Explore events and resources from Arizona Faith Network this September: the final session of The Tears of Thingsbook study, weekly Monday meditations, October trainings on elder abuse and LDS 101, plus powerful faith-based calls to action on peace, sacred land protection, and climate advocacy. Read the full newsletter and subscribe at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop hosts the Synod Council Retreat, prepares for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, and attends Leadership Day 2025 at King of Glory in Tempe. We also share photos from the Ordination of Kylee Bestenlehner at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson.
Read MoreRegion 2 partner Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (Reno, NV) seeks a full-time Director of Worship & Faith Formation ($65–80k + benefits). Role is 80% worship design/implementation and 20% faith formation; ELCA familiarity preferred; Good Shepherd is open and affirming (RIC). Apply by Nov. 1 (interviews early November); start Jan–Aug 2026. Details and application at goodshepherdreno.org; send materials to jobs@goodshepherdreno.org.
Read MoreAll Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix is currently seeking a part-time Property Manager to help support its mission of service and hospitality. Learn more and apply at AllSaintsPhoenix.org/job-openings.
Read MorePastor Brian Weinberger is home and continuing his recovery with the support of his family and congregation. His wife shares that having him back has been “wonderful for our entire family,” even as their days are now filled with ongoing appointments and long-term recovery needs. We give thanks for the prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts that have surrounded the Weinbergers and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and we invite continued prayer for Pastor Brian’s healing and strength.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod enters the new year with strong leadership, clear plans, and a shared theme of being Rooted in Story. At our recent staff retreat, we prepared both for the year ahead and for Bishop Hutterer’s upcoming sabbatical. During that time, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop, while our new synod council begins its work.
Together, we are pacing ourselves for a season of stability, renewal, and shared leadership as we move faithfully toward 2026.
Read MoreThis fall, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop while Bishop Hutterer is on sabbatical. A former bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod (2011–2023) and now Chaplain at LCM Canterbury at NAU in Flagstaff, Pastor Mike brings decades of leadership experience and will meet weekly with our Office of the Bishop staff.
We are grateful for his steady presence and pastoral care during this sabbatical season, and we invite your prayers for him, Bishop Hutterer, and our synod’s continued ministry.
Read MoreThis fall, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will begin her first sabbatical, traveling to Malta with her husband Alan and continuing through January 2026. Sabbaticals are a best practice in the church, offering time for renewal, prayer, and grounding in God’s Word.
Our synod is well prepared for this season with strong leadership, stable systems, and Rev. Mike Girlinghouse on call for emergencies. Please keep Bishop Hutterer in prayer as she prepares for this sabbatical journey of rest, renewal, and hope.
Read MoreOur theme for 2026 is Rooted in God’s Story. This theme will guide our Spring Gatherings, the 2026 Synod Assembly, and the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, inviting us to tell and live the story of God’s love with clarity and hope.
Read MoreMeet the people serving on our Consultation Committee and Committee on Discipline—teams that help the synod listen well, reconcile where possible, and practice accountability that protects the Gospel’s witness.
Read MoreWe give thanks for leaders completing their service—Hannah Manazares, Taylor Welch, Roger Bailey, Janis Richert, and especially Vice President Barbara Carl, whose steady, strategic leadership guided us through seasons of change.
Read MoreMeet the 2025–2026 Synod Council—including new Vice President Mark Myers and new members Ron Fraass, Dr. Richard Green, and Bruce Rianda—as they gather for their opening retreat and begin the work entrusted to them by our Synod Assembly.
Read MoreMission support at work in Sedona: A Grand Canyon Synod grant helped Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) relaunch Summer Day Camp for K–5 campers with LRCC counselors, community partners, and Bible stories that “planted” faith—literally and spiritually. This ministry was made possible by your mission support and the Synod Grants Program.
Thinking about a new ministry? The 2025 Grants application window is open Sept 8–Oct 31 (up to $15,000). Find details/applications at gcsynod.org/grants.
Read MoreJoin the Spirited Book Club on Thursday, September 25 at 3:00 pm AZ (PDT) for a discussion of The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This short but powerful book invites readers to reimagine community and economy through Indigenous wisdom, reciprocity, and gratitude. Facilitated by Sheri Brown and aligned with the Season of Creation, the conversation will explore how gift economies can help cultivate peace with creation. Click here to register.
Read MoreJoin the Latine Ministry Competency Workshop, October 2–4, 2025, led by Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán and a team of practitioners. This online gathering will equip leaders for cross-cultural ministry, offering practical tools to strengthen relationships with the Latine community. Cost: $250 individual / $600 congregation. Register here. Download the full flier here.
Participe en el Taller de Competencia en el Ministerio Latine, del 2 al 4 de octubre de 2025, dirigido por el Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán y un equipo de líderes. Este encuentro en línea ofrece herramientas prácticas para el ministerio intercultural y para fortalecer relaciones con la comunidad latine. Costo: $250 individual / $600 congregación. Regístrese aquí.
Read MoreWhen caring for a loved one with a disability becomes overwhelming on top of responsibilities to other family members, Medicaid-funded services provide relief and peace of mind.
The post Direct Support Professionals are the Heart of Connection appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreOne Home One Future, a growing coalition of 49 denominations and faith organizations, is celebrating two years of visible climate action rooted in faith. Since its launch in 2023, more than 1,000 congregations and individuals—representing nearly 350,000 people—have joined together to care for creation through education, community events, advocacy, and resources that are free to all participants.
This movement invites congregations of every tradition to step into visible, hopeful climate action that strengthens communities and reflects our call as Christians to steward God’s creation. To learn more and join this campaign, click here.
Read MoreThe September 2025 Mission Support Memo shares Mary’s journey as a Young Adult in Global Mission in Mexico City, where she moved from accompaniment to advocacy, guided by values of mutuality, inclusivity, and empowerment. Her story highlights how YAGM shapes young adults to serve, learn, and work for justice.
This month’s memo also introduces the new ELCA Church Property Resource Hub, created to help synod and congregational leaders navigate opportunities and challenges with land and buildings in service of the church’s mission. We invite you to read, share, and engage with this resource.
Read MoreAt the U.S.-Mexico border, the Border Church brings people together for worship on both sides of the wall. Rooted in prayer, accompaniment, and a ministry of presence, the congregation serves migrants and asylum-seekers while witnessing to Christ’s call for peace and justice. Despite barriers and fear, this community testifies to unity in Christ and hope for a world without walls. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreAn Ohio congregation has transformed a farmland bequest into an ongoing ministry that feeds both local and global communities. Since 2001, St. Mark Lutheran in Van Wert has dedicated all proceeds from its 100 acres to hunger ministries, raising tens of thousands each year to support food banks, shelters, ELCA World Hunger, and more. Rooted in the stewardship of Lutheran farmers, this model continues to multiply gifts for those in need. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.
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