations to heat relief volunteer opportunities, there are many ways to engage.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith NetworkComment
Office of the Bishop Updates
Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop staff will be engaged in candidacy work, preaching and leading worship, supporting conference gatherings and ministry conversations, and preparing for synod assembly and upcoming events. Alongside this, the team will continue core operations including communications, financial reporting and audit support, governance participation, and strategic planning for congregations and synod leadership.

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News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For the Artemis crew and all who are guiding the mission…

  • For protests in the West Bank against death penalty laws…

  • For victims of a Russian military plane crash in Crimea…

  • For casualties of a migrant boat capsize near Turkey…

  • For families of those killed in gang attacks in Haiti…

  • For Pope Leo XIV, the Dali Lama, and all faith leaders speaking hopes for peace in the world…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…

  • For support, visibility, and civil rights for transgender individuals…

  • For all who have experienced religious trauma and feel alienated from the church…

  • For the church in every place as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ…

  • For Jewish siblings during the observance of Passover…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Two More Seats at the Table: Youth and Diverse Voices Needed for 2026 Assembly
Two More Seats at the Table: Youth and Diverse Voices Needed for 2026 Assembly

Congregations are now preparing voting members for the 2026 Synod Assembly (June 11–13 in Mesa). In addition to standard representation, each congregation may elect two additional members: one youth or young adult and one person of color or primary language other than English, helping reflect the diversity of God’s people.

Thanks to the Bishop’s Leadership Fund, congregations can also send one youth or young adult for free using code YOUTH2026. Now is the time to identify leaders, broaden participation, and ensure your congregation’s voice is part of the synod’s shared work.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment
Stay Near the Assembly: Westgate Group Rate + Nearby Hotel Options
Stay Near the Assembly: Westgate Group Rate + Nearby Hotel Options

A limited number of discounted rooms are still available for the 2026 Synod Assembly at Westgate Painted Mountain Golf Resort in Mesa, with rates starting at $83/night. Reservations must be made by May 8, 2026, using the group code, and rooms are expected to fill quickly.

Additional nearby hotels in Mesa and Gilbert offer convenient options for attendees. Book early to secure your preferred lodging as we prepare to gather for worship, discernment, and shared ministry.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment
Workshop Proposals for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly due Monday, April 6
Workshop Proposals for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly due Monday, April 6

The Grand Canyon Synod is now accepting workshop proposals for the 2026 Synod Assembly. Workshops are one-hour sessions designed to equip rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical tools, theological insights, and ministry resources aligned with this year’s theme, “Rooted in God’s Story.”

Proposals must be submitted by Monday, April 6, 2026, with presenters notified by mid-April. Submit your workshop title, description, audience, presenter information, and technology needs through the synod’s online proposal form.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment
Faith Lens: The Interruption of Easter
Faith Lens: The Interruption of Easter

In this week’s Faith Lens reflection, Pastor Tim Wright explores how Easter is not just a celebration—but a divine interruption that transforms everything. Drawing from Matthew 28 and a personal story of injury and recovery, Wright reflects on how both joyful and painful interruptions shape our lives, and how God’s grace ultimately interrupts despair with hope, death with life, and fear with peace.

Grounded in the resurrection, this reflection invites readers to consider how Jesus continues to interrupt our lives today—with love that cannot be undone—and challenges us to share that same grace with others in tangible ways.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, 2026 Lent and EasterComment
Leadership in Difficult Times: Registration Now Open for Faith+Lead Certificate Cohort
Leadership in Difficult Times: Registration Now Open for Faith+Lead Certificate Cohort

Registration is now open for Leadership in Difficult Times, a guided certificate cohort from Faith+Lead running April 28–July 28, 2026. This live, four-session experience equips leaders with practical skills and spiritual grounding to lead faithfully amid division and uncertainty. Open to rostered and lay leaders alike, the cohort meets monthly on Zoom and offers scholarships. Learn more and enroll at faithlead.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Lay LeadershipoComment
March Mission Support Memo: Post-its Create Shared Encounters
March Mission Support Memo: Post-its Create Shared Encounters

Our March 2026 Mission Support memo takes us into a two-day training on Facilitation Fundamentals by our ELCA innovation team. It’s a room full of ELCA staff from across the country, across churchwide units, in all levels of positions. Read to hear how valuable folks are finding this approach. Also a tool for our synods is included in the memo, the Thank You Certificate, to celebrate our congregations generosity.  

 We cherish hearing about the inspiring stories in your synods, regions and congregations - feel free to reach out to Karen at karen.kretschmann@elca.org.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment
“This Is the Night of Salvation”: Join the Great Vigil of Easter at Faith Lutheran, Phoenix
“This Is the Night of Salvation”: Join the Great Vigil of Easter at Faith Lutheran, Phoenix

Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites all to the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. Beginning with a new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle, the service moves through scripture, song, and sacrament, culminating in the first Eucharist of Easter, the affirmation of baptism, and the welcome of new members.

Held at 801 E Camelback Rd, this powerful and ancient liturgy proclaims the resurrection story in full, inviting all into the hope and promise of new life in Christ.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Lent and Easter, Faith Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment