Stewardship in the Grand Canyon Synod
The Stewardship Team communicates how the mission dollars are spent through the annual narrative mission plan, letting congregations know of up coming stewardship events across the country, and providing educational opportunities for congregations to learn more what it means to be good stewards of what God has first given to us. Learn more…
“It is a question of equality between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. As it is written,“The one who had much did not have too much,and the one who had little did not have too little.”
The Grand Canyon Synod Council encourages all congregations to faithfully allocate mission support as an intentional commitment to our shared mission as church together. We encourage congregations to be generous and proportionate in their mission support, in accordance with the witness of scripture and the saints who came before us.
Legacy Planning
Enjoy this dynamic conversation with Lisa Higginbotham, CFRE and Josh Kerney of ELCA Foundation, as they help us connect our charitable hearts and desires to our gift planning intentions. Watch here »
An expanded ELCA partnership brings Realm church management and Vanco Giving together, with exclusive pricing and implementation packages for ELCA congregations. The platform connects giving, member records, communications and other ministry tools. An informational webinar is Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. Arizona and Nevada time / 11 a.m. Utah and Navajo Nation time. Read the announcement and find webinar details.
Our September 2026 Mission Support Memo celebrates the new ministry of Bethlehem Arabic Lutheran Church in our Pacifica Synod. This ministry is deeply grateful that God has brought together Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians, Jordanians, Lebanese, plus many others, connecting various faiths and creating one community where everyone can find hope, belonging, and the grace of Jesus Christ
See how congregational mission support equips leaders like Pastorá Verónica Alvarez to build relationships and share the Lutheran witness of grace across the global church.
Descubra cómo el apoyo congregacional a la misión capacita a líderes como Pastorá Verónica Alvarez para fortalecer relaciones y compartir el testimonio luterano de la gracia en toda la Iglesia global.
The recording and resources from the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team’s “Mastering Money: Budgeting, Planning, and Living Generously” webinar are now available. Watch Duane Gilson explore budgeting, financial planning, and generosity as practices of faithful stewardship, and find recommended tools for managing money, receiving financial guidance, and growing generosity.
The Generosity Project has a new online home! For several years, the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team helped host this cross-generational ELCA stewardship resource. We celebrate its next chapter and give special thanks to Grand Canyon Synod member and longtime project champion Linda Staats for her passion and leadership.
Explore The Generosity Project and discover resources for cultivating generosity, discipleship, and faith from generation to generation.
The Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team invites you to “Mastering Money: Budgeting, Planning, and Living Generously” on July 15, 2026, from 6:30–8:00 PM (AZ/NV). Presenter Duane Gilson of Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, Mesa, will share practical and faith-centered insights on budgeting, planning, and generous living. Register today for this free webinar.
In this video report for our 2026 assembly, see how the ELCA Foundation is partnering with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley and the Grand Canyon Synod to nurture a spirit of generosity that will last for generations. Watch the video Grounded in Grace, Growing in Generosity, featuring Pastor Tim Nybroten, Rev. Dan Potaznick, and ELCA Foundation planner Lisa Marie Higginbotham, and learn how faithful giving strengthens the future of the church.
The FY2025–2026 Annual Report from Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity & Strategic Development, highlights a year of storytelling, stewardship, donor engagement, and mission support across the Grand Canyon Synod. From celebrating seven ordinations and launching the synod’s first-ever Giving Tuesday campaign to granting $363,100 through the Mission & Ministry Fund, the report reflects how shared generosity continues to strengthen ministries across Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and the Navajo Nation.
The report also highlights new storytelling initiatives, congregation visits, leadership coaching, and expanded tools for mission support engagement, all rooted in the synod’s shared calling to communicate Jesus, connect people, and create possibilities.
Our April 2026 Mission Support memo takes us back to Palm Sunday where this year many palm waving processions continued into the afternoon with journeys through downtown areas, around state buildings, in amphitheaters and in parking lots, as we and our denominational partners cried out for justice, peace and love, during the Palm Sunday Path. Our story focuses on activites in Wisconsin and specifically Northwest Synod of Wisconsin ~ learn about the day with dance, prayer, and calls to action. Also check out how to participate in the May 18 in the evening for a webinar on The Stewardship of AI: Benefits and Concerns.
Our March 2026 Mission Support memo takes us into a two-day training on Facilitation Fundamentals by our ELCA innovation team. It’s a room full of ELCA staff from across the country, across churchwide units, in all levels of positions. Read to hear how valuable folks are finding this approach. Also a tool for our synods is included in the memo, the Thank You Certificate, to celebrate our congregations generosity.
We cherish hearing about the inspiring stories in your synods, regions and congregations - feel free to reach out to Karen at karen.kretschmann@elca.org.
Archives
Lilly 3E
The Grand Canyon Synod is pleased to announce that it will be sharing in a grant awarded to the Rocky Mountain Synod as part of the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. Select a topic below to learn more.
The purpose of Lilly Endowment grant is to build a Ministerial Excellence Fund and to help congregations enhance stewardship.
A new program guiding you through your Fall Stewardship Appeal during the time of coronavirus.
Ministerial Excellence Fund grants help rostered ministers and candidates develop stronger financial literacy & financial management skills and provide direct aid to help reduce or eliminate crippling debt.
This new initiative will accompany congregations as they define their values, strengthen their mission, notice their context, and evaluate their ministry.
Generosity Film Festival
The Generosity Film Festival features fast, fun, and hopeful stories of generosity from all around our synod. Grab some popcorn and watch here.
A Cup of Generosity
A Cup of Generosity is a monthly letter from Pastor Dana Karen Reardon and the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team. Read archives here.
The Generosity Project
An intergenerational, household focused approach to stewardship made possible by a grant from the SOLI Foundation to the Grand Canyon Synod.
The Generosity Project connects generations and equips households as centers for the faith practice of generosity. Learn more…
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.