Diakonia shares their annual report for 2025, view here as a PDF.
Read More
Help us celebrate how God is at work across the Grand Canyon Synod! As we prepare for the 2025 Synod Assembly, we’re collecting stories from congregations and ministries that reflect this year’s theme: Build Up the Body (Ephesians 4:12–13). Submit your story—written, photo, video, or audio—by May 9, 2025 to be featured during the assembly and in synod communications. Full details at gcsynod.org/assembly.
Read More
Director of Communications Brian Flatgard reflects on a year of connecting, sharing, and strengthening the synod through digital ministry. With over 84,000 website visits, nearly 1,700 newsletter subscribers, and 1,600+ blog posts in 2024, our communications ministry continues to support congregations and amplify the work of the wider church. Read the full report to learn about new initiatives for 2025 and how we’re building up the Body together.
Read More
After the fullness of Holy Week and Easter, church leaders are invited into a time of renewal. Resurrection Rest is a free 16-minute guided meditation for pastors, deacons, and ministry leaders, offering space to breathe, reflect, and receive. Listen and let resurrection rest settle in: thrivingleadershipformation.org.
Read More
Ministry can be exhausting—but you don’t have to go it alone. ReNEW is a free four-week email series offering spiritual practices, podcast episodes, and practical tools to help leaders move from burnout to joy. Sign up today and take the first grace-filled step toward sustainable, life-giving ministry.
Read More
Want to lead worship with a guitar around the campfire? Join Camp ALOMA in Prescott, April 25–27, for a weekend retreat focused on learning how to lead and support campfire worship. Designed for guitar players with basic chord skills, the $110 weekend includes lodging, meals, and musical leadership training grounded in Lutheran faith. Register now at campaloma.com or call 928-778-1690.
Read More
Explore the intersection of neuroscience, faith, and addiction recovery in a free webinar on April 30 featuring Dr. Jeffrey Leighton and Jeff Jensen. Discover how prayer, neurofeedback, and hospitality-driven care can help regulate brain activity, relieve anxiety, reduce cravings, and restore hope. Open to clergy, counselors, and all affected by addiction.
Read More
Is your church prepared to communicate faithfully in a crisis? Join a free live webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:30pm, as part of the Thriving Leadership Formation series. Learn how to build a crisis communications team, develop a ministry-specific strategy, and gain sample statements to guide your response. Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/EventsTLF.
Read More
Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association and the Phoenix Symphony for the 2025 Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration on Sunday, April 27 at Phoenix Symphony Hall. This year’s program marks 80 years since the end of WWII and features a 5:00 PM memorial program with survivor testimonies, music, and prayers. Prior to the commemoration, a Phoenix Symphony concert begins at 2:00 PM. The memorial is free but requires registration at PHXHA.com/remembrance. View PDF flyer here.
Read More
Emma Janzen will be ordained Saturday, 5/3/2025, 11:00 AM, at Peace Lutheran Church, (18265 North 89th Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85382, livestream here), with Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham Hughes preaching, and Bishop Deborah Hutterer presiding. Emma will be installed Sunday, 8/10/2025, 10:45 AM, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, (11575 N 1st Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85737, livestream here), with Pastor Jacqui Pagel preaching and presiding.
Reception lunch to follow Ordination in the fellowship hall. Please RSVP to Emma Janzen, emmajanzenn@gmail.com, for food. Rostered ministers and candidates for rostered ministry are invited to process and wear their albs. Color of the day is red for the ordination, and green for the installation.
Read More
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stephen J. Hammer, who celebrates 43 years on April 25.
Rev. Debra Slifer, who celebrates 38 years on April 25.
Rev. Diane Drach-Meinel, Christ the Servant, Henderson, who celebrates 38 years on April 26.
Rev. David Drach-Meinel, who celebrates 38 years on April 26.
Rev. Kevin Meyer, LSS-SW, Phoenix, Covenant, Quartzsite, who celebrates 30 years on April 30.
Deacon Sally Almen, who celebrates 38 years on April 30.
Rev. Melissa Harr, who celebrates 14 years on May 1.
Deacon Don Burgess, who celebrates 20 years on May 1.
Join Mountain View Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Bear Creek Golf Course in Chandler for a 50th Anniversary Golf Fundraiser supporting MVLC’s Mission & Outreach! Registration is $145 per player and includes golf, a banquet, contests, and more. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals. View a PDF flyer here. Sign up today at MVLC’s event page!
Read More
We uplift and pray for the people of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference.
Read More
Resolutions for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly are due by the close of business on Monday, April 28, 2025. All submissions must follow synod and ELCA guidelines and be sent as editable files to Kathye Hamm at khamm@gcsynod.org. The Reference and Counsel Committee will review all resolutions for procedural compliance and publish its report—including submitted resolutions and recommendations—by May 23. Visit gcsynod.org/2025/assembly/resolutions for full instructions.
Read More
We uplift and pray for Rev. Robert Jones and the people of Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference.
Read More
Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Tuesday, 4/29/2025, 6-7pm MST.
Read More
Rostered and synodically authorized ministers are invited to “Bearing Worthy Fruit,” a fall retreat led by Rev. Karoline Lewis, October 13–15 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Together, participants will explore gender justice, embodied leadership, and preaching rooted in God’s transformation. Registration opens May 1 and space is limited to 25 participants.
Read More
We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.
Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.
Read More
Join Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law on Thursday, May 8, for a free webinar that reimagines stewardship through storytelling. Learn how the simple act of writing “love letters to our church” can inspire natural generosity rooted in gratitude and connection. No registration needed—just join online from 4–5:30 p.m. AZ/NV or 5–6:30 p.m. UT/Navajo Nation.
Read More
Enjoy jazz and classical music while supporting families in need! Join Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix for a three-part Music for Food series on April 13, April 27, and May 4, benefiting the Olive Branch Food Closet. These free concerts support a vital ministry feeding over 150 families each week. View a PDF flyer here.
Read More