Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Planning to Apply for a 2027 Synod Grant? Join the August 25 Webinar
Planning to Apply for a 2027 Synod Grant? Join the August 25 Webinar

Considering a 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant? Start with the Grant Application Webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m. Arizona/Pacific time. Approximately $175,000 is available this grant cycle, with eligible projects able to request up to $15,000. Visit gcsynod.org/grants for more info.

The application window opens August 24 and closes September 25. Congregations and ministries with ideas to Communicate Jesus, Connect People or Create Possibilities are encouraged to review the new grant information and register for next week’s webinar.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardGrants, GCS Grants ProgramComment
Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month
Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month

Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Tuesday, 8/25/2026, 6-7pm MST.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgardhunger, Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders NetworkComment
Journey to Egypt with Bishop Hutterer: Faith, History, and the Nile – January 27–February 5, 2027
Journey to Egypt with Bishop Hutterer: Faith, History, and the Nile – January 27–February 5, 2027

The Grand Canyon Synod invites you to travel with Bishop Deborah Hutterer to Egypt, January 27–February 5, 2027, for a ten-day pilgrimage exploring the Pyramids, the Nile, and historic Coptic churches tied to the Holy Family. Hosted by Elias Tours, this active journey includes 5-star accommodations, a Nile cruise, daily meals, and expert guides. Cost is $3,890 (land only) with a $300 deposit required; registration is now open. Discern whether this faith-filled adventure is right for you and secure your space today.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Help Us Tell God’s Story Across the Grand Canyon Synod
Help Us Tell God’s Story Across the Grand Canyon Synod

God is at work across the Grand Canyon Synod—and we want to help tell that story. From events and service projects to ministry opportunities and milestones, your congregation’s news strengthens our shared life together. Rooted in God’s story and guided by the truth that we are one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12), we invite you to submit your updates at gcsynod.org/share and help us celebrate what God is doing among us.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Save the Date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering
Save the Date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering

Save the date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. This year’s Rooted in God’s Story gathering will feature Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, theologian and author of A Liberation Theology of the Brain, alongside worship, synod conversations, ministry stories, and time for renewal and connection.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment
2025 Synod Assembly Speaker David Scherer Invites Faith Leaders to Racial Justice Cohort
2025 Synod Assembly Speaker David Scherer Invites Faith Leaders to Racial Justice Cohort

Continue the conversation with 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly guest David Scherer of JUSTmove. David is offering an eight-week online Culture, Power, Race (CPR) Learning Cohort for faith leaders, meeting Tuesdays, September 8–October 27, 10–11:30 a.m. Arizona/Pacific time. Participants will gain practical, biblically grounded tools for navigating race, culture and power while leading meaningful change in their congregations and communities.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardRacial JusticeComment
Called to Cultivate Something New? Apply for the Leadership Incubator
Called to Cultivate Something New? Apply for the Leadership Incubator

Applications are open for Faith+Lead’s New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator, a 12-month online program equipping leaders to listen, discern, experiment, and cultivate Jesus-centered communities among people not connected to a local church. The $249 program combines courses, workshops, monthly gatherings, coaching, and peer learning—and synod leaders are encouraged to personally invite emerging leaders who may be ready to take this next faithful step.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLuther SeminaryComment
Faith+Lead August Roundup: New Tools for Learning, Leadership, and Ministry
Faith+Lead August Roundup: New Tools for Learning, Leadership, and Ministry

Faith+Lead’s August roundup offers new opportunities for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations to learn and grow, including courses on purpose and money, a new Christian communities incubator, Susan Beaumont’s supervision training beginning August 18, and the fall School for Lay Ministry cohort.

The roundup also includes free resources for The Bible in a Year and the Narrative Lectionary’s upcoming Year of Matthew. Read the August 2026 Faith+Lead Monthly Roundup.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLuther Seminary, faith+leadComment
Mosaic | Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities
Mosaic | Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities

When a child sees someone with a disability, they are naturally curious and may have questions. With students heading back to school this fall, we connected with Author and Speaker Tasha Schuh to discuss how parents can talk to their children about interacting with people with disabilities.

The post Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities appeared first on Mosaic.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMosaic, Disability MinistriesComment
Mastering Money: Watch the Recording and Explore the Resources
Mastering Money: Watch the Recording and Explore the Resources

The recording and resources from the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team’s “Mastering Money: Budgeting, Planning, and Living Generously” webinar are now available. Watch Duane Gilson explore budgeting, financial planning, and generosity as practices of faithful stewardship, and find recommended tools for managing money, receiving financial guidance, and growing generosity.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship TeamComment
Watch: Campformation 2026 Brings Faith to Life
Watch: Campformation 2026 Brings Faith to Life

See Campformation 2026 through a new video shared by Pastor David Sivecz of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. From worship and friendship to outdoor adventures and faith formation, get a glimpse of a Grand Canyon Synod ministry that has been helping young people grow in faith and community for more than 60 years.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSynod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Youth and Young Adult, Campformation, Outdoor MinistryComment
Two Resources for Responding to Christian Nationalism: Read, Reflect and Engage
Two Resources for Responding to Christian Nationalism: Read, Reflect and Engage

Two connected resources invite Grand Canyon Synod leaders to study and respond to Christian nationalism. Read the July 2026 issue of Currents in Theology and Mission, “Declaring Independence from Christian Nationalism,” then explore the separate Reclaiming the Heritage project and its “Democracy at Risk” declaration, which people of faith are invited to read and sign.

The Rev. Conrad Braaten, a Grand Canyon Synod pastor currently serving as Interim Pastor at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, helped develop the declaration and encourages synod leaders to engage these resources for theological study, discernment and faithful action.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, Church and SocietyComment
AFN News: Annual Gathering Registration Opens, Plus Upcoming Events
AFN News: Annual Gathering Registration Opens, Plus Upcoming Events

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter features registration for the October 20 AFN Annual Gathering, “From Conflict to Community,” plus upcoming opportunities focused on digital security, elder abuse, election protection, peacemaking and interfaith service.

Read the full AFN newsletter for event details, registration information and more opportunities to connect with Arizona’s interfaith community.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith Network, Church and SocietyComment
LAMA Update: Put Advocacy Into “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
LAMA Update: Put Advocacy Into “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday

The August 11 LAMA newsletter invites congregations to add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday on September 13 and features upcoming events, new ELCA advocacy resources, opportunities to comment on the church’s homelessness social message, and ways to engage faithfully in public life. Read the full LAMA newsletter and find ways to get involved.

Read More
Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, Church and SocietyComment
Office of the Bishop Updates
Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop is engaged across the synod and beyond this week through worship, pastoral leadership, ministry site review, innovation planning, generosity work, staff service at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and preparations for upcoming events. Synod staff also continue the essential communications, administrative, financial, and stakeholder support that sustain our shared ministry.

Read More
News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment