Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) Annual Report: 2025

In a year marked by division and uncertainty, members across the Grand Canyon Synod boldly lived out their faith through advocacy, hunger ministry, and public witness. From winning the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge and increasing ELCA World Hunger giving by 35%, to convening 200 advocates for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, this report highlights a growing movement of engagement. Explore the many ways our synod has stepped up—locally and nationally—to proclaim justice, compassion, and hope in the public square.

June AFN Highlights: Advocate, Meditate, and Mobilize

From rapid response training for immigrant accompaniment to interfaith service events packing heat relief bags, Arizona Faith Network is offering a wide range of June opportunities for people of faith to put love into action. With events focused on voter protection, creation care, meditation, and community dialogue, there’s something for everyone. RSVP now and explore the full AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

Ordination celebrations: June 4, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 26 years on June 4.
Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 64 years on June 4.
Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 46 years on June 4.
Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 36 years on June 4.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 4, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination celebrations: June 3, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Thomas Dunham, Streams in the Desert, Tucson, who celebrates 46 years on June 3.
Rev. Patricia Lowe, Emmanuel, Prescott Valley, who celebrates 18 years on June 3.
Rev. Mark Halvorson, who celebrates 52 years on June 3.
Rev. Donald Jacobson, who celebrates 63 years on June 3.
Rev. Greg Wenhold, who celebrates 46 years on June 3.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 3, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination and Installation of Jarrod Iversen

Pending a congregational vote, Vicar Jarrod Iversen will be ordained and installed Saturday, 6/7/2025, at 1pm at Central Lutheran Church, (12921 S. Sunland Gin Road., Arizona City, AZ 85123). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preside. Service will be posted to YouTube afterwards.

Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Reception will follow, please RSVP to RSVP@centrallutheranaz.org.

“Build Up the Body” Through Service: Help Pack Hygiene Kits for Synod Assembly

Join us at Synod Assembly 2025 in a special service project to assemble 200 hygiene kits for individuals in need! We’ve set up an Amazon Gift List where you can purchase needed items, which will be shipped directly to our host church, Community Lutheran. Help us reach our goal—donate by June 1, 2025, and join us on June 12 during check-in to pack the kits. Let’s build up the body of Christ together! Shop the Gift List here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 2, 20252025 Synod AssemblyComment

Prayers for Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in El Mirage

We uplift and pray for Joaquin Garcia and the people of Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in El Mirage, part of the Cactus Conference.

Grand Canyon Synod, Spotlight, PrayersBrian FlatgardJune 2, 2025Pan De Vida El Mirage, Cactus ConferenceComment

Ordination celebrations: June 2, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Carol Breimeier, who celebrates 25 years on June 2.
Rev. Roland Harder, who celebrates 59 years on June 2.
Rev. Ellis Eskritt, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Gary Benson, who celebrates 51 years on June 2.
Rev. James Lundeen, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Lloyd Wallace, who celebrates 62 years on June 2.
Rev. Fred Nelson, who celebrates 25 years on June 2.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 2, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Prayers for University Lutheran Church in Tempe

We uplift and pray for Rev. Arhiana Shek-Dill and the people of University Lutheran Church in Tempe, part of the Fiesta Conference.

Grand Canyon Synod, Spotlight, PrayersBrian FlatgardJune 1, 2025University Tempe, Fiesta ConferenceComment

Ordination celebrations: June 1, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 17 years on June 1.
Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Gilbert, who celebrates 17 years on June 1.
Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 41 years on June 1.
Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 67 years on June 1.
Rev. Douglas Moffat, who celebrates 51 years on June 1.
Deacon Ellen Schnack, who celebrates 34 years on June 1.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJune 1, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination celebrations: May 31, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Lawrence Conway, who celebrates 45 years on May 31.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMay 31, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Being Church During Community Crisis

With Pastor Marcos Canales and Nina Lau Branson, discover how being church in a community crisis goes far beyond emergency preparedness in the latest Pivot podcast.

Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMay 30, 2025Pivot Podcast, faith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment

Ordination celebrations: May 30, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Randall Olson, Honor Health, Scottsdale, who celebrates 49 years on May 30.
Rev. Dennis R. Nelson, who celebrates 54 years on May 30.
Rev. Kenneth Miller, Grace, Kingman, who celebrates 21 years on May 30.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMay 30, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Grace Lutheran in Phoenix, Manna Grant Report: 2025

Grace Lutheran in Phoenix shares their annual report as part of our 2025 Synod Assembly.

Pack Bags, Join Prayer, Learn Across Faiths: What’s New from AFN

Start your summer with compassion in action. This month’s Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes invitations to interfaith meditation, events on faith and science, and youth-led climate action in Bolivia. Most urgently, join AFN in packing Bags of Hope for heat-vulnerable neighbors in Tucson and Tempe. Find the full list of programs and RSVP links at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

Obispa Hutterer: Edificar el Cuerpo de Cristo

Al prepararnos para reunirnos en la Asamblea del Sínodo del Gran Cañón de 2025, mi corazón está lleno de gratitud y esperanza. El tema de este año, “Edificar el Cuerpo,” nos recuerda que nuestros ministerios no son esfuerzos aislados, sino que están entretejidos en el diseño más grande de Dios para la iglesia y el mundo. Cada uno de ustedes aporta una voz, un don y una presencia únicos que fortalecen nuestra misión compartida como cuerpo de Cristo.

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop gathers for an in-person staff meeting, and also presents the Grand Canyon Synod Proposed Mission Plan Webinar on May 31, 2025, 10 AM. And of course we are completely focused on our upcoming assembly.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardMay 29, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Bishop Hutterer: Building Up the Body of Christ

As we prepare to gather for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. This year’s theme, “Build Up the Body,” reminds us that our ministries are not isolated efforts but woven together in God’s greater design for the church and the world. Each of you brings a unique voice, gift, and presence that strengthens our shared mission as the body of Christ.

We gather in Las Vegas at Community Lutheran Church for our 37th synod assembly. Whether you are attending as a voting member, a ministry partner, or a visitor, you are part of a Spirit-led community that believes God is not done with the church.

Let us be bold and courageous in speaking for justice, compassionate in amplifying voices often unheard, and steadfast in proclaiming God’s grace through actions that heal and reconcile.

Ashes at the Beach, Communion by Firelight: How Campus Ministry Meets Students Where They Are

On a Southern California beach and around a campus firepit, Concordia College campus pastors David and Kim Adams witnessed the sacred emerge in the ordinary. In this moving reflection, they share stories of student encounters with God—through Ash Wednesday ashes in a parking lot, communion shared under autumn skies, and raw conversations sparked by tragedy and trust. These moments remind us that campus ministry continues to be a vital space for hospitality, spiritual exploration, and hope. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran.

University Lutheran Campus Ministry Manna Grant Report: 2025

University Lutheran Campus Ministry shares their annual report as part of our 2025 Synod Assembly.

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