The Church That Does: Tucson Lutherans Turn Peanut Butter Into Abundance
The Church That Does: Tucson Lutherans Turn Peanut Butter Into Abundance

A congregation averaging just over 70 people in worship collected 1,440 jars of peanut butter for Interfaith Community Services—earning New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson recognition as the drive’s top per-capita donor and third-highest donor overall. Fellow Tucson congregation Tanque Verde Lutheran was also among the top five donors, contributing 1,187 pounds.

Pastor Greg Hartman shares how a simple food drive became a story of moving from scarcity to abundance—and discovering that with the Holy Spirit, a small congregation can make a very big impact.

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Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNew Spirit Tucson, Kino Conference Comment
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
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
Called to Cultivate Something New? Apply for the Leadership Incubator
Called to Cultivate Something New? Apply for the Leadership Incubator

Applications are open for Faith+Lead’s New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator, a 12-month online program equipping leaders to listen, discern, experiment, and cultivate Jesus-centered communities among people not connected to a local church. The $249 program combines courses, workshops, monthly gatherings, coaching, and peer learning—and synod leaders are encouraged to personally invite emerging leaders who may be ready to take this next faithful step.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLuther SeminaryComment
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