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 attends the Installation and Ordination of Solomon Kuch at Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran, Aug 24, 2025, 1:00 PM. We also share photos from our time volunteering at West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store in Sun City, followed by a delicious lunch and staff meeting at Shepherd of the Desert in Sun City.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Loren Swanson, who celebrates 54 years on August 22.
Rev. Gary Garvey, who celebrates 43 years on August 22.
Rev. Carlyle Smith, who celebrates 61 years on August 23.
Rev. Naomi Barcanic, who celebrates 28 years on August 24.
Rev. Julie Gerrish, Christ, Sedona, who celebrates 1 years on August 24.
Rev. Nathan Bowman, Hospice of the West, who celebrates 40 years on August 25.
Rev. Sandra Jones, Bethany, Scottsdale, who celebrates 18 years on August 25.
Rev. John Maroni, Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City, who celebrates 20 years on August 27.
Rev. Michael Sager, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 31 years on August 28.
Rev. Hildegardo González Gómez, who celebrates 26 years on August 28.
This week the Office of the Bishop volunteers at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store, followed by a lunch and staff meeting.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX…
For those without secure housing and those criminalized for being homeless…
For flash flooding in Wisconsin, evacuations in Alaska, and all facing storms and flooding…
For nurses and healthcare workers, especially those serving on the frontlines of war and conflict…
For safety for journalists who bring stories and awareness to the tragedy of war…
For all marriages, relationships, and family groupings that reflect mutual love and trust…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
The Rev. Cheryl Fox, who celebrates 16 years on August 15.
Rev. Mark Powell, who celebrates 45 years on August 17.
Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 21 years on August 18.
Rev. Brent Maxwell, who celebrates 18 years on August 19.
Rev. Kurt Fangmeier, Sierra Evangelical, Sierra Vista, who celebrates 24 years on August 19.
Rev. Marilyn Ascarza, who celebrates 35 years on August 19.
Rev. Scott Hackler, Spirit of Grace, Surprise, who celebrates 36 years on August 20.
Michael Purcell, who celebrates 47 years on August 20.
Rev. Barbara Rapp, who celebrates 32 years on August 21.
Rev. Martha Neff Stum, who celebrates 15 years on August 21.
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For swift and accessible aid to those suffering starvation in Gaza…
For an end to political division within the United States and for a united vision that prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable among us…
For those affected by gun violence, especially in Anaconda, MT, Los Angeles, CA, and Fort Stewart, GA…
For favorable conditions that aid in controlling wildfires and for those suffering the effects of poor air quality..
For victims of flash flooding in northern India…
In thanksgiving for all leaders of congregations, synods, and churchwide ministries…
The Office of the Bishop attends the Installation of Deacon Emma Janzen at Resurrection Lutheran in Oro Valley, prepares for the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, and rests and wraps up after the Churchwide Assembly. We also share photos from the Ordination of Kevin Anderson at Love of Christ in Mesa.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Sharon Brown, who celebrates 12 years on August 2.
Rev. Thomas McFarland, who celebrates 39 years on August 3.
Rev. Janet Richardson, who celebrates 36 years on August 6.
Rev. Richard Peterson, who celebrates 32 years on August 8.
Rev. John Hoelter, who celebrates 58 years on August 9.
Rev. Wyatt Linde, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 2 years on August 9.
Rev. Joseph Dillon, who celebrates 49 years on August 10.
Rev. Paul Campbell, who celebrates 46 years on August 12.
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia…
For those at risk of famine and starvation in Gaza, and for those who work to provide aid and relief…
For victims of violence, especially in New York City, NY, Reno, NV, and Traverse City, MI…
For those who are still missing in the aftermath of flooding in Texas, and for the ongoing work of search and rescue teams…
For those experiencing deadly flooding in Beijing, China, and for all places affected by severe weather…
For those facing the aftermath of the eastern Russia earthquake, and for all evacuees in the region…
For Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, for Presiding Bishop Eaton, and for the ELCA in this season of leadership transition…
In thanksgiving for the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance during ELCA Churchwide Assembly…
In gratitude for the volunteers, convention center staff, and Churchwide staff who made ELCA Churchwide Assembly possible…
The Office of the Bishop attends and volunteers at the final events of the Churchwide Assembly, and also attends the Ordination of Kevin Anderson at Love of Christ in Mesa, Aug 6, 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Rebecca Boardman, U of A LCM, Tucson, who celebrates 21 years on July 31.
Rev. James Schubert, who celebrates 35 years on July 31.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Tony Scheer, Beautiful Savior, Tucson, who celebrates 25 years on July 30.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Matthew Wiswall, who celebrates 35 years on July 29.
Rev. J Matthew Mateo Chavez, San Juan Bautista, Tucson, who celebrates 7 years on July 29.
Rev. Susan Schubert, who celebrates 35 years on July 29.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Gary McCluskey, who celebrates 45 years on July 27.
Rev. David Pavesic, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, who celebrates 23 years on July 27.
Rev. Denise Edwards, who celebrates 23 years on July 27.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Marta Poling Schmitt, who celebrates 38 years on July 26.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Jeffery Gallen, who celebrates 43 years on July 25.
Rev. Matthew Metevelis, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Las Vegas, who celebrates 15 years on July 25.
Rev. David Tiede, who celebrates 54 years on July 25.
Rev. Louis Liss, Mount Zion, Tucson, who celebrates 1 years on July 25.
The Office of the Bishop welcomes the ELCA to Phoenix for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. Join us as a volunteer!
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Robert Jones, Santa Cruz, Tucson, who celebrates 42 years on July 24.
Rev. Craig Larson, Desert Hills, Green Valley, who celebrates 37 years on July 24.
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For the ongoing work of first responders and relief organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in Kerr County, Texas, and in all places affected by natural disasters…
For those experiencing or anticipating storms and floods in the Northeast US and in the Gulf region…
For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada who has elected the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop and in thanksgiving for the ministry of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson…
For our own church and the discernment of voting members who will soon elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA…
For those affected by recent ICE raids in Camarillo, California, including those injured and killed…
For all victims of sexual abuse and assault…
For those killed and injured in a recent fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts…
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Janice Brosen, who celebrates 41 years on July 22.
Rev. Paul Scheitlin, who celebrates 46 years on July 22.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Dennis D. Nelson, who celebrates 51 years on July 21.
Rev. Harold Kriesel, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Rev. Richard Miller, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Rev. Doug Heskin, who celebrates 57 years on July 21.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Joaquin Garcia, Vida Nueva, Glendale, Pan de Vida, El Mirage, who celebrates 42 years on July 20.
Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Alan Field, who celebrates 40 years on July 18.
Rev. Amy Janssen, Tanque Verde, Tucson, who celebrates 5 years on July 18.
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For the ongoing work of first responders and relief organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in Kerr County, Texas, and in all places affected by natural disasters…
For those experiencing or anticipating storms and floods in the Northeast US and in the Gulf region…
For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada who has elected the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop and in thanksgiving for the ministry of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson…
For our own church and the discernment of voting members who will soon elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA…
For those affected by recent ICE raids in Camarillo, California, including those injured and killed…
For all victims of sexual abuse and assault…
For those killed and injured in a recent fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts…
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX…
For those without secure housing and those criminalized for being homeless…
For flash flooding in Wisconsin, evacuations in Alaska, and all facing storms and flooding…
For nurses and healthcare workers, especially those serving on the frontlines of war and conflict…
For safety for journalists who bring stories and awareness to the tragedy of war…
For all marriages, relationships, and family groupings that reflect mutual love and trust…