As part of our upcoming Synod Assembly worship services, we are excited to announce that our offerings will be directed towards two very important causes. Half of our collected offerings will support ELCA World Hunger, aiding in the fight against global hunger and poverty. The other half will go towards First Call Theological Education, a program dedicated to providing resources and support for new ELCA pastors and deacons.
Read MoreAs part of our 2023 Synod Assembly, our Ministry Night at the Museum is Friday evening, 6/9/2023, at the Children’s Museum in downtown Tucson. This event is included with voting member registration. Non-voting members can register separately for $50.
For maximum fellowship, ride a free shuttle bus from Resurrection Lutheran or from two of our designated hotels: Holiday Inn Express or Fairfield Inn & Suites. Reserve your seat today so we can plan for you! (Please register each person individually. You'll have a chance to register another individual after each submission.)
Read MorePlease join us for the 2023 Diakonia Graduation Ceremony and Reception, Saturday, 6/10/2023, 12:30 pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church Sanctuary, Oro Valley, Arizona or via Zoom.
We celebrate Megan Andrews, Lynn Davis, Barbara Peterson, Carol Ristau, Ronald Ristau, Susan Schmatjen, Joan Swanson, and Tom Willmore. Read their statements of faith in this post.
We also celebrate certificates of completion for the following Growing in Faith Diakonia Program 2023 Foundation Year Students. Metro Phoenix Diakonia Community: Kathy Anderson, Debra Carter, Vanessa Jones, Leslie McCourt, Deborah Nelson, Deanne Olivas, Mark Schulz, Julie Skrzypek, Janet Swartstad, and Nancy Zine. Tucson Diakonia Community: Melanie Bowman, Jodie M. Burch, Rebecca Copp, Nancy Ireland, and Marty Leuking.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 15 years on June 1.
Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Gilbert, who celebrates 15 years on June 1.
Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 39 years on June 1.
Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 65 years on June 1.
Rev. Douglas Moffat, Faith, Yuma, who celebrates 49 years on June 1.
The Office of the Bishop staff is all in preparing for our 2023 Synod Assembly. Can’t wait to see all of you there!
Read MoreRead the full Grand Canyon Synod Transition Team Report as a PDF here.
Mid-way through our third year guiding congregations through times of transition, we continue to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us. We seek to Be Bold and innovative as the number of openings for rostered leaders increase and the number of candidates to fill those openings decrease. We invite you to pray with us for new leaders for God’s church.
Read MoreAs I enjoy my first May here in the Grand Canyon Synod, I am reminded of the prophetic voice of first Isaiah as they envision new life in the desert.
Read MoreWe include quite a bit in our news system, which consists of our site’s blog and calendar, as well as posts to Facebook and our weekly newsletter. Since we revamped our system, we’ve posted over 5,000 times in our blog, with 300 newsletters.
Looking ahead, our commitment is to continue sharing, connecting, and uplifting. We hope to enrich our news system and keep the lifeblood of our synod flowing.
Read MoreFor our 2023 synod assembly, New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson shares their story of feeding 325 children for 38 weeks of the most recent school year.
Read MoreOur regional gift planners Lisa Higginbotham and Josh Kerney share the 2023 annual report for the ELCA Foundation as a PDF, a video, and in this blog post.
The vision of the ELCA Foundation is to be a thriving ministry that develops a culture of intentional generosity and financial stewardship to expand the work of the ELCA. Our mission is to support and sustain ELCA ministries by enhancing gifting capacity and stewarding resources.
Read MoreAfter an assembly season of being bold in our baptism, the Office of the Bishop will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, June 13-14, 2022.
Read MoreFor our 2023 assembly, we are sharing last year’s great symposium on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order by David Swartling. View the PDF handout here, and the presentation is available for viewing here with passcode: TQgC5E!7
Special thanks to our amazing guest, David Swartling, for providing this valuable information.
Read MoreOur 2023 Assembly will elect an At-Large Representative to the Synod Council, as well as members to the Consultation Committee and the Committee on Discipline. View the nominees and their info on our nominee page.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Randall Olson, Honor Health, Scottsdale, who celebrates 47 years on May 30.
Rev. Dennis R. Nelson, who celebrates 52 years on May 30.
ELCA World Hunger provides an update on countries in southeastern Africa which were hit by one of the most powerful cyclones in memory. Read the update at ELCA.org, or visit their Malawi Virtual Tour.
Read MoreWhat a year this has been! The Holy Spirit has been active and new things are happening in the Grand Canyon Synod. This year was full of new ministries and initiatives, as well as a new role for me.
Read MoreFor our 2023 synod assembly, New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson shares their story of feeding 325 children for 38 weeks of the most recent school year.
Read MoreAs we continue to strive to have our leadership reflect the diversity of the Southwest, it is my pleasure to continue and work with you towards a brighter ELCA.
Read MoreFor our 2023 synod assembly, Arizona Faith Network shares their video story of working with ministries on providing heat respite and more.
Read MoreIn New Orleans, there is a Lutheran congregation shining this resurrection hope of Jesus in their community. Founded in 1888, Bethlehem is a remarkable church with a rich history of service that goes deep into the community. Bethlehem is a beacon of light on a hill in a weary world.
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