For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially at Florida State University and in Kashmir, India…
    For our planet and the life it supports, for sustainability, and against earth’s exploitation…

  • For the memory and witness of Pope Francis, and for the Roman Catholic Church in this time of mourning and discernment…

  • For those fighting wildfires in New Jersey and for all threatened homes and habitats…

  • For those navigating earthquake aftermath in Istanbul…

  • For migrants, travelers, and those who are deported or detained…

  • For Christian unity in this Easter season…

  • For diversity of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities, and for the gifts of neurodivergence…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Remembering Pope Francis and Responding to the Heat: AFN’s April Update
Remembering Pope Francis and Responding to the Heat: AFN’s April Update

Join Arizona Faith Network in honoring Pope Francis’s legacy through faithful action. This week’s newsletter highlights urgent needs for heat relief volunteers, the upcoming May Day March for justice, interfaith events on science and spirituality, and a powerful community moment of tree planting and service. Explore the full calendar and get involved at www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardArizona Faith Network, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Desert Cross Choir Director Selected for Prestigious Music Ministry Apprenticeship
Desert Cross Choir Director Selected for Prestigious Music Ministry Apprenticeship

Carolyn Perkins, Choir Director at Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ, has been selected as a music assistant for the 2025 Hearts, Hands and Voices summer camp in Michigan. Sponsored by Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the SE Michigan Synod, this acclaimed ELCA music ministry program nurtures children’s spiritual and musical growth. Perkins plans to bring what she learns back to enrich Desert Cross and its surrounding community.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardDesert Cross Tempe, Fiesta ConferenceComment
Faith Lens: Peace with a Purpose
Faith Lens: Peace with a Purpose

In the wake of violence and despair, Jesus’ first words to his disciples after the resurrection were words of peace—spoken not once, but three times. This week’s reflection from Faith Lens invites us to shift our gaze from Doubting Thomas to the mission Jesus gives: to be sent, empowered by the Spirit, and grounded in a peace that brings life abundant. As global conflict continues and hope feels scarce, the resurrection reminds us that peace is not only possible—it is purposeful. Discover how Christ’s peace sends us into a broken world as agents of hope.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
Remembering the Climate Pope: A Call to Pray and Act
Remembering the Climate Pope: A Call to Pray and Act

In a moving reflection, Rev. Carol Devine recounts her encounters with Pope Francis—from the White House lawn to Pentecost Mass in Rome—and his profound impact as a global moral leader on creation care. Though not Catholic, Devine highlights how Pope Francis, through the spirit of St. Francis, inspired interfaith climate action and compassion for the Earth and its most vulnerable. We’re invited to honor his legacy through prayer and renewed action to care for our common home. Click here to read the full tribute and call to action.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Climate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Faith and Freedom: The Urgent Case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia
Faith and Freedom: The Urgent Case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

In a special episode of the Respecting Religion podcast, faith leaders speak out on the urgent and unfolding case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported from Maryland to El Salvador. The conversation, featuring Melissa Rogers, highlights profound concerns about due process, justice, and the rule of law—issues that deeply affect all who call this country home. Click here to listen and learn more about this critical moment for people of faith.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardChristians Against Christian Nationalism, Christian NationalismComment
Register by 5/19/2025 for Synod Assembly 2025 in Las Vegas
Register by 5/19/2025 for Synod Assembly 2025 in Las Vegas

Registration continues for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, June 12–13 in Las Vegas. Voting members, visitors, and exhibitors can register now on our website by May 19. New voting member guidelines are in place, and each congregation can register one youth or young adult for free using code YOUTH2025. Join us as we “Build up the Body” together!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Synod AssemblyComment
Tell Your Story: Help Us “Build Up the Body” for Synod Assembly 2025
Tell Your Story: Help Us “Build Up the Body” for Synod Assembly 2025

Help us celebrate how God is at work across the Grand Canyon Synod! As we prepare for the 2025 Synod Assembly, we’re collecting stories from congregations and ministries that reflect this year’s theme: Build Up the Body (Ephesians 4:12–13). Submit your story—written, photo, video, or audio—by May 9, 2025 to be featured during the assembly and in synod communications. Full details at gcsynod.org/assembly.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Synod AssemblyComment
Brian Flatgard Annual Report: 2025
Brian Flatgard Annual Report: 2025

Director of Communications Brian Flatgard reflects on a year of connecting, sharing, and strengthening the synod through digital ministry. With over 84,000 website visits, nearly 1,700 newsletter subscribers, and 1,600+ blog posts in 2024, our communications ministry continues to support congregations and amplify the work of the wider church. Read the full report to learn about new initiatives for 2025 and how we’re building up the Body together.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Office of the BishopComment
Resurrection Rest: A Holy Week Exhale for Church Leaders
Resurrection Rest: A Holy Week Exhale for Church Leaders

After the fullness of Holy Week and Easter, church leaders are invited into a time of renewal. Resurrection Rest is a free 16-minute guided meditation for pastors, deacons, and ministry leaders, offering space to breathe, reflect, and receive. Listen and let resurrection rest settle in: thrivingleadershipformation.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Region 2, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Jesus and the Questions of Our Time: A Live Event with Will Willimon
Jesus and the Questions of Our Time: A Live Event with Will Willimon

Join Luther Seminary’s 2025 Aus Memorial Lecture on June 17 with Bishop Will Willimon as he explores what it means to share Jesus meaningfully in today’s world. Offered both in-person and online, this free event equips pastors and leaders to engage culture with authentic Christian witness. Register now to attend live or receive the recording: faithlead.org/2025-aus-evangelism-salon.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardLuther Seminary, faith+leadComment
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend
Lead Campfire Worship with Confidence: Join Camp ALOMA’s Music Weekend

Want to lead worship with a guitar around the campfire? Join Camp ALOMA in Prescott, April 25–27, for a weekend retreat focused on learning how to lead and support campfire worship. Designed for guitar players with basic chord skills, the $110 weekend includes lodging, meals, and musical leadership training grounded in Lutheran faith. Register now at campaloma.com or call 928-778-1690.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardOutdoor Ministry, Camp ALOMAComment
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery
Faith & Neuroscience: A New Approach to Addiction Recovery

Explore the intersection of neuroscience, faith, and addiction recovery in a free webinar on April 30 featuring Dr. Jeffrey Leighton and Jeff Jensen. Discover how prayer, neurofeedback, and hospitality-driven care can help regulate brain activity, relieve anxiety, reduce cravings, and restore hope. Open to clergy, counselors, and all affected by addiction.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAddiction, The Center of Addiction & FaithComment
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation
Free Webinar: Build a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Congregation

Is your church prepared to communicate faithfully in a crisis? Join a free live webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:30pm, as part of the Thriving Leadership Formation series. Learn how to build a crisis communications team, develop a ministry-specific strategy, and gain sample statements to guide your response. Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/EventsTLF.

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Region 2, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment