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.
The Office of the Bishop celebrates Thanksgiving (we are closed Friday, 11/28), contributes to generosity projects for Giving Tuesday, and works on year-end projects.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Brian Weinberger, Bethlehem, Mesa, who celebrates 17 years on November 29.
Rev. Naomi Hartman, Church of the Foothills, Tucson, who celebrates 16 years on November 29.
Deacon April Boyden, who celebrates 36 years on December 1.
This week, the Office of the Bishop visits congregations, works on year-end projects, and celebrates Thanksgiving.
We are grateful to be Church Together with you.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all affected by the the eruption of the Semeru volcano in Indonesia…
For safety, dignity, and justice for immigrants…
For the health of the earth and for those working to mitigate environmental destruction…
For victims of abuse and trafficking…
For ELCA indigenous ministries and tribal relations, and for the work of truth and healing…
For all who await the reign of Christ to break into our world and our hearts…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Carl Sirotzki, Mount Cross, Payson, who celebrates 10 years on November 21.
Rev. Anna Rieke, Christ the Lord, Carefree, who celebrates 11 years on November 22.
Rev. Mari Larson, St. Andrew, Las Vegas, who celebrates 29 years on November 23.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all in the path of Typhoon Fung-wong…
For UN climate talks and for safety amidst protests…
For national tragedies around the world including a Turkish military plane crash, a bridge collapse in south-west China, a bus crash in Peru, and a car explosion attack in India…
For feeding ministries and all hunger relief organizations…
For all federal employees…
For care and safety for immigrants…
For all loving marriages and partnerships…
For the beauty of God’s creation, especially sightings of the Northern Lights this week…
This week, the Office of the Bishop gathers for the synod council meeting and travels to churches for worship and giving thanks..
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. David Krueger, who celebrates 49 years on November 14.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Tanzania…
For relief, recovery, and grief work following Tropical Storm Melissa, Typhoon Kalmaegi, and the Afghan earthquake…
For victims of political and police violence in Tanzania and Brazil…
For victims of the UPS plane crash in Louisville, KY…
For all who face food insecurity and hunger…
For farmers and for food production…
For elections, political transitions, and all government employees and leaders…
For protection, justice, and human rights for all migrants…
In gratitude for all veterans and their service to the common good…
This week, the Office of the Bishop continues its work across the synod, from preaching, teaching, and stewardship support to event planning, communications, and financial administration.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. R. Stewart McDonald, who celebrates 39 years on November 12.
Rev. Ruby Myers, who celebrates 4 years on November 13.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Tanzania…
For all in the path of Tropical Storm Melissa…
For victims of police raids in Brazil…
For cease-fire in Gaza, and for opportunities for relief agencies to accomplish their work…
For all who face hunger and food insecurity, especially those those who rely on SNAP benefits…
For food pantries, community meals, and all feeding ministries and programs…
For federal employees…
For safety for immigrants, refugees, and all migrants…
For the communion of saints and for witnesses to faith in this and all generations…
For gifts of time, daylight, nighttime, and the cycle of the seasons…
This week, the Office of the Bishop is actively engaging across our synod and Churchwide—preaching and worshiping with congregations, meeting with youth and parents, developing mission and stewardship plans, collaborating with national partners, and tending to communication, finance, and event planning to support ministries across the synod.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Brian Ward, Community, Las Vegas, who celebrates 15 years on October 31.
Rev. Thaddeus Book, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 16 years on November 1.
Deacon Anada Guse, who celebrates 35 years on November 4.
Rev. Conrad Braaten, who celebrates 53 years on November 5.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For cease-fire to hold in Gaza, and for the work of relief agencies…
For all in the path of Tropical Storm Melissa…
For areas of the world affected by changes to the global environment…
For political transition in Japan…
For immigrants and those who work and advocate on their behalf…
For government employees and those who rely on federal programs…
For the work of the Holy Spirit in renewing the church in every age…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Amalia Vagts, Our Saviour’s, Tucson, who celebrates 4 years on October 23.
Rev. John Lillie, who celebrates 45 years on October 26.
Rev. Daniel Valasakos, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 29 years on October 26.
Rev. Kari Williamson, St. Andrew, Phoenix, who celebrates 22 years on October 26.
Rev. Verónica Alvarez, Faith/La Fe, Phoenix, who celebrates 3 years on October 30.
The Office of the Bishop is navigating a difficult and tender time for our synod community. Even as we respond with care and transparency, the staff continues its steady work of supporting congregations, leaders, and ministries throughout our synod.
From congregational visits and grant consultations to teaching and preaching, our team is actively supporting ministries across the synod, as Bishop Hutterer and Theresa take well-deserved time for rest and renewal.
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Madagascar…
For transformations of heart toward lasting peace and freedom…
For safety and protection for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those grieving victims of a factory explosion in McEwen, Tennessee and a factory fire in Bangladesh…
For all affected by the government shutdown, both federal workers and those who rely on federal offices and systems…
For journalists, educators, librarians, publishers, and all who contribute to the flow of information…
For victims of storms and flooding in Alaska and Mexico, and for flood threats in Colorado…
For healthcare workers…
For the flourishing of indigenous nations and communities and for the work of ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Douglas Dill, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 10 years on October 17.
Rev. Julia Sprenkle, American, Sun City, who celebrates 15 years on October 17.
Rev. Paul Gregory, Hospice Family Care, Mesa, who celebrates 39 years on October 19.
Rev. Susanne Havlic, who celebrates 29 years on October 20.
Rev. David Swan, who celebrates 52 years on October 21.
Rev. Mitchell Eickmann, who celebrates 41 years on October 22.
Rev. Linda Brown, who celebrates 14 years on October 22.
Rev. Glenn Schrader, Our Saviour’s, Tucson, who celebrates 2 years on October 22.
The Office of the Bishop helps Santa Cruz Lutheran in Tucson Celebrate 40 Years this weekend, attends the "Bearing Worthy Fruit" Retreat, and some of the staff departs for the 2025 Pilgrimage to Greece.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For lasting peace forged by shared commitment to the common good…
For an end to psychological warfare, torture, and genodice…
For safety and rescue for hikers stranded by severe snowstorms in western China and Nepal…
For victims of the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester, UK…
For federal workers facing uncertainty…
For safety and protection for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care…
For ongoing advances in scientific and medical research…
For the health and wholeness of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities…
For the flourishing of indigenous nations and communities…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For abducted students and staff in Nigeria…
For victims of flooding in Vietnam…
For all affected by volcanic eruptions in Indonesia and Ethiopia…
For winter storms across the United States and for safety for travelers…
For those affected by tornadoes and severe weather in Texas…
For de-escalation in areas facing immigration raids…
For health, safety, and provision for all migrants…
For families, friends, and neighbors gathering for the holiday…
In gratitude for God’s faithfulness…