For What Shall We Pray?

For all those affected by war and armed conflict around the world, especially in Iran, Gaza, Ethiopia, Syria, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and Myanmar…
For the three-year anniversary of the attacks in Gaza…
For elections and political transitions around the world…
For lawmakers and courts of law…
For all affected by the spread of disease…
For safety amidst ongoing student protests in France…
For flooding in Spain and all affected by natural disasters…
For all in the path of Tropical Storm Isaias…
For Nobel Prize recipients and all gifts of discovery, research, and curiosity…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 2026ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14, while supporting the Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma, congregational visits, retreats, and First Call accompaniment. Staff will also advance ministry partnerships, generosity efforts, grants, communications, event planning, and financial administration.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, SpotlightBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 2026Office of the BishopComment

The Agenda Is Set: Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14

The agenda is set for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 12–14 in Scottsdale! We look forward to reconnecting with registered ministry leaders for worship, renewal, and learning with the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos. Preview the schedule, including affinity groups, a film discussion, and closing worship.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 8, 20262026 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment

Learn and Discern: Understanding Our Church’s Teaching on Sexuality

Questions about sexuality and the ELCA touch faith, conscience, and belonging. Begin our five-week Learn and Discernseries with a 33-minute conversation about the history behind the church’s teaching and reconsideration process, paired with the ELCA’s Conscience and Conversation study.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Conscience and ConversationComment

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Download resources, a new litany and more

Women of the ELCA offers several ways to put faith into action this fall, beginning with resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and confidential, 24/7 support for survivors. Upcoming opportunities include the Oct. 15 Thankoffering Service and Boldcafe conversation on consent, an Oct. 22 racial justice gathering, a Nov. 4 tour information session and a new Bible study featuring Hagar, Ruth and Mary Magdalene.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Women of the ELCA (WELCA), Domestic ViolenceComment

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honor, Learn and Listen

Observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12 by honoring Indigenous cultures, resilience and sovereignty. Explore ELCA Indigenous ministries and Truth and Healing resources, learn about the peoples whose homelands include your community, and take a concrete step to support Indigenous voices.

ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal RelationsComment

Lutherans and Catholics Look toward Augsburg’s 500th Anniversary

Lutheran World Federation leaders met with Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 1 to discuss Christian unity and hopes for a shared commemoration of the Augsburg Confession’s 500th anniversary in 2030. Their conversation highlighted the confession’s original call for dialogue and the continuing journey toward reconciliation, shared witness and communion. Read the story in Living Lutheran.

ELCA, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Living Lutheran, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment

From All Saints to Lent: Resources for Worship Leaders

Prepare for the coming seasons with music for All Saints through Transfiguration, seasonal devotionals and ELW planning resources. Upcoming webinars feature healthy singing as we age on Oct. 22 and songs of justice and community on Nov. 10. A devotional promotion offers free shipping on qualifying orders of 100 or more through Jan. 6. Explore the October resources and register for the webinars.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026ELCA WorshipComment

Grace at the Table: A Ministry Meets College Hunger

At Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama, Gathered by Grace helps students facing food insecurity through pantry support and meals at campus events. Supported by an ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread grant, the ministry connects nourishment with learning, family well-being and relationships rooted in care for neighbors. Read how your gifts support this ministry.

ELCABrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Hunger, ELCA World HungerComment

Happy 20th Anniversary, Evangelical Lutheran Worship!

Evangelical Lutheran Worship turned 20 on Oct. 3, marking two decades of nourishing congregations through word, sacraments and song. Celebrate with a beloved hymn, anniversary trivia or free ELCA resources that help worship leaders explore the book’s richness and flexibility. Read more and explore the resources.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026ELCA WorshipComment

ELCA Bishops Discuss Benefits, Leadership and Shared Mission

Chaired by Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Deborah Hutterer, the ELCA Conference of Bishops welcomed six new bishops during its Sept. 22–26 meeting in Chicago. Discussions addressed churchwide ministry, consultation on benefit changes, leadership formation and ongoing discernment around Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Read the ELCA report.

Bishop Hutterer, ELCABrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026Conference of BishopsComment

“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Takes Root

“Love takes shape in what we do,” says Pastor Chris Honig of Ascension Lutheran Church in Riverside, Illinois. In this brief ELCA video, community gardening brings “God’s work. Our hands.” to life—a reminder that faith calls us to serve our neighbors. Find inspiration for your congregation’s ministry. Watch the ELCA video. Download at https://bit.ly/4xZawdM.

ELCABrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2026God's Work Our Hands SundayComment

Registration 101: Get Ready for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering

Preparing to bring youth to the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering? The Registration 101 webinar offers guidance from Gathering leadership to help congregational leaders and adult volunteers prepare for registration. Share this resource with your planning team as you support young people’s journey of faith. Watch the recorded webinar.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 20262027 ELCA Youth Gathering, Youth and Young AdultComment

Planned Giving: Why Your Legacy Gift Matters

Your generosity can sustain ministry for generations. Discover how a gift through your will or beneficiary designations can express your faith, provide for the ministries you love, and support the future of your congregation and the Grand Canyon Synod.

Generations Together: Build Connections Across Ages on October 22

Help every generation grow in faith together. ReFocus Ministry’s Generations Together online conference on October 22, 2026, offers keynote speakers, practical breakouts, and live ministry conversations for pastors, lay leaders, and volunteers. Registration is $35, or $50 for VIP access with recordings, resources, and Q&A opportunities. Learn more and register.

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026Youth and Young AdultComment

Faithful Leadership for a Changing Church: October Resources

Grow your ministry with Faith+Lead’s October offerings: the School for Lay Ministry begins October 10, and New Christian Communities Leadership Incubator applications close October 31. Explore on-demand learning in adaptive leadership and congregational care, plus free resources for faith reflection, a four-week Acts study, and preaching informed by Indigenous scholars.

Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026faith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment

Save the Date: LuTMA Ministry Conference, June 15–17, 2027

Save June 15–17, 2027, for LuTMA’s hybrid ministry conference, open to pastors in permanent and interim calls. Dr. David R. Brubaker will explore congregational change, conflict, polarization, and community partnerships, with a pre-conference practitioner panel also planned. Registration opens in 2027; venue and schedule details are forthcoming.

Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026Lutheran Transitional Ministry AssociationComment

Congratulations to Scholarship Recipient Annie Durante

Congratulations to Annie Durante of New Covenant Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, this year’s Grace & Grand Canyon Synod Scholarship recipient! Congregations and individuals can help grow this ministry, which funds scholarships through interest while preserving the principal. For giving information, contact Shawn Watts at the Arizona Community Foundation, rather than Grace Lutheran or the synod office.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2026Youth and Young Adult, Grace PhoenixComment

Brunch and Ballots: Gather at Holy Trinity in Chandler October 15

Gather October 15, 2026, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie Street, Chandler, for a free, nonpartisan Community Voting Celebration. Enjoy food, ballot education, Peacekeeper training, and transportation to an official ballot drop-off for participants with completed ballots. All are welcome at this interfaith open house—come when you can. Register here.

Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma

Rev. David Peterson will be installed on Sunday, 10/11/2026 at 9:30 am at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church (11273 E 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367). Rev. Pat Reed will preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.

There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service. No RSVP's necessary. The service will be live-streamed and can be found on the church’s website and Facebook and YouTube.

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