Rooted in God’s Story: Mission Support Intent Forms Due March 1, 2026
Rooted in God’s Story: Mission Support Intent Forms Due March 1, 2026

Mission Support Statements of Intent for 2026–2027 are due March 1, 2026. Congregations are asked to submit their completed form to office@gcsynod.org to support faithful planning and shared ministry across the Grand Canyon Synod, the wider ELCA, and the world.

Rooted in the 2026 synod theme, Rooted in God’s Story, Mission Support is a theological practice grounded in abundance, partnership, and hope. Resources—including the Mission Support Letter, fillable form, and Bishop Hutterer’s Thank You Video—are available now.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMission Support, StewardshipComment
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge
Register today for the Region 2 Lenten Challenge

Lent is soon upon us (Ash Wednesday February 18). Once again, we are invited into a holy season of prayer, repentance, and renewed love of neighbor. If you’ve participated in the Region 2 Lenten Challenge before, you already know how powerfully God can work through simple, daily steps: a Scripture-based reflection, a faithful action, a moment of courage, a practice of compassion. This year’s challenge is ready for you at lentenchallenge.org—and your place in it matters.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2Brian Flatgard2026 Lenten ChallengeComment
Building a More Caring World: Stephen Ministries’ 50th Anniversary Event Comes to All Saints Lutheran in Phoenix
Building a More Caring World: Stephen Ministries’ 50th Anniversary Event Comes to All Saints Lutheran in Phoenix

All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix will host a regional Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Part of a nationwide tour, the event features teaching on grief, empathy, caregiving, congregational care, and responding to the mental health crisis, with speakers including founder Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk.

Open to the public and cross-denominational, the event costs $15 per person (optional lunch $12). Registration is required and space is limited. Learn more and register at stephenministries.org/celebratePHX.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAll Saints Phoenix, Capital Conference, Stephen MinistriesComment
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Music, Food, and Generosity at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Music, Food, and Generosity at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix

Celebrate Fat Tuesday with food, music, and generosity at Music for Meals on Tuesday, February 17, at Hope Hall at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Enjoy New Orleans–style cuisine and live music from the Connections band, with the meal beginning at 6:00 p.m. and music at 6:30 p.m.

This free event supports the Pitchfork Pantry, serving ASU Downtown students facing food insecurity. Bring canned goods, and know that all monetary donations will help purchase fresh, healthy food for the pantry. Join us for one last joyful gathering before the season of Lent begins.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardGrace Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
Here Comes the Sun: A February Roundup of Faithful Climate Action
Here Comes the Sun: A February Roundup of Faithful Climate Action

February’s Good Green News from Lutherans Restoring Creation highlights upcoming opportunities for faithful climate action, including a February 24 Q&A with Bill McKibben on his new book Here Comes the Sun, newly announced dates for the Multiply! gathering (April 10–12, 2026), advocacy conversations like Coffee with Christine on March 4, and a practical climate action webinar on March 17.

Read the full newsletter for registration links, recordings, and ways to share these events with your congregation as we continue, together, the work of caring for God’s creation.

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ELCABrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutherans Restoring CreationComment
Help Wanted: Piano Player for Sunday Worship at Trinity Lutheran, Phoenix
Help Wanted: Piano Player for Sunday Worship at Trinity Lutheran, Phoenix

Trinity Lutheran Church in Phoenix is seeking a piano player for Sunday morning worship services, with rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. This is a meaningful opportunity to serve through music in a collaborative praise team setting. Interested musicians should contact Judy Vogt at 602-999-7620 or jkvsinger@outlook.com.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHelp Wanted, Trinity Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
Mosaic: Searching for IDD services? Ask these 6 Questions to Find the Right Provider
Mosaic: Searching for IDD services? Ask these 6 Questions to Find the Right Provider

Choosing a provider for intellectual and developmental disability services is an important decision. It can also be overwhelming. Here are questions you can ask to find a provider that truly aligns with your specific needs, goals and dreams.

The post Searching for IDD services? Ask these 6 Questions to Find the Right Provider appeared first on Mosaic.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMosaic, Disability MinistriesComment
Protecting Sacred Spaces: February Faith Freedom Dispatch Calls for Action
Protecting Sacred Spaces: February Faith Freedom Dispatch Calls for Action

The February 2026 Faith Freedom Dispatch from BJC highlights urgent actions to protect religious freedom, including calling on Congress to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, submitting public comments to safeguard church–state separation by February 9, and applying for the 2026 BJC Fellows Program.

The issue also features BJC’s voice in Rolling Stone on immigration enforcement and religious liberty. Read the full newsletter to learn how people of faith can defend sacred spaces, uphold freedom of conscience, and take action now.

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Brian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), Church and SocietyComment
Listening to the Land: Sacred Ground Invites Us to Encounter God Outdoors
Listening to the Land: Sacred Ground Invites Us to Encounter God Outdoors

Drawing on Scripture’s call to learn from creation itself, Rev. Laurie Bayen introduces Sacred Ground, an innovative audio-based spiritual practice that invites people to encounter God in nature. Available through the free Otocast smartphone app, Sacred Ground offers brief, place-based reflections at more than 80 sites—highlighting Indigenous wisdom, climate impacts, and practices of respectful presence.

This growing project embodies a “church without walls,” offering a faithful response to eco-anxiety while nurturing creation care, justice, and hope. As Sacred Ground expands in 2026—including Spanish-language resources—Rev. Bayen invites partners to imagine what sacred stories might be waiting to be told in their own communities. Read more from Blessed Tomorrow and explore the full story.

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Brian FlatgardClimate Change, Blessed TomorrowComment
Office of the Bishop Updates
Office of the Bishop Updates

In the coming week, staff will be engaged in governance, formation, and preparation for the season ahead. Bishop Hutterer will meet with Synod Council, preach and gather with the congregation in Yuma, and continue one-on-one meetings, while staff advance work in youth leadership, candidacy, congregational vitality, generosity, communications, administration, and financial stewardship in support of the synod’s shared ministry and upcoming gatherings.

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News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOffice of the BishopComment
Rostered Ministers: Submit Your Annual Report to the Bishop by March 30, 2026
Rostered Ministers: Submit Your Annual Report to the Bishop by March 30, 2026

The annual Rostered Minister Report to the Bishop is now open and due Monday, March 30, 2026. This report offers rostered ministers an opportunity to reflect on their ministry and connect directly with Bishop Deborah Hutterer as part of our shared life as a synod.

All active (including those on leave or disability) and retired rostered ministers are asked to complete the appropriate online form. Every report is read by the bishop, with care given to each response. Links to both forms are on the synod website.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Schedule Update: Jazz Vespers Shifts to February 15 at Mount of Olives in Phoenix
Schedule Update: Jazz Vespers Shifts to February 15 at Mount of Olives in Phoenix

Please note a schedule change: February’s Jazz Vespers at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church will take place on Sunday, February 15, not the usual second Sunday. This Valentine’s-themed evening features Typhanie Monique with Beth Lederman, with all proceeds supporting food for 250 families each week through the Music for Food ministry.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMount of Olives Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
Walking the Way Together: What’s Ahead at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Walking the Way Together: What’s Ahead at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary enters Spring 2026 grounded in faith, justice, and shared discipleship. From a February Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence to climate justice certificates, discernment opportunities, and May commencement, PLTS continues forming leaders for a complex world—inviting the wider church to walk the Way together and keep our hands on the plow.

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Region 2Brian FlatgardPacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryComment
From Prophetic Witness to People Power: What’s New from Arizona Faith Network
From Prophetic Witness to People Power: What’s New from Arizona Faith Network

Arizona Faith Network’s weekly newsletter highlights upcoming advocacy meetings, faith-based trainings, and community events focused on immigration justice, voting rights, creation care, and interfaith collaboration. From the Prophetic Witness Campaign and Environmental Day at the Capitol to meditation, book groups, and leadership trainings, AFN continues to invite people of faith into meaningful, coordinated action across Arizona.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith NetworkComment
Faith Lens: Salt, Light, and the Life of Discipleship
Faith Lens: Salt, Light, and the Life of Discipleship

Jesus calls his followers “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”—an identity rooted not in personal piety alone, but in lives shaped by justice, mercy, and love of neighbor. Drawing on Matthew 5 and Isaiah 58, this week’s Faith Lens reflection explores how discipleship is lived out through concrete acts that loosen injustice, feed the hungry, and shine God’s light in the world.

Salt does not lose its saltiness, and light does not cease to shine—but both can be rendered ineffective. This reflection invites us to consider what gets in the way of living our baptismal calling and reminds us that even when we fall short, we remain beloved children of God, still called—and empowered—to be salt and light for the sake of the world.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith LensComment
Better Together: A Synod Book Study on Partnership, Mission, and the Church’s Future
Better Together: A Synod Book Study on Partnership, Mission, and the Church’s Future

Pastor David Pavesic invites pastors and congregational leaders into a four-session online book study based on Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work. Building on the recent Possibilities in Partnership presentation, this study explores how mission can be strengthened through collaboration and shared ministry. Offered in both morning and evening Zoom sessions, the study creates space for honest conversation, faithful discernment, and hope-filled imagination—because while we may not be able to do this work alone, we are better together. Morning sessions start 2/17, evening sessions begin 2/19.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMergersComment