Let Us Be Changed: What Arab American Heritage Offers the Church
Let Us Be Changed: What Arab American Heritage Offers the Church

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries is uplifting voices from Arab and Middle Eastern descent within the church. In My Take: We Are Not Newcomers, Khader Khalilia shares a powerful reflection on the deep faith, hospitality, and history of Arab Christians—and calls us to move beyond celebration to true belonging. Let us not just observe a month; let us be transformed by the witness of Arab American Lutherans. Click here to read the full post at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Racial Justice Ministries, Racial Justice, Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage (ALAMEH)Comment
“Build Up the Body” Through Service: Help Pack Hygiene Kits for Synod Assembly
“Build Up the Body” Through Service: Help Pack Hygiene Kits for Synod Assembly

Join us at Synod Assembly 2025 in a special service project to assemble 200 hygiene kits for individuals in need! We’ve set up an Amazon Gift List where you can purchase needed items, which will be shipped directly to our host church, Community Lutheran. Help us reach our goal—donate by June 1, 2025, and join us on June 12 during check-in to pack the kits. Let’s build up the body of Christ together! Shop the Gift List here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Synod AssemblyComment
Flourishing Together: Online Bible Study with Rev. Brooke Petersen
Flourishing Together: Online Bible Study with Rev. Brooke Petersen

Join the Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA for an online Bible study event with Gather magazine author Rev. Brooke Petersen on Saturday, May 17 from 9–11am MST/PDT. Learn to lead the Summer 2025 study, “Where Two or More Are Gathered: Flourishing in Relationships.” Open to all—register now at www.GrandCanyonWomen.org. View PDF flyer here.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardGrand Canyon Women, Women of the ELCA (WELCA)Comment
Hopeful Leadership in Hard Times: A Practical Workshop for Ministry
Hopeful Leadership in Hard Times: A Practical Workshop for Ministry

Ministry is hard—and full of questions without easy answers. On May 22, join the Rev. Dr. Michael Binder for Faithful Adaptation: Leading Change with Hope, an online workshop that offers tools to move beyond shallow fixes and into deeper, Spirit-led transformation. This 90-minute session is free with a Faith+Lead membership. Learn more and register here: https://lab.faithlead.org/event/faithful-adaptation-leading-change-with-hope/

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment
Step Into Lay Leadership with Confidence: School for Lay Ministry Begins May 17
Step Into Lay Leadership with Confidence: School for Lay Ministry Begins May 17

The School for Lay Ministry begins May 17, 2025, offering a yearlong journey to equip lay leaders for faithful service in preaching, care, worship, and leadership. This online program includes live cohort meetings, flexible learning, and practical resources grounded in Lutheran theology. Tuition is $600, with scholarships and payment plans available. Learn more and register.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leadership ResourcesBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Lay LeadershipoComment
Calling All Youth: Leadership Lab Builds Lifelong Lutheran Leaders
Calling All Youth: Leadership Lab Builds Lifelong Lutheran Leaders

Youth from the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to Leadership Lab 2025, a weeklong Lutheran leadership experience for grades 8 through age 24, held June 23-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Rooted in faith and friendship, Leadership Lab helps young people grow as disciples and leaders. Register now at leadershiplab.net.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Leadership LabComment
God’s Work, Our Hands: Join the ELCA’s Day of Service on Sept. 7, 2025
God’s Work, Our Hands: Join the ELCA’s Day of Service on Sept. 7, 2025

On Sunday, Sept. 7, ELCA congregations will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, an annual day of service celebrating our call to love and serve our neighbors. Whether through food drives, community clean-ups, or acts of care, this is an opportunity to put faith into action. If your congregation can’t participate on Sept. 7, choose another date—service is ongoing! Visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for resources and inspiration. Mark your calendar and join us in serving our communities!

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ELCA, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardGod's Work Our Hands SundayComment
Register today for "Bearing Worthy Fruit," A Retreat for Rostered Ministers with Rev. Karoline Lewis
Register today for "Bearing Worthy Fruit," A Retreat for Rostered Ministers with Rev. Karoline Lewis

Rostered and synodically authorized ministers are invited to “Bearing Worthy Fruit,” a fall retreat led by Rev. Karoline Lewis, October 13–15 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Together, participants will explore gender justice, embodied leadership, and preaching rooted in God’s transformation. Registration is open and act fast, as space is limited to 25 participants.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Annual Report: 2025
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Annual Report: 2025

Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer’s 2025 Annual Report celebrates a year of Spirit-led ministry across the Grand Canyon Synod, including six ordinations, expanded lay leadership initiatives, and deepening global partnerships with companion synods. From over 45 congregation visits to the launch of a new Lay Leadership Program, the report highlights the collaborative strength of our synod. With gratitude for dedicated staff, ministry partners, and faithful communities, Bishop Hutterer shares her plans for a first sabbatical and invites us to continue discerning how to be church in a changing world. Read the full report in this PDF.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Bishop HuttererBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Office of the Bishop, Bishop Hutterer LettersComment
Turning Foam into Faithful Action: An Oklahoma Church Recycles for Creation
Turning Foam into Faithful Action: An Oklahoma Church Recycles for Creation

What happens when a faithful few decide they’ve had enough of throwing away plastic foam? At University Lutheran Church in Norman, Oklahoma, an environmental ministry sparked by Sunday morning trash bags has grown into a unique and impactful recycling operation—complete with a “densifier” machine, student volunteers, and community partnerships. This one-of-a-kind program has now sold over 20,000 pounds of compressed foam logs for reuse, showing what’s possible when a congregation puts their faith into earth-friendly action. Click here to read the full story in Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment