The Office of the Bishop completes year-end tasks and prepares for some vacations and parental leave.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Deacon Katie Adelman, who celebrates 40 years on December 15.
Rev. Thomas Stephens, who celebrates 41 years on December 16.
New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson once again hosts Arizona’s exclusive production of Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity on December 13 at 7 p.m. and December 14 at 5 p.m. This joyful retelling of the Nativity—written by Anne Phillips and inspired by “The Jazz Pastor” John Garcia Gensel—blends the Christmas story with the expressive beauty of jazz. Tickets and details at jazznativity.org/tucson.
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Lutherans in Southern Africa join action to end gender-based violence
16 Days: Communities must be part of the solution in combatting digital violence
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2025
Resources and daily updatesAugsburg 2030: LWF launches preparations for Fourteenth Assembly
Our 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.
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The Office of the Bishop starts the 2026 assembly planning process with our first meeting, prepares for Bishop Hutterer’s brief break in her sabbatical, visits congregations in Mesa and Flagstaff, and works on year-end projects.
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Mark your calendars for the Grand Canyon Synod Spring Gatherings 2026, where we come together under the theme Rooted in God’s Story. Gatherings will be held in Tempe, Sun City, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson, and Las Vegas from February through April. These events offer opportunities for connection, reflection, and renewal across our synod.
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Join the synodwide choir for our 2026 MLK Celebration at King of Glory, Tempe. Rehearsals: Jan 3, 10, 15, 17; Service: Sun, Jan 18 at 3:00pm (call 2:00pm). Concert black attire; practice recordings and full service details coming soon. View all the info for our synod’s MLK events at gcsynod.org/mlk.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Joshua Pontious, Community of Grace, Peoria, who celebrates 4 years on December 5.
Rev. Scott Summers, who celebrates 35 years on December 8.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2025
Resources and daily updatesBrazil: a passion for protecting the rights of people and the planet
For just transformation, indigenous rights, global and local action
Strengthening pathways to peace through faith-driven dialogue
Strasbourg Institute hosts Lutheran Orthodox dialogue meeting
New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson once again hosts Arizona’s exclusive production of Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity on December 13 at 7 p.m. and December 14 at 5 p.m. This joyful retelling of the Nativity—written by Anne Phillips and inspired by “The Jazz Pastor” John Garcia Gensel—blends the Christmas story with the expressive beauty of jazz. Tickets and details at jazznativity.org/tucson.
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Join us for the Ordination and Installation of Wanda K. Frenchman on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preside, and Vance Blackfox will preach. Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is red. Dinner will follow. The service will be livestreamed via Grace Lutheran Church’s Facebook page, with video later on the Native American Urban Ministry page. All are welcome.
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The Office of the Bishop celebrates Thanksgiving (we are closed Friday, 11/28), contributes to generosity projects for Giving Tuesday, and works on year-end projects.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Brian Weinberger, Bethlehem, Mesa, who celebrates 17 years on November 29.
Rev. Naomi Hartman, Church of the Foothills, Tucson, who celebrates 16 years on November 29.
Deacon April Boyden, who celebrates 36 years on December 1.
AFN shares a full lineup of upcoming events, including the 2025 Annual Gathering (Dec. 2), interfaith Thanksgiving services, prayer walks, ecology workshops, and the “No Amazon for Advent” campaign. Learn more and view all events and advocacy actions in the full AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
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This week, the Office of the Bishop visits congregations, works on year-end projects, and celebrates Thanksgiving.
We are grateful to be Church Together with you.
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This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carl Sirotzki, Mount Cross, Payson, who celebrates 10 years on November 21.
Rev. Anna Rieke, Christ the Lord, Carefree, who celebrates 11 years on November 22.
Rev. Mari Larson, St. Andrew, Las Vegas, who celebrates 29 years on November 23.
Experience the fifth annual Musical Advent Calendar from Lutheran Summer Music, November 30–December 24—daily musical meditations to inspire reflection throughout the Advent season. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, with all videos archived at LSMacademy.org/acal. Sign up to receive each day’s video directly to your inbox by completing this form.
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