Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Striving for Justice and Peace: Join Lutherans at the Capitol on February 23
Striving for Justice and Peace: Join Lutherans at the Capitol on February 23

Lutherans from across Arizona will gather at the Arizona Capitol for Lutheran Day at the Legislature on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza in downtown Phoenix. Rooted in our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace, the day will include speakers, legislative meetings, prayer, training, and opportunities to engage directly with public leaders.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast and lunch provided. All Lutherans and friends of Lutherans are invited to learn, witness, and raise a faithful voice in the public square. Registration is now open.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Church and SocietyComment
Matthew 25 in Action: Take the 2026 Lenten Challenge with ELCA World Hunger
Matthew 25 in Action: Take the 2026 Lenten Challenge with ELCA World Hunger

The 2026 Lenten Challenge invites individuals and congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod to join four other ELCA Region 2 synods in raising $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger during Lent. Participants commit to three of four spiritual practices—devotions, learning, action, and donation—using a Matthew 25–centered toolkit.

Everyone is welcome to participate, with a shared goal of engaging at least one person from 50 congregations per synod. Sign up, invite others, and live out Jesus’ call to serve “the least of these” this Lent.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Lenten Challenge, 2026 Lent and EasterComment
IDD Service Waiting Lists: Why They Exist and How to Take Action
IDD Service Waiting Lists: Why They Exist and How to Take Action

Waiting lists for Medicaid funding for home- and community-based services are not a new issue. But, as some states in Mosaic’s network have eliminated them—or are working to do so—new challenges may be on the horizon with federal funding cuts looming.

The post IDD Service Waiting Lists: Why They Exist and How to Take Action appeared first on Mosaic.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMosaic, Disability MinistriesComment
From Faith to the Floor: This Week’s LAMA Action Alerts and Events
From Faith to the Floor: This Week’s LAMA Action Alerts and Events

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s latest newsletter is filled with timely action opportunities, including registration for Lutheran Day at the Legislature on February 23, advocacy alerts on housing and immigration, and multiple trainings and events in the coming weeks. From confronting Christian nationalism to learning how to use Arizona’s Request to Speak system, LAMA continues to equip people of faith to act for justice.

Read the full newsletter for dates, links, and ways to engage—and share it with others to strengthen our collective Lutheran witness for the common good.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment
Standing for Human Dignity: This Week’s Arizona Faith Network Updates and Actions
Standing for Human Dignity: This Week’s Arizona Faith Network Updates and Actions

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter highlights powerful interfaith vigils for immigrant dignity, upcoming nonviolent prophetic witness training (January 28), and new ways to engage through the ReHumanization Project. It also includes advocacy opportunities like Environmental Day at the Capitol, ongoing spiritual formation, interfaith learning events, and urgent statewide needs such as food bank volunteers.

Read the full newsletter and subscribe at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter to stay connected to faith-rooted action across Arizona.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith NetworkComment
A Call to Protect Sacred Space: Faith Leaders Urge Congress to Act on ICE Accountability
A Call to Protect Sacred Space: Faith Leaders Urge Congress to Act on ICE Accountability

Faith leaders across the country are calling on Congress to act as immigration enforcement increasingly threatens places of worship and community safety. A new call to action urges lawmakers to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Actand to hold ICE accountable by withholding funding, citing escalating enforcement actions on church grounds and growing fear among immigrant and refugee communities.

Rooted in the conviction that religious freedom must be lived and defended—not just named—this appeal invites people of faith to contact their elected officials and take action now. Read the full call and learn how to respond faithfully and urgently.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardImmigration and Refugees, Church and Society, BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Christian Nationalism Comments
Perfect Peace in Troubled Times: A Call to Lament, Prayer, and Courage
Perfect Peace in Troubled Times: A Call to Lament, Prayer, and Courage

In a time marked by fear, violence, and division, Women of the ELCA calls the church to peace rooted in prayer, lament, and faithful engagement. Reflecting on recent deaths, detentions, and rising fear in communities, this message invites Lutherans to resist dehumanization and choose a deeper trust in God—through two upcoming online conversations focused on truth, prayer, and faithful response.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardWomen of the ELCA (WELCA), Church and SocietyComment
Building a More Caring World: Stephen Ministries’ 50th Anniversary Event Comes to All Saints Lutheran in Phoenix
Building a More Caring World: Stephen Ministries’ 50th Anniversary Event Comes to All Saints Lutheran in Phoenix

All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix will host a regional Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Part of a nationwide tour, the event features teaching on grief, empathy, caregiving, congregational care, and responding to the mental health crisis, with speakers including founder Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk.

Open to the public and cross-denominational, the event costs $15 per person (optional lunch $12). Registration is required and space is limited. Learn more and register at stephenministries.org/celebratePHX.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAll Saints Phoenix, Capital Conference, Stephen MinistriesComment
Annual Congregation Report Due March 1: What Every ELCA Community Needs to Know
Annual Congregation Report Due March 1: What Every ELCA Community Needs to Know

The Annual Congregation Report is due March 1 for all ELCA congregations, new starts, and synod-authorized worshiping communities. This report provides essential data about people, finances, and resources and ensures your congregation is included in synod and churchwide planning and reporting.

Congregations should submit the report online at elca.org/congregationreport using the ID and password mailed in mid-January. Instructions, Form A, and support resources are available at elca.org/reportinstructions. If you are not receiving ELCA emails, be sure to update your contact information to stay informed.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
From Lament to Leadership: Climate Action Opportunities for Congregations in 2026
From Lament to Leadership: Climate Action Opportunities for Congregations in 2026

The February 2026 Blessed Tomorrow Newsletter offers timely encouragement and concrete opportunities for faith-based climate leadership amid ongoing global and local challenges. Highlights include registration for the 2026 National Faith + Climate Forum (April 25), the American Climate Leadership Awards (April 16), new local action tools from ecoAmerica, and inspiring stories from Climate Ambassadors making a difference on the ground.

Designed to equip congregations and leaders, the newsletter centers on visible faith, local action, and hope for a thriving future. Read the full newsletter for events, resources, and practical ways to lead on climate where you are.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Thinking Faithfully About AI: PLTS Hosts a Disputatio for Our Time
Thinking Faithfully About AI: PLTS Hosts a Disputatio for Our Time

Artificial intelligence is reshaping daily life—and raising urgent ethical and theological questions. On Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. PST), Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will host a Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence, online and in Berkeley, inviting leaders into faithful, rigorous inquiry grounded in Lutheran tradition.

The day includes worship, lunch, expert-led conversations, and the Elizabeth and Harvey Mohrenweiser Lecture on ethical decision-making at the intersection of faith, science, and medicine. Learn more and register at admissions.callutheran.edu/register/AIDisputatio.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader Resources, Region 2Brian FlatgardPacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Artificial IntelligenceComment
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge

Lent is soon upon us (Ash Wednesday February 18). Once again, we are invited into a holy season of prayer, repentance, and renewed love of neighbor. If you’ve participated in the Region 2 Lenten Challenge before, you already know how powerfully God can work through simple, daily steps: a Scripture-based reflection, a faithful action, a moment of courage, a practice of compassion. This year’s challenge is ready for you at lentenchallenge.org—and your place in it matters.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2Brian Flatgard2026 Lent and Easter, 2026 Lenten ChallengeComment
Ordination celebrations
Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Janice Von Rappard, who celebrates 21 years on January 30.

  • Rev. Jose Valenzuela, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 17 years on January 31.

  • Rev. Katie Langston, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 4 years on February 4.

  • Rev. Shari Bernau, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 21 years on February 5.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Free Hymnals Available: Lord of Life Sun City West Shares Worship Resources
Free Hymnals Available: Lord of Life Sun City West Shares Worship Resources

Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona, is offering free hymnals and service books for local pickup. Available resources include 72 Gather hymnals, 24 Worship & Praise hymnals, and four well-used Service Book and Hymnal volumes. Congregations or ministries in need of worship materials are encouraged to take advantage of this shared resource.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardClassifieds, Cactus Conference, Lord of Life Sun City WestComment
Rev. Tim Brown Named Churchwide Representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly
Rev. Tim Brown Named Churchwide Representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

Rev. Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, will serve as the churchwide representative for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, June 11–13, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona.

Gathering under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story,” and inspired by Psalm 78, the assembly will invite the synod to reflect on God’s enduring work among us. Additional assembly details and registration information will be shared in the weeks ahead.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment
Prepared to Welcome: Why Congregational Security Is a Ministry of Care
Prepared to Welcome: Why Congregational Security Is a Ministry of Care

Security planning is not about fear—it is a ministry of care. In 2026, the Grand Canyon Synod is launching a year-long series on congregational security, grounded in theology, stewardship, and practical wisdom.

This opening reflection frames security as an expression of faithful welcome and invites congregations to explore the synod’s new Congregational Security & Preparedness Resources page as we move through the year together.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSecurityComment