Posts in In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Rev. Howie Wennes
In Memoriam: Rev. Howie Wennes

We pray for the family of Rev. Howard E. Wennes, especially his wife Mary, after his death on July 12, 2022, following a recent hospitalization. Pastor Howie Wennes is bishop emeritus of the Grand Canyon Synod (June 20, 1987 – August 31, 2001), and president emeritus of California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks.

7/14/2022: We update this post with obituary and service information, as well as a letter of remembrance from Lori E. Varlotta, Ph.D., President of California Lutheran University.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardHowie Wennes Comments
Heidi Gerrish Celebration of Life
Heidi Gerrish Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life for Heidi Gerrish will be held at Mountain View Lutheran (11002 S 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044) on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 10:30 am. There will be a reception immediately after. View the livestream here. A recording will be available for viewing following the service as well.

All of our updates on Heidi and her family can be viewed at gcsynod.org/news/tag/Gerrish+family. View a page on Chapel of the Chimes for an obituary, service info, and a tribute wall. A full obituary can be found in this post as well.

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Grand Canyon Synod, In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardGerrish family Comments
In Memoriam: Heidi Gerrish
In Memoriam: Heidi Gerrish

5/27/2022 update: more info from Heidi’s father, Paul, and links a GoFundMe page and to CaringBridge health updates for Justin and Katherine.

We lift up in prayer the friends and family of Heidi Gerrish. Heidi died at the scene of an automobile accident Saturday morning, May 21, 2022, while traveling to her sister Julie’s graduation from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Also in the car were her partner Justin, and her brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Katherine.

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Grand Canyon Synod, In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Social Services of the Southwest, LCM U of A, Gerrish family Comments
In Memoriam: Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger
In Memoriam: Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger

Note: We update this post with a full obituary, a website to share stories and celebrate Rev. Jerry’s life, info on donating in his memory, and the celebration of life service at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio on May 16, 2022. Read more in this special newsletter from Sierra Pacific Synod.

We grieve with Carol Schmalenberger and her family at the death of Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger, April 25, 2022 in Sedona, Arizona.

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Prayers, Grand Canyon Synod, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardHigh Country Conference, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Sierra Pacific Synod, Region 2 Comments
In Memoriam: Rev. Dale W. Hallberg
In Memoriam: Rev. Dale W. Hallberg

We give thanks for the life of Pastor Dale W. Hallberg, who died February 7, 2022, of natural causes. We pray for his family, friends, and congregations he served.

Services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022, 1pm MST, at Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faith, 9240 E Sun Lakes Blvd N, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Rev. Thaddeus Book is officiating.

Pastor Hallberg worked to advance civil rights as a community leader, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma in 1965 and being part of a Lutheran delegation sent to investigate conditions in apartheid South Africa in the early 1980s.

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In Memoriam, News, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardBethany Scottsdale, Northeast Valley Conference Comment
In Memoriam: Rev. Harold D. Stromer
In Memoriam: Rev. Harold D. Stromer

We pray for the friends, family, and former congregations of Rev. Harold D. Stromer, who died January 7, 2022. We especially lift up his wife Kathryn in prayer.

After retirement, Harold and Kathy moved to Sun City West, AZ where he continued his work by serving as interim pastor for Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Celebration Lutheran Church and Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church.

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In Memoriam, News, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardDesert Cross Tempe, Shepherd of the Valley Phoenix, Shepherd of the Hills Flagstaff, Celebration Peoria, Spirit of Grace Surprise Comments
In Memoriam: ELCA Vice President William “Bill” Horne
In Memoriam: ELCA Vice President William “Bill” Horne

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote to the church, “With much sadness and shock I share with you the news of the sudden passing of Bill Horne, my friend and Vice President of the ELCA. He died Saturday afternoon of a suspected heart attack, according to the city press release. Please join me in praying for his wife Loretta and the rest of his family during this difficult time. We will always remember Bill as a faithful servant of God.”

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ELCA, In Memoriam, PrayersBrian Flatgard Comment
A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections
A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections

A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections for the lives and faith and leadership of:

  • The Rev. David Walter Preus, Presiding Bishop of the American Lutheran Church, Parish Pastor, Author

  • The Rev. Dr. Peter Louis Steinke, Parish pastor, Educator, Author, Therapist, Congregational Systems Consultant

  • The Rev. Walter Martin Wangerin, Jr., Author, Parish Pastor, Professor, Educator, Radio Announcer

Thursday, August 12, 2021, 4:00 p.m. Click here to attend the Zoom.

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In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardRegion 2, Southwest California SynodComment
Prayers for the Defassio family
Prayers for the Defassio family

We pray for the family of Elijah Defassio, who died unexpectedly August 4, 2021. Elijah is the son of the Rev. Dr. Daniel Defassio, pastor at Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who entered the church triumphant on January 22, 2021.

We pray for Elijah’s mother Suzy, and Elijah’s family and friends. Read his obituary here, and contribute to a fundraiser here.

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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Desert Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment