Grand Canyon Synod Council Members

The Grand Canyon Synod Council represents all conferences of the Synod.

Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer, Bishop
Executive Committee
Mr. Mark Myers, Vice-President
Executive Committee,
Colorado River Conference
Mr. Erik Rehms, Treasurer
Executive Committee,
Capital Conference
Rev. Stephen A. Springer, Secretary
Executive Committee,
Kino Conference

Youth Representative

Ms. Layra Siqueiros
Kino Conference

Conference Representatives

Mr. Glenn Austad
Cactus Conference
Mr. Ron Fraass
Colorado River Conference
Ms. Lynn Davis
Executive Committee,
High Country
Rev. Christopher Heller
Fiesta Conference
Mr. Jeffrey Michaels
Rio Salado Conference
Mr. Bruce Rianda
Kino Conference
Ms. Wendy Weiske
Capital Conference
Ms. Myrna Wells-Ulland
Northeast Valley Conference

At-Large Representatives

Rev. Verónica Alvarez
Capital Conference
Rev. Nanette Christofferson
Rio Salado Conference
Dr. Richard Green
Colorado River Conference
Ms. Karen Olson
Northeast Valley Conference
Rev. Lourdes Olson
Executive Committee,
Colorado River Conference

Council News

Note: Meeting minutes are posted once they are approved by the Synod Council at the next quarterly meeting. View all council news in our blog…

Council Minutes

In Christian Hope: Service for Roger and Kristine Bailey to Be Held January 17 at Community Lutheran in Las Vegas

With deep sadness and in Christian hope, the Grand Canyon Synod shares the news of the death of Roger Bailey and his wife, Kristine. Roger was a faithful synod leader who served on Synod Council, the Executive Committee, and numerous teams, while Kristine was deeply devoted to children’s ministry through Sunday school, children’s ministry, and Vacation Bible School.

A service celebrating their lives will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 am at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. We invite prayers for their family, the congregation, the Las Vegas community, and all who grieve.

Synod council minutes: 11/15/2025

Read the approved minutes from the synod council meeting on November 15, 2025, in PDF format.

Synod council minutes: 9/20/2025

Read the approved minutes from the synod council meeting on September 20, 2025, in PDF format.

Quiet, Crucial Work: Meet Consultation & Discipline Committees

Meet the people serving on our Consultation Committee and Committee on Discipline—teams that help the synod listen well, reconcile where possible, and practice accountability that protects the Gospel’s witness.

With Gratitude: Honoring VP Barbara Carl and Outgoing Council Leaders

We give thanks for leaders completing their service—Hannah Manazares, Taylor Welch, Roger Bailey, Janis Richert, and especially Vice President Barbara Carl, whose steady, strategic leadership guided us through seasons of change.

New Season, Shared Calling: Meet Your Synod Council

Meet the 2025–2026 Synod Council—including new Vice President Mark Myers and new members Ron Fraass, Dr. Richard Green, and Bruce Rianda—as they gather for their opening retreat and begin the work entrusted to them by our Synod Assembly.

Synod council minutes: 6/12/2025

Read the approved minutes from the synod council meeting on June 12, 2025, in PDF format.

Meet the 2025 Nominees for Synod Vice President and Committees

The 2025 Synod Assembly Nominees page is now live. In addition to electing our next Synod Vice President, voting members will choose leaders for the Consultation Committee and Committee on Discipline. Learn more about the nominees—including bios and reflections—online.