The following rostered ministers have retired since May 1, 2020. In the past, congregations may have given them large celebrations to acknowledge their ministry. We know during the year of pandemic that didn’t happen. We take a moment and recognize the service of these individuals.
Rev. Thomas Stephens
Rev. Alan Field
Rev. Richard Lawrence
Rev. John Lillie
Rev. Glenn Zimbelman
Rev. Adele Resmer
Rev. Abigail Byrd
Rev. B. Melissa Harr
We give thanks to God for these congregations who celebrated significant milestones in 2020 and 2021.
Faith Lutheran Church, Phoenix, 75 years
Lord of Life, Sun City West, 40 years
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Tucson, 75 years
Gloria De Cristo Lutheran Church, Yuma, 25 years
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Clarkdale, 25 years
heir 25th Anniversary Gala on 9/9/2021, spotlighting volunteers Gary and Carolyn Weaver, results of Women’s Health Connection cancer screenings, and the return of the peanut butter wars this July. Read more here.
Read MorePastor Shari Bernau, with Living Water Lutheran in Scottsdale, is providing zoom meeting training for ELCA Youth Gathering Primary Congregation Leaders on Tuesday, June 29 at 11am MST/PDT. It will be recorded so people can view it later. Join the Zoom Meeting here.
Read MoreThe Stewardship Team of the Grand Canyon Synod invites you to view their webinar presentation on Electronic Giving for Congregations. This post also provides multiple stewardship resources for congregations.
Read MoreDiakonia’s annual summer retreat is in Zoom, featuring The “S” Course: Satan, Sin, EScatology, ReSurrection, and Salvation.
Join facilitator Pastor Stewart McDonald on Saturdays 7/10 and 7/17/2021, 8:45am – noon, MST/PDT. Retreat fee: $20.00. Register at diakoniaaz.org.
Read MoreFaithful Steps: A Step-by Step Guide for Congregations Starting to Engage in Racial Justice is a presentation by Brenda Blackhawk, Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice for the Minneapolis Synod to help congregations get started on doing racial justice work.
Join this Zoom event on Tuesday 6/22/2021, 4 pm MST/PDT. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link. Facebook event.
Read MoreBeing Here is a podcast that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community. Hosted by the Rev. Melissa Pohlman.
Check out three episodes so far: Protecting Yourself from Burnout, Overcoming Compassion Fatigue, and Personal Finances for Faith Professionals.
Read MoreOur Learn to Live mental health benefit partner has created these quick half-hour sessions for employers. Learn to recognize the signs of mental distress in others, and how to talk about mental health, create a culture of well-being, and lift the stigma about mental health in the workplace. View PDF.
Register and attend together as a leadership group. Access code: PORTICO.
Read MoreFidelity has partnered with Portico to offer a virtual webinar series – exclusively for ELCA Retirement Plan members – that addresses the question: what does it take to be retirement ready?
Register for and view all the dates in the Retirement Readiness Series here. Sessions from June 21 through July 19, 2021. You’ll need to have your Portico login ready.
Read MoreLutheran Thrift Shop in Sun City, AZ has been gifted many boxes of SATB Choral Arrangements, multiple copies, mostly 30 copies each, books, and sheet music included. Genres range from classical, contemporary, gospel, etc.
If you or a colleague are interested, please contact Karen Austad at karenaustad@gmail.com to arrange for a time to explore possibilities. We are hoping to avoid the landfill.
Read MoreAt our 2021 Assembly, we elected synod council members and committee members, as well as voting members to attend the Churchwide Assembly in August, 2022.
We welcome these new members, and thank all of the many leaders who participated in these elections. We are grateful for your continued leadership in the Grand Canyon Synod.
Read MoreGrace Lutheran Church in Phoenix is providing heat relief while practicing Covid safety. From June 7, 2021 until August 27, 2021, Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm, Grace will open the courtyard for our community. Read this post for how they are building community and for donation and volunteer opportunities.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, June 16 at 4:30 p.m. MST/PDT, the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments will host a webinar titled “Leading the Church in a Lingering Pandemic.”
Read MoreThe Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments provides a comprehensive update to the guidance originally published in the summer of 2020. View/download the Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic PDF document.
The consultation included an ecumenical group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors, bishops, and practitioners from at least seven church bodies.
Read MoreNewly ordained Pastor Nanette Christofferson, serving at Love of Christ, Mesa, shares some gratitudes as part of our 2021 Assembly updates.
Read MoreNewly ordained Pastor Pam Reynolds, serving at Lord of Life, Sun City West, shares her some her joys as part of our 2021 Assembly.
Read MorePastor Don Lorfing, senior pastor at Good Samaritan Lutheran, Henderson, led us in a devotion and prayer based on our 2021 assembly’s theme and scripture: Freed in Christ.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” — Galatians 5:13-14
Read MorePastor Karn Carroll (Our Saviour’s Church in Phoenix) serves as our synod’s representative to the ELCA church council. At our 2021 Assembly, she and Pastor Jacqui Pagel shared specifics about our future church and ways to move forward.
Read MoreRev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality, gives an update as part of our 2021 Synod Assembly.
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