All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix is currently seeking a part-time Property Manager to help support its mission of service and hospitality. Learn more and apply at AllSaintsPhoenix.org/job-openings.
Read More
Pastor Brian Weinberger is home and continuing his recovery with the support of his family and congregation. His wife shares that having him back has been “wonderful for our entire family,” even as their days are now filled with ongoing appointments and long-term recovery needs. We give thanks for the prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts that have surrounded the Weinbergers and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and we invite continued prayer for Pastor Brian’s healing and strength.
Read More
The Grand Canyon Synod enters the new year with strong leadership, clear plans, and a shared theme of being Rooted in Story. At our recent staff retreat, we prepared both for the year ahead and for Bishop Hutterer’s upcoming sabbatical. During that time, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop, while our new synod council begins its work.
Together, we are pacing ourselves for a season of stability, renewal, and shared leadership as we move faithfully toward 2026.
Read More
This fall, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop while Bishop Hutterer is on sabbatical. A former bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod (2011–2023) and now Chaplain at LCM Canterbury at NAU in Flagstaff, Pastor Mike brings decades of leadership experience and will meet weekly with our Office of the Bishop staff.
We are grateful for his steady presence and pastoral care during this sabbatical season, and we invite your prayers for him, Bishop Hutterer, and our synod’s continued ministry.
Read More
This fall, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will begin her first sabbatical, traveling to Malta with her husband Alan and continuing through January 2026. Sabbaticals are a best practice in the church, offering time for renewal, prayer, and grounding in God’s Word.
Our synod is well prepared for this season with strong leadership, stable systems, and Rev. Mike Girlinghouse on call for emergencies. Please keep Bishop Hutterer in prayer as she prepares for this sabbatical journey of rest, renewal, and hope.
Read More
Our theme for 2026 is Rooted in Story. This theme will guide our Spring Gatherings, the 2026 Synod Assembly, and the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, inviting us to tell and live the story of God’s love with clarity and hope.
Read More
Meet the people serving on our Consultation Committee and Committee on Discipline—teams that help the synod listen well, reconcile where possible, and practice accountability that protects the Gospel’s witness.
Read More
We give thanks for leaders completing their service—Hannah Manazares, Taylor Welch, Roger Bailey, Janis Richert, and especially Vice President Barbara Carl, whose steady, strategic leadership guided us through seasons of change.
Read More
Meet the 2025–2026 Synod Council—including new Vice President Mark Myers and new members Ron Fraass, Dr. Richard Green, and Bruce Rianda—as they gather for their opening retreat and begin the work entrusted to them by our Synod Assembly.
Read More
Mission support at work in Sedona: A Grand Canyon Synod grant helped Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) relaunch Summer Day Camp for K–5 campers with LRCC counselors, community partners, and Bible stories that “planted” faith—literally and spiritually. This ministry was made possible by your mission support and the Synod Grants Program.
Thinking about a new ministry? The 2025 Grants application window is open Sept 8–Oct 31 (up to $15,000). Find details/applications at gcsynod.org/grants.
Read More
Join the Spirited Book Club on Thursday, September 25 at 3:00 pm AZ (PDT) for a discussion of The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This short but powerful book invites readers to reimagine community and economy through Indigenous wisdom, reciprocity, and gratitude. Facilitated by Sheri Brown and aligned with the Season of Creation, the conversation will explore how gift economies can help cultivate peace with creation. Click here to register.
Read More
Join the Latine Ministry Competency Workshop, October 2–4, 2025, led by Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán and a team of practitioners. This online gathering will equip leaders for cross-cultural ministry, offering practical tools to strengthen relationships with the Latine community. Cost: $250 individual / $600 congregation. Register here. Download the full flier here.
Participe en el Taller de Competencia en el Ministerio Latine, del 2 al 4 de octubre de 2025, dirigido por el Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán y un equipo de líderes. Este encuentro en línea ofrece herramientas prácticas para el ministerio intercultural y para fortalecer relaciones con la comunidad latine. Costo: $250 individual / $600 congregación. Regístrese aquí.
Read More
When caring for a loved one with a disability becomes overwhelming on top of responsibilities to other family members, Medicaid-funded services provide relief and peace of mind.
The post Direct Support Professionals are the Heart of Connection appeared first on Mosaic.
Read More
One Home One Future, a growing coalition of 49 denominations and faith organizations, is celebrating two years of visible climate action rooted in faith. Since its launch in 2023, more than 1,000 congregations and individuals—representing nearly 350,000 people—have joined together to care for creation through education, community events, advocacy, and resources that are free to all participants.
This movement invites congregations of every tradition to step into visible, hopeful climate action that strengthens communities and reflects our call as Christians to steward God’s creation. To learn more and join this campaign, click here.
Read More
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 22 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 46 years on September 24.
Celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther’s marriage with a free three-part ELCA webinar series, Blessed to Be, exploring gender, marriage, and sexuality from a Lutheran theological perspective. Join Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2 at 10–11 a.m. Arizona time Register here.
Read More
All rostered leaders in the Grand Canyon Synod are required to complete boundary awareness training in 2025. The synod has partnered with Faith+Lead to offer an online course at a reduced cost of $29, plus a mandatory Zoom review session with Pr. Jacqui Pagel. The course must be completed by October 8, 2025, and certificates submitted to the synod office by October 13, 2025.
Read More
Arizona’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP) is open for FY2025/2026, providing up to $100,000 total per applicant to fund target hardening and security enhancements for at-risk nonprofits. Eligibility requires meeting FEMA NSGP nonprofit standards plus either (a) no federal award in 2024–2022 or (b) inability to front costs for the federal program. Application deadline: Wed., Oct. 15, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Submit to hs@azdohs.gov. Info & forms: azdohs.gov/az-nsgp. Webinars: Wed., Sept. 17, 1:00 p.m. and Thu., Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m.
Read More
On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.
His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Read More
Join us for Leadership Day 2025 on Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Tempe. Featuring ELCA guest speaker Rev. Anna-Kari Johnson, the day will include teaching sessions on disciple making, small group conversations, and practical tools for ministry leaders. Come for renewal, encouragement, and fellowship. Register here.
Read More