Building up the Body: The Impact of Our 2025 Synod Assembly Offering
As I reflect on our recent Synod Assembly, my heart is filled with profound gratitude for the generous spirit that flows through our Grand Canyon Synod. Together, individuals and congregations responded to our call for collective generosity with offerings totaling $3,365.80, a beautiful testament to our commitment to love our neighbors both near and far.
Where Your Generosity Meets Our Neighbors' Need
True to our promise, these funds have been divided equally between two vital ministries that embody Christ's presence in the world:
Lutheran Social Services of Nevada has received $1,682.90 to continue their essential work serving vulnerable individuals and families in the Las Vegas area. These funds will directly support their programs in food security, housing stability, and holistic social services, offering real hope rooted in dignity and compassion. In a region where so many of our neighbors face economic uncertainty, this gift becomes a tangible expression of God's love made manifest through our synod's caring hands.
Lutheran Disaster Response has received $1,682.90 specifically designated for recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires in Southern California. These funds join a coordinated response that walks alongside survivors through long-term recovery, providing spiritual care, essential support services, and the steady presence of the church in the midst of loss and rebuilding. When families have lost everything, our offering becomes a sign that they are not forgotten.
The Theology of Generosity in Action
What strikes me most about this offering is not simply the dollar amount, but what it represents. We do not give because we must, but because we can. Each dollar contributed reflects the truth that we are people formed by grace and sent to love. Whether congregations collected funds in advance, individuals gave during assembly worship, or gifts arrived by mail at our synod office, every contribution joined a symphony of generosity that extends Christ's reach into places of deep need.
This offering demonstrates something beautiful about building up the body of Christ: when we come together as one, our individual gifts multiply into something far greater than their sum. A congregation's modest collection becomes part of a substantial gift. An individual's faithful giving joins with hundreds of others to create real impact. Together, we strengthen one another and become the church God calls us to be present, caring, and generous.
Living Into Our Call
The success of this offering reminds us that generosity is not a burden to bear, but a joy to embrace. When we give from our abundance, or even from our need, we participate in God's own generosity toward us. We become partners in tending to wounds, offering hope, and proclaiming through our actions that God's love knows no boundaries.
As these funds now support families rebuilding after catastrophic loss in California and vulnerable neighbors finding stability in Nevada, they carry with them our prayers, our love, and our commitment to being the church beyond our own walls.
Thank you to every congregation, every individual, and every family who participated in this offering. You have built up the body of Christ in tangible ways, making a difference that will ripple outward in ways we may never fully know, but God surely sees. In your generosity, Christ's love continues to transform our world, one neighbor at a time. May we continue to trust that God multiplies what we offer through Christ’s abounding love.
Join Us in Building Up the Body
If your congregation or family has not yet had the opportunity to participate in this offering, it's not too late to join this meaningful work. The needs in Nevada and Southern California continue, and every additional gift helps build up the body of Christ in service to our neighbors.
How to Give: Checks may be made payable to:
Grand Canyon Synod – ELCA
Memo: 2025 Synod Assembly Offering
Mail to: 1819 E. Morten Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Whether your gift is large or small, it becomes part of something greater when joined with the generosity already shared. Together, we continue to extend Christ's love and grace to a world in need.
Rev. Dan Potaznick, CFRE
Director of Generosity & Strategic Development
Grand Canyon Synod Office of the Bishop - ELCA
