Ordination Celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Douglas Dill, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 11 years on October 17.
Rev. Julia Sprenkle, American, Sun City, who celebrates 16 years on October 17.
Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 40 years on October 19.
Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 30 years on October 20.
Rev. Scott Hoecker, who celebrates 8 years on October 20.
Rev. David Swan, who celebrates 53 years on October 21.
Rev. Mitchell Eickmann, who celebrates 42 years on October 22.
Rev. Linda Brown, who celebrates 15 years on October 22.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 13, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Discern Your Next Faithful Step in Berkeley: A Weekend for Seminary Discernment

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites people discerning seminary, ordained ministry or another vocational path to Signs Along the Way, October 30-November 1 in Berkeley, California. Lodging and meals are covered, and travel assistance is available.

Come explore your call, experience PLTS and connect with students, faculty and others in discernment. Learn more and register.

Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2Brian FlatgardOctober 12, 2026Pacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryComment

LEAN Voter Guides: Give Nevada and Utah Ballot Questions Your Full Attention

Preparing to vote in Nevada or Utah? LEAN’s 2026 voter guides explain proposed constitutional amendments, connect them with Lutheran social teaching, and encourage careful attention to ballot questions.

Download the Nevada Voter Guide (PDF): Covers proposed constitutional amendments concerning abortion rights and voter identification.

Download the Utah Voter Guide (PDF): Covers publication requirements for proposed constitutional amendments and a proposed 60% approval threshold for tax-related citizen initiatives.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honor, Learn and Listen

Observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12 by honoring Indigenous cultures, resilience and sovereignty. Explore ELCA Indigenous ministries and Truth and Healing resources, learn about the peoples whose homelands include your community, and take a concrete step to support Indigenous voices.

ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 12, 2026ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal RelationsComment

Key Voting Deadlines Arrive October 19–23

Key voting deadlines fall October 19–23: Navajo Nation mail-ballot applications are due October 19, Clark County’s online registration window with mail-ballot eligibility ends October 20, and Arizona mail-ballot requests and Utah registration are due October 23. With Arizona early voting underway and Nevada early voting October 17–30, review our nonpartisan guide to prepare for November 3.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 9, 2026Elections and Voting Rights, Church and Society, AdvocacyComment

BJC: Serve Your Neighbor This Election Season

BJC’s October newsletter connects religious freedom with service to our neighbors: final poll chaplain training October 15, lectures October 21–22, court updates, advocacy for safe worship, and a November 12 clergy gathering. Read the full issue for details, registration, and ways to act.

Pivot #194: The Crisis of Discipleship? Season 8 Opener

In the latest Pivot podcast, the primary challenge facing the church in North America is a crisis of discipleship.

Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 9, 2026Pivot Podcast, Luther SeminaryComment

Installation of Deacon Wendy Schulz at St. John's Lutheran in Glendale

Deacon Wendy Schulz will be installed at St. John's Lutheran Church (7205 N 51st Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301), on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 5 pm. Pastor Ryan Hersch will be preaching and presiding, with a light meal will follow. No RSVP's needed. The service will be live streamed and have video afterward.

LEAN Voter Guides: Give Nevada and Utah Ballot Questions Your Full Attention

Preparing to vote in Nevada or Utah? LEAN’s 2026 voter guides explain proposed constitutional amendments, connect them with Lutheran social teaching, and encourage careful attention to ballot questions.

Download the Nevada Voter Guide (PDF): Covers proposed constitutional amendments concerning abortion rights and voter identification.

Download the Utah Voter Guide (PDF): Covers publication requirements for proposed constitutional amendments and a proposed 60% approval threshold for tax-related citizen initiatives.

From Conflict to Community: AFN’s October Invitations

Explore AFN’s October opportunities for voter education, creation care, and interfaith connection—including an October 14 ballot webinar, October 15 brunch in Chandler, and October 20 Annual Gathering. Read the full newsletter for details and registration.

LAMA Update: Ballots, Community, and Care for Our Neighbors

LAMA’s October 6 update features ballot tracking, its bilingual voter guide, October 15 brunch in Chandler, and Daily Bread Grant applications due October 21. Read the full newsletter for these opportunities, advocacy alerts, and ways to connect faith with care for our neighbors.

Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14, while supporting the Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma, congregational visits, retreats, and First Call accompaniment. Staff will also advance ministry partnerships, generosity efforts, grants, communications, event planning, and financial administration.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 2026Office of the BishopComment

The Agenda Is Set: Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14

The agenda is set for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 in Scottsdale! We look forward to reconnecting with registered ministry leaders for worship, renewal, and learning with the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos. Preview the schedule, including affinity groups, a film discussion, and closing worship.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 20262026 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment

Learn and Discern: Understanding Our Church’s Teaching on Sexuality

Questions about sexuality and the ELCA touch faith, conscience, and belonging. Begin our five-week Learn and Discernseries with a 33-minute conversation about the history behind the church’s teaching and reconsideration process, paired with the ELCA’s Conscience and Conversation study.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Conscience and ConversationComment

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Download resources, a new litany and more

Women of the ELCA offers several ways to put faith into action this fall, beginning with resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and confidential, 24/7 support for survivors. Upcoming opportunities include the Oct. 15 Thankoffering Service and Boldcafe conversation on consent, an Oct. 22 racial justice gathering, a Nov. 4 tour information session and a new Bible study featuring Hagar, Ruth and Mary Magdalene.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Women of the ELCA (WELCA), Domestic ViolenceComment

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honor, Learn and Listen

Observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12 by honoring Indigenous cultures, resilience and sovereignty. Explore ELCA Indigenous ministries and Truth and Healing resources, learn about the peoples whose homelands include your community, and take a concrete step to support Indigenous voices.

ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal RelationsComment

Planned Giving: Why Your Legacy Gift Matters

Your generosity can sustain ministry for generations. Discover how a gift through your will or beneficiary designations can express your faith, provide for the ministries you love, and support the future of your congregation and the Grand Canyon Synod.

Faithful Leadership for a Changing Church: October Resources

Grow your ministry with Faith+Lead’s October offerings: the School for Lay Ministry begins October 10, and New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator applications close October 31. Explore on-demand learning in adaptive leadership and congregational care, plus free resources for faith reflection, a four-week Acts study, and preaching informed by Indigenous scholars.

Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026faith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment

Congratulations to Scholarship Recipient Annie Durante

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.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026Youth and Young Adult, Grace PhoenixComment

Brunch and Ballots: Gather at Holy Trinity in Chandler October 15

Gather 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.

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