Grand Canyon Synod

News

Important Lilly Grant economic survey for rostered and congregational leaders

Important Lilly Grant economic survey for rostered and congregational leaders

The Rocky Mountain Synod has invited the Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) to join a 3-year grant from The Lilly Foundation, Inc. In preparation for the grant, we invite congregational and rostered leaders to help us understand what economic areas you are most concerned about.

Your responses to these questions are deeply valued. Your answers are anonymous—neither your name nor your email are requested or associated with your response.

There are two surveys: a rostered leader survey and a congregational leader survey. Deadline for submission is November 26, 2019.

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 12, 2019Comment

11/12/19 Prayer: Lutheran outdoor ministry leaders

11/12/19 Prayer: Lutheran outdoor ministry leaders

Lutheran outdoor ministry leaders are joining with their ecumenical peers and partners in Lake Junaluska, N.C., for the Great Gathering conference. Pray for their time together, that they might build relationships, discover each other’s gifts and equip vital ministries to meet the emerging needs of God’s people.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 12, 2019Daily PrayerComment

Bishop Hutterer: Counting Blessings

Bishop Hutterer: Counting Blessings

As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded to notice God’s abundance and “count our blessings.” You may even practice this at a Thanksgiving table of family, friends and food.

It’s easy to think of Jesus at such a table. The Gospel gives us numerous examples of Jesus and the disciples giving thanks for the bread of that day, and then returning to the dusty road of service with nothing more than simple clothes and sandals for walking.

Bishop Hutterer, LettersBrian FlatgardNovember 12, 2019Comment

Prayers for Living Christ Lutheran, Flagstaff, AZ

Prayers for Living Christ Lutheran, Flagstaff, AZ

We pray for Living Christ Lutheran Church, in Flagstaff, AZ, a community of disciples embraced by God's unconditional love and enduring grace.

We pray for the staff of Living Christ: Kurt Fangmeier, Pastor; Linda Preston, Administrative Assistant; Katie Sheridan, Choir Director/Music Coordinator; Aaron Carney, Pianist; and Webmasters John Cencioso and Dean Garner.

We lift up their church council: Susan Weaverling, President; Joan Ver Douw, Vice-President; Colleen Snyder, Secretary; Mick Koehnstedt, Treasurer, and council members Joan Ver Douw, Dean Garner, Patty Gee, Margie Goulden, Susanna Harget, Mick Koehmstedt, Colleen Snyder, and Susan Weaverling.

High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 11, 2019Comment

POSITION FILLED: Sensing a call to global service?

POSITION FILLED: Sensing a call to global service?

The ELCA has multiple positions open around the world! Current openings include YAGM country coordinators, English-language educators, seminary professors, medical professionals and more. Explore and apply here.

ELCA, Help WantedBrian FlatgardNovember 11, 2019Comment

Vacation Bible School 2020: “On Earth As in Heaven”

Vacation Bible School 2020: “On Earth As in Heaven”

It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start planning for 2020 already, but ELCA World Hunger’s new Vacation Bible School program for 2020 is now here! “On Earth As in Heaven” invites children of all ages to learn about God’s world by diving deeply into the Lord’s Prayer. This full, five-day VBS is free and available for download and order (coming soon.)

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 11, 2019Comment

11/11/19 Prayer: Veterans Day

11/11/19 Prayer: Veterans Day

Remember people who have served or are currently serving in the military, and give thanks for their service and sacrifices. Pray for military chaplains, caregivers, congregational and synod programs, and special ministries that care for veterans and their families.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 11, 2019Daily PrayerComment

Pews available

Pews available

Sierra Evangelical Luthern Church in Sierra Vista has five pews available to any group in need. They also have six trays for individual cups to donate. Contact their office at (520) 459-0444 or email admin@selcaz.org.

Kino ConferenceBrian FlatgardNovember 10, 2019Sierra Lutheran Sierra VistaComment

11/10/19 Prayer: In God all have life

11/10/19 Prayer: In God all have life

Rejoice and give thanks that in God all have life — eternal, abundant and renewed life for doing God’s work in the world and serving our neighbor now.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 10, 2019Daily PrayerComment

11/9/19 Prayer: We are met with mercy and forgiveness

11/9/19 Prayer: We are met with mercy and forgiveness

Give thanks that when we confess our sins, the good we have failed to do and our misbehaviors to God, we are met with mercy and forgiveness.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 9, 2019Daily PrayerComment

Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry

Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry

Imagine 490 ELCA members lost to suicide in 2017! Based on national averages and the number of Americans who are ELCA members, 490 represents the number of members who may have died and will die each year to suicide.

ELCA, Disability MinistryBrian FlatgardNovember 8, 2019 Comment

11/8/19 Prayer: Students who find school challenging

11/8/19 Prayer: Students who find school challenging

Remember in prayer students who find school challenging or difficult, and pray that the people in their lives will be patient, encouraging, creative and skilled in understanding the unique ways in which we each learn.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 8, 2019Daily PrayerComment

Bishop Eaton's Veterans Day message

Bishop Eaton's Veterans Day message

In observance of Veterans Day, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invites congregations to hold a Sunday of prayer and action. Congregations are encouraged to invite veterans to share their stories, learn about the issues they face, and let them know that the church is grateful for their service.

Bishop Eaton, ELCABrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Comment

The wild freedom to love each other as God first loved us

The wild freedom to love each other as God first loved us

From Allie Papke-Larson comes this reflection. Papke-Larson is Program Coordinator for Lutheran Campus Ministries/Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Northern Arizona University and Youth Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.

From September 2015 to September 2017 I lived and worked in an intentional community located in the North Cascades of Washington State called Holden Village. My time in the village deeply shaped me and I would like to share with you a piece of what it felt like to begin to leave that place.

High Country Conference, LettersBrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019 Comment

Pastor Scott Hackler installation photos

Pastor Scott Hackler installation photos

The Rev. Scott Hackler was installed as pastor at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, Surprise, AZ on Sunday, October 20, 2 pm.

Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Ordinations and Installations, Spirit of Grace Surprise, Cactus ConferenceComment

ELCA Youth Gathering: Far more than we dare ask or imagine

ELCA Youth Gathering: Far more than we dare ask or imagine

I couldn’t breathe. It was minutes before I was to be ushered in front of thousands of excited teens for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. It would be the most vulnerable I have ever been to such a large crowd of strangers. I felt paralyzed, the words had run out of my head, my heart was pounding, palms sweating, fear course through my veins.

ELCABrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Comment

Faith Lens: It's a Trap!

Faith Lens: It's a Trap!

Marriage is a complicated thing. Some families come from traditional marriages and others are blended. Marriage takes a lot of commitment, work and faithfulness. There are also many reasons to get married, but the primary reason, according to an article from Pew Research, is to marry for love. 88% cited love as an important reason to get married. Other reasons listed are commitment, companionship and to have children.

ELCABrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Faith LensComment

Thanks to the Annual Retirees Retreat planners

Thanks to the Annual Retirees Retreat planners

We’d like to thank the Planning Committee for the 16th Annual Retirees Retreat, conducted at the Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center in early November. Thanks to their leadership, 85 participants gathered for a stimulating learning event under the theme: “AWAKENING... STILL: The Importance of Knowing the Right Questions!”

Bishop HuttererBrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Comment

11/7/19 Prayer: ELCA Church Council

11/7/19 Prayer: ELCA Church Council

Pray for the leaders of our church who serve on the ELCA Church Council. Ask the Spirit to guide their work of enabling and supporting our church as we strive to do God’s work in the world with thoughtfulness, integrity, respect and partnerships that share a common vision.

Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardNovember 7, 2019Daily PrayerComment

Prayers for Epiphany of Christ Lutheran, Apache Junction

Prayers for Epiphany of Christ Lutheran, Apache Junction

We pray for Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church, Apache Junction, AZ, as they invite all to worship, grow through study, fellowship and mission. We lift up Pastor Steve Crittenden, Office Manager Angel Frolander, Treasurer Jan Andersen, Organist Kay Johnson, Choir Director Bob McDowell. We pray for their church council: President Judy Holder, Secretary Tracie Curtis, Bookkeeper Angel Frolander, Treasurer Jan Andersen, Carolyn Lewis, Don Gimpel, Sandra Johnson, Dan & Betty Miller, Fran LeVeque, Roger Larsen, Clay Worst, and Joe Jacobson.

Rio Salado Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 6, 2019Epiphany of Christ Apache JunctionComment