Posts in News
In Memoriam: Rev. John Roger Anderson
In Memoriam: Rev. John Roger Anderson

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. John Roger Anderson, who died December 24, 2023.

Rev. Anderson was a former bishop of the Southwest California Synod, and a former pastor at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West.

Roger's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 West Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Ossuarium Fund (which Roger served on the committee) or the El Salvador/Sister Church Fund https://www.htlcto.org/give.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian Flatgard Comment
In Memoriam: Rev. Charles Paulson

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Charles Paulson, who died December 15, 2023.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, 2/10/2023, 11am, American Lutheran Church of Sun City (17200 N Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373). A reception will follow the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall at noon following the memorial service. People attending the reception shout RSVP at 623-974-2512.  Lunch will be provided, and this will help them plan accordingly.

Pastor Paulson worked within the ALC congregation for twenty years and was much beloved by a good percentage of the membership as he was the intake pastor with whom they had first and often quite memorable contact.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
Peace Lutheran Church Offers a 2003 Ford E450 to Serve the Community
Peace Lutheran Church Offers a 2003 Ford E450 to Serve the Community

Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, Arizona, is offering a well-maintained 2003 Ford E450 bus to a deserving organization within the Grand Canyon Synod. Ideal for serving community needs, the bus has faithfully facilitated youth trips and charity work. Interested? Call the church office, 623-972-6785 or reach out to Jay Fellows, Director of Operations at Jay@peaceaz.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardPeace Peoria, Cactus Conference, ClassifiedsComment
Half a Century of Hope: ELCA World Hunger’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Half a Century of Hope: ELCA World Hunger’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Join us as we mark a monumental milestone—the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger—at the 2024 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering on February 1-4, 2024. Celebrate decades of dedication and look ahead to the future of hunger advocacy and action. Be a part of this transformative event for networking, learning, and planning, as we continue to embrace hope and move forward in our mission. Act now to secure your spot and take advantage of special rates!

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Listening Session
Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Listening Session

You are cordially invited to participate in a listening session hosted by the Grand Canyon Synod. This Zoom session on Tuesday, 1/16/2023, 5pm MST, 4pm PST, features Sarah Morris and Anthony Ormsbee-Hale from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC), and offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our community. Click here to register.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardCommission for a Renewed Lutheran ChurchComment
Grand Canyon Synod 2023 Year in Review
Grand Canyon Synod 2023 Year in Review

As we end a year full of collective achievements and spiritual growth, we invite you to join us in celebrating our synod's shared journey. Your generous contributions have been instrumental in every success, from outreach initiatives to the nurturing of our faith community. Take a moment to read our year-end newsletter, which highlights the remarkable moments and milestones of 2023, and reflects the vibrant life of our church thanks to your steadfast support.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona 2023 Year in Review
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona 2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to a close, LAMA invites you to celebrate with them the work we’ve accomplished together. They’re are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. And don’t forget to register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature! View their 2023 year end newsletter here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), AdvocacyComment
Welcome Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions
Welcome Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions

The Grand Canyon Synod is delighted to announce Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions, starting January 2024.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Janice Zimbelman and Rachel Line for their dedicated service. Deacon Janice Zimbelman will be retiring from this half-time position that is shared with the Rocky Mountain Synod as Deacon Katie Kline takes up this work in an interim capacity.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
“Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States
“Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Marie Olson Purcell, “Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

The phrase “America is a Christian nation” is a highly polarizing statement in the contemporary United States. But like many such polarizing statements, the situation surrounding it is much more complex than it might seem. These complexities are actually openings for a deeper discussion of national identity and Christian faith, if such conversations can be had.—Marie Olson Purcell

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCreating Space for Conversations, Word and World, Luther SeminaryComment
The ELCA starts the new year with a newly formed Vision team
The ELCA starts the new year with a newly formed Vision team

The ELCA recently announced the Rev. Louise Johnson, Executive for Administration, has accepted the Executive for Vision, a new position in the churchwide organization.

Starting in January 2024, Johnson will lead a small team in a new effort that will emanate from the ELCA's vision, purpose, goal, and priorities, which call for the church to work together to share the difference God's grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardComment