Preparing for Renewal: Bishop Hutterer’s Upcoming Sabbatical

This fall, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will begin her first sabbatical, traveling to Malta with her husband, Alan. Her sabbatical will extend through January 2026, providing her a season of renewal in prayer, Scripture, and storytelling—capturing God’s work within and around her. Sabbaticals are a recommended best practice in the church, offering leaders space to reground and refocus so they may return refreshed for ministry.

Even as we look ahead to this sabbatical time, our synod continues to move forward with strength and stability. Our Office of the Bishop team has served faithfully together for many years, providing steady leadership and comprehensive contingency planning for emergencies, crisis communication, and ongoing ministry. During her time away, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse, former bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod (2011–2023), will be on call for emergencies while our staff carries forward the synod’s mission with competence and care.

Bishop Hutterer will briefly return in December to participate in the Region 2 Bishop and Vice President Retreat at Spirit in the Desert, and—pending candidacy approval—will ordain Vicar Wanda Frenchman on December 11 at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix.

As we prepare for this season of sabbatical, we give thanks for the many leaders who guide our synod faithfully and for the stability of our systems. Between the Bishop’s Fall Gathering and the busy planning of our Spring Gatherings and Synod Assembly, this is a natural time for renewal—for our bishop and for our church.