Remembering the Children: Sept. 30 National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools

Sept. 30 marks the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, honoring the children impacted by these institutions and acknowledging the church’s role in their harm. Congregations are encouraged to participate by offering prayer, wearing orange, and engaging in ELCA resources. Join us Sunday, Sept. 28 or nearby, as we remember, repent, and commit to healing. Resources and suggested liturgy available at elca.org/IndianBoardingSchools.

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Santa Cruz Lutheran Marks 40 Years with Worship, Music, and Community

Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson will celebrate its 40th Anniversary October 11–12, 2025. Saturday includes greetings, lunch, video presentations, history displays, cake, and mariachi music. Sunday’s worship, with Bishop Hutterer preaching, will bless a new youth-created banner and pray for future generations. Join in giving thanks for 40 years of ministry!

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Celebrate 80 Years of Ministry with Faith–La Fe in Phoenix

Join Faith–La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Phoenix for a joyful 80th Anniversary Celebration, October 24–26, 2025. The weekend includes worship, music, fellowship, and food. RSVP by Sept. 14 by phone, email, or online. Contributions are welcome toward the restoration of the pipe organ and church beautification.

Faith–La Fe en Phoenix celebrará su 80.º aniversario del 24 al 26 de octubre con un fin de semana de adoración, música y compañerismo. Confirme su asistencia antes del 14 de septiembre por teléfono, correo electrónico o en línea. Se agradecen donaciones para apoyar proyectos de restauración y embellecimiento del templo. (PDF)

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Walking Together with the Latine Community · Caminando Juntos con la Comunidad Latine

Join the Latine Ministry Competency Workshop, October 2–4, 2025, led by Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán and a team of practitioners. This online gathering will equip leaders for cross-cultural ministry, offering practical tools to strengthen relationships with the Latine community. Cost: $250 individual / $600 congregation. Register here. Download the full flier here.

Participe en el Taller de Competencia en el Ministerio Latine, del 2 al 4 de octubre de 2025, dirigido por el Rev. Dr. Rubén Durán y un equipo de líderes. Este encuentro en línea ofrece herramientas prácticas para el ministerio intercultural y para fortalecer relaciones con la comunidad latine. Costo: $250 individual / $600 congregación. Regístrese aquí.

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Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.

His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

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Updated Agenda & Full Session Descriptions Now Available for Bishop’s Fall Gathering

The full agenda and session descriptions are now posted for the 2025 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, taking place September 29–October 1 in Scottsdale. Join Bishop Hutterer and guest speakers from Wartburg Seminary as we explore Bonhoeffer’s Life Together and themes of lament, love, and Christian hope.

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Support for New Ministry Ideas: Watch the Grant Webinar and Apply Today

The Fall 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Grant cycle is now open, with $175,000 available to support ministries. Watch the grants webinar recording and apply by October 31, 2025. Proposals that align with the synod’s Strategic Plan and show collaboration with other ELCA ministries are strongly encouraged. Funding begins in February 2026.

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Update Made Easy: New 2025 Constitution Guidance for Your Congregation

The Grand Canyon Synod is offering a simplified and time-saving process to help congregations update their governing documents to the 2025 ELCA Model Constitution. With support from an experienced synod consultant, congregations can ensure compliance, avoid common errors, and streamline the process. Download the guide and access official ELCA resources to begin your update today.

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Life-Changing Lay Leadership: SAMs Bring New Energy to Rural Ministry

In the latest Boundless magazine from the ELCA, a standout story titled “A Rural Revival” highlights how congregations in North Dakota are empowering lay leaders to serve as Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs). With no pastor in sight and a hunger for sustainable leadership, rural Lutherans — including full-time farmers — trained locally through a synod vitality grant, creating a model that others across the ELCA can follow. As the Grand Canyon Synod continues expanding opportunities for SAMs, this grassroots movement offers hope and a powerful vision for ministry in small communities. Read the full Boundless Summer 2025 magazine (PDF or flipbook) here.

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Documenting Justice: Mikayla Irle’s Vision for ELCA World Hunger

“Intersections: Justice Ministry with ELCA Partners” is a short documentary presented by ELCA World Hunger. Intersections explores stories from three ELCA companion ministries in Cambodia, Mexico and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, responding to the overlapping root causes of hunger in the United States and around the world. Download the video here or view on YouTube.

Go behind the scenes of Intersections: Justice Ministry with ELCA Partners, the new short documentary from ELCA World Hunger releasing September 22. In this interview, editing producer Mikayla Irle reflects on the creative process of shaping global stories of hunger, justice, and partnership into one cohesive narrative. Learn how she worked with the ELCA team to bring a global vision to life. Read the full interview on ELCA.org »

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Walking with Cambodia: Ashlyn Rhyne on Accompaniment and Global Mission

Ashlyn Rhyne, a recent Young Adults in Global Mission alumna, shares her experiences walking alongside Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization and helping bring their story to life in Intersections, the upcoming ELCA World Hunger documentary. From filming and translation to daily moments of joy and love, Ashlyn offers a powerful glimpse into accompaniment as lived ministry. Read her interview on ELCA.org »

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Key Updates from Administration Matters: September 2025

The September 2025 issue of Administration Matters features important updates for congregational leaders, including Living Lutheran’s return to print, Portico’s 2026 benefit changes, and guidance on DHS nonprofit grant terms. Also included: cybersecurity tips, a free Nov. 17 webinar on low-cost accessibility, and practical insights on hosting effective meetings. Explore the full issue on ELCA.org »

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