Clergy Called to Courage: Join April 14 Conversation on Immigration & Faith

Clergy and ministry leaders are invited to a timely online gathering on Tuesday, April 14 (11:00 AM–12:30 PM) hosted by BJC and Christians Against Christian Nationalism. This Clergy Quarterly Touchpoint will focus on urgent issues at the intersection of immigration and religious freedom, offering conversation, leadership insight, and a call to action.

Designed to equip pastors for faithful leadership in a critical moment, the gathering will explore responses to immigration enforcement, support for mixed-status families, and ways to lead with clarity and courage. Register now and share with fellow leaders.

Protecting What We Love: A Faith-Based Call to Care for Water in the Age of AI

During Ramadan, Muslim leader Huda Alkaff reflects on the sacred role of water in faith and daily life, calling attention to a growing threat: the environmental impact of AI-driven data centers. Across Michigan and the Great Lakes region, communities and lawmakers are responding—proposing pauses on new data center construction while faith groups lead efforts to restore and protect local ecosystems.

This timely reflection invites people of all faiths to consider their relationship to water and to act in care for creation. As Lutherans rooted in God’s story, we are reminded that tending the earth is both a spiritual calling and a shared responsibility. Read more at Blessed Tomorrow.

Brian FlatgardApril 7, 2026Blessed Tomorrow, Artificial Intelligence, Climate ChangeComment

Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Lowell Nelson, who celebrates 15 years on April 10.
Rev. Charles Newman, King of Glory, Tempe, who celebrates 21 years on April 15.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardApril 7, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Mother’s Day Across Borders: A Call to Share Hope with Detained Families

This Mother’s Day (beginning May 7, 2026), Lutherans across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to join a cross-border effort delivering yellow flowers to detention centers and migrant shelters as a sign of compassion and solidarity. Participants can donate flowers or serve as Volunteer Site Leaders, helping coordinate local actions that lift up the dignity of those separated from their families.

Organized by partners including International Friendship Park and Border Church, this campaign reflects our Lutheran call to love our neighbor and seek justice. Learn how your congregation can take part in this meaningful witness of hope and shared humanity. View a PDF flyer here.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2026Immigration and Refugees, Church and SocietyComment

Leadership Lab 2026: A Week of Faith, Vision, and Leadership Formation for Youth and Adults

Registration is now open for Leadership Lab 2026, a week-long youth and leadership formation experience taking place June 22–27 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Participants explore leadership for church and community through hands-on learning, worship, and shared faith experiences grounded in the promise of Joel 2:28: “your young shall see visions.”

The registration cost is $420 per person, with lodging, meals, and a T-shirt included. Discounts are available for returning participants, first-time congregations, and groups bringing multiple students. Registration increases by $50 after April 15, so congregations are encouraged to register early.

Listening Together: Beginning RIC Discernment in the Grand Canyon Synod

The Grand Canyon Synod has begun introducing a question at the 2026 Spring Gatherings: whether to enter a process to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Synod. This is not a vote, but the beginning of a listening and discernment process that could lead to a year of education and conversation ahead of a potential 2027 Assembly vote.

All are invited to share questions, concerns, and hopes to help shape this process. Learn more and participate at gcsynod.org/ric.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2026Reconciling in Christ (RIC)Comment

"Belonging: Five Keys to Unlocking Your Potential as a Disciple" with Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis

Rev. 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. Watch a welcoming video from Karoline Lewis here.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2026Living Water Scottsdale, Northeast Valley ConferenceComment

Campformation 2026 Returns to Prescott for a Week of Faith, Adventure, and Community

Campformation 2026 will take place June 29–July 3 at Camp Pinerock in Prescott, Arizona, welcoming youth entering grades 6–10 for a week of faith formation, outdoor adventure, and community. Congregations from across our synod gather each summer for this long-standing Lutheran outdoor ministry tradition.

With more than 60 years of history, Campformation combines worship, small-group faith exploration, and activities like zip lining, hiking, swimming, and ropes courses. Learn more and register at lutherancampformation.com.

Still Time to Gather: Las Vegas Spring Gathering Set for April 11

The final 2026 Spring Gathering will be held Saturday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. All are invited—rostered ministers, lay leaders, and members—from across the synod. No registration is required.

Centered on the theme Rooted in God’s Story, this gathering offers a chance to reconnect, reflect, and be renewed in our shared calling. If you haven’t yet participated this season, this is your opportunity to join the synod in person.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 6, 20262026 Spring GatheringsComment

Happy Easter from Lutheran Summer Music!

Please enjoy this joyful musical offering of “O Clap Your Hands” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by the LSM 2025 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle, with Dr. Catherine Rodland, organ. Watch here: https://youtu.be/bI8CzO_VgxA.

Brian FlatgardApril 5, 20262026 Lent and EasterComment

Simple Ways to Serve: Join LSS-SW in Caring for Our Neighbors

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest invites congregations to deepen their impact through simple, actionable opportunities: becoming a Connector, supporting essential needs through an Amazon Wishlist, or organizing a Thrivent Action Team with up to $250 in funding. These efforts directly support refugees, families, and older adults across Arizona.

Grounded in the call to serve our neighbors, these opportunities offer meaningful ways for congregations to live out their faith—strengthening communities and extending care where it is needed most.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2026Lutheran Social Services of the SouthwestComment

Pivot #171: Your Labor Is Not in Vain

In this Easter reflection, Dr. Jennifer Pietz, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, draws on 1 Corinthians 15.

Sacred Spaces Reimagined: 2026 Faith & Form Award Winners Announced

The 2026 Faith & Form International Awards recognize 12 projects worldwide for excellence in religious architecture, restoration, and sacred design. From the honored restoration of the Mesa Arizona Temple to innovative new and renewed worship spaces across the globe, these projects highlight how sacred environments continue to support faith, community, and formation.

Submissions for the 2027 awards open August 3–October 9, 2026. These award-winning spaces offer inspiration for congregations seeking to steward their buildings as living places of worship, rooted in tradition and shaped for the future.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2026Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Mosaic: Accept the Person in Front of You Instead of Thinking They Need a Cure

Focusing only on the causes and a cure for autism too often takes the focus away from the needs of autistic people today. Autism Acceptance Month encourages each of us to assess how we think and act about autistic people.

The post Accept the Person in Front of You Instead of Thinking They Need a Cure appeared first on Mosaic.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2026Mosaic, Disability MinistriesComment

Lutheran World Federation newsletter

News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2026Lutheran World FederationComment

LWF Easter Message 2026: Leaving behind our old self

In this year’s Easter message from Lutheran World Federation, Nepalese pastor Rev. Rinki Rachel Soren reflects on the transformation made possible through Christ’s resurrection, freeing believers from sin and redefining their identity in him. Rather than observing this season only as an event, Easter is an invitation to leave behind the old self, choose justice over injustice, and love over division, in a world marked by violence, inequality, and broken relationships.

Global ChurchBrian FlatgardApril 2, 20262026 Lent and Easter, Lutheran World FederationComment

Good Friday message: God is on our side

What makes Good Friday “good” amid pain, suffering, and death? Bavarian church leader Michael Martin, invites us to reflect on the answer: Jesus’ solidarity with us, giving us strength and courage. Read the full message on The Lutheran World Federation site.

Global ChurchBrian FlatgardApril 2, 2026Lutheran World Federation, 2026 Lent and EasterComment

Holy Week Prayer and Public Witness: This Week from LAMA

This week’s LAMA newsletter invites us into Holy Week with a call to rest, pray, and renew our commitment to advocacy. Upcoming opportunities include hunger advocacy calls, environmental collaboration, poll chaplain training, and a national conversation on faith and democracy.

Explore new stories, action alerts, and events happening across the synod and beyond. Read the full newsletter and share it with your networks to stay engaged in this vital work.

Interfaith Action in Arizona: Events, Advocacy, and Opportunities Ahead

Arizona Faith Network’s latest newsletter highlights upcoming interfaith opportunities, including dialogue events, advocacy training, a Phoenix-based Prophetic Witness gathering, and community health initiatives. From faith and democracy conversations to heat relief volunteer opportunities, there are many ways to engage.

Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop staff will be engaged in candidacy work, preaching and leading worship, supporting conference gatherings and ministry conversations, and preparing for synod assembly and upcoming events. Alongside this, the team will continue core operations including communications, financial reporting and audit support, governance participation, and strategic planning for congregations and synod leadership.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardApril 2, 2026Office of the BishopComment

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