Ordination celebrations: October 17-23, 2025

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Douglas Dill, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 10 years on October 17.
Rev. Julia Sprenkle, American, Sun City, who celebrates 15 years on October 17.
Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 39 years on October 19.
Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 29 years on October 20.
Rev. David Swan, who celebrates 52 years on October 21.
Rev. Mitchell Eickmann, who celebrates 41 years on October 22.
Rev. Linda Brown, who celebrates 14 years on October 22.
Rev. Glenn Schrader, Our Saviour’s, Tucson, who celebrates 2 years on October 22.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 15, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 10, 2025Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop helps Santa Cruz Lutheran in Tucson Celebrate 40 Years this weekend, attends the "Bearing Worthy Fruit" Retreat, and some of the staff departs for the 2025 Pilgrimage to Greece.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 9, 2025Office of the BishopComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For lasting peace forged by shared commitment to the common good…
For an end to psychological warfare, torture, and genodice…
For safety and rescue for hikers stranded by severe snowstorms in western China and Nepal…
For victims of the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester, UK…
For federal workers facing uncertainty…
For safety and protection for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care…
For ongoing advances in scientific and medical research…
For the health and wholeness of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities…
For the flourishing of indigenous nations and communities…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Ordination celebrations: October 10-16, 2025

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Thomas Morrison, who celebrates 47 years on October 10.
Rev. John Biggs, Saved By Grace, Pahrump, who celebrates 12 years on October 13.
Rev. Steven Kruse, New Covenant, Scottsdale, who celebrates 40 years on October 13.
Deacon Gloria Owens, who celebrates 38 years on October 13.
Rev. Daniel Hoeger, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 36 years on October 15.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 3, 2025Lutheran World FederationComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Grand Blanc, MI and Dallas, TX…
For rescue and recovery efforts following an earthquake in the Philippines…
For rescue and recovery efforts follow a school collapse in Indonesia…
For safety amidst protest in Morocco and Madagascar…
For all migrants and global travelers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care, clean water, and sufficient food…
For those who serve in the military…
For the health and flourishing of creation…
In thanksgiving for the ministries of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Yehiel Curry…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 2, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Ordination celebrations: October 3-9, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of

Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 6 years on October 5.
Rev. Kim Sterner, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, who celebrates 39 years on October 5.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 2, 2025Ordination Anniversaries Comment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Bishop Hutterer traveled to Minneapolis for the Installation of Rev. Yehiel Curry as ELCA Presiding Bishop as well as the Conference of Bishops. We also share photos from our 2025 Bishop’s Fall Gathering.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 2, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 26, 2025Lutheran World FederationComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The Office of the Bishop gathers with rostered ministers at the Bishop’s Fall Gathering and prepares for the Bishop’s upcoming sabbatical. And we share photos from the most recent Synod Council Retreat.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 25, 2025Office of the BishopComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Dallas, TX, and other acts of violence, including Pittsburgh, PA…
For all in the path of Typhoon Ragasa…
For the work of the United Nations as they meet in assembly…
For political transition in Malawi…
For those managing brush fires in Hawaii…
In gratitude for the diversity of human gifts, experiences, and abilities that all reflect God’s image…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 24, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Ordination celebrations: September 26 – October 2, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Ryan Hersch, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 22 years on September 27.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 24, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 19, 2025Lutheran World FederationComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…
For government transitions in Nepal and Malawi…
For the plight of all migrants who seek safety, security, and opportunity…
For all who live under oppression, threat, and fear…
For Jewish neighbors preparing for Rosh Hashanah, and for all gifts of newness, self-reflection, and repentance…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 19, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

The 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.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 18, 2025Office of the BishopComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 16, 2025Lutheran World FederationComment

Ordination celebrations: September 19-25, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 22 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 46 years on September 24.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 16, 2025Ordination AnniversariesComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For peaceful resolution following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Orem, Utah and Evergreen, Colorado…
For victims of racism, racial profiling, and race-based violence…
For farmers and for all individuals and businesses navigating financial insecurity…
For colleges, universities, and all educational institutions…
For first responders, emergency personnel, and all who risk their lives in service of others…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 11, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment