This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Deacon Wendi Van Beek, U of A LCM, Tucson, who celebrates 1 year on February 19.
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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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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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Celebrate Fat Tuesday with food, music, and generosity at Music for Meals on Tuesday, February 17, at Hope Hall at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Enjoy New Orleans–style cuisine and live music from the Connections band, with the meal beginning at 6:00 p.m. and music at 6:30 p.m.
This free event supports the Pitchfork Pantry, serving ASU Downtown students facing food insecurity. Bring canned goods, and know that all monetary donations will help purchase fresh, healthy food for the pantry. Join us for one last joyful gathering before the season of Lent begins.
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Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix is seeking a piano player for Sunday morning worship services, with rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. This is a meaningful opportunity to serve through music in a collaborative praise team setting. Interested musicians should contact Judy Vogt at 602-999-7620 or jkvsinger@outlook.com.
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Choosing a provider for intellectual and developmental disability services is an important decision. It can also be overwhelming. Here are questions you can ask to find a provider that truly aligns with your specific needs, goals and dreams.
The post Searching for IDD services? Ask these 6 Questions to Find the Right Provider appeared first on Mosaic.
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In this latest Pivot podcast, Dwight Zscheile and Alicia Granholm answer your real questions about the shift from clergy-led to lay-led ministry.
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In the coming week, staff will be engaged in governance, formation, and preparation for the season ahead. Bishop Hutterer will meet with Synod Council, preach and gather with the congregation in Yuma, and continue one-on-one meetings, while staff advance work in youth leadership, candidacy, congregational vitality, generosity, communications, administration, and financial stewardship in support of the synod’s shared ministry and upcoming gatherings.
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The annual Rostered Minister Report to the Bishop is now open and due Monday, March 30, 2026. This report offers rostered ministers an opportunity to reflect on their ministry and connect directly with Bishop Deborah Hutterer as part of our shared life as a synod.
All active (including those on leave or disability) and retired rostered ministers are asked to complete the appropriate online form. Every report is read by the bishop, with care given to each response. Links to both forms are on the synod website.
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Please note a schedule change: February’s Jazz Vespers at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church will take place on Sunday, February 15, not the usual second Sunday. This Valentine’s-themed evening features Typhanie Monique with Beth Lederman, with all proceeds supporting food for 250 families each week through the Music for Food ministry.
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Looking for a simple daily devotional practice? d365 offers a free, five-step daily devotion—Pause, Listen, Think, Pray, Go—written especially for youth and young adults and used by readers around the world. Available online and as a free mobile app.
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Arizona Faith Network’s weekly newsletter highlights upcoming advocacy meetings, faith-based trainings, and community events focused on immigration justice, voting rights, creation care, and interfaith collaboration. From the Prophetic Witness Campaign and Environmental Day at the Capitol to meditation, book groups, and leadership trainings, AFN continues to invite people of faith into meaningful, coordinated action across Arizona.
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Pastor David Pavesic invites pastors and congregational leaders into a four-session online book study based on Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work. Building on the recent Possibilities in Partnership presentation, this study explores how mission can be strengthened through collaboration and shared ministry. Offered in both morning and evening Zoom sessions, the study creates space for honest conversation, faithful discernment, and hope-filled imagination—because while we may not be able to do this work alone, we are better together. Morning sessions start 2/17, evening sessions begin 2/19.
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This week’s Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) newsletter includes an urgent action alert calling advocates to speak out by February 4 in support of SNAP integrity and against punitive legislative measures. The update also highlights advocacy events focused on hunger, voting rights, creation care, and civic engagement, along with new LAMA blog posts and upcoming opportunities to learn and act.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Pam A. Reynolds, Lord of Life, Sun City West, who celebrates 5 years on February 6.
Rev. Mark Wickstrom, who celebrates 40 years on February 9.
Rev. Daniel Paulson, who celebrates 29 years on February 9.
The Grand Canyon Synod is a proud member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA), a national network supporting Lutheran schools and early learning centers. ELEA offers practical benefits for educators and staff—including insurance options, professional development, vendor discounts, and leadership support—alongside mission-centered advocacy for Lutheran education.
Schools and ECE centers within the synod are also eligible for a $50 discount on annual ELEA membership. Learn how ELEA can support your ministry at elcaschools.org.
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The 57th session of the Arizona Legislature is underway, with more than 1,000 bills already introduced and major decisions ahead on housing, tax conformity, education funding, and the state budget. In this advocacy update, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest highlights key legislation to watch, including the reintroduction of the “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill, renewed debate around Proposition 123, and emerging budget negotiations for FY2027.
The update also looks ahead to Lutheran Day at the Legislature on Monday, February 23 at 9:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza, where people of faith are invited to advocate on food insecurity, housing and homelessness, healthcare, and civic engagement.
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What began as a creative response to pandemic disruption has become a defining ministry practice at Desert Cross Lutheran Church. Through thoughtfully curated monthly Faith Formation Playlists for children, youth, and adults, Desert Cross offers flexible, accessible “faith on the go” that meets people wherever and whenever they are—far beyond Sunday morning.
This behind-the-scenes look explores how a whole-church team collaborates around shared themes, integrates worship and learning, and embraces the belief that faith formation happens 24/7. Read the full story to learn what other congregations can take from Desert Cross’s intentional, community-centered approach to lifelong faith formation.
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Celebrate Fat Tuesday with food, music, and generosity at Music for Meals on Tuesday, February 17, at Hope Hall at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Enjoy New Orleans–style cuisine and live music from the Connections band, with the meal beginning at 6:00 p.m. and music at 6:30 p.m.
This free event supports the Pitchfork Pantry, serving ASU Downtown students facing food insecurity. Bring canned goods, and know that all monetary donations will help purchase fresh, healthy food for the pantry. Join us for one last joyful gathering before the season of Lent begins.
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The Spirited Book Club at Spirit in the Desert meets Thursday, February 26, from 3:00–4:00 pm AZ (MST) to discuss Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism—with author Drew J. Strait joining the conversation. Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this timely gathering invites faithful reflection on how worship, theology, and public witness intersect.
It’s not too late to register or read the book. Rostered ministers and lay leaders across the Grand Canyon Synod are warmly invited to take part in this important and hope-filled discussion.
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