With Deep Gratitude: Thank You for a Spirit-Filled 2026 Synod Assembly
As the 38th Annual Assembly of the Grand Canyon Synod comes to a close, we pause to give thanks.
A gathering like Synod Assembly does not simply happen. It is built through months of planning, countless volunteer hours, faithful leadership, hospitality, prayer, technical support, creativity, generosity, and the quiet work of many hands behind the scenes.
This year, under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” more than 300 Lutherans gathered from across Arizona, southern Nevada, southwest Utah, and the Navajo Nation for worship, discernment, learning, connection, and shared ministry. We are deeply grateful to all who made this Spirit-filled gathering possible.
First, we thank our voting members and attendees. Thank you for showing up, engaging deeply, asking faithful questions, participating in worship, and helping shape the future of our shared ministry together. Synod Assembly is an important expression of being church together, and your presence matters.
We offer deep gratitude to the pastors, staff, volunteers, and members of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, whose generosity and hospitality created a welcoming home for this year’s assembly. Special thanks to Pastor Steve Talmage, Pastor Nanette Christofferson, and Operations Manager Dick Beckman, as well as the many volunteers who helped with setup, hospitality, logistics, food service, and room preparation throughout the weekend.
We especially thank:
Set-Up Team:
Dave Dohrmann, Larry Drey, Chris Norden, Don Barnez, Dave Tollefson, Larry and Sue Kayler, Kenny Olmedo, Dick Beckman, and Beth Hesse.
Hospitality Team:
Organizer Dianne Oien, Patti Delaney, Beth Hesse, Connie Smith, Agnes Weaver, Lisa Frost, Jen Bohnke, Denise Smith, and Donna Johnson.
Registration Team:
Pastor Alan Field, Pastor Pat Reed, Ms. Jenni Pavesic, Alma Estrada
Table & Room Setup Assistance:
Barb Talmage, Benjamin Borner, and Lucy Borner.
Ministry Partner Tables Coordinator:
Lisa Marie Higginbotham (and for being very helpful in many ways during the Assembly).
Technical and Livestream Team:
German Morales and Ivan Ontiveros, whose expertise helped support worship, presentations, livestreaming, and the smooth flow of the assembly.
We give thanks for the many people who helped shape and guide this year’s gathering through the Assembly Planning Team, whose months of preparation made the assembly possible:
Deacon Laura Book, Pastor Nanette Christofferson, Brian Flatgard, Kathye Hamm, Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Pastor Tina Mills, Laura Musfeldt, Mark Myers, Layra Siqueiros, and Theresa Thornburgh.
We especially thank Kathye Hamm, who chaired this year’s planning team and helped coordinate countless details with care, patience, and grace.
We are grateful for the faithful leadership of the Synod Executive Committee and Assembly Leadership, including:
Mark Myers, Synod Vice President and Chair of the Synod Council;
Erik Rehms, Synod Treasurer;
Rev. Stephen Springer, Synod Secretary;
Lynn Davis and Rev. Lourdes Olson, Executive Committee members; and Rev. David Brandfass, who served as parliamentarian throughout the assembly.
We offer heartfelt thanks to Rev. Tim Brown, our churchwide representative from the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop, for accompanying us throughout the assembly, leading Bible study, sharing wisdom and encouragement, and reminding us that we are part of a larger church rooted in shared mission.
We are grateful to all who served in functional leadership roles, helping the assembly run smoothly:
Stage Managers: Andrea Arey and Mike Reed
Spanish Translation: Anabel Estrada
Voting Help Desk: Mary Beth Baron, Rev. Kylee Bestenlehner, and Deacon Carly Chamberlain
Photography: Rev. Doug Dill
Variety Show Emcee: Rev. Thadd Book
Special thanks to Mary Beth Baron, who chaired the Reference and Counsel Committee and offered extensive leadership throughout the assembly, as well as support during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly hosted in Phoenix.
We give thanks for all who supported assembly governance, discernment, and decision-making, including members of the Synod Council, the Nominating Committee, audit volunteers, credentials volunteers, election helpers, and all who assisted with electronic voting and assembly logistics.
Special thanks to Glenn Austad, Marissa Metevelis, and Wendy Weiske, along with Amy Birchard, Theresa Thornburgh, and Metz CPA, for their careful work supporting the audit process.
We thank those who helped lead us in prayer and worship throughout the assembly, including Jeffrey Michaels, Wendy Weiske, Karen Olson, Glenn Austad, Pastor Nanette Christofferson, and the many worship leaders, readers, musicians, communion assistants, vocalists, worship volunteers, and technical teams whose gifts grounded us in worship.
We are grateful to the many people who shared their stories of faith through our “Rooted in God’s Story” faith stories, including: Rev. Verónica Alvarez, Pastor Nanette Christofferson, Rev. Lourdes Olson, Rev. Stephen Springer, Ron Fraass, Karen Olson, and Dr. Richard Green.
Thank you for helping us hear how God continues to move through congregations, relationships, challenges, and everyday ministry across our synod.
We also thank all who led workshops and educational opportunities, helping us learn, imagine, and grow together.
Thank you to California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for sponsoring childcare, helping make fuller participation possible for families.
We are grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s assembly service project, helping pack food for neighbors experiencing hunger. Through your generosity and work together, participants packed 1,600 pounds of rice and 1,000 pounds of beans to support the West Valley Community Food Pantry and First Place Community Center Food Bank—a tangible expression of faith active in love.
We also thank all who offered themselves for service as nominees for elected positions, whether elected or not. Your willingness to serve strengthens the church we share together.
Throughout the weekend, our exhibitors and ministry partners helped connect assembly participants to the wider ministry of the church. We are grateful for:
Camp ALOMA and Retreat Center
CONNECTIONS / Fresh Expressions Ministry
ELCA Global Mission – Rev. Kristin Engstrom, missionary
ELCA Schools and Learning Centers
Global Engagement Team
Grand Canyon Synod
Grand Canyon Synod Growing in Faith / Diakonia Program
Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)
Leadership Lab and Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT)
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN)
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Mosaic
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Portico Benefit Services
ReconcilingWorks
Soreo, a service of Mosaic
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Women of the ELCA
We also give thanks for the faithful work of the Office of the Bishop staff, ministry partners, transition coaches, candidacy leaders, advocacy leaders, and synod ministry companions who strengthen congregations and leaders throughout the year.
Finally—and perhaps most importantly—we give thanks to the many people whose names may never appear publicly.
The ones who stacked chairs. Solved technical problems. Answered questions. Passed microphones. Offered rides. Prepared meals. Carried supplies. Stayed late. Prayed quietly. Welcomed newcomers. Solved problems before anyone noticed.
You helped make this assembly possible.
In the body of Christ, no act of service is too small.
Thank you for helping us gather as a synod rooted in God’s story—trusting that God is still at work among us, still calling us forward, and still creating new possibilities for ministry together.
With deep gratitude: thank you.
