Youth artwork for the 2025 Synod Assembly is due by Friday, May 9! Children and youth across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to submit drawings, paintings, or digital art inspired by the theme “Build Up the Body.” All submissions will be displayed at the Assembly and featured online, with 25 pieces printed as postcards. Every participant will be entered into a drawing for art supplies. Submit at gcsynod.org/2025/assembly/art.
Read MoreRev. Tina Mills will be installed Sunday, 5/18/2025, at 3pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, East Mesa Campus (612 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85208). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preach and preside.
The color of the day is white. There will be a reception following, and the service will be live-streamed on the church’s website and social media.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop prepares for synod assembly and attends meetings with various ministries of our synod. We also share photos from the Ordination of Deacon Emma Janzen and Bishop Hutterer’s visit to St. Raphael in the Valley in Benson.
Read MoreBuild confidence and clarity in your children’s and youth ministry teams with a new online course from Faith+Lead. “Leading Faith Formation for Children and Youth” offers practical tools and theological grounding for volunteers, parents, and ministry leaders—just in time for summer planning. Enroll now for lifetime access and community support.
Read MoreBetween May 2024 and May 2025, fifteen congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod welcomed new rostered leaders, even as many more remain in transition. Our Transition Team—coordinated by Rev. John Maroni and guided by Bishop Deborah Hutterer—continues to use the Transition Coach model to accompany congregations in discerning faithful next steps. With deep gratitude for interim leaders, Synodically Authorized Ministers, and all who support this work, we trust that God continues to raise up leaders for the church today and tomorrow. See the full list of congregations in transition and learn more about the evolving call process in our synod in the PDF report here.
Read MoreChildcare will be provided at the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, thanks to generous sponsorship from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and California Lutheran University. This initiative helps make the assembly more accessible for families and reflects our shared Lutheran commitment to hospitality and inclusion.
Read MoreClergy Financial Resources is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Synod Assembly, helping offset the cost of electronic voting. As part of their sponsorship, they’re offering a free download of their 2025 Clergy Housing Guide using coupon code GCS2025. Learn more about their tax, payroll, and bookkeeping services for churches and clergy in this PDF or at clergyfinancial.com.
Read MoreChrist Evangelical Lutheran Church, Goodyear, AZ shares a video for their Outreach Food Pantry program. The CELC Outreach food pantry has been in existence since 2003 and continues to grow and serve the Goodyear (and surrounding) communities. We are a formal partner agency of St. Mary's Food Bank that provides food to over 65 households weekly.
Read MoreIn the latest Pivot podcast, discover effective approaches to Gen Z spiritual formation in this insightful Pivot Podcast episode featuring Eric Huseth.
Read MoreHalf of all nursing home residents in the U.S. have no visitors. Pathways in Compassion is a nursing home ministry started by St. John Lutheran Church in Michigan to bring care and connection to those who have been forgotten. Learn how your congregation can get involved or start your own team using their free guide and support.
Read MoreHonoring longtime mentor Jim Hanson, Spirit in the Desert is just $3,000 away from creating a new contemplative garden. Also in the works: the ThanksLiving Music Fest (Nov 28–Dec 1), building upgrades, and community events like book clubs, devotions, and the return of Community of the Wild Goose. Read the full newsletter.
Read MoreShare how your ministry is “Building Up the Body” through words, photos, or video. Email submissions to bflatgard@gcsynod.org by May 9, 2025. Select stories will be featured at the Assembly and across synod communications.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman, Native American Urban Ministry, Phoenix, who celebrates 25 years on May 9.
Rev. Timothy Perlick, Mount of Olives, Phoenix, who celebrates 2 years on May 13.
Rev. Christine Stoxen, Holy Trinity, Chandler, who celebrates 25 years on May 14.
Join the Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA for an online Bible study event with Gather magazine author Rev. Brooke Petersen on Saturday, May 17 from 9–11am MST/PDT. Learn to lead the Summer 2025 study, “Where Two or More Are Gathered: Flourishing in Relationships.” Open to all—register now at www.GrandCanyonWomen.org. View PDF flyer here.
Read MoreJoin thousands of pastors and leaders May 12–15 for the Festival of Homiletics—online or in Atlanta—as we worship, learn, and preach to heal the divide. Experience inspiring sermons, theological lectures, and uplifting worship grounded in Lutheran theology. Register today at festivalofhomiletics.com.
Read MoreMinistry is hard—and full of questions without easy answers. On May 22, join the Rev. Dr. Michael Binder for Faithful Adaptation: Leading Change with Hope, an online workshop that offers tools to move beyond shallow fixes and into deeper, Spirit-led transformation. This 90-minute session is free with a Faith+Lead membership. Learn more and register here: https://lab.faithlead.org/event/faithful-adaptation-leading-change-with-hope/
Read MoreThe School for Lay Ministry begins May 17, 2025, offering a yearlong journey to equip lay leaders for faithful service in preaching, care, worship, and leadership. This online program includes live cohort meetings, flexible learning, and practical resources grounded in Lutheran theology. Tuition is $600, with scholarships and payment plans available. Learn more and register.
Read MoreYouth from the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to Leadership Lab 2025, a weeklong Lutheran leadership experience for grades 8 through age 24, held June 23-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Rooted in faith and friendship, Leadership Lab helps young people grow as disciples and leaders. Register now at leadershiplab.net.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Scott Hackler and the people of Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Surprise, part of the Cactus Conference.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Douglas Dill and the people of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Fiesta Conference.
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