We are pleased to announce that Sarah Morris, of Our Saviour's Lutheran in Phoenix, was appointed to serve on the ELCA's Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Read more about the process here.
Please join us in congratulating Sarah and extending our heartfelt thanks to her for stepping up to represent our Synod in this pivotal role. Learn more as Sarah shares her thoughts on undertaking this role in this blog post.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 24 years on June 4.
Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 62 years on June 4.
Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 44 years on June 4.
Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 34 years on June 4.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Thomas Dunham, Streams in the Desert, Tucson, who celebrates 44 years on June 3.
Rev. Patricia Lowe, Emmanuel, Prescott Valley, who celebrates 16 years on June 3.
Rev. Mark Halvorson, who celebrates 50 years on June 3.
Rev. Donald Jacobson, who celebrates 61 years on June 3.
Rev. Greg Wenhold, who celebrates 44 years on June 3.
We pray for Rev. Robert S. Collins, Jr.’s family and friends after he passed away on May 25, 2023.
Rev. Collins was born September 13, 1935. He completed 21 years of service in the U.S. Navy active and reserve time. He retired in 1995 and moved to Prescott, Arizona.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carol Breimeier, who celebrates 23 years on June 2.
Rev. Ronald Pechauer, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Roland Harder, Our Saviour’s, Buckeye, who celebrates 57 years on June 2.
Rev. Ellis Eskritt, who celebrates 58 years on June 2.
Rev. Gary Benson, who celebrates 49 years on June 2.
Rev. James Lundeen, who celebrates 58 years on June 2.
Rev. Lloyd Wallace, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Ernie Larsen, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Fred Nelson, who celebrates 23 years on June 2.
For the week of the Assembly, we'll be temporarily transforming our homepage into an all-in-one assembly hub. Whether you're using a mobile phone, tablet, or computer, you'll be able to access all the essential information swiftly and conveniently.
Not only will this revamped homepage provide you with quick links to everything you need, but it will also host any real-time updates throughout the assembly, if needed.
Read MoreCome check out Camp ALOMA at the Annual Burger Bash on Saturday, June 10, 2023, starting at 12:00pm, and celebrate 50 years of ministry with ALOMA (and get this cool 50th sticker!)! It will be a day filled with fun activities, tasty food, and friendly faces!
God has been so good to us throughout the years, and we are humbled that he continues to bless us. Please RSVP with this link or office@campaloma.com or 928-778-1690.
Read MoreUniversity Lutheran Church/Lutheran Campus Ministry (ASU), Tempe has an opening for Music Director and pianist/organist. Contact Pastor Gary N. McCluskey 480.967.3543 or asulcm@gmail.com if you are interested.
Read MoreIs your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization?
You are invited to attend the 2023 Summer Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training, Part 1. This will be a four-session training. The training sessions will be held two times per day from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (eastern time) and from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (eastern time) on Thursdays June 15th, June 29th, July 13th, and July 27th. Register here.
Read MoreWe are excited to welcome all registered attendees and guests to our 2023 Synod Assembly! To ensure you have all the crucial information at your fingertips, we've created a comprehensive Attendee Vital Information Page.
On this page, you'll find all the essential details pertaining to the assembly. From schedules and venue information to helpful resources, it's your one-stop guide to navigating the assembly smoothly.
Read MoreJoin us in offering tangible support to our neighbors at La Casa de la Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones in Nogales, Mexico. As part of our assembly gathering, we kindly ask attendees to bring along a package of rice, beans, or flour.
These basic, yet essential food items will go a long way in aiding their mission. Thank you for your support and generosity.
Read MoreAs part of our upcoming Synod Assembly worship services, we are excited to announce that our offerings will be directed towards two very important causes. Half of our collected offerings will support ELCA World Hunger, aiding in the fight against global hunger and poverty. The other half will go towards First Call Theological Education, a program dedicated to providing resources and support for new ELCA pastors and deacons.
Read MoreAs part of our 2023 Synod Assembly, our Ministry Night at the Museum is Friday evening, 6/9/2023, at the Children’s Museum in downtown Tucson. This event is included with voting member registration. Non-voting members can register separately for $50.
For maximum fellowship, ride a free shuttle bus from Resurrection Lutheran or from two of our designated hotels: Holiday Inn Express or Fairfield Inn & Suites. Reserve your seat today so we can plan for you! (Please register each person individually. You'll have a chance to register another individual after each submission.)
Read MorePlease join us for the 2023 Diakonia Graduation Ceremony and Reception, Saturday, 6/10/2023, 12:30 pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church Sanctuary, Oro Valley, Arizona or via Zoom.
We celebrate Megan Andrews, Lynn Davis, Barbara Peterson, Carol Ristau, Ronald Ristau, Susan Schmatjen, Joan Swanson, and Tom Willmore. Read their statements of faith in this post.
We also celebrate certificates of completion for the following Growing in Faith Diakonia Program 2023 Foundation Year Students. Metro Phoenix Diakonia Community: Kathy Anderson, Debra Carter, Vanessa Jones, Leslie McCourt, Deborah Nelson, Deanne Olivas, Mark Schulz, Julie Skrzypek, Janet Swartstad, and Nancy Zine. Tucson Diakonia Community: Melanie Bowman, Jodie M. Burch, Rebecca Copp, Nancy Ireland, and Marty Leuking.
Read MoreToday we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 15 years on June 1.
Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Gilbert, who celebrates 15 years on June 1.
Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 39 years on June 1.
Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 65 years on June 1.
Rev. Douglas Moffat, Faith, Yuma, who celebrates 49 years on June 1.
The Office of the Bishop staff is all in preparing for our 2023 Synod Assembly. Can’t wait to see all of you there!
Read MoreRead the full Grand Canyon Synod Transition Team Report as a PDF here.
Mid-way through our third year guiding congregations through times of transition, we continue to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us. We seek to Be Bold and innovative as the number of openings for rostered leaders increase and the number of candidates to fill those openings decrease. We invite you to pray with us for new leaders for God’s church.
Read MoreAs I enjoy my first May here in the Grand Canyon Synod, I am reminded of the prophetic voice of first Isaiah as they envision new life in the desert.
Read MoreWe include quite a bit in our news system, which consists of our site’s blog and calendar, as well as posts to Facebook and our weekly newsletter. Since we revamped our system, we’ve posted over 5,000 times in our blog, with 300 newsletters.
Looking ahead, our commitment is to continue sharing, connecting, and uplifting. We hope to enrich our news system and keep the lifeblood of our synod flowing.
Read More
