This section is dedicated to celebrating and lifting up the everyday work of our congregations, ministries, and partners at various levels—from local to global. Join us in gratitude and prayer for these people and organizations. View all our spotlight posts here.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Donald Liles, who celebrates 40 years on June 8.
Rev. Bennett Henrikson, who celebrates 57 years on June 8.
Rev. Melinda Gapen, Noble Hospice, Mesa, who celebrates 12 years on June 8.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stoney Bowen-Weiszmann, Banner Del E Webb Medical Center, Sun City West, who celebrates 18 years on June 7.
Rev. Tim Eighmy, Community, Bullhead City, who celebrates 34 years on June 7.
Rev. John Lundering, who celebrates 67 years on June 7.
Rev. David Miller, who celebrates 56 years on June 7.
Rev. Donald Legacie, who celebrates 39 years on June 7.
Rev. Ronald Hedwall, who celebrates 62 years on June 7.
Rev. Jarrod Iversen, Central, Arizona City, who celebrates 1 year on June 7.
Rev. Debra Hippen Schultz, who celebrates 39 years on June 7.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Arlyn Saathoff, who celebrates 61 years on June 6.
Rev. Vern Barlow, who celebrates 61 years on June 6.
Rev. Daniel Carlson, who celebrates 44 years on June 6.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Stephen Beyer, who celebrates 45 years on June 5.
Rev. Jason Adams, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 12 years on June 5.
Rev. Ryan Marsh, Crossroads, San Tan Valley, who celebrates 10 years on June 5.
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For the wounded and all who grieve those killed in major Russian assaults in Ukraine…
For the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire…
For all immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and travelers…
For peaceful engagement and resolution to protests in Albania and Mexico…
For elections and political transitions, domestic and global…
For all affected by tropical storm Jangmi in southern Japan…
For the work of climate scientists, ecology researchers, and meteorologists…
For children and their families struggling with food scarcity, especially in the absence of school lunches…
For all God’s beloveds in the LGBTQIA+ community during this Pride month…
For all impacted by the Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies and for bishops and bishops-elect…
The Office of the Bishop is preparing for the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly while continuing ministry across the synod, including the Installation of Rev. Patsy Koeneke at Epiphany of Christ in Apache Junction (June 7, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM), congregational leadership, faith formation, and ongoing support for congregations and ministry partners.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 27 years on June 4.
Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 65 years on June 4.
Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 47 years on June 4.
Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 37 years on June 4.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Thomas Dunham, Streams in the Desert, Tucson, who celebrates 47 years on June 3.
Rev. Patricia Lowe, Emmanuel, Prescott Valley, who celebrates 19 years on June 3.
Rev. Mark Halvorson, who celebrates 53 years on June 3.
Rev. Donald Jacobson, who celebrates 64 years on June 3.
Rev. Greg Wenhold, who celebrates 47 years on June 3.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carol Breimeier, who celebrates 26 years on June 2.
Rev. Roland Harder, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.
Rev. Ellis Eskritt, who celebrates 61 years on June 2.
Rev. Gary Benson, who celebrates 52 years on June 2.
Rev. James Lundeen, who celebrates 61 years on June 2.
Rev. Lloyd Wallace, who celebrates 63 years on June 2.
Rev. Fred Nelson, who celebrates 26 years on June 2.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 18 years on June 1.
Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Chandler, who celebrates 18 years on June 1.
Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 42 years on June 1.
Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 68 years on June 1.
Deacon Ellen Schnack, who celebrates 35 years on June 1.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Lawrence Conway, who celebrates 46 years on May 31.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Randall Olson, Honor Health, Scottsdale, who celebrates 50 years on May 30.
Rev. Dennis R. Nelson, who celebrates 55 years on May 30.
Rev. Kenneth Miller, Grace, Kingman, who celebrates 22 years on May 30.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Norene Smith, who celebrates 43 years on May 29.
Rev. Leroy Rehrer, who celebrates 49 years on May 29.
Rev. Ronald Glusenkamp, who celebrates 45 years on May 29.
As Synod Assembly approaches, synod staff are preparing for key meetings, mission plan conversations, congregational partnerships, candidacy and youth ministry work, financial stewardship, and the ongoing communication and administration that support ministry across the Grand Canyon Synod.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Benjamin Bergren, Community, Las Vegas, who celebrates 28 years on May 28.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jon Clutz, who celebrates 62 years on May 27.
The Rev. Donald Bebber, St. Raphael, Benson, who celebrates 3 years on May 27.
Rev. George Karres, who celebrates 47 years on May 27.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. David Swanson, who celebrates 62 years on May 26.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Ronald Koplitz, who celebrates 57 years on May 25.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Richard Jessen, who celebrates 63 years on May 24.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of Rev. Wallace Klandrud, who celebrates 71 years on May 23.
Next week, the Office of the Bishop will continue preparations for Synod Assembly through planning, meetings, and behind-the-scenes coordination, while also supporting candidacy, mission planning, worship partnerships, communications, finance, and upcoming synod events. Bishop Deborah Hutterer and staff will remain engaged in conversations, presentations, and administrative work to support congregations and ministries across the synod.
This week, Office of the Bishop staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing work related to candidacy, congregational support, Synod Assembly preparations, communications, mission planning, finance, and ongoing ministry across the synod. Bishop Hutterer will also participate in Synod Council, candidacy interviews, and ministry at New Journey Lutheran Church.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jonathan Heilner, who celebrates 51 years on May 18.
Rev. Greg Hartman, New Spirit, Tucson, who celebrates 7 years on May 18.
Rev. Patricia Reed, who celebrates 25 years on May 19.
Rev. Phillip Hausknecht, who celebrates 63 years on May 20.
Rev. Mel Soderberg, who celebrates 59 years on May 21.
Deacon Laura Book, who celebrates 16 years on May 21.
Rev. Roy Olson, who celebrates 58 years on August 22.
Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer accompanies visits with Iglesia Mexicana Luterana, AMEXTRA, and Young Adults in Global Mission partners while continuing meetings and preparations for the upcoming Synod Assembly.
Synod staff will continue supporting candidacy and faith formation work, preparing Assembly communications and storytelling projects, assisting congregations and ministry partners, managing administrative and financial responsibilities, and coordinating upcoming meetings and events across the Grand Canyon Synod.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Don Lorfing, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 30 years on June 9.
Rev. John Serkland, who celebrates 63 years on June 9.
Rev. Philip Gustafson, who celebrates 47 years on June 9.
Rev. John Hackler, Lord of Life, Sun City West, who celebrates 41 years on June 9.
Rev. Lisa Hackler, American, Sun City, who celebrates 41 years on June 9.