Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Advocacy as a Grateful Response to God’s Grace

Advocacy is more than policy—it’s a faithful response to God’s grace. The Southeastern Synod models a Lutheran approach grounded in Scripture and accompaniment: engaging congregations in justice work, equipping them with tools to act, and empowering leaders to advocate for the vulnerable. Their work embodies the call to love our neighbors through advocacy rooted in baptismal vocation. Read the full story at LAMA.

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Take Action by October 20: Protect Every American’s Right to Vote

A new proposal could restrict voter registration by requiring costly and hard-to-access documents like passports—potentially excluding 21 million eligible Americans. The Election Assistance Commission is taking public comments until October 20. Add your voice as a person of faith who believes every vote is sacred. Read the full post and submit your comment today.

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Act Now: Protect Clean Air, Water, and Creation’s Habitats

Critical programs that protect clean air, water, soil, and wildlife are facing deep federal budget cuts. As people of faith, we’re called to safeguard creation so that all life may flourish. Join ELCA Advocacy and Lutherans across the country in urging Congress to maintain funding for essential environmental programs like the EPA, Clean Water State Revolving Funds, and Superfund cleanups. Read the full Action Alert and contact your members of Congress.

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Learn, Connect, and Celebrate with Arizona Faith Network this Fall

Celebrate bridge-builders at the Arizona Faith Network 2025 Annual Gathering: United We Rise, happening Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Baháʼí Faith Community Center in Scottsdale. This year’s event honors Billie K. Fidlin with AFN’s first-ever Legacy Award. Register to attend in-person or online, and explore AFN’s full lineup of fall events and interfaith opportunities — from meditation and justice trainings to faith education and environmental action — at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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Ordination celebrations: October 17-23, 2025

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Douglas Dill, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 10 years on October 17.

  • Rev. Julia Sprenkle, American, Sun City, who celebrates 15 years on October 17.

  • Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 39 years on October 19.

  • Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 29 years on October 20.

  • Rev. David Swan, who celebrates 52 years on October 21.

  • Rev. Mitchell Eickmann, who celebrates 41 years on October 22.

  • Rev. Linda Brown, who celebrates 14 years on October 22.

  • Rev. Glenn Schrader, Our Saviour’s, Tucson, who celebrates 2 years on October 22.

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Lead with the Spirit: Faith+Lead’s Coaching for Spirit-Led Leadership Begins January 26

Faith+Lead’s Coaching for Spirit-Led Leadership course begins January 26, 2026, guiding pastors, deacons, and lay leaders to lead with trust, curiosity, and collaboration. This nine-week online cohort, taught by the Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz, helps participants listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and empower others to discern their callings. Cost is $375 with scholarships available. Enroll now →

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SYAT Retreat at Camp Pinerock Charts Next Steps for Youth & Family Ministry

The Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT) met Oct 10–11 at Camp Pinerock, Prescott to review first-year goals, plan budgets and collaboration, welcome Pr. Amy Janssen (Tucson), and pray together for the work ahead. In the coming weeks and months, SYAT expects to announce scholarships and new resources for children’s, youth, and young adult ministry and will reach out to every congregation to learn more about local needs.

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Finding Faith in the Great Turning: Spirited Book Club Reads Active Hope

Join the Spirited Book Club at Spirit in the Desert on Thursday, October 23 (3:00–4:00 p.m. AZ/PDT) for a discussion of Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. The book invites readers to face global challenges with courage and creativity, offering a framework for resilience rooted in faith, gratitude, and community action. Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this conversation explores how Christians can live out “active hope” amid uncertainty. Register here: spiritinthedesert.org/events/spirited-book-club-active-hope.

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Oct. 23: Equip Your Congregation to Respond to Addiction

Join the Oct. 23 one-day Virtual Addiction & Faith Conference, “Awakening the Church to Address Addiction,” hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Open to clergy, laypeople, and all impacted by addiction, this $50 event equips congregations to become safe, recovery-friendly communities. Register now and share the flyer to spread the word across our synod.

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Shurden Lectures Ask: Is Mercy Being Criminalized?

This week’s BJC newsletter highlights advocacy against Texas’s new Bible-infused school curriculum, previews the October 21–23 Shurden Lectures on sanctuary and migrant justice, and covers an upcoming Supreme Court case on religious freedom in prisons. Readers will also meet Rabbi David Segal, BJC’s new Policy Counsel, and find the latest Report from the Capital addressing how threats to religious freedom are becoming reality. Read the full issue for details and ways to engage.

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Generosity That Grows: Resurrection Lutheran Church and the ELCA Foundation Model Sustainable Ministry

See how the ELCA Foundation is partnering with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley and the Grand Canyon Synod to nurture a spirit of generosity that will last for generations. Watch the video Grounded in Grace, Growing in Generosity, featuring Pastor Tim Nybroten, Rev. Dan Potaznick, and ELCA Foundation planner Lisa Marie Higginbotham, and learn how faithful giving strengthens the future of the church.

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Oktoberfest Spirit Fuels Lutheran Social Services of Nevada’s Mission

As food pantry lines grow longer in Las Vegas, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada continues to meet the rising need through partnership, generosity, and faith in action. Their recent Oktoberfest celebration raised more than $30,000 and launched the new 1985 Society honoring 40 years of ministry. Upcoming efforts include the Warm Wishes Project (Oct. 22) and the expanding She Cares hygiene initiative. Learn how you can help at LSSNV.org.

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Walking Through History: Our Saviour’s Tucson Marks 80 Years of Ministry

Celebrate 80 years of ministry with Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson during a History Walk on Saturday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. Walk through key spaces on campus as congregation members reenact moments from the church’s story, followed by a celebratory luncheon. Free and open to the public. For details or luncheon RSVPs, contact 520-327-6521 or oslc@lutherantucson.org.

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Register Now: Celebrate Bridge Builders at the 2025 Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering

Celebrate faith leaders who build bridges across Arizona at the 2025 AFN Annual Gathering – “United We Rise”, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Baháʼí Faith Community Center in Scottsdale. Honoring Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., this year’s event will unite faith communities for a morning of storytelling and celebration. Plus, explore AFN’s fall lineup of virtual and in-person gatherings and subscribe to the AFN newsletter for weekly updates: arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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