Three Days to Learn, Connect, and Be Renewed

Ministry rarely provides enough time to simply be together—to worship without leading, learn without preparing the lesson, reconnect with colleagues, and have conversations that don’t fit neatly into a meeting agenda.

The 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, is an invitation to make that space.

Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers from across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to three days of worship, learning, renewal, and connection, grounded in our synod theme, Rooted in God’s Story.

Registration is open through Friday, September 18. Single rooms are $425, shared double rooms are $350 per person, and commuter registration is $175. Registration and complete details are available at gcsynod.org/2026-bishops-fall-gathering.

Learning together

Our featured presenter, Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, PhD, will lead three keynote sessions exploring the intersections of theology, neuroscience, liberation, justice, and human flourishing.

Dr. Santos, a theologian, pastor, and author of A Liberation Theology of the Brain, explores how our minds and emotions are shaped by the stories and systems around us—and how communities of faith can participate in God’s work of liberation, restoration, and abundant life.

But the gathering is about more than keynote presentations.

Our days together will include worship and prayer, synod updates, table conversations, fellowship, and opportunities to engage emerging questions facing ministry leaders. Possible conversations include Reconciling in Christ discernment, human sexuality, technology, and artificial intelligence in ministry.

Participants will also view A Time for Burning, the landmark documentary about a Lutheran congregation wrestling with race and the church’s calling during the 1960s. Pastor Amalia Vagts will lead a guided conversation following the screening.

The agenda remains tentative as plans continue to develop, giving us room to respond to the conversations and questions that matter to leaders across our synod.

Time together matters

The Bishop’s Fall Gathering begins with check-in at noon on Monday, October 12, followed by opening worship and gathering at 1 p.m. Tuesday is a full day together, and the gathering concludes late Wednesday morning following closing worship, with Dr. Santos preaching.

Participants are encouraged, when possible, to stay onsite at the Franciscan Renewal Center. Sharing meals, conversations between sessions, and unhurried time with colleagues are an important part of the gathering itself.

For rostered ministers and SAMs in First Call, extended-event registration is also available.

In a church navigating significant change, we need places where ministry leaders can think deeply, worship together, listen to one another, and remember that none of us carries this calling alone. The Bishop’s Fall Gathering is one of those places.

Join us October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Register by Friday, September 18, at gcsynod.org/2026-bishops-fall-gathering.

Questions about registration or changes to an existing registration may be directed to office@gcsynod.org or 602-957-3223.