Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Donald Liles, who celebrates 39 years on June 8.
Rev. Bennett Henrikson, who celebrates 56 years on June 8.
Rev. Melinda Gapen, Noble Hospice, Mesa, who celebrates 11 years on June 8.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Adam Barnhart, Shepherd of the Hills, Flagstaff, who celebrates 16 years on June 7.
Rev. Stoney Bowen-Weiszmann, Banner Del E Webb Medical Center, Sun City West, who celebrates 17 years on June 7.
Rev. Tim Eighmy, Community, Bullhead City, who celebrates 33 years on June 7.
Rev. John Lundering, who celebrates 66 years on June 7.
Rev. David Miller, who celebrates 55 years on June 7.
Rev. Donald Legacie, who celebrates 38 years on June 7.
Rev. Ronald Hedwall, who celebrates 61 years on June 7.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Arlyn Saathoff, who celebrates 60 years on June 6.
Rev. Vern Barlow, who celebrates 60 years on June 6.
Rev. Daniel Carlson, who celebrates 43 years on June 6.
We pray for the family and friends of Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, who passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30th, at the age of 84, in Toledo, OH.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The service will be held at Faith United Lutheran Church, 4543 Douglas Road, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith United Lutheran Church or Bittersweet Farms, 12660 Archbold Whitehouse Road, Whitehouse, OH 43571.
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Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman shares their 2025 synod assembly report through the story of their weekly community lunch, supported by the Manna Grant. With help from Ascension Lutheran Church, Grace now serves a weekly meal and offers fresh produce to anyone in need—an act of hospitality and faith that continues to nourish their wider community.
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Join a free, one-hour webinar on June 25, Prepare to Quit: Equipping Others for Readiness to Change, hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Author and coach Rose Ann Forte offers a biblically grounded, neuroscience-informed approach to support those exploring recovery from alcohol and substance use. This resource is ideal for ministry leaders, lay leaders, and anyone walking with others through the preparation stage of change. Register now to gain tools that empower without shame.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stephen Beyer, who celebrates 44 years on June 5.
Rev. Jason Adams, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 11 years on June 5.
After the Ordination and Installation of Jarrod Iversen at Central Lutheran in Arizona City, Jun 7, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, the Office of the Bishop team will be on-site at the 2025 Synod Assembly this week, and we can’t wait to see you there! As we gather as a synod to worship, learn, and discern together, we give thanks for the Spirit’s movement among us. Please note that our office will be operating at limited capacity during the assembly. We look forward to connecting with you in person!
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In a powerful op-ed published June 1 in The Chandler Arizonan, Rev. Christine Stoxen of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler challenges us to live out our faith through advocacy for affordable housing. Highlighting the growing crisis of housing insecurity in the East Valley, Pastor Chris reflects on Matthew 25 and the urgent call to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and shelter the unhoused. She lifts up efforts like the YIGBY bill and local organizations such as IHELP and Family Promise, urging continued advocacy even after legislative setbacks. To read Pastor Chris’s full reflection and testimony, click here.
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Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) shares their annual report in this video as part of our 2025 Assembly.
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In a year marked by division and uncertainty, members across the Grand Canyon Synod boldly lived out their faith through advocacy, hunger ministry, and public witness. From winning the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge and increasing ELCA World Hunger giving by 35%, to convening 200 advocates for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, this report highlights a growing movement of engagement. Explore the many ways our synod has stepped up—locally and nationally—to proclaim justice, compassion, and hope in the public square.
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Feeling like your church doesn’t have enough? Join a free webinar on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. Central (4 p.m. AZ)to discover the hidden resources your congregation already holds. Learn from the Kaleidoscope Institute how currencies of relationship, truth, and more can help us move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. No registration required—just click to join.
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The Proposed Mission Plan for 2026–2027 is now available for review ahead of the 2025 Synod Assembly. Watch the recorded webinars, download the presentation slides, and read the full plan to prepare for conversation and discernment as we chart our shared path forward across the Grand Canyon Synod.
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From rapid response training for immigrant accompaniment to interfaith service events packing heat relief bags, Arizona Faith Network is offering a wide range of June opportunities for people of faith to put love into action. With events focused on voter protection, creation care, meditation, and community dialogue, there’s something for everyone. RSVP now and explore the full AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
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Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 26 years on June 4.
Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 64 years on June 4.
Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 46 years on June 4.
Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 36 years on June 4.
Registration is closed, and the 2025 Synod Assembly is almost here! Join us June 12–13 at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. This blog post includes everything pre-registered attendees need to know—check-in times, electronic voting details, childcare, what to bring, and links to the agenda, Mission Plan presentations, worship offering, and more. Review maps, prep for tech support, and preview highlights like our Thursday service project, fellowship time, and evening concert. Visit gcsynod.org/2025/assembly for updates.
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Join us online for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, livestreamed from Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, June 12–13. With the theme “Build Up the Body,” this year’s gathering invites the whole synod to connect in worship, discernment, and celebration. View the full schedule and livestream link at communitylv.org/media/live.
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Lutheran school leaders are invited to the ELEA Leadership Conference 2025, “Inspiring Leaders, Strengthening Faith,” held November 5–7 in Cleveland, Ohio. This national gathering offers three days of professional development, spiritual renewal, and community for educators shaping the future of Lutheran schools. Register now and join the movement to nurture the next generation of faithful leaders.
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Do you know a young dancer? The ELCA is seeking Phoenix-area students and young adults to participate in the Opening Worship of Churchwide Assembly on Monday, July 28 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Dancers will rehearse and perform from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.—a rare opportunity to offer movement as worship. Contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo at sbjornebo@yahoo.com or 303-257-3356 to share names or learn more.
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Join the Pray Without Ceasing movement—a Spirit-led call to prayer spreading across the ELCA. Weekly Zoom gatherings on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Central connect prayer leaders and participants from around the country. Pray for peace, for renewal, and for your neighbors. Learn more and receive the Zoom link to join in: pray-without-ceasing.org
If you have created a group, or would like more information, please contact the Director for Evangelical Mission, Pr. David Pavesic at david.pavesic@elca.org.
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