In the latest Pivot podcast, Aaron and Ayana Teter join Pivot to talk about the history of Eastminster Church in Pittsburgh, which spent decades becoming what its own members call a cross-cultural church.
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The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes opportunities for congregations and leaders to strengthen digital security, learn about preventing elder abuse, volunteer as nonpartisan Poll Chaplains and Peacekeepers, and register for AFN’s October 20 Annual Gathering. Also inside: heat-relief needs in Tucson, upcoming community events and more ways to put faith into action across Arizona. Read the full AFN newsletter
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The Office of the Bishop will gather for a staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert while continuing to support congregations and leaders across the synod. The week also includes the Ordination and Installation of Guy Ilunga at Trinity Lutheran in Phoenix (August 29, 2026, 10:00 AM), ministry at Central Lutheran in Arizona City, ongoing grants and communications work, and preparation for upcoming events and financial reporting.
We also share photos from Bishop Hutterer’s worship with Church of Our Saviour in Lakeside, Myrna Wells-Ulland’s birthday at Spirit in the Desert, the Office of the Bishop’s visit to West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and a visit by author Bill Kalaf and former Vice President Paul Gryniewicz (2017-2021).
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The 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant webinar recording and presentation slides are now available at gcsynod.org/grants, along with the application and complete guidelines. Approximately $175,000 is available, with grants of up to $15,000 supporting eligible ministries and projects across the synod.
Watch the webinar, review the resources, and begin your application now. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, and late submissions will not be accepted.
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The Phoenix VA Health Care System invites pastors, deacons, and other faith leaders to a Faith Leader Forum on Friday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix. Participants will learn how to help veterans in their congregations connect with VA health care services and benefits. RSVP by Sept. 1 to Chaplain Joel Larson at joel.larson2@va.gov.
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The latest LAMA newsletter invites congregations to add faithful advocacy to their September 13 “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday activities. Also inside: upcoming digital security, elder abuse, election engagement, hunger and creation-care events; new advocacy articles; and a reminder that Grand Canyon Synod Grant applications are due September 25. Read the full LAMA newsletter
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 32 years on August 28.
Rev. Paul Ninnemann, who celebrates 50 years on August 29.
Rev. Carol George, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 27 years on August 29.
Deacon Barbara Sikkink, who celebrates 34 years on August 30.
Rev. Renee Geiger, who celebrates 38 years on September 1.
Rev. John Schaumburg, who celebrates 54 years on September 2.
Rev. Kirk Anderson, who celebrates 54 years on September 3.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Register by Friday, September 18. Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers are invited for three days of worship, learning, renewal, and connection, featuring theologian, pastor, and author Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, PhD.
Rooted in God’s Story, this year’s gathering will explore faithful leadership, healing, identity, human flourishing, and emerging questions facing ministry today.
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Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has new opportunities to serve in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, including refugee youth mentoring, English tutoring, childcare, food distribution, and sewing and jewelry instruction. Metro Phoenix volunteers building relationships with refugee neighbors may also apply for new micro-grants to support shared activities and deepen connection.
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Grand Canyon Synod staff members Theresa Thornburgh and Amy Birchard are sharing their administrative and financial expertise with the Rocky Mountain Synod during a season of staff transition. The new partnership offers a tangible example of synods working together and sharing gifts in service to the wider church.
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The Grand Canyon Synod has received new reports of fraudulent emails impersonating Bishop Deborah Hutterer, this time using a fake Gmail address. These messages are not from Bishop Hutterer. Learn how to recognize impersonation attempts, verify suspicious communications, and protect yourself and your congregation as AI makes online scams increasingly convincing.
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Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona is excited to begin the search for our next Director of Worship. This key leadership position will work closely with our pastors, staff, musicians, and volunteers to help shape meaningful worship experiences that inspire faith, build community, and glorify God. View PDF job description here.
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Executive Skills for Church Leaders returns January 4–8, 2027, at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. This leadership development experience equips rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical skills for today’s ministry context. Join the interest list now to receive early updates and registration access: bit.ly/ExecSkills27.
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Guy Ilunga will be ordained and installed Saturday, 8/29/2026, 10 am, at Trinity Lutheran (9424 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021). Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside. Color of the day is red. Rostered ministers are invited to process, robes are optional.
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Mosaic at Home is the organization’s most popular 24/7 residential service, and it’s successful at helping people with disabilities live the life they choose. Learn about the matching process, which plays a key role in achieving success.
The post The Perfect Match: 4 Things Mosaic Does When Pairing People with IDD and Home Providers appeared first on Mosaic.
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Most churches, without ever meaning to, teach people that faith and work belong to two separate worlds. Katie Roelofs joins Pivot to make the case that it doesn't have to be that way.
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The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter offers opportunities to learn, serve and build community across differences. Explore upcoming digital security and elder abuse workshops, volunteer as a Poll Chaplain or Peacekeeper, register for the Oct. 20 AFN Annual Gathering, and discover more interfaith events and ways to get involved across Arizona.
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The latest LAMA newsletter calls Arizona Lutherans to advocate for neighbors with Temporary Protected Status and offers new opportunities for faithful public witness. Find the TPS action alert, upcoming Hunger Leaders Network and digital security events, “God’s work. Our hands.” advocacy ideas, election resources and more.
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The Office of the Bishop will be active across the synod next week, preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with ministry and synod leaders, preparing for upcoming events and the staff retreat, and continuing stewardship, grants, communications, finance, and administrative work. We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson.
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Watch the ELCA-supported restoration of the landmark 1966 Lutheran documentary A Time for Burning—a challenging examination of race, faith and the church that remains strikingly relevant nearly 60 years later.
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