Congratulations to Annie Durante of New Covenant Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, this year’s Grace & Grand Canyon Synod Scholarship recipient! Congregations and individuals can help grow this ministry, which funds scholarships through interest while preserving the principal. For giving information, contact Shawn Watts at the Arizona Community Foundation, rather than Grace Lutheran or the synod office.
Read MoreGather October 15, 2026, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie Street, Chandler, for a free, nonpartisan Community Voting Celebration. Enjoy food, ballot education, Peacekeeper training, and transportation to an official ballot drop-off for participants with completed ballots. All are welcome at this interfaith open house—come when you can. Register here.
Read MoreRev. David Peterson will be installed on Sunday, 10/11/2026 at 9:30 am at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church (11273 E 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367). Rev. Pat Reed will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service. No RSVP's necessary. The service will be live-streamed and can be found on the church’s website and Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Thomas Morrison, who celebrates 48 years on October 10.
Rev. John Biggs, Saved By Grace, Pahrump, who celebrates 13 years on October 13.
Rev. Steven Kruse, New Covenant, Scottsdale, who celebrates 41 years on October 13.
Deacon Gloria Owens, who celebrates 39 years on October 13.
Rev. Daniel Hoeger, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 37 years on October 15.
Make your voting plan for November 3: Arizona early voting begins October 7, Nevada early voting begins October 17, and Navajo Nation absentee ballot applications are due October 19 at 5 p.m. Utah’s registration deadline and Arizona’s mail-ballot request deadline follow on October 23. Review our nonpartisan guide for registration options, ballot-return rules, and official resources across the synod.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of the Southwest is collecting new towel sets for older adults and new, unwrapped toys, games, sporting equipment, arts and crafts, and gift cards for children across Arizona. Gifts must be received by 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.
Shop the online wish list, give financially, volunteer, or organize a collection drive with your congregation through LSS-SW’s Christmas Wishes campaign.
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 MoreKing of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe will host a Senior Resource Fair October 17, 9 a.m.–noon, at 2085 E. Southern Ave. Older adults and caregivers can connect with resource organizations and attend 30-minute presentations on Medicare, aging in place, caregiver support, financial and legal considerations, and staying healthy and connected. View a PDF here.
Read MoreSpirit in the Desert’s newsletter highlights a free veterans retreat November 20–22, ThanksLiving Music Fest November 27–30, and 2027 leadership and baseball retreats. Find daily devotions, weekly prayer gatherings, and public meditation paths—and discover how to share this ministry of hospitality. Read the full newsletter for details and registration links.
Read MoreVeterans are invited to a free Healing of Memories retreat November 20–22 at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, from Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday at 2 p.m. The weekend offers reflection, compassionate listening, and support. Space is limited: contact Mike Wold at 651-687-9767 or michael_w_wold@msn.com. Please share with veterans in your congregation and community.
Read MoreCelebrate Thanksgiving weekend at ThanksLiving Music Fest, beginning November 27 at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree. Enjoy live music, meals, and fellowship while supporting its ministry of renewal and healing. Choose an on-site stay or individual concert-and-meal tickets. Explore options and register.
Read MoreApplications 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 MoreSeason 7 of the Pivot Podcast asked how the old treasures of the Christian tradition, its practices, liturgy, scripture, and doctrine, can reach people today and shape the way we lead, pray, and live among our neighbors.
To accompany the season, we've created a free guide, Rooted for the Road Ahead: A Season 7 Guide from Faith+Lead's Pivot Podcast. Each episode page has a short description, a key quote, and a few questions for reflection or group discussion. At the end you'll find books from our season guests. Download the guide.
Read MoreOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and honor the value and talent workers with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces. At Mosaic, we get to witness how employment opportunities transform lives every day. We understand that applying and interviewing for a job can be both exciting and nerve-racking for everyone. Our employment coordinators at Living Innovations share five tips to help people with IDD turn that nervousness into confidence.
Read MoreTrinity Lutheran Church, 9424 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix, seeks a pianist for Sundays and praise team rehearsals every other Wednesday evening. Interested? Contact Judy Vogt at 602-999-7620 or jkvsinger@outlook.com. Please share with musicians in your community.
Read MoreLAMA’s September 29 newsletter connects faith with action: support truth and healing for Indian boarding school survivors, explore hunger grants opening October 1, hear Global Refuge’s Eric Shafer October 3, and join a free voting celebration October 15. Read the full newsletter for advocacy opportunities, voter resources, and event registration.
Read MoreBuild interfaith community and prepare for peaceful elections with Arizona Faith Network. This issue features October voter education events, Poll Chaplain and Peacekeeper training on October 15, and the October 20 Annual Gathering honoring Azra Hussain. Read the full newsletter for registration links, community celebrations, and more ways to serve.
Read MoreNext week, synod staff will celebrate an ordination and installation, preach and participate in mission leadership training, and gather for an all-day staff meeting. Staff will also advance generosity and communications projects, support grants and upcoming events, maintain regular news updates and office operations, and prepare for September’s financial close.
Read MoreVolunteer with Gather Valley of the Sun and Pitchfork Pantry on October 3 to help distribute food and essentials to ASU students. Arrive at 8 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Tempe for an 8:15–10:15 a.m. shift, with optional brunch and a devotional afterward. RSVP by messaging Gather on Instagram.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 7 years on October 5.
Rev. Kimberly Sterner, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, who celebrates 40 years on October 5.
