Posts tagged 2026 Synod Assembly
Raise Up New Leaders: Free Youth and Young Adult Registration for Synod Assembly 2026

Congregations are now preparing voting members for the 2026 Synod Assembly (June 11–13 in Mesa). In addition to standard representation, each congregation may elect two additional members: one youth or young adult and one person of color or primary language other than English, helping reflect the diversity of God’s people.

Thanks to the Bishop’s Leadership Fund, congregations can also send one youth or young adult for free using code YOUTH2026. Now is the time to identify leaders, broaden participation, and ensure your congregation’s voice is part of the synod’s shared work.

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Celebrate the Flavors of Our Synod: Submit Your Recipe

The Grand Canyon Synod’s Rooted at the Table recipe project invites you to share a dish that reflects your culture, community, and context—from Arizona and southern Nevada to St. George and the Navajo Nation. All recipes will be published online, with a curated selection included in a printed cookbook for the 2026 Synod Assembly.

Submit your recipe by May 1, 2026 and help create a collection that reflects the full flavor and diversity of our synod.

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Plan Your Time: Full Schedule Released for 2026 Synod Assembly

The timeline and full agenda for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly (June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa) are now available. Highlights include opening worship with Bishop Hutterer, keynote leadership from Rev. Tim Brown, workshops, assembly business, and a Friday evening variety show.

Participants are encouraged to review the full schedule in advance and plan for key moments including voting, workshops, and worship. View the complete agenda and begin preparing for our time together as a synod rooted in God’s story.

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Now Accepting Workshop Proposals for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

The Grand Canyon Synod is now accepting workshop proposals for the 2026 Synod Assembly. Workshops are one-hour sessions designed to equip rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical tools, theological insights, and ministry resources aligned with this year’s theme, “Rooted in God’s Story.”

Proposals must be submitted by Monday, April 6, 2026, with presenters notified by mid-April. Submit your workshop title, description, audience, presenter information, and technology needs through the synod’s online proposal form.

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Share Your Gifts: Friday Night Variety Show Planned for Synod Assembly

The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly will feature a Friday Night Variety Show on June 12, 2026, offering an evening of music, storytelling, humor, and creative performances from across the synod. Dinner will take place from 5:30–6:30 pm, followed by the show from 6:30–7:30 pm, hosted by Pastor Thaddeus Book of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe.

The planning team is currently inviting 5–7 minute family-friendly acts from individuals, groups, congregations, and families. Interested performers are encouraged to submit a short description of their act using the online form, with selected performers contacted prior to Assembly. If you would like to be considered for the Friday Night Variety Show, please submit a brief description of your act using this form by Monday, April 27, 2026.

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Submit Your Resolutions for the 2026 Synod Assembly by April 27

Those wishing to submit a resolution for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly must do so by Monday, April 27, 2026, by sending an editable electronic file to Kathye Hamm (khamm@gcsynod.org). Resolutions must comply with the ELCA and Grand Canyon Synod governing documents, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the assembly’s rules and agenda. More info here.

The Reference and Counsel Committee will review submissions and publish a report—including recommendations—on the synod website by May 22, 2026. While all submitted resolutions will appear in the report, the assembly’s agenda and rules determine whether they are discussed or voted on during the gathering.

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Reserve Your Ministry Partner Table for the 2026 Synod Assembly by May 18

Registration is now open for Ministry Partner Tables at the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly. Exhibitor space ($80, includes non-voting visitor access) is available to ELCA-related and approved ministries, with registration due by May 18, 2026. Learn more and register today to share your ministry’s story with voting members and leaders from across our synod.

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More Than Attending: Five Ways to Participate in the 2026 Synod Assembly

As the 2026 Synod Assembly (June 11–13) approaches, congregations and ministry partners across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to participate in multiple ways—whether attending or not. Opportunities include submitting ministry stories (due May 8), contributing recipes for Rooted at the Table (due May 1), proposing Variety Show acts (due April 27), leading workshops (due April 6), and joining the synod-wide offering supporting the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Rooted in the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” these opportunities invite the whole synod to share gifts, tell stories of faith, and participate in God’s work—locally and globally.

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Rooted at the Table: Why Meals Matter in the Life of Faith

Meals are central to the life of faith—from Holy Communion to church potlucks and shared meals in times of joy and need. The Grand Canyon Synod’s Rooted at the Table project invites you to reflect on the meaning of the table and share a recipe that tells your story.

Submit your recipe by May 1, 2026 to be part of this growing collection, with all recipes shared online and a selection included in the Synod Assembly cookbook.

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2026 Synod Assembly Offering to Support the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

The 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly offering will support the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), a small but resilient Lutheran church serving congregations and schools in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and beyond. Congregations across the synod are invited to participate by collecting designated gifts before Assembly or contributing through the synod office.

The ELCJHL continues its witness of faith, education, and reconciliation in the region where Christianity began. Through this year’s Assembly offering, our synod will stand in solidarity with our global Lutheran partners, supporting ministries rooted in hope and steadfast faith in the Holy Land.

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Registration Now Open: 2026 Synod Assembly | June 11–13 in Mesa

Registration is now open for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, June 11–13, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story.” Early bird voting member registration is $140 through April 13 ($160 through May 18). Visitors and exhibitors register for $80. Congregations may send one youth or young adult voting member free using code YOUTH2026. Visit gcsynod.org/assembly for full details and to register.

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Rooted at the Table: Share a Recipe with the Grand Canyon Synod

The Grand Canyon Synod is inviting congregations and individuals to contribute recipes for Rooted at the Table, a shared recipe project connected with the 2026 Synod Assembly. Recipes will be published online, with a curated selection included in a printed cookbook.

Submit a favorite dish from your congregation, family, or culture by May 1, 2026, and help celebrate the many traditions that shape life across our synod.

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Rooted in God’s Story: Submit Your Ministry Story for Synod Assembly 2026

As the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly approaches, congregations and ministries across the synod are invited to share stories of how God is at work in their communities. Submissions—including written reflections, photos, short videos, or audio—should be sent to Brian Flatgard by Friday, May 8, 2026. Learn how to share your story here.

Gathering under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story” (Psalm 78:4), the synod will highlight around 50 ministry stories through the assembly, blog, newsletter, and social media. This is an opportunity to celebrate the many ways God is working across Arizona, southern Nevada, St. George, Utah, and the Navajo Nation.

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Planning for Synod Assembly? Here Are Nearby Hotel Options in Mesa and Gilbert

Attending the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly and planning your stay in the Mesa area? While there is no official assembly hotel, several nearby options offer convenient and comfortable lodging, including Westgate Painted Mountain, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western Superstition Springs, and Hampton Inn & Suites.

Assembly participants are encouraged to choose the hotel that best fits their needs and book early to secure their preferred accommodations.

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Rev. Tim Brown Named Churchwide Representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

Rev. Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, will serve as the churchwide representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, June 11–13, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona.

Gathering under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” and inspired by Psalm 78, the assembly will invite the synod to reflect on God’s enduring work among us. Additional assembly details and registration information will be shared in the weeks ahead.

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2026 Synod Assembly Set for Mesa: Who Will Represent Your Congregation?

The Grand Canyon Synod will gather for the 2026 Synod Assembly from June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Congregations are encouraged to begin identifying their voting members now, especially as annual meetings approach. Our churchwide representative will be Rev. Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship. Additional details and registration information will be shared in early 2026.

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2026 Synod Assembly Set for Mesa: Who Will Represent Your Congregation?

The Grand Canyon Synod will gather for the 2026 Synod Assembly from June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Congregations are encouraged to begin identifying their voting members now, especially as annual meetings approach. Our churchwide representative will be Rev. Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship. Additional details and registration information will be shared in early 2026.

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Save the Dates: 2026 Synod Assembly and Bishop’s Fall Gathering Announced

Mark your calendars for two major 2026 Grand Canyon Synod events: Synod Assembly, June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, and the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 19–21 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Our 2026 theme, Rooted in God’s Story, invites us to ground our shared ministry in God’s enduring promise.

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