Bishop Hutterer: Building Up the Body of Christ
“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As we prepare to gather for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. This year’s theme, “Build Up the Body,” reminds us that our ministries are not isolated efforts but woven together in God’s greater design for the church and the world. Each of you brings a unique voice, gift, and presence that strengthens our shared mission as the body of Christ.
We gather in Las Vegas at Community Lutheran Church for our 37th synod assembly. Whether you are attending as a voting member, a ministry partner, or a visitor, you are part of a Spirit-led community that believes God is not done with the church. This year’s assembly affirms how God is at work, continuing to make us alive, resilient, and courageous.
Our agenda is filled with worship, learning, discernment, and celebration. We’ll install leaders, receive congregations into full participation, vote on our mission plan, and elect new people into synod leadership. We will celebrate milestones in ministry, honor new calls and retirements, and welcome guests who broaden our view of what it means to be church.
Among those guests is David Scherer of JUSTmove, who will guide us through sessions rooted in storytelling, music, and intercultural grace. And on Thursday evening, I hope you’ll join us for what will be a joyful and Spirit-filled concert with the talented voices of Community Lutheran.
This assembly is also a space of prayer. Of listening. Of fellowship. Of being reminded why we do what we do. We do not gather merely to complete a checklist of tasks; we gather to be renewed in our callings, to see the church at work beyond our walls, and to remember that ministry is a team sport, we do not do this work alone.
I encourage you to explore the ministry reports on our synod website, to make new connections, and to listen for the quiet nudges of the Spirit. If you’re not attending in person, I ask you to hold this assembly in your prayers, lifting up those representing your congregation, and watch the livestream online. Your support, even from afar, builds up the body.
Our synod stretches across deserts, valleys, and mountains — a reminder that the church is not bound by walls, but formed in relationship across distance. We intentionally alternate our synod assembly between Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas, so that every corner of our synod can be seen, heard, and included.
Thank you for your faith, your leadership, and your witness. I look forward to being with you — in the Spirit of Christ who unites us and sends us.
In Christ’s hope,
The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA
