Grand Canyon Synod Update on Ongoing Federal Investigation

The Grand Canyon Synod continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the ELCA churchwide organization regarding the federal investigation involving former synod leader Casey Goslin.

As of this posting, there are no known victims within our synod, and all criminal allegations involve online activity.The investigation remains active and ongoing under the leadership of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in coordination with the Tucson Police Department. We continue to monitor developments closely and will share verified information as it becomes available.

The Office of the Bishop, under the leadership of Acting Bishop Pastor Mike Girlinghouse, remains committed to transparency, pastoral care, and steady communication. In this season of waiting, our priority is to care for our leaders, congregations, and communities while ensuring that ministry throughout the synod continues with clarity and compassion.

This past week we hosted Holding Space: A Time for Prayer and Conversation, a private Zoom gathering for rostered ministers and lay leaders who have been directly impacted by this news. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, prayed, listened, and offered support. Your presence and your care for one another continue to embody the best of our shared ministry.

As always, we encourage pastors and deacons to remain attentive to the needs and concerns arising within their congregations and ministries. Please reach out to the Office of the Bishop with any questions or requests for pastoral care.

Pastoral Care:

Acting Bishop Pastor Mike Girlinghouse – mgirlinghouse@gmail.com

Communications:

Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications – bflatgard@gcsynod.org

We remain grounded in prayer and guided by the confidence that God’s light continues to shine in the midst of uncertainty. Thank you for your patience, your compassion, and your faithful leadership as we continue walking this path together.

—Office of the Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)