Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Registration Now Open for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering
Registration Now Open for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering

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.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment
Serve Our Neighbors with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Serve Our Neighbors with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has new opportunities to serve in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, including refugee youth mentoring, English tutoring, childcare, food distribution, and sewing and jewelry instruction. Metro Phoenix volunteers building relationships with refugee neighbors may also apply for new micro-grants to support shared activities and deepen connection.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Lutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment
Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley Seeks Director of Worship
Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley Seeks Director of Worship

Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona is excited to begin the search for our next Director of Worship. This key leadership position will work closely with our pastors, staff, musicians, and volunteers to help shape meaningful worship experiences that inspire faith, build community, and glorify God. View PDF job description here.

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Grand Canyon SynodSolveig MuusHelp Wanted, Desert Hills Green Valley, Kino ConferenceComment
Save the Date: Executive Skills for Church Leaders Returns in 2027
Save the Date: Executive Skills for Church Leaders Returns in 2027

Executive Skills for Church Leaders returns January 4–8, 2027, at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. This leadership development experience equips rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical skills for today’s ministry context. Join the interest list now to receive early updates and registration access: bit.ly/ExecSkills27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
The Perfect Match: 4 Things Mosaic Does When Pairing People with IDD and Home Providers
The Perfect Match: 4 Things Mosaic Does When Pairing People with IDD and Home Providers

Mosaic at Home is the organization’s most popular 24/7 residential service, and it’s successful at helping people with disabilities live the life they choose. Learn about the matching process, which plays a key role in achieving success.

The post The Perfect Match: 4 Things Mosaic Does When Pairing People with IDD and Home Providers appeared first on Mosaic.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMosaic, Disability MinistriesComment
From Digital Security to Peaceful Elections: This Week from AFN
From Digital Security to Peaceful Elections: This Week from AFN

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter offers opportunities to learn, serve and build community across differences. Explore upcoming digital security and elder abuse workshops, volunteer as a Poll Chaplain or Peacekeeper, register for the Oct. 20 AFN Annual Gathering, and discover more interfaith events and ways to get involved across Arizona.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith Network, Church and SocietyComment
LAMA News: Take Action for Temporary Protected Status Holders
LAMA News: Take Action for Temporary Protected Status Holders

The latest LAMA newsletter calls Arizona Lutherans to advocate for neighbors with Temporary Protected Status and offers new opportunities for faithful public witness. Find the TPS action alert, upcoming Hunger Leaders Network and digital security events, “God’s work. Our hands.” advocacy ideas, election resources and more.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment
Office of the Bishop Updates
Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop will be active across the synod next week, preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with ministry and synod leaders, preparing for upcoming events and the staff retreat, and continuing stewardship, grants, communications, finance, and administrative work. We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson.

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News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
Faith After Faith: A New Space for Reconstructing Christian Faith
Faith After Faith: A New Space for Reconstructing Christian Faith

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.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, New Promise St. George, Colorado River ConferenceComment
The Church That Does: Tucson Lutherans Turn Peanut Butter Into Abundance
The Church That Does: Tucson Lutherans Turn Peanut Butter Into Abundance

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.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNew Spirit Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea
Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea

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.

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Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMisconductComment
Ordination Celebrations
Ordination Celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Barbara Rapp, who celebrates 33 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Martha Neff Stum, who celebrates 16 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Cherlyne Beck, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 43 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Loren Swanson, who celebrates 55 years on August 22.

  • Rev. Gary Garvey, who celebrates 44 years on August 22.

  • Rev. Carlyle Smith, who celebrates 62 years on August 23.

  • Rev. Naomi Barcanic, who celebrates 29 years on August 24.

  • Rev. Julie Gerrish, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 2 years on August 24.

  • Rev. Solomon Kuch, Emmanuel Sudanese, Glendale, who celebrates 1 year on August 24.

  • Rev. Nathan Bowman, Hospice of the West, who celebrates 41 years on August 25.

  • Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 21 years on August 27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment