2026 Synod Assembly: Rooted in God’s Story, Sent in Hope
More than 300 voting members, visitors, volunteers, and ministry partners gathered June 12–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa for the 2026 Synod Assembly of the Grand Canyon Synod. Under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” participants from across Arizona, southern Nevada, southwest Utah, and the Navajo Nation came together for worship, discernment, learning, elections, and connection.
Grounded in Psalm 78 — “We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord” — this year’s assembly invited participants to reflect on how God continues to guide the church through changing times while remaining rooted in the enduring story of God’s faithfulness.
The assembly opened in worship centered on water, baptism, memory, and belonging. Participants were invited to remember their baptism, bless one another with water, and reflect on God’s faithfulness across generations. The opening service also included remembrance of rostered ministers who have died since the previous assembly and prayers for congregations, leaders, and communities across the synod.
A special highlight of opening worship was the formal reception of Peace in the Desert, a Union Congregation, into full membership in the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA, marking a joyful new chapter in shared ministry.
Throughout the assembly, participants engaged in worship, business, workshops, and storytelling rooted in this year’s theme. The Rev. Tim Brown from the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop served as churchwide representative, leading Bible study, preaching during closing worship, and reminding participants that congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are part of a much larger church engaged in God’s mission together.
In her bishop’s report, Bishop Deborah Hutterer reflected on a year marked by both challenge and hope. She named the resilience of rostered ministers, growing concerns around pastoral sustainability and community polarization, and the importance of supporting healthy ministry relationships. At the same time, she lifted up signs of hope throughout the synod, including six ordinations, expanding lay leadership through Synod Authorized Ministry, growth in youth and young adult participation, global partnerships, Campformation ministry, and the continuing work of congregational vitality.
Vice President Mark Myers’ Synod Council report emphasized four council priorities: congregational vitality, Reconciling in Christ discernment, telling the story of ministry across the synod, and increasing youth and young adult participation in assembly life. Drawing from the story of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Myers reflected on how congregations are sustained through times of transition and reminded participants that “we are church together.”
Voting members adopted the 2027–2028 Mission Plan, continuing the synod’s focus on congregational accompaniment, leadership development, storytelling, youth engagement, and collaborative ministry.
Voting members also considered a resolution that would have established a year-long discernment process regarding whether the Grand Canyon Synod should become a Reconciling in Christ synod. Following discussion and debate, the resolution did not pass.
Assembly participants also celebrated and installed newly elected leaders for service in the life of the synod. Rev. Stephen Springer was elected to continue serving as Synod Secretary. New Synod Council members elected included Jen Tremose and Dr. Richard Green as at-large representatives, along with youth representatives Bryan Gamelin and Layra Siqueiros. Two conference representatives were ratified: Teri Polk, Cactus Conference, and Myrna Wells-Ulland, Northeast Valley Conference. Rev. Louis Liss was elected to the Committee on Discipline, joined by Bryan Gamelin as lay representative.
The assembly also celebrated rostered ministers, Synod Authorized Ministers completing training, milestone ordination anniversaries, and congregational anniversaries, including Mountain View Lutheran Church celebrating 50 years of ministry and Ascension Lutheran Church marking 75 years of ministry through its continuing witness as part of Peace in the Desert.
Participants also reached the assembly’s service project goal, packing 1,600 pounds of rice and 1,000 pounds of beansto support the West Valley Community Food Pantry and First Place Community Center Food Bank—a tangible expression of this year’s call to love neighbor through service.
Assembly worship remained central throughout the gathering. Opening worship emphasized baptismal identity and belonging, while closing worship centered on the call to tell God’s story and embody faith through action. With bilingual scripture, Holy Communion, installation of newly elected leaders, and the sending hymn “I’m Goin’-a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing,” participants were reminded that assembly is not simply a meeting, but a gathering of the church for worship, discernment, and shared mission.
This year’s assembly giving focus supported the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) as it continues ministry in challenging times. A separate update on assembly giving will be shared soon.
As the assembly concluded, participants were sent forth with words rooted in both scripture and calling:
“You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
Together, we leave this assembly rooted more deeply in God’s story, strengthened for ministry, and committed to communicating Jesus, connecting people, and creating possibilities.
