Photos from the 2022 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

We thank Pastor Lars Hammar, with Lord of Grace Lutheran in Tucson, for being our official photographer at our assembly. We hope you enjoy this photo gallery.

Love of Christ in Mesa

We thank Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, for yet again being such great hosts.

Gathering for assembly

273 voting members registered for our 2022 Synod Assembly.

Richard Wall

We thank Richard Wall, Director Of Music Ministry at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mesa and Gold Canyon, for providing and leading us with music throughout our assembly.

Opening Worship

Bishop Deborah Hutterer presided and preached at opening worship, with assistance from Rev. Mateo Chavez.

President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager

Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, Pastor President of the Mexican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM), gave us our reading in Spanish.

Opening of the Synod Assembly

Our Friday morning worship concluded with the opening of our 2022 assembly.

Opening plenary session

Bishop Hutterer chaired the assembly, seen here calling the assembly to order.

Rev. Stephen Springer and Rev. David Brandfass

On hand were Rev. Stephen Springer, our synod parliamentarian, and Rev. David Brandfass, Synod Secretary.

Erik Rehms

Our Synod Treasurer Erik Rehms served as chair of the credentials committee.

Voting

Voting was done using green and red cards, and ballots when necessary.

2023/2024 Mission Spending Plan

Erik Rehms presented the 2021/2022 Treasurer’s Report and the 2023/2024 Mission Spending Plan.

Roger Bailey

Chair of the Nominating Committee, Mr. Roger Bailey, reports on the elections to take place during the assembly.

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality, shares his report.

Rev. Paul Block

Rev. Paul Block, New Song Lutheran in Henderson.

Rev. David Brandfass

Rev. David Brandfass, Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona, leads us in prayer before our lunch break.

Provoking to Love & Grow

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta and Rev. Peter Perry lead our Bible study, “Provoking to Love & Grow” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Barbara Carl

Synod Vice President Barbara Carl presented the Bishop and Synod Council Report along with Bishop Hutterer.

President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager

Rev. Jacqui Pagel introduced President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager before his report on the joys and challenges facing the congregations of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana.

Q & A

Rev. Mateo Chavez assisted Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager in the question and answer session following the report.

Signing of covenant

We formalized our status as companion synod to Iglesia Luterana Mexicana by signing a covenant at our assembly.

Reference and counsel

Chair of the Committee of Reference and Counsel, Rev. Stephen Springer, guides us through resolutions in our final plenary session at the end of our first day.

Rev. Louise Johnson

Our Churchwide representative, Rev. Louise Johnson, provided an update from the ELCA. Her current role with the ELCA is Executive for Administration.

Pastor Carol Breimeier

Pastor Carol Breimeier, with New Spirit Lutheran in Tucson, shared her presentation, “How to have a spiritual conversation without being a jerk.”

Manna Grant

A team from Ascension Lutheran in Paradise Valley (Molly Gary, Karen Olson, Laura Musfeldt, and Rev. Randy Winsand) presented a $90,000 check to fund a hunger grant in our synod, honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson. The church will provide an additional $90,000 towards hunger later in the year.

Outgoing synod council members

We thank Rev. Dan Valasakos, Twila Burdick, and Rev. David Brandfass for their service as synod council members.

Pastor Brandfass

We especially thank Pastor David Brandfass for his years of tireless and cheerful work as Synod Secretary.

Synod Assembly Planning Team

We thank the planning team: Kathye Hamm, Theresa Thornburgh, and Brian Flatgard (not pictured) from the Office of the Bishop, Rev. Steve Crittenden, Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Synod Vice President Barbara Carl, Rev. Sarah Stadler, Chair of reference and resolutions Rev. Steve Springer, Synod Secretary Rev. David Brandfass, and Rev. Tina Mills (not pictured).