Lent Series Blog: Closer to creation
India: a passion for intergenerational justice and women’s empowerment
Joint ecumenical statement calls for immediate ceasefire in Middle East
Senegal: Literacy sets new goals for excluded children and women
Anglicans and Lutherans review progress towards full communion
Commission on the Status of Women shines spotlight on access to justice
Ready for summer? Lutheran congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are offering Vacation Bible Schools and children’s camps filled with faith, fun, and fellowship. Explore the growing list of programs, and help us share your church’s summer offerings by emailing Deacon Laura Book at lbook@gcsynod.org.
Read MoreCarly Chamberlain will be ordained to Word and Service at Faith-La Fe Lutheran Church (801 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014), Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 am. She will be installed at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church at a later date. Rostered ministers are invited to robe and process, color of the day is red. Pastor Jonathan Linman will preach, Bishop Hutterer will preside.
A reception will follow immediately in the parish hall. The service will be live streamed on the Faith Lutheran Facebook page.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing key synod work, including participation in the High Country Conference Spring Gathering in Flagstaff, preaching and congregational visits, and meetings focused on congregational vitality and faith formation. Staff will also advance preparations for Synod Assembly, manage communications and upcoming events, and support the synod’s annual audit and financial close.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Peter Lai, who celebrates 41 years on March 16.
Rev. Martin Overson, who celebrates 47 years on March 18.
Rev. Daniel Potaznick, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 3 years on March 18.
Thrivent members can make a big difference through Thrivent Choice Dollars and Thrivent Action Teams—two benefits that support ministry at no extra cost. Direct your 2025 Choice Dollars by March 31, 2026 to your congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, and apply anytime for a $250 Action Team grant to fund a service or outreach project. Learn more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice and Thrivent.com/actionteam.
Read MoreSynod staff are preparing for the March Synod Council meeting, supporting Spring Gatherings, continuing assembly planning, and beginning the annual financial audit while carrying out the ongoing ministries and administrative work of the synod office.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Timothy Hansen, New Journey, Fountain Hills, who celebrates 39 years on March 8.
Rev. Stephen Talmage, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 41 years on March 10.
Rev. Patsy Koeneke, Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, who celebrates 19 years on March 11.
Rev. Bruce Ayers, who celebrates 64 years on March 11.
Rev. Steven Crittenden, who celebrates 17 years on March 12.
The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes upcoming opportunities for digital security training, interfaith dialogue, public witness at the Capitol, and community events across Arizona. Highlights include a March 2 Digital Security Workshop, March 4–6 Training of Trainers in Phoenix, Interfaith Day at the Capitol on March 25, and multiple hybrid and in-person gatherings.
Read the full newsletter for registration links and details: arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
Read MoreThis week, Bishop Hutterer will attend the Flourishing Communities conference in Tempe and the Conference of Bishops in Chicago, while synod staff continue preaching, hosting discussions, preparing for upcoming events, launching Assembly publicity and forms, and completing month-end financial and audit preparations.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Christopher Heller, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 16 years on February 28.
Rev. Jeremy Nausin, Holy Spirit, Las Vegas, who celebrates 11 years on March 1.
Rev. Elaine Watskey, who celebrates 23 years on March 1.
Rev. Timothy Wright, who celebrates 42 years on March 4.
Rev. Jonathan Linman, Faith/La Fe, Phoenix, who celebrates 37 years on March 4.
On February 12, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it would rescind the 2009 “Endangerment Finding,” the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The ELCA, which previously testified in support of upholding the finding, has expressed profound concern and disappointment, calling this a “Kairos moment” for urgent climate action grounded in faith and science.
In its official statement, the ELCA affirms that caring for creation is a sacred responsibility and urges the EPA to restore protections that safeguard public health and future generations. Read the full ELCA statement and learn more about the church’s advocacy response here.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network is offering multiple opportunities for faithful public engagement this season, including Prophetic Witness Campaign trainings (Phoenix Feb. 19), a Digital Security Workshop (March 2), Sacred Space visits, and an interfaith book study. AFN also issued an Action Alert regarding harmful legislation moving through the Arizona Legislature.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff attends Lutheran Day at the Legislature, (Feb 23, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM) as well as our first three Spring Gatherings in Phoenix, open to all:
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: Desert Cross, Tempe, Feb 21, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: American Lutheran, Sun City, Feb 24, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: St. Andrew Lutheran, Phoenix, Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
For the evening gathering at St. Andrew Lutheran Church (6:30 pm), participants are invited to arrive anytime after 6:00 pm for light refreshments and informal fellowship prior to the conversation, as we will not have a post-gathering reception.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Barbara Bengtson, who celebrates 32 years on February 20.
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, who celebrates 17 years on February 22.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 29 years on February 23.
Rev. Kaila Armbruster, who celebrates 12 years on February 23.
Rev. Paul Block, New Song, Henderson, who celebrates 25 years on February 24.
Rev. Arhiana Shek-Dill, University, Tempe, ASU LCM, Tempe, who celebrates 14 years on February 25.
Rev. Robert Crabb, who celebrates 31 years on February 26.
Bishop Hutterer will preach at Desert Hills (Green Valley) and American Lutheran (Sun City) for Ash Wednesday and participate in the Region 2 SAM Summit. Synod staff will continue preparing for Spring Gatherings, advancing candidacy and congregational vitality work, exploring AI in ministry, and managing financial and operational responsibilities.
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