Synod Spotlight
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.
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 midterm elections and for democratic elections around the world…
For ongoing student protests in France, Albania, and India…
For Christa Pike and all those impacted by the death penalty…
For victims of a school roof collapse in Pakistan…
For Pope Leo XIV and his cancer diagnosis…
For those in the path of Hurricane Simon and all those affected by natural disasters…
For all those affected by gun violence, sexual violence, and race-based violence…
For the ongoing courage and renewal of the church, led by the Holy Spirit…
This week, Bishop Hutterer meets with conference deans and the GCS Executive Committee and joins faith leaders for a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, hosted by Bishop Reddall. Synod staff support first-call and youth leaders, visit congregations, and advance grants, generosity, leader resources, communications, and financial reporting.
We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. David Peterson at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma and the 2026 Bishop’s Fall Gathering.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Douglas Dill, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 11 years on October 17.
Rev. Julia Sprenkle, American, Sun City, who celebrates 16 years on October 17.
Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 40 years on October 19.
Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 30 years on October 20.
Rev. Scott Hoecker, who celebrates 8 years on October 20.
Rev. David Swan, who celebrates 53 years on October 21.
Rev. Mitchell Eickmann, who celebrates 42 years on October 22.
Rev. Linda Brown, who celebrates 15 years on October 22.
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…
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.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Thomas Morrison, who celebrates 48 years on October 10.
Rev. John Biggs, Saved By Grace, Pahrump, who celebrates 13 years on October 13.
Rev. Steven Kruse, New Covenant, Scottsdale, who celebrates 41 years on October 13.
Deacon Gloria Owens, who celebrates 39 years on October 13.
Rev. Daniel Hoeger, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 37 years on October 15.
Next week, synod staff will celebrate an ordination and installation, preach and participate in mission leadership training, and gather for an all-day staff meeting. Staff will also advance generosity and communications projects, support grants and upcoming events, maintain regular news updates and office operations, and prepare for September’s financial close.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Nanette Christofferson, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 7 years on October 5.
Rev. Kimberly Sterner, Christ Evangelical, Goodyear, who celebrates 40 years on October 5.
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Gaza, Ethiopia, Yemen, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and Myanmar…
For an end to genocide across the world…
For flooding in southwestern Ohio and all those affected by natural disasters…
For Luther Seminary and all seminaries navigating reimagination or relocation…
For the United Nations General Assembly and for all agencies working for peace…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Ontario, Canada and Durban, South Africa…
For immigrants and all marginalized populations who live in fear of violence…
For those in the path of Tropical Storm Nolo…
For all in need of access to affordable healthcare…
This week, the Office of the Bishop will support candidates for ministry, connect with congregations and youth leaders, and participate in church leadership, advocacy, and generosity gatherings. Staff will also lead a pastoral retirement service, coordinate grants and upcoming events, strengthen synod communications and website access, and complete monthly financial reporting. We also share photos from the Synod Council gathering.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Ryan Hersch, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 23 years on September 27.
This week, the Office of the Bishop will gather for the Synod Council Retreat and then Bishop Hutterer attends the Conference of Bishops Fall Gathering in Chicago. Staff will also support installations, retirements, candidacy and first-call ministry, congregational vitality and generosity, upcoming events, communications, security, and month-end financial work.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Judith Rainforth, who celebrates 23 years on September 21.
Rev. Gary Ulrich, who celebrates 47 years on September 24.
Next week, the Office of the Bishop will connect with congregations and leaders through visits, preaching, a retirement celebration, the Conference Dean Retreat, and various meetings. Staff will also advance candidacy, ministry, grants, communications, finance, event planning, and administrative work while welcoming the Rev. Jacqueline Pagel back from sabbatical. We also share a photo of Bishop Hutterer’s visit to Trinity Lutheran Church for Pastor Karl Guhn’s retirement.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Bill Voris, who celebrates 66 years on September 11.
Rev. Jill Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 28 years on September 13.
Rev. David Brandfass, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 31 years on September 13.
Rev. Daniel Volkmann, All Saints, Phoenix, who celebrates 2 years on September 13.
Rev. Kylee Bestenlehner, Peace, Peoria, who celebrates 1 years on September 13.
Rev. Carl Mangold, who celebrates 51 years on September 14.
Rev. Craig Geiger, who celebrates 54 years on September 17.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jeffrey Solheim, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 27 years on September 5.
Rev. Barbara Duhlstine-Robarge, who celebrates 35 years on September 6.
Rev. William Phillips, Christ, Las Vegas, who celebrates 41 years on September 8.
Rev. Corazon Aguilar, who celebrates 31 years on September 9.
Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 34 years on September 10.
Next week, the Office of the Bishop will support congregations and leaders across the synod through Bishop Hutterer’s visits and meetings, fall and 2027 ministry planning, congregational leadership development, grants, communications, finance, and preparations for upcoming events. We also share photos from our staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert.
The Office of the Bishop will gather for a staff retreat at Spirit in the Desert while continuing to support congregations and leaders across the synod. The week also includes the Ordination and Installation of Guy Ilunga at Trinity Lutheran in Phoenix (August 29, 2026, 10:00 AM), ministry at Central Lutheran in Arizona City, ongoing grants and communications work, and preparation for upcoming events and financial reporting.
We also share photos from Bishop Hutterer’s worship with Church of Our Saviour in Lakeside, Myrna Wells-Ulland’s birthday at Spirit in the Desert, the Office of the Bishop’s visit to West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, and a visit by author Bill Kalaf and former Vice President Paul Gryniewicz (2017-2021).
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 32 years on August 28.
Rev. Paul Ninnemann, who celebrates 50 years on August 29.
Rev. Carol George, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 27 years on August 29.
Deacon Barbara Sikkink, who celebrates 34 years on August 30.
Rev. Renee Geiger, who celebrates 38 years on September 1.
Rev. John Schaumburg, who celebrates 54 years on September 2.
Rev. Kirk Anderson, who celebrates 54 years on September 3.
The Office of the Bishop will be active across the synod next week, preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with ministry and synod leaders, preparing for upcoming events and the staff retreat, and continuing stewardship, grants, communications, finance, and administrative work. We also share photos from the Installation of Rev. Annemarie Burke at Beautiful Savior in Tucson.
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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