This week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the Synod Council Retreat and then Bishop Hutterer attends the Conference of Bishops Fall Gathering in Chicago. Staff will also support installations, retirements, candidacy and first-call ministry, congregational vitality and generosity, upcoming events, communications, security, and month-end financial work.
Read MoreBishop Deborah Hutterer invites the people of the Grand Canyon Synod to approach the November 3 election with prayer, confidence, and care for their neighbors. She offers key voting deadlines, reassurance about voting by mail, and a call to seek and share trustworthy information as an expression of faithful civic engagement.
Read MoreSee how congregational mission support equips leaders like Pastorá Verónica Alvarez to build relationships and share the Lutheran witness of grace across the global church.
Read MoreDescubra cómo el apoyo congregacional a la misión capacita a líderes como Pastorá Verónica Alvarez para fortalecer relaciones y compartir el testimonio luterano de la gracia en toda la Iglesia global.
Read MoreSun City author and American Lutheran Church member Jeanne Blanchet, Ph.D., has released The Monk Who Wrestled with God: A Novel of Martin Luther, a new historical-fiction exploration of Luther’s faith, doubt, and Reformation witness. The 381-page book is available in paperback and e-book formats through online booksellers, the publisher, and bookstores.
Read MoreRev. Jose Valenzuela, called to serve University Lutheran and ASU Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 9/20/2026, during 10 am worship at University Lutheran Church (340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281).
Bishop Hutterer will preside through Communion. Reception will be an Einstein Bagels bar with coffee and orange juice. No RSVPs are necessary, color of the day is rainbow. Live-stream and post-video link will be on the front page ulctempe.org.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 23 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 47 years on September 24.
Join the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, pastor-in-residence at Global Refuge, for a free forum on refugee resettlement and Lutheran accompaniment from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 3, followed by a reception at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree. RSVP by Friday, October 2, to admin@ctlcarefree.org.
Pastor Shafer will also preach at the congregation’s 9 a.m. worship service Sunday, October 4. Learn how congregations can put faith and welcome into action alongside refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers.
Read MoreChildren, youth and young adult ministry leaders are invited to Camp Pinerock in Prescott, October 16–17, for 24 hours of connection, renewal and shared learning. The $50 retreat includes informal fellowship and participant-driven conversations about faith formation, intergenerational ministry and the joys and challenges of ministry with younger generations.
Reserve your spot by emailing Deacon Laura Book at lbook@gcsynod.org by October 1, 2026.
Read MoreGather Valley of the Sun is relaunching this fall! ELCA young adults are invited to a Tie-Dye Workshop & Fall Kickoff at noon Sunday, Sept. 20, at University Lutheran Church in Tempe, with an optional lunch at 11 a.m. All materials are provided. Congregations are encouraged to share the invitation with young adults in their communities.
Read MoreSave the date for the Grand Canyon Synod Growing in Faith Program’s upcoming symposium, “A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Nationalism — Hope, Courage and Community for Such a Time as This,” on Nov. 14, 2026, at American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Arizona, with virtual participation also available.
Featuring Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod, the event will explore faithful Lutheran responses to Christian nationalism through the lenses of hope, courage, discipleship and neighbor love. More details and registration information are coming soon.
Read MoreRegister by Friday, Sept. 18, for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, Oct. 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Pastors, deacons, and Synod Authorized Ministers will gather around the theme Rooted in God’s Story for worship, renewal, synod conversations, and keynote sessions with Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos exploring theology, neuroscience, liberation, and healing.
Single-room, shared-room, commuter, and extended First Call registration options are available. Registration includes meals.
Read MoreEligible Grand Canyon Synod congregations and ministries may apply for up to $15,000 through the 2027 Synod Grants Program. Approximately $175,000 is available for projects advancing the synod’s strategic-plan goals, with preference given to innovative and collaborative proposals.
Completed applications and all required financial documents must be submitted electronically by midnight Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Read MoreSpirit in the Desert’s latest newsletter shares signs of renewal: upcoming retreats for veterans and church leaders, a Spring Training–themed faith retreat, online worship and devotions, and opportunities to support this ministry of rest, healing, and reconnection. Read the newsletter in full.
Read MoreNature Trek, through Living Innovations in Maine, helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities overcome fears and push beyond self-imposed limits through outdoor adventures. Read about it in this message from Mosaic.
The post Nature Trek Helps People with IDD Connect with Nature, Reach Personal Goals appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreIn the latest Pivot podcast, Associate Vicar Rachael Wooldridge talks with host Dwight Zscheile about the discipleship program her church built to meet them.
Read MoreOn the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Grand Canyon Synod remembers those who died, those who responded, and all who continue to carry grief and trauma. Grounded in Christ’s promise that death and violence do not have the final word, we renew our calling to reject hatred, love our neighbors, and work for peace.
Read MoreNext week, the Office of the Bishop will connect with congregations and leaders through visits, preaching, a retirement celebration, the Conference Dean Retreat, and various meetings. Staff will also advance candidacy, ministry, grants, communications, finance, event planning, and administrative work while welcoming the Rev. Jacqueline Pagel back from sabbatical. We also share a photo of Bishop Hutterer’s visit to Trinity Lutheran Church for Pastor Karl Guhn’s retirement.
Read MoreFor the Common Good: Prayers and Resources for Congregations in Public Life offers Lutheran theological grounding, worship materials and practical ideas for faithful, nonpartisan civic engagement during the fall 2026 election season.
Pastors, deacons, worship planners, councils and advocacy teams are invited to download the resource and adapt its hymns, intercessions, prayer services and other tools for communities across the Grand Canyon Synod. Help your congregation respond to anxiety and division with prayer, truthful discernment, humility and love of neighbor.
Read MoreJoin Beth Lederman and Jazz con Alma for Jazz Vespers at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 13, at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 3546 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix. This monthly “Music for Food” gathering combines live jazz, contemplative worship and fellowship while supporting a food ministry serving nearly 300 family units each week.
September is Hunger Action Month, making this a meaningful opportunity to put faith into action and help sustain the work of feeding neighbors in need. All are welcome.
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