For What Shall We Pray?

For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For Dame Sarah Mullally and her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury…
For the families of those killed in hospital attack in Sudan…
For safe working conditions for all workers, especially in wake of car parts factory fire in South Korea…
For victims of the Air Canada runway crash at LaGuardia Airport…
For all who know the trauma and pain of sexual assault, abuse, or exploitation…
For elections and political transitions, local and global…
For those affected by flooding in Hawaii, and all impacted by natural disasters…
For travelers, especially those facing airport delays and uncertainties, and for TSA workers…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For ongoing energy crises and rising fuel costs…
For pastors, church musicians, and congregational leaders preparing for Holy Week…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 26, 2026ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop will be at the Kino Conference Spring Gathering: Our Saviour's Lutheran in Tucson, Mar 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. We also continue to work on our annual audit.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 25, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. William Timm, who celebrates 45 years on March 29.
Deacon Glenda Blegen, who celebrates 20 years on April 2.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 23, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop staff will gather with leaders and congregations in Tucson for the Kino Conference Spring Gathering while continuing preaching, teaching, and relationship-building across the synod. Alongside these shared ministries, staff will advance key internal work—including assembly planning, financial and audit preparation, leadership development, and ongoing communications—supporting the synod’s mission in both public and behind-the-scenes ways.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 18, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Heriberto Prudencio, who celebrates 36 years on March 25.
The Rev. Kerry Neuhardt, Church of Our Saviour, Lakeside, who celebrates 43 years on March 25.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 18, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 13, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The 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.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 12, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This 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.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 11, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 6, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Synod 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.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 5, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This 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.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMarch 4, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 27, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war, conflict, and uncertainty, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…
For escalating tensions in Iran and Lebanon and the safety of civilians and military personnel…
For partisan cooperation across divisions and elected leaders to seek the welfare and dignity of all…
For protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those living with uncertainty and grieving loss of life in Jalisco, Mexico, and neighboring states in the wake of recent gang-related violence…
For those without adequate shelter during recent snowstorms in the northeast US…
For the recent shootings in Macon, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Kansas City, Missouri; and for an end to gun violence…
For those experiencing heavy rains and flooding in southern Peru…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 26, 2026ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

This 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.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 26, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This 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.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 25, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 20, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The 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.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 19, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations

This 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.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardFebruary 18, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment