BJC and Christians Against Christian Nationalism are collecting stories of ICE activity occurring on or near houses of worship after some U.S. senators questioned whether such enforcement is happening. If you have witnessed or experienced such activity, BJC invites you to submit detailed documentation. Read their full message for submission guidelines and links.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network is offering multiple opportunities for faithful public engagement this season, including Prophetic Witness Campaign trainings (Phoenix Feb. 19), a Digital Security Workshop (March 2), Sacred Space visits, and an interfaith book study. AFN also issued an Action Alert regarding harmful legislation moving through the Arizona Legislature.
Read MoreLAMA invites Lutherans to gather for Lutheran Day at the Legislature on February 23 at the Arizona Capitol and to take action through RTS on healthcare and food insecurity legislation moving during crossover week. Additional opportunities include the Hunger Leaders Network (Feb. 24) and voting rights advocacy. Read the full LAMA newsletter for event details and action links.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff attends Lutheran Day at the Legislature, (Feb 23, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM) as well as our first three Spring Gatherings in Phoenix, open to all:
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: Desert Cross, Tempe, Feb 21, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: American Lutheran, Sun City, Feb 24, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: St. Andrew Lutheran, Phoenix, Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
For the evening gathering at St. Andrew Lutheran Church (6:30 pm), participants are invited to arrive anytime after 6:00 pm for light refreshments and informal fellowship prior to the conversation, as we will not have a post-gathering reception.
Read MorePastor David Pavesic invites pastors and congregational leaders into Better Together, a four-session online book study exploring partnership, shared ministry, and the church’s future. Though February sessions have begun, it’s not too late to join—and slides from the first session are now available to help participants catch up.
Offered Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. (Arizona time), this study looks honestly at congregational realities while imagining faithful, mission-centered collaboration. Register now and join the conversation about how we will be church—together.
Read MoreOn November 12, 2025, the ELCA Church Council adopted a Social Message on Child Protection, calling congregations to strengthen preaching, policies, and trauma-informed care. Wartburg Theological Seminary and the Center for Faith & Child Protection are offering a free webinar series (beginning February 26 at 6:45 p.m. CST) to help leaders implement these recommendations. Pastors and lay leaders across the Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to register and equip their congregations to protect and care for the “least of these.”
Read MoreHolden Evening Prayer Around the World returns April 26–May 2, 2026, marking the 40th anniversary of Vespers ’86 by Marty Haugen. Congregations and households are invited to host a service locally and register their event on Holden Village’s public map. An in-Village service will be livestreamed during the week.
Plan your gathering, register your event, and join Lutherans across the globe in shared prayer and song.
Read MoreFree Webinar – February 25, 10am Mountain, 9 am Pacific): Join Dr. Ana L. Chavez-Mancillas for “Walking With the Latino Communities: Faith, Stress, and Behavioral Health in a Time of Change.” This online workshop will equip faith leaders to recognize the behavioral health challenges facing Latino communities, including immigration stress, discrimination, and economic strain.
Participants will gain culturally responsive, faith-informed tools to reduce stigma, foster trust, and support Latino congregants with practical care strategies. Free registration required.
Read MoreRev. Dr. Karoline Lewis will lead Belonging: Five Keys to Unlocking Your Potential as a Disciple on Saturday, April 11 (1:00–4:00 PM) at Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Centered on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4), this free event invites participants to explore discipleship “from wonder to witness.” Registration is required by April 6 at lwlcaz.org/nevcevent/. Reception to follow.
Read MoreThis week’s ELCA Faith Lens reflection on Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 invites us to look beyond blame and consider the deeper reality of shame, guilt, and reconciliation. Rather than focusing solely on “the fall,” Pastor Adrianne Meier highlights how shame isolates—but God moves toward humanity, clothing Adam and Eve and beginning the long work of restoration.
For youth and adult leaders alike, this resource offers discussion questions, activities, and a Gospel-centered reminder that from the very beginning, God’s response to our tangled lives has been reconciliation.
Read MoreEnrollment for this summer is over 80% full, but there’s still time for young musicians to apply, and for you to nominate students. Lutheran Summer Music is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school musicians. Students come together from around the country for a joyful summer of music-making through large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, elective classes (conducting, composition, jazz, musical theatre, handbells, pipe organ) and use their musical gifts in performance, and in worship.
LSM 2026 | St. Olaf College, Minnesota | June 21 - July 19, 2026 | Grades 8 - 12 | Learn more: LSMacademy.org/program.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Barbara Bengtson, who celebrates 32 years on February 20.
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, who celebrates 17 years on February 22.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 29 years on February 23.
Rev. Kaila Armbruster, who celebrates 12 years on February 23.
Rev. Paul Block, New Song, Henderson, who celebrates 25 years on February 24.
Rev. Arhiana Shek-Dill, University, Tempe, ASU LCM, Tempe, who celebrates 14 years on February 25.
Rev. Robert Crabb, who celebrates 31 years on February 26.
King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe is seeking a part-time Children’s and Family Ministry Coordinator to nurture faith formation from nursery through fifth grade. This flexible, 15-hour-per-week position focuses on relationship-building, volunteer coordination, and family-centered ministry. Resumes should be sent to info@kogaz.org. View job description in PDF.
Read MoreTrinity 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.
Read MoreMountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix is seeking a part-time Accountant to manage bookkeeping, financial reporting, and budget preparation in support of its ministry. Qualified candidates with experience in fund-based accounting and proficiency in QuickBooks are encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply at mvlutheran.org/jobs.
Read MoreIn this special Pivot Podcast Lenten reflection, the Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson invites us into four transformative Lenten practices for church leaders.
Read MoreThe Spirited Book Club at Spirit in the Desert meets Thursday, February 26, from 3:00–4:00 pm AZ (MST) to discuss Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism—with author Drew J. Strait joining the conversation. Facilitated by Sheri Brown, this timely gathering invites faithful reflection on how worship, theology, and public witness intersect.
It’s not too late to register or read the book. Rostered ministers and lay leaders across the Grand Canyon Synod are warmly invited to take part in this important and hope-filled discussion.
Read MoreLent invites us into a story.
Not a story we invent. Not a story we control. But the story of God’s faithfulness: a story that holds us, shapes us, and sends us.
Read MoreBeginning Ash Wednesday 2026, Lutherans across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to receive a daily Matthew 25 devotion by email throughout Lent and Holy Week as part of the Region 2 Lenten Challenge supporting ELCA World Hunger. Participants commit to three of four practices — Devotion, Learning, Action, and Donation — with a regional goal of raising $100,000 and engaging at least 50 congregations per synod. Sign up now and center your Lenten journey on Christ in “the least of these.”
Read MorePresiding Bishop Yehiel Curry will join the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network for their next monthly call on Tuesday, February 24, from 6:00–7:00 pm (AZ time). The virtual gathering will include a short devotion, an update from Bishop Curry, a local hunger ministry spotlight, and shared resources and grant updates from across the synod.
If you’ve been meaning to connect with others working to address hunger and food insecurity, this is a great time to jump in. No registration is required—just bring your curiosity and commitment. Read more on the LAMA web site, and click this link to join the Zoom call.
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