Ordination of Wanda K. Frenchman

Join us for the Ordination for Wanda K. Frenchman on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix. Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preside, and Vance Blackfox will preach. Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is red. Dinner will follow. The service will be livestreamed via Grace Lutheran Church’s Facebook page, with video later on the Native American Urban Ministry page. All are welcome.

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Join Women Across the Synod for the 2025 Convention in Phoenix

Join women from across the Grand Canyon Synod for the 2025 Women of the ELCA Biennial Convention and Gathering on Saturday, November 8, at Faith/La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix. The day includes worship, speakers, and lunch for just $30. Special guests include Myrna Wells-Ulland, Pastor Jacqui Pagel, and Connie Phillips.

Register today at grandcanyonwomen.org/events.

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LSS-SW Calls Us to Stand with Refugees: Speak Up for SNAP Access Today

Federal shutdown delays have stalled this year’s refugee admissions, and SNAP food assistance has been halted for both refugees and all current recipients statewide. Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest continues serving resettled families and invites you to advocate with legislators for restored SNAP funding and refugee protection. The ELCA has provided an easy tool to contact Congress—learn more and take action.

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Faith Lens: A Simple Act, a Lasting Change

A simple act of kindness can change a life. When Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, it wasn’t with judgment but with compassion—and that moment transformed Zacchaeus’s heart, leading him to generosity and repentance. This week’s Faith Lens reflection invites us to see how love and inclusion, rather than shame or exclusion, open the way for true change. In the words of Isaiah, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed.”

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Mission Support Memo (Oct 2025): Worship that Sends Us to Serve

Discover how St. John’s, Rock Island (Northern Illinois Synod) is pairing homemade community meals with contemplative worship through Table of Grace and “Welcome Wednesday,” supported by creative lay leadership, grants, and creation-care partnerships. The memo also introduces the updated What Does My Offering Do? poster (with a companion video) and celebrates churchwide leadership updates as the ELCA welcomes Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curryand prepares for Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills to begin as secretary. Read the October Mission Support Memo for the full story and resources.

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ELCA Social Statement Reminds Us: Health Care Is Shared Vocation

This Deeper Understandings reflection revisits the ELCA’s 2003 social statement Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor, which calls Christians to affirm health care as part of our baptismal vocation to love our neighbor. The statement highlights the need for equitable access to care, support for providers, faithful decision-making, and compassionate community engagement.

Read this Living Lutheran article to see how this teaching continues to guide faithful health conversations—and action—today.

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Wisconsin Lutherans Help Returning Neighbors Create Homes of Hope

In Wisconsin, Share Our Best Furniture Ministry partners with Breaking the Chains Church to furnish homes for people reentering society after incarceration. By providing essential items—beds, tables, and home goods—local Lutherans help families rebuild stability and dignity during a vulnerable transition. Learn how congregations collaborate to embody Christ’s love in tangible and practical ways in Living Lutheran.

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From Mustard Seeds to Wells: Texans Support Water & Education Across Africa

Two Texas Lutherans—Pastor Brad Otto of Acts of Wisdom and Dick Moeller of Water to Thrive—answered God’s call to support safe water access and education in Africa. Their ministries now provide vital resources in Ethiopia, Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, impacting more than a million people through well-building and school support.

Learn how mustard-seed faith grew into transformative ministries serving thousands in this Living Lutheran article.

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Free November Opportunities from ELCA Coaching: Learn, Grow & Connect

Explore a full month of free online events from ELCA Coaching, including sessions on beloved community, truth and healing, accessibility, decolonization, and the annual Vine Deloria, Jr. Theological Symposium. Several upcoming low-cost trainings begin in early 2026. View full details and registration links at elcacoaching.org/events.

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LSSN Temporarily Closes During Federal Shutdown; Reopening Planned

Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) is temporarily closed during the federal government shutdown due to suspended grant funding that supports food and senior meal programs. LSSN is an independent organization, separate from Grand Canyon Synod leadership.

In a letter in this post, Rev. Dr. Marta Poling Schmitt outlines the shutdown’s impact, long-term plans for a federally qualified health clinic on the Boulder Pines campus, and a year-end fundraising effort leading into LSSN’s 40th anniversary. Congregations are invited to learn more, host an update this fall, and pray for this important ministry.

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One Body, Many Gifts: Strengthen Our Synod by Sharing Your Updates

Your ministry matters! Help us share the good news of faith in action across the Grand Canyon Synod. Whether your congregation is hosting an event, looking for volunteers, or seeking to fill a ministry position, we want to hear from you. Submitting is easy—just visit gcsynod.org/share to send us your updates. Let’s strengthen our synod by sharing the ways God is working in our communities!

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Multiply Your Impact: Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to Ministry That Matters

Thrivent members can make a big difference through Thrivent Choice Dollars and Thrivent Action Teams—two benefits that support ministry at no extra cost. Direct your 2025 Choice Dollars by March 31, 2026 to your congregation or the Grand Canyon Synod, and apply anytime for a $250 Action Team grant to fund a service or outreach project. Learn more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice and Thrivent.com/actionteam.

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“Effective Reentry Ministry for Ordinary Congregations” Workshop Coming January 17 in Phoenix

Join us Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix for Effective Reentry Ministry for Ordinary Congregations, a free interactive workshop led by Fred Nelson of the Inside Out Network. Explore a biblical foundation for reentry ministry, learn from new research, and discover eight practical models to help your congregation welcome and walk with returning citizens. Register today at the link provided—free parking and refreshments included.

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You’re Not Done Becoming: A Spirited Book Club Conversation with Sarah Payne Naylor

Spirit in the Desert’s Spirited Book Club welcomes transformational life coach and author Sarah Payne Naylor on Thursday, November 20 at 3 p.m. (MST) for a discussion of her inspiring new book, You’re Not Done Becoming: Reclaim Personal Power and Purpose to Transform Your Life at Any Age.

Naylor—long connected with Lutheran ministries in Arizona—offers a heartfelt reminder that growth and faith never end. Learn more or register at Spirit in the Desert.

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Called to Advocate: The Holy Spirit’s Gift of Voice

Pastor Joy McDonald Coltvet invites readers to use their voices for justice, guided by faith and the Holy Spirit’s advocacy. Drawing inspiration from Scripture and even from A Bug’s Life, she challenges us to speak truth in love, seek community across differences, and remember that our freedom is meant to set others free. Explore this reflection on using our faith-filled voices at Boldcafé.

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