In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Caron

The Reverend Franklyn Annesifor Caron, longtime member of ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, died peacefully at the age of 91 on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Marley House Hospice in Prescott, AZ.

He was born June 29, 1929 to Annesifor and Ella Caron in Butte, Montana. Reverend Caron lived a long and storied life: musician, dancer, rodeo rider, miner, locomotive engineer, Marine, small business owner, and finally, pastor. We’ve updated this post with his full obituary.

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Lilly 3E Vital Right-Shaped Ministry Vitality and Innovation Grants

The New and Renewing Team of the Grand Canyon Synod is excited to announce the Lilly 3E Vital Right-Shaped Ministry (VRSM) Vitality and Innovation Grants. Click to download the application as a Word document.

Two Zoom information sessions will be offered about the grants, click a date to register: Thurs., 3/25/2021 @ 6 pm MST/PDT and Thurs., 4/8/2021 @ 1:30pm MST/PDT. Once registered, you will receive an email with your unique link to join the meeting.

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Bishop Hutterer: Remembering Archbishop Óscar Romero

Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated, forty-one years ago, March 24, 1980. He is a saint to Catholics and Lutherans, and the unofficial patron saint of the Americas and El Salvador.

I became aware of Archbishop Romero while in Mexico City. I was a student at Luther Seminary at the time, and our class watched the movie Romero. His story continues to impact my view of the world and the church.

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Welcoming asylum-seekers in Phoenix

Nearly 100 asylum-seekers are arriving daily in Phoenix, fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries for the safety and freedom of the United States. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and our partner organizations are providing critical humanitarian assistance to these families when they arrive, including food, shelter, and medical assistance.

Read more to learn about who asylum-seekers are, what help we are providing, and how you can help!

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In Solidarity: Anti-Racism Training

Leaders are invited to an anti-racism training workshop each Saturday in May, 2021. The 1.5 hour workshops are led by Reverend Joan Crawford, whose ministry includes promoting interracial healing and dialogue. Spiritual leaders will be equipped to engage in conversations within their communities.

Hosted by Phoenix Fusion, the cost is $40/person, with attendance capped at 60 participants. Download the flyer and visit gcsynod.org/solidarity for more info.

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Synod assembly worship service will be available

Our 2021 synod assembly worship service will be made available for use by all congregations for use on the weekend of June 12 and 13, 2021.

Our assembly is Saturday June 12, 2021, with worship tentatively scheduled to be live-streamed at 3:30 pm MST/PDT. If our worship service is pre-recorded, the file will be made available earlier that week. If we are recording live, we will make the file available as soon as possible on Saturday.

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Good Friday Worship Service

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

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Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Bishop Eaton and leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have issued a statement in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, 2021.

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