Grand Canyon Synod

News

Supporting the Church’s Song: Resources and Events for Fall 2026

Supporting the Church’s Song: Resources and Events for Fall 2026

ELCA Worship’s August roundup offers several opportunities for church musicians and worship leaders: more than 40 Lutheran Summer Music performances available on demand, fall webinars from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, October’s Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, and a formation opportunity for early-career church musicians through the Church Music Institute.

Several opportunities have fall deadlines or registration dates, making this a useful roundup to share with your congregation’s musicians and worship leaders. ⁠Explore all partner resources and events.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026ELCA worshipComment

Resources for Worship Planning, Accessibility and the Church Year

Resources for Worship Planning, Accessibility and the Church Year

ELCA Worship highlights several resources from Augsburg Fortress for congregations and worship leaders, including the 2027 Sundays and Seasons calendar featuring the art of Kelly Latimore, a children’s introduction to the church year, ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, and a large-print edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship designed to make worship more accessible. ⁠Explore the August worship resources.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026ELCA worshipComment

Administration Matters: Practical Tools for Safer Church Finances

Administration Matters: Practical Tools for Safer Church Finances

The July issue of ELCA Administration Matters offers practical guidance for congregational leaders on three significant financial risks: secure ACH approval practices, church embezzlement and fraudulent donor scams. The issue also highlights Portico Benefit Services’ 2025 Community Impact Report. ⁠Explore the July Administration Matters resources.

Leader Resources, ELCABrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026Comment

Remembering Bishop Patricia Davenport, ELCA Trailblazer

Remembering Bishop Patricia Davenport, ELCA Trailblazer

The ELCA mourns the death of the Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport, 70, the first African American woman elected a bishop in the ELCA. Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry remembers Davenport for urging the church, especially in difficult moments, to “pause, pray and listen for the Holy Spirit” so that we might respond rather than react. ⁠Read the ELCA remembrance.

ELCA, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026Comment

Bishop Curry: Choosing Reconciliation Over Division

Bishop Curry: Choosing Reconciliation Over Division

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry reflects on religious diversity, Christian faith and the church’s calling to a “ministry of reconciliation.” Drawing on the ELCA’s interreligious commitments, Curry encourages Lutherans to build relationships across religious differences while resisting efforts to identify the nation or government with a single faith. ⁠Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s full message.

Bishop Curry, ELCABrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026Bishop Curry Letters, Church and SocietyComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

The Rev. Cheryl Fox, who celebrates 17 years on August 15.
Rev. Mark Powell, who celebrates 46 years on August 17.
Rev. Deborah Hutterer, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 22 years on August 18.
Rev. Brent Maxwell, who celebrates 19 years on August 19.
Rev. Kurt Fangmeier, Sierra Evangelical, Sierra Vista, who celebrates 25 years on August 19.
Rev. Marilyn Ascarza, who celebrates 36 years on August 19.
Rev. Scott Hackler, Spirit of Grace, Surprise, who celebrates 37 years on August 20.
Michael Purcell, who celebrates 48 years on August 20.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Save the Dates: Upcoming Youth Ministry Learning Opportunities

Save the Dates: Upcoming Youth Ministry Learning Opportunities

The SYAT Collective continues its free continuing education series for youth ministry leaders with two upcoming Zoom events: intergenerational ministry (August 20), and creative fundraising strategies (September 17). Congregational leaders, volunteers, and ministry staff are invited to learn practical tools for strengthening ministry with children, youth, and young adults.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAugust 10, 2026Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Youth and Young AdultComment

Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson

Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson

Rev. Annemarie Burke will be installed Sunday, 8/16/2026 at the 9 am service at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (7570 North Thornydale Road, Tucson, AZ 85741).

Please check the calendar listing or beautifulsavior.net for this event for up-to-date info and details.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAugust 10, 2026Ordinations and Installations Comment

Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Practical Guidance for Congregational Leaders

Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Practical Guidance for Congregational Leaders

Join ELCA Director of Misconduct Prevention Kendra Stea on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m. Arizona/PDT for practical guidance on mandatory reporting, involving the bishop, sex offenders in congregations, behavior agreements, Safe Church policies, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAugust 10, 2026Child ProtectionComment

Plant Yourself in Good Soil: Growing in Faith Begins August 25

Plant Yourself in Good Soil: Growing in Faith Begins August 25

Registration is now open for the Growing in Faith/Diakonia Foundation Year, beginning August 25 with Christianity in the Lutheran Key. Join others from across the synod for online learning, spiritual growth, and deeper engagement with faith in everyday life. View PDF here.

Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAugust 10, 2026DiakoniaComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

As summer transitions toward fall, Grand Canyon Synod staff are focused on planning, ministry support, stewardship development, and financial oversight. This week also marks the return of Communications Director Brian Flatgard from sabbatical, bringing renewed energy and gratitude as the synod prepares for the season ahead.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 6, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Janet Richardson, who celebrates 37 years on August 6.
Rev. Richard Peterson, who celebrates 33 years on August 8.
Rev. John Hoelter, who celebrates 59 years on August 9.
Rev. Wyatt Linde, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 3 years on August 9.
Rev. Joseph Dillon, who celebrates 50 years on August 10.
Rev. Paul Campbell, who celebrates 47 years on August 12.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 6, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Kevin Anderson, Spirit of Hope, Mesa, who celebrates 1 year on August 4.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 4, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Thomas McFarland, who celebrates 40 years on August 3.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 3, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Sharon Brown, who celebrates 13 years on August 2.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardAugust 2, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Rebecca Boardman, who celebrates 22 years on July 31.
Rev. James Schubert, who celebrates 36 years on July 31.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 31, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Office of the Bishop Updates

While Bishop Hutterer is on vacation, Grand Canyon Synod staff continue supporting congregations, strengthening ministry partnerships, and preparing for future initiatives. This week’s work includes ministry reviews, stewardship development, event planning, website improvements, and the completion of key financial reporting for the synod.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 30, 2026Office of the BishopComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Tony Scheer, who celebrates 26 years on July 30.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 30, 2026Ordination Anniversaries Comment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Matthew Wiswall, who celebrates 36 years on July 29.
Rev. Mateo Chavez, San Juan Bautista, Tucson, who celebrates 8 years on July 29.
Rev. Susan Schubert, who celebrates 36 years on July 29.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 29, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination Celebrations

Ordination Celebrations

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Gary McCluskey, who celebrates 46 years on July 27.
Rev. David Pavesic, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 24 years on July 27.
Rev. Denise Edwards, who celebrates 24 years on July 27.

Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJuly 27, 2026Ordination AnniversariesComment