We update this post with news of a memorial service to be held at Central Lutheran (12921 Sunland Gin Rd, Arizona City, AZ 85123), on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 11 am. A luncheon will follow the service. All clergy are invited to arrive by 10:30 am to vest and process. Color of the day will be white.

We pray for Rev. Robert Kleinke’s family and friends, especially his wife Joanne, after his death on July 12, 2022, following hospitalization while visiting family in Minnesota. He passed peacefully with his family alongside at St. Luke Hospital, Duluth MN. Pastor Bob Kleinke was recently an interim pastor at Central Lutheran in Arizona City and Casa Grande.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardJuly 13, 2022Bob Kleinke Comments

In Memoriam: Rev. Howie Wennes

We pray for the family of Rev. Howard E. Wennes, especially his wife Mary, after his death on July 12, 2022, following a recent hospitalization. Pastor Howie Wennes is bishop emeritus of the Grand Canyon Synod (June 20, 1987 – August 31, 2001), and president emeritus of California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks.

7/14/2022: We update this post with obituary and service information, as well as a letter of remembrance from Lori E. Varlotta, Ph.D., President of California Lutheran University.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardJuly 12, 2022Howie Wennes Comments

Campformation returns to gathering in-person

On Sunday, July 3rd, Camp Pinerock in Prescott, AZ welcomed fifty- five students (6th-11th grade) from the Grand Canyon Synod to Campformation 2022. In addition, twenty-four young adults (11th grade-22yrs) served as counselors; leading small groups, worship, Bible study discussions, and guiding campers throughout the week.

During the week students also had the opportunity to meet and worship alongside Bishop Deborah Hutterer and Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Jacqui Pagel. More info and lots of photos in this post…

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 12, 2022Youth and Young Adult, Campformation, Outdoor MinistryComment

Rev. Jay Alanis: “Embody the Word” online Bible study series

We share the video from Rev. Jay Alanis’ reflection titled, The Walk to Emaus, La Caminata a Emaús. It is the first pre-event of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2022.

In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24. Register here for the live Bible study series held on Zoom.

ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJuly 11, 20222022 Churchwide AssemblyComment

Situation Report: Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Lutheran Disaster Response has raised over $10 million in support of refugees and internally displaced people in Ukraine and surrounding countries. New partnerships in Eastern Europe include L’Arche, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), and Lutheran World Federation.

This post also has a partner update from the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia (ECACS).

Lutheran World Federation newsletter: July 8, 2022

News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardJuly 8, 2022Lutheran World FederationComment

Prayers for Rev. Howie Wennes and family

We pray for Rev. Howard E. Wennes and his family as he is in the ICU. You can follow his medical updates on this CaringBridge page.

Pastor Howie Wennes was the first bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod, June 20, 1987 – August 31, 2001.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, PrayersBrian FlatgardJuly 7, 2022Howie WennesComment

Installation of Rev. Jose Valenzuela at Community of Grace in Peoria

The installation service for Pastor Jose Valenzuela will be on Sunday, 7/17/2022 at the 9 and 10:30 am worship services at Community of Grace in Peoria (10561 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Peoria, AZ 85383).

Installation of Rev. Erin Morris at Resurrection Lutheran in Oro Valley

The installation service for Pastor Erin Morris will be on Saturday, 7/30/2022 at 5pm MST at Resurrection Lutheran Church at the Oro Valley Sanctuary (11575 North 1st Avenue, Oro Valley, AZ 85737).

Dinner reception immediately following in the Outreach Center. Kindly make reservations by 7/18/2022 here.

Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is green.

COVID-19 community levels: 7/7/2022

According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels, high level counties are Apache, Clark, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai.

Medium levels counties are Cochise, Pima, Washington and and Yuma.

Low level counties are Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 7, 2022CoronavirusComment

Office of the Bishop Updates: 7/8/2022

Vacation and meetings and conferences continue for the Office of the Bishop, as well as planning and day-to-day activities.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 7, 2022Office of the BishopComment

Lutheran Campus Ministry Regions 1 and 2 Staff Retreat

Grand Canyon Synod campus ministry leaders were in retreat in Federal Way, WA June 26-29, with their colleagues from the West to share ideas, look forward to the future, and offer support to one another.

In attendance were Campus Minister Brad Eubanks, NAU, Campus Pastor Gary McCluskey, ASU, Campus Pastor Rebecca Boardman, U of A.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 7, 2022Lutheran Campus Ministries, LCM NAU, LCM ASU, LCM U of AComment

Leadership Lab returns to in-person gathering at Augustana College

Leadership Lab, a youth ministry program of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), successfully returned to meeting in person on the Augustana College campus from June 20th - 25th. The Grand Canyon Synod saw participants from Living Hope Lutheran - Las Vegas, Good Samaritan- Las Vegas, Central Lutheran, Arizona City & Casa Grande AZ, and Holy Trinity Lutheran- Chandler. View photos and more info in this post.

Heidi Gerrish Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life for Heidi Gerrish will be held at Mountain View Lutheran (11002 S 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044) on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 10:30 am. There will be a reception immediately after. View the livestream here. A recording will be available for viewing following the service as well.

All of our updates on Heidi and her family can be viewed at gcsynod.org/news/tag/Gerrish+family. View a page on Chapel of the Chimes for an obituary, service info, and a tribute wall. A full obituary can be found in this post as well.

Grand Canyon Synod, In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 6, 2022Gerrish family Comments

Help out with Lutheran Social Services of Nevada's Back-to-School Drive

Here’s your chance to help out with Lutheran Social Services of Nevada's Back-to-School Drive. You can donate socks, donate school supplies, volunteer, or give online at lssnv.org/donate. Read more in this post or contact martin@lssnv.org for more info.

Drop off items Monday-Friday, 9am–4pm at LSSN: 4323 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas, NV, 89121, by Friday, 8/5/2022.

Cruzando Fronteras summer 2022 update

Over the last 9 months, your support has made it possible for 889 residents at our partner shelter, La Casa de Misericordia y de Todas Naciones, to take the next steps in their immigration journeys. Of the 889 residents, 439 are children under the age of 17; all school-age children that, we pray, will be enrolling for school this coming fall and taking some important first steps toward a new future.

Patterson Yazzie Named Executive Director of Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission

The Board of Directors of Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission Inc. announce the appointment of Patterson Yazzie as Executive Director. The Board’s unanimous affirmation celebrates Yazzie as the first Navajo executive leader in the Mission’s nearly 70-year history.

Situation Report: Horn of Africa Drought

The Horn of Africa is in the midst of one of its worst droughts in recent history, severely impacting more than 15 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Water is needed for drinking, cooking and hygiene, so the lack of water has greatly affected people’s wellbeing.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2022Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment

ELCA hosts “Embody the Word” online Bible study series

In preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, "Embody the Word," from Luke 24. Register here for the live Bible study series held on Zoom.

July 10 – Rev. Jay Alanís, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in San Juan, Texas.
July 17 – Sally Azar, currently studying in Germany with plans to serve the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) as its first female pastor.
July 24 – Man-Hei Yip, assistant professor of systematic theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.
July 31 – Denise Rector, doctoral student in womanist theology and race and history at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 20222022 Churchwide AssemblyComment

Ordination celebrations: 7/1/2022-7/14/2022

Rev. Glenn Zorb, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 43 years on July 1.
Rev. Jan Flaaten, who celebrates 49 years on July 1.
Deacon Brenda J. Laukonis, who celebrates 41 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Hutson Jr., who celebrates 49 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Rod, who celebrates 49 years on July 1.
Rev. James Dew, who celebrates 32 years on July 1.
Deacon Bernice Johnson, who celebrates 63 years on July 5.
Rev. Arlyn Norris, who celebrates 47 years on July 6.
Rev. Joshua Auchenbach, Tanque Verde, Tucson, who celebrates 16 years on July 9.
Rev. Timothy Nybroten, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 22 years on July 9.
Rev. Daniel Hodgson, who celebrates 55 years on July 9.
Rev. Richard Staats, who celebrates 56 years on July 10.
Rev. Abigail Byrd, who celebrates 30 years on July 12.
Rev. Richard Sherrill, Prince of Peace, Phoenix, who celebrates 24 years on July 12.
Rev. Steven Holm, who celebrates 52 years on July 12.
Rev. Keith Ingle, who celebrates 52 years on July 12.
Rev. Susan Sauerberg, who celebrates 25 years on July 13.
Rev. Arthur Goetz, who celebrates 60 years on July 14.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2022Ordination AnniversariesComment

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