Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea
Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea

Resources are now available from our August 18 conversation with Kendra Stea, ELCA Director, Misconduct Prevention, on safeguarding worshiping communities. Explore or download Kendra’s presentation covering mandatory reporting, Safe Church policies, misconduct, sex offender covenants, behavior agreements, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Congregational leaders are encouraged to use and share these materials—and to contact the synod when questions or concerns arise.

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Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMisconductComment
Ordination Celebrations
Ordination Celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Barbara Rapp, who celebrates 33 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Martha Neff Stum, who celebrates 16 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Cherlyne Beck, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 43 years on August 21.

  • Rev. Loren Swanson, who celebrates 55 years on August 22.

  • Rev. Gary Garvey, who celebrates 44 years on August 22.

  • Rev. Carlyle Smith, who celebrates 62 years on August 23.

  • Rev. Naomi Barcanic, who celebrates 29 years on August 24.

  • Rev. Julie Gerrish, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 2 years on August 24.

  • Rev. Solomon Kuch, Emmanuel Sudanese, Glendale, who celebrates 1 year on August 24.

  • Rev. Nathan Bowman, Hospice of the West, who celebrates 41 years on August 25.

  • Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 21 years on August 27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Planning to Apply for a 2027 Synod Grant? Join the August 25 Webinar
Planning to Apply for a 2027 Synod Grant? Join the August 25 Webinar

Considering a 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant? Start with the Grant Application Webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m. Arizona/Pacific time. Approximately $175,000 is available this grant cycle, with eligible projects able to request up to $15,000. Visit gcsynod.org/grants for more info.

The application window opens August 24 and closes September 25. Congregations and ministries with ideas to Communicate Jesus, Connect People or Create Possibilities are encouraged to review the new grant information and register for next week’s webinar.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardGrants, GCS Grants ProgramComment
Lutheran World Federation newsletter
Lutheran World Federation newsletter
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News, Global Church, SpotlightBrian FlatgardLutheran World FederationComment
Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month
Hunger Leaders Network meets 6pm last Tuesday of every month

Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Tuesday, 8/25/2026, 6-7pm MST.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgardhunger, Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders NetworkComment
Journey to Egypt with Bishop Hutterer: Faith, History, and the Nile – January 27–February 5, 2027
Journey to Egypt with Bishop Hutterer: Faith, History, and the Nile – January 27–February 5, 2027

The Grand Canyon Synod invites you to travel with Bishop Deborah Hutterer to Egypt, January 27–February 5, 2027, for a ten-day pilgrimage exploring the Pyramids, the Nile, and historic Coptic churches tied to the Holy Family. Hosted by Elias Tours, this active journey includes 5-star accommodations, a Nile cruise, daily meals, and expert guides. Cost is $3,890 (land only) with a $300 deposit required; registration is now open. Discern whether this faith-filled adventure is right for you and secure your space today.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Help Us Tell God’s Story Across the Grand Canyon Synod
Help Us Tell God’s Story Across the Grand Canyon Synod

God is at work across the Grand Canyon Synod—and we want to help tell that story. From events and service projects to ministry opportunities and milestones, your congregation’s news strengthens our shared life together. Rooted in God’s story and guided by the truth that we are one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12), we invite you to submit your updates at gcsynod.org/share and help us celebrate what God is doing among us.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Installation of Rev. Jenn Luong at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Tucson
Installation of Rev. Jenn Luong at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Tucson

Rev. Jenn Luong, called to serve University of Arizona Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 10/4/2026 at 4 pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (1200 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719). Bishop Hutterer will preach and preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. Color of the day is green. There will be a reception and meal to follow.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOrdinations and InstallationsComment
Installation of Rev. Jose Valenzuela at University Lutheran in Tempe
Installation of Rev. Jose Valenzuela at University Lutheran in Tempe

Rev. Jose Valenzuela, called to serve University Lutheran and ASU Lutheran Campus Ministry, will be installed Sunday, 9/20/2026, during 10 am worship at University Lutheran Church (340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281).

Bishop Hutterer will preside through Communion. Reception will be an Einstein Bagels bar with coffee and orange juice. No RSVPs are necessary, color of the day is rainbow. Live-stream and post-video link will be on the front page ulctempe.org.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOrdinations and InstallationsComment
Save the Date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering
Save the Date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering

Save the date for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. This year’s Rooted in God’s Story gathering will feature Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, theologian and author of A Liberation Theology of the Brain, alongside worship, synod conversations, ministry stories, and time for renewal and connection.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment
August Good Green News: Creation Care Resources for Lutherans
August Good Green News: Creation Care Resources for Lutherans

Lutherans Restoring Creation’s August Good Green News features upcoming opportunities for worship, learning and action, including Nature, Spirituality & Church in the Wild on August 25, Season of Creation resources, the 2026–27 EcoPreacher cohort, an environmental spirituality summit with Bill McKibben, and an ELCA creation-care film series beginning September 2.

Explore these events, new resources and more ways for individuals and congregations to connect Lutheran faith with care for God’s creation.

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ELCABrian FlatgardGood Green News, Lutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
Faith+Lead August Roundup: New Tools for Learning, Leadership, and Ministry
Faith+Lead August Roundup: New Tools for Learning, Leadership, and Ministry

Faith+Lead’s August roundup offers new opportunities for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations to learn and grow, including courses on purpose and money, a new Christian communities incubator, Susan Beaumont’s supervision training beginning August 18, and the fall School for Lay Ministry cohort.

The roundup also includes free resources for The Bible in a Year and the Narrative Lectionary’s upcoming Year of Matthew. Read the August 2026 Faith+Lead Monthly Roundup.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLuther Seminary, faith+leadComment
Mosaic | Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities
Mosaic | Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities

When a child sees someone with a disability, they are naturally curious and may have questions. With students heading back to school this fall, we connected with Author and Speaker Tasha Schuh to discuss how parents can talk to their children about interacting with people with disabilities.

The post Back-to-School: 3 Tips for Talking to Children about People with Disabilities appeared first on Mosaic.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMosaic, Disability MinistriesComment
Mastering Money: Watch the Recording and Explore the Resources
Mastering Money: Watch the Recording and Explore the Resources

The recording and resources from the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team’s “Mastering Money: Budgeting, Planning, and Living Generously” webinar are now available. Watch Duane Gilson explore budgeting, financial planning, and generosity as practices of faithful stewardship, and find recommended tools for managing money, receiving financial guidance, and growing generosity.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship TeamComment
Watch: Campformation 2026 Brings Faith to Life
Watch: Campformation 2026 Brings Faith to Life

See Campformation 2026 through a new video shared by Pastor David Sivecz of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. From worship and friendship to outdoor adventures and faith formation, get a glimpse of a Grand Canyon Synod ministry that has been helping young people grow in faith and community for more than 60 years.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSynod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Youth and Young Adult, Campformation, Outdoor MinistryComment
Two Resources for Responding to Christian Nationalism: Read, Reflect and Engage
Two Resources for Responding to Christian Nationalism: Read, Reflect and Engage

Two connected resources invite Grand Canyon Synod leaders to study and respond to Christian nationalism. Read the July 2026 issue of Currents in Theology and Mission, “Declaring Independence from Christian Nationalism,” then explore the separate Reclaiming the Heritage project and its “Democracy at Risk” declaration, which people of faith are invited to read and sign.

The Rev. Conrad Braaten, a Grand Canyon Synod pastor currently serving as Interim Pastor at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, helped develop the declaration and encourages synod leaders to engage these resources for theological study, discernment and faithful action.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardChristian Nationalism, Church and SocietyComment
AFN News: Annual Gathering Registration Opens, Plus Upcoming Events
AFN News: Annual Gathering Registration Opens, Plus Upcoming Events

The latest Arizona Faith Network newsletter features registration for the October 20 AFN Annual Gathering, “From Conflict to Community,” plus upcoming opportunities focused on digital security, elder abuse, election protection, peacemaking and interfaith service.

Read the full AFN newsletter for event details, registration information and more opportunities to connect with Arizona’s interfaith community.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Arizona Faith Network, Church and SocietyComment