Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
WELCA Retreat: Empowering Women…Stories That Change Lives

Save the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier. Click here to register online. Or click here to download and print the paper registration form.

Scholarship opportunities available. The deadline to receive applications is 9/23/2022. View a fillable application form here.

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Prayers for Jamie Williams and family

We pray for Jamie Williams and her family, including her husband Taylor and their three children, as well as her parents, retired pastor Jim Price and wife Cathy of Sun City West. After a diagnosis in February, Jamie continues breast cancer treatments and surgeries for the next six months.

Rev. Jim Price updates us with news that Jamie’s recent surgery could not have gone better, with testing showing no further cancer and the progress schedule being updated by many weeks. “Our thanks to everyone that held our one and only daughter up in prayer because the ‘prayers changed things!”’ Thanks be to God! ❤️🙏🏻

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Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF): Contemplative Action Cohorts Forming Now!

Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF) is currently recruiting leaders and participants for the next round of Cohorts this Fall! Watch this video to hear from those who have found community and meaning through their Cohort. Click here if interested in joining a cohort. Click here if interested in serving as a Leader.

The goal of the Contemplative Action Cohorts is to foster and equip spiritual leaders for new models of ministry and church.

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Spirited Book Club: This Here Flesh

The Spirited Book Club discusses This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us, the stunning NYT bestseller by Cole Arthur Riley. The online club is FREE, register here. 8/11/2022, read the first half or more, 8/25/2022, read the last half.

In her stunning debut, the creator of Black Liturgies weaves stories from three generations of her family alongside contemplative reflections to discover the “necessary rituals” that connect us with our belonging, dignity, and liberation.

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Ordination celebrations: 7/22/2022-7/28/2022
  • Rev. Janice Brosen, who celebrates 38 years on July 22.

  • Rev. Colin Melby, who celebrates 39 years on July 24.

  • Rev. Craig Larson, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 34 years on July 24.

  • Rev. Jeffery Gallen, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, Alleluia, Phoenix, who celebrates 40 years on July 25.

  • Rev. Matthew Metevelis, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Las Vegas, Living Hope, Las Vegas, who celebrates 12 years on July 25.

  • Rev. Marta Poling Schmitt, who celebrates 35 years on July 26.

  • Rev. Gary McCluskey, University, Tempe, who celebrates 42 years on July 27.

  • Rev. David Pavesic, Beautiful Savior, Tucson, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.

  • Rev. Denise Edwards, who celebrates 20 years on July 27.

  • Rev. Phillip Shuart, St. Andrew, Las Vegas, who celebrates 31 years on July 28.

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COVID-19 community levels: 7/21/2022

What the BA.5 Subvariant Could Mean for the United States: The most transmissible variant yet of the coronavirus is threatening a fresh wave of infections in the United States, even among those who have recovered from the virus fairly recently.

In our synod, a new wave of high level counties: Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Washington, Yavapai and Yuma.

Medium level: Greenlee and Santa Cruz. Low level: Cochise, Graham, Pima.

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Congregations invited to pledge to the Growing Generosity Appeal

Having already raised over $500,000 to fund our Growing Generosity Appeal, let’s create possibilities together. With your help, we can top our next goal to raise another $250,00 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!

The plans for these additional funds will benefit Lutheran Campus Ministries, new & emerging ministries, and our advocacy efforts. In this post we explore Growing Financial Viability: Planting seeds of financial support for pastors and congregations through 3E Lilly Grants and programs.

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Revitalize your congregation's preaching ministry

Revitalize your congregation's preaching ministry by making the practice of preaching more collaborative and participatory. These six Zoom sessions will be held October 2, 2022, through January 8, 2023, and led by Rev. Dr. Shaunna Hannan, Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (of California Lutheran University). Interested? Fill out this form, bit.ly/LayPreachingCLU, and view more info in this post and this PDF flyer.

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Grand Canyon Synod Manna Grants deadline: 7/31/2022

Thanks to a gift from Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson, Manna Grants are available for new and continuing projects that work to alleviate hunger and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.

All organized congregations, New Starts, Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs), and Special Ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod are eligible to apply by the 7/31/2022 deadline. More info at gcsynod.org/manna-grant.

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Don't be fooled by fake email scams from the Office of the Bishop

We’ve received reports of emails from a fake Gmail account purporting to be Bishop Hutterer, which you can ignore. Better yet, use your report spam button to flag it and get it shut down.

You will likely be asked for a contribution of gift cards or something else of that nature. You will notice that it is not coming from her official email address. The Bishop will never send such a message or solicit funds in this way.

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