Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Join us for the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Join us for the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

With immense joy and anticipation, we extend a heartfelt invitation to join us for the 2024 Statewide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service, graciously hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.

Please join Bishop Hutterer and other judicatory leaders from throughout Arizona at St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church, located at 8849 East Cholla Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 6:30 pm. This prayer service will be an opportunity to join with others throughout the state to pray for the visible unity of all Christians.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsGrand Canyon SynodEcumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
In Memoriam: Rev. John Roger Anderson
In Memoriam: Rev. John Roger Anderson

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. John Roger Anderson, who died December 24, 2023.

Rev. Anderson was a former bishop of the Southwest California Synod, and a former pastor at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West.

Roger's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 West Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Ossuarium Fund (which Roger served on the committee) or the El Salvador/Sister Church Fund https://www.htlcto.org/give.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian Flatgard Comment
In Memoriam: Rev. Charles Paulson

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Charles Paulson, who died December 15, 2023.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, 2/10/2023, 11am, American Lutheran Church of Sun City (17200 N Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373). A reception will follow the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall at noon following the memorial service. People attending the reception shout RSVP at 623-974-2512.  Lunch will be provided, and this will help them plan accordingly.

Pastor Paulson worked within the ALC congregation for twenty years and was much beloved by a good percentage of the membership as he was the intake pastor with whom they had first and often quite memorable contact.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
Peace Lutheran Church Offers a 2003 Ford E450 to Serve the Community
Peace Lutheran Church Offers a 2003 Ford E450 to Serve the Community

Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, Arizona, is offering a well-maintained 2003 Ford E450 bus to a deserving organization within the Grand Canyon Synod. Ideal for serving community needs, the bus has faithfully facilitated youth trips and charity work. Interested? Call the church office, 623-972-6785 or reach out to Jay Fellows, Director of Operations at Jay@peaceaz.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardPeace Peoria, Cactus Conference, ClassifiedsComment
Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Listening Session
Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Listening Session

You are cordially invited to participate in a listening session hosted by the Grand Canyon Synod. This Zoom session on Tuesday, 1/16/2023, 5pm MST, 4pm PST, features Sarah Morris and Anthony Ormsbee-Hale from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC), and offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our community. Click here to register.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardCommission for a Renewed Lutheran ChurchComment
Grand Canyon Synod 2023 Year in Review
Grand Canyon Synod 2023 Year in Review

As we end a year full of collective achievements and spiritual growth, we invite you to join us in celebrating our synod's shared journey. Your generous contributions have been instrumental in every success, from outreach initiatives to the nurturing of our faith community. Take a moment to read our year-end newsletter, which highlights the remarkable moments and milestones of 2023, and reflects the vibrant life of our church thanks to your steadfast support.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona 2023 Year in Review
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona 2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to a close, LAMA invites you to celebrate with them the work we’ve accomplished together. They’re are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. And don’t forget to register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature! View their 2023 year end newsletter here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), AdvocacyComment
Welcome Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions
Welcome Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions

The Grand Canyon Synod is delighted to announce Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions, starting January 2024.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Janice Zimbelman and Rachel Line for their dedicated service. Deacon Janice Zimbelman will be retiring from this half-time position that is shared with the Rocky Mountain Synod as Deacon Katie Kline takes up this work in an interim capacity.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
“Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States
“Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Marie Olson Purcell, “Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

The phrase “America is a Christian nation” is a highly polarizing statement in the contemporary United States. But like many such polarizing statements, the situation surrounding it is much more complex than it might seem. These complexities are actually openings for a deeper discussion of national identity and Christian faith, if such conversations can be had.—Marie Olson Purcell

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCreating Space for Conversations, Word and World, Luther SeminaryComment
Connect, Play, Pray: West Valley's January 2024 Calendar for Young Adults
Connect, Play, Pray: West Valley's January 2024 Calendar for Young Adults

Start the new year right with the West Valley Young Adults' vibrant events and Young Adult Winter Retreat! From thrilling outdoor adventures to cozy gatherings and a retreat focused on community and spiritual growth, start the year with excitement and camaraderie. View fliers for all the details and follow them on Instagram for live updates.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardWest Valley Young Adults, Youth and Young Adult Comment
2023 Youth Leadership Summit Reflections
2023 Youth Leadership Summit Reflections

In early November, two youth joined Pr. Jacqui Pagel at the ELCA Youth LeadershipSummit at Churchwide in Chicago. The summit brought together youth from more than 30 synods around the theme, "Called on the Way," focusing on the unique journeys individuals take in response to their calling and how those journeys shape their leadership abilities. The youth were glad to have been selected to participate and share reflections on their experiences in this post.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, ELCA Youth Leadership SummitComment