Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Start Your Advent Saturdays in Prayer, Poetry, and Quiet
Start Your Advent Saturdays in Prayer, Poetry, and Quiet

Begin your Advent Saturdays in prayer and quiet community with Earth and All Flesh: Advent Prayer Gathering, meeting on Zoom from 8:00–8:30 am MST on November 29, December 6, 13, and 20. Each 30-minute gathering includes a reading from Martin Luther’s Christmas Book, guided meditation, music or poetry, silent contemplation, and prayers of intercession, led by retreat facilitator Sheri Brown in partnership with Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.

Register to receive the Zoom link at spiritinthedesert.org/earth-and-all-flesh-registration, and join others across our synod in praying for God’s hope, faith, joy, and peace for all creation this Advent.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2025 Advent and Christmas, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment
Join the Song: Maricopa Lutheran Seeks Church Musician & Choir Director
Join the Song: Maricopa Lutheran Seeks Church Musician & Choir Director

Maricopa Lutheran Church is hiring a Church Musician (pianist/keyboardist) and a Choir Director to serve a growing, song-loving congregation that worships at Desert Wind Middle School. Pay is per service/rehearsal with mileage reimbursement (IRS guidelines) for those outside Maricopa; roles are independent contractor (1099).

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Maricopa Lutheran, Kino ConferenceComment
Lift Your Voice in Joy: Messiah Sing-Along at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West
Lift Your Voice in Joy: Messiah Sing-Along at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West

Join Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West for a beloved holiday tradition: the Messiah Sing-Along on Sunday, November 30 at 3 PM. Sing with the choir and full orchestra or simply enjoy the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, including Comfort Ye My People and For Unto Us a Child Is Born. Rehearsals are available November 19, 26, and 29. All are welcome to lift their voices in this joyful celebration of Christ’s coming.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2025 Advent and Christmas, Lord of Life Sun City West, Cactus ConferenceComment
United We Rise: Join the 2025 Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering
United We Rise: Join the 2025 Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering

Join faith and community leaders at the 2025 Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 9 AM–12 PM at the Bahá’í Center in Scottsdale. The morning features guest speaker Gen Kelsang Chenma and honors the 2025 Arizona Leadership Awardees. Register at arizonafaithnetwork.org/annualgathering. A communications toolkit and graphics are available to support congregational sharing.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Help Shape Sunday Worship: Apply to Be Church Musician at New Promise in St. George
Help Shape Sunday Worship: Apply to Be Church Musician at New Promise in St. George

New Promise Lutheran Church (ELCA) in St. George, Utah is hiring a part-time Church Musician (12–15 hrs/week) to provide organ/piano leadership for Sunday worship, plan with pastors and the music team, and support congregational song through the seasons of the church year. Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes continuing education funds and paid vacation. Send a résumé, brief statement of interest, and (if available) a recording to newpromisemusicsearch@gmail.com. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Download the full job description PDF inside.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, New Promise St. George, Colorado River ConferenceComment
Rethinking Addiction: Free Nov. 26 Webinar for Faith Leaders
Rethinking Addiction: Free Nov. 26 Webinar for Faith Leaders

Join the Center of Addiction & Faith for a free webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, from 11 AM–12 PM MST (Arizona) / 10–11 AM PST (Nevada) titled Rethinking Addiction: A Faith Leader’s Guide. Guest presenter Rachel Bowling will help participants reflect on how we understand addiction through moral, medical, and social lenses, offering insights for compassionate, informed pastoral care. Registration required.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAddiction, The Center of Addiction & FaithComment
Thriving Leadership Formation Enters a New Regional Chapter in 2026
Thriving Leadership Formation Enters a New Regional Chapter in 2026

Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF) is entering a new chapter in January 2026 as a fully regional ministry led by all five ELCA Region 2 synods, supported by a new five-year sustainability grant from the Lilly Endowment. With Pacifica Synod serving as fiscal agent and Desta Goehner continuing as Director, TLF will remain focused on spiritual and leadership formation for pastors, deacons, and church leaders. This transition strengthens connections with First Call Accompaniment and Synodically Authorized Ministry programs, ensuring continued support for leaders across our region. For questions, contact Desta Goehner at Desta@PLTS.edu.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2Brian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Free November Opportunities from ELCA Coaching: Learn, Grow & Connect
Free November Opportunities from ELCA Coaching: Learn, Grow & Connect

Explore a full month of free online events from ELCA Coaching, including sessions on beloved community, truth and healing, accessibility, decolonization, and the annual Vine Deloria, Jr. Theological Symposium. Several upcoming low-cost trainings begin in early 2026. View full details and registration links at elcacoaching.org/events.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Celebrating Seven Ordinations in 2025: Your Mission Support Makes It Possible
Celebrating Seven Ordinations in 2025: Your Mission Support Makes It Possible

The Grand Canyon Synod is celebrating a record year of leadership formation with six ordinations in 2025 and a seventh scheduled for December, including our first-ever two deacons in Word and Service Ministry. Thanks to your congregation’s mission support, leaders across the synod are being raised up, equipped, and called into ministry.

Bishop Hutterer’s 2025 Impact Story highlights the journey of Rev. Solomon Kuch, a South Sudanese refugee who served Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship for years while working night shifts, raising a family, and completing seminary. His ordination shows what becomes possible when a community’s generosity meets God’s call. Download and share the full story to celebrate how your mission support is transforming lives and empowering ministry across our synod. View the letter in English and Spanish here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardBishop Hutterer Letters, Mission Support, Stewardship, Mission Support ImpactComment
Siete ordenaciones en 2025: Su congregación está formando líderes
Siete ordenaciones en 2025: Su congregación está formando líderes

El Sínodo del Gran Cañón celebra un año histórico con seis ordenaciones en 2025 y una séptima prevista para diciembre, incluyendo por primera vez dos diáconos en el Ministerio de Palabra y Servicio. Gracias al apoyo misionero de sus congregaciones, nuevos líderes están siendo acompañados, formados y enviados a servir en comunidades de todo nuestro sínodo.

La historia destacada de este año es la del Rev. Solomon Kuch, un refugiado sudsudanés que sirvió fielmente durante años mientras trabajaba turnos nocturnos, criaba a su familia y completaba el seminario. Su ordenación muestra lo que sucede cuando la generosidad de una congregación se une al llamado de Dios. Descargue y comparta la carta completa para celebrar cómo su apoyo transforma vidas y fortalece el liderazgo en nuestro sínodo. Descarga la historia completa aquí:: Inglés y Español.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardBishop Hutterer Letters, Mission Support, Stewardship, Mission Support ImpactComment
November Good Green News: Gather, Learn, Act, and Support Creation Justice
November Good Green News: Gather, Learn, Act, and Support Creation Justice

Catch the latest November Good Green News from Lutherans Restoring Creation, including upcoming events, advocacy actions, and opportunities to support creation justice this season. Highlights include the Nov. 18 Calling Conscientious Consumers event, early registration for the January 2026 LRC gathering, COP30 reflections, monthly policy conversations, and ways to urge U.S. participation in global climate talks. Read the full newsletter here: November Good Green News.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutherans Restoring CreationComment
Grand Canyon Synod Update on Ongoing Federal Investigation
Grand Canyon Synod Update on Ongoing Federal Investigation

The Grand Canyon Synod continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the ELCA churchwide organization regarding the ongoing federal investigation involving former synod leader Casey Goslin. A new gathering, Holding Space: A Time for Prayer and Conversation, will be offered Monday evening, 11/17/2025, for rostered and lay leaders affected by this news.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFederal Investigation Updates
Hope and Help for the Holidays: LSSN’s Mission Continues
Hope and Help for the Holidays: LSSN’s Mission Continues

Despite a temporary government shutdown that has paused pantry and senior meal services, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada continues serving the Las Vegas community through its holiday assistance programs. A new partnership with E.A.T Meals will provide 2,000 Thanksgiving dinners on November 25, and volunteers are invited to help. LSSN also thanks New Song Lutheran Church and Christian Academy for their creative generosity.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of Nevada, Colorado River ConferenceComment
Faith and Advocacy: Updates from LAMA’s November 11 Newsletter
Faith and Advocacy: Updates from LAMA’s November 11 Newsletter

The latest newsletter from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) calls us to faithful advocacy on behalf of our neighbors and creation. This week’s Action Alert urges Lutherans to contact legislators and advocate for U.S. participation in global climate talks (COP30).

Upcoming events include the Power of Hello workshop on community safety (Nov. 17), the LAMA Liaison Roundtable (Nov. 17), Bread for the World regional meetings (Nov. 18–19), and the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network (Nov. 25).

The newsletter also features the LAMA T-Shirt Design Contest, ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants, and a Save the Date for Lutheran Day at the Legislature 2026 (Feb. 23). Read more at lamaz.org and join the movement for justice and compassion in Arizona.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Church and SocietyComment
Upcoming AFN Events Celebrate Unity, Justice, and Creation Care
Upcoming AFN Events Celebrate Unity, Justice, and Creation Care

Join people of faith across Arizona for AFN’s 2025 Annual Gathering—United We Rise on Dec. 2, honoring Rep. Patty Contreras for her leadership in unity and service. Explore more events including an interfaith Prayer Walk, Reconciliation Ecology Workshop, and the No Amazon for Advent pledge. Read the full newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Rev. Dan Potaznick Shares Exciting Family Update and Parental Leave Plans
Rev. Dan Potaznick Shares Exciting Family Update and Parental Leave Plans

Rev. Dan Potaznick, our synod’s Director of Generosity and Strategic Development and pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, recently shared joyful news about his growing family. Pastor Dan and his wife, Randi, are expecting their first child—affectionately nicknamed “Baby Hiccup”—with a due date of December 15.

He will be on parental leave from December 15 through February 15, supported by both St. John’s and the Grand Canyon Synod, as they celebrate this precious time together. We join in congratulating Pastor Dan and Randi, holding them in prayer and joy as they prepare for this new chapter of life.

Read the full update and message from Pastor Dan on the St. John’s website: “Baby Hiccup Updates”.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOffice of the Bishop Comment
PLTS Invites Applications for Climate Justice Certificate Programs | PLTS abre inscripciones para programas de certificación en justicia climática
PLTS Invites Applications for Climate Justice Certificate Programs | PLTS abre inscripciones para programas de certificación en justicia climática

The Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) is accepting applications for two online certificate programs—one in Faith-rooted Community Organizing for Climate Justice (due Dec. 15, 2025) and one Spanish-language Climate Justice and Faith program (due Nov. 28, 2025). These nine-month courses equip faith-based teams and Spanish-speaking leaders to develop projects addressing the climate crisis through faith and justice. Learn more and apply at centerforclimatejusticeandfaith.org.

El Centro para la Justicia Climática y la Fe del Seminario Teológico Luterano del Pacífico (PLTS) acepta solicitudes para dos programas en línea: el Certificado en Organización Comunitaria Basada en la Fe para la Justicia Climática(plazo 15 de diciembre de 2025) y el Certificado en Justicia Climática y Fe (en español) (plazo 28 de noviembre de 2025). Ambos cursos de nueve meses forman líderes y comunidades de fe comprometidas con proyectos que abordan la crisis climática desde la fe y la justicia. Más información en centerforclimatejusticeandfaith.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader Resources, Region 2Brian FlatgardEspañol, Climate Change, Pacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryComment
Women of the ELCA Host Annual Blue Christmas Service on the Winter Solstice
Women of the ELCA Host Annual Blue Christmas Service on the Winter Solstice

Join the Women of the ELCA for the annual Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year. This virtual Zoom service at 6 PM (Arizona/Utah) / 5 PM (Nevada) offers a peaceful space with music, readings, and prayer for all who seek comfort and hope during the holiday season. Register to attend here.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardWomen of the ELCA (WELCA), 2025 Advent and ChristmasComment