Featured News
We give God thanks that Hannah Manzanares is currently home recovering from what was described by her mother, Sarah, as a “severe car accident.” While driving home from work Friday, April 19th, her car was hit by a drunk driver and flipped multiple times. Prayers for healing are requested for Hannah as she recovers with some head pain.
Join us at the Synod Assembly on June 13, 2024, to help pack Hygiene Kits for Grace in the City, Phoenix. Participate in our service project by purchasing items from our Amazon Gift List by June 1. Your involvement will directly support those in need and enhance our community outreach efforts.
All members of the Grand Canyon Synod—and especially assembly voting members—are invited to participate in a Q-&-A Zoom presentation of the 2025-2026 Mission Plan, hosted by Erik Rehms, our Synod Treasurer, and Barbara Carl, our Synod Vice-President. Each session is the same, with two dates to choose from.
Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30pm MST/PDT, 6:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Saturday, June 1 at 9am MST/PDT, 10am MDT. Click here to register.
Book your stay at Westgate Painted Mountain for the Grand Canyon Synod assembly with our exclusive group discount. Ensure your reservation by May 13, 2024, to enjoy special rates and a prime location near the event. View all our accommodations recommendations here.
2024 Synod Assembly
June 13–15, 2024
Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa
Set aside time for spiritual nourishment at the "Loving God with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Thomas Aquinas" day. Learn from the lives of these saints in a quiet setting, hosted by the Church of the Epiphany on April 27, 2024. Delve into discussions, enjoy peaceful prayer, and savor a provided lunch with like-minded individuals seeking deeper faith.
Calling all hunger champions: join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what's happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported! Click here to access the meeting, at 6pm on the last Tuesday of every month.
LAMA invites us to join the Interfaith Campaign for Food and Nutrition Security on May 2, 2024, for a National Day of Prayer dedicated to ending hunger in the U.S. This virtual gathering will unite faith leaders and activists to mobilize support for national efforts against food and nutrition insecurity, aligning with the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Register here.
You are invited to Servant Leader: Present, Equipped, Here—this year’s churchwide-sponsored leadership online event—Saturday, May 4 from 11am – 3:30pm PST/MDT. It’s open to all, whether involved in Women of the ELCA or not.
Including worship, Bible study, speakers and breakout sessions, this year’s leadership event will reintroduce the servant leader concept and its connection to relationships and community while acknowledging the many challenges facing organizations like ours in our current context. Participants will explore the leader-full community that is Women of the ELCA.
The ELCA is encouraging congregations and individuals to learn more about the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW). Visit ELCA.org/MMIW for a full list of resources to educate yourself and your community and plan a recognition of May 5, MMIW day.
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
Discover innovative and economical communication methods tailored for church leaders at the Grand Canyon Synod in the upcoming webinar. Learn to craft compelling content, manage social media efficiently, and build a volunteer communication team. Register here.
Explore the afterlife in a unique tri-faith discussion with leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic communities on May 7, 2024. Join this free virtual event hosted by ISBA to gain insights into diverse religious perspectives. More information and register here.
Join Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA) for the "Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice" webinar on May 9, presented by Rory Farrand of NHPCO. Discover the nuances between palliative and hospice care to guide patients thoughtfully through their end-of-life journey. View a PDF with info and registration here.
Join others at the 2024 Festival of Homiletics for a spiritual refresh that goes beyond the pulpit. Embrace this unique opportunity for self-care, community, and innovation in preaching. Secure your spot by February 15 to benefit from early bird rates and prepare for a transformative experience in Pittsburgh.
Featured Events
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
Discover innovative and economical communication methods tailored for church leaders at the Grand Canyon Synod in the upcoming webinar. Learn to craft compelling content, manage social media efficiently, and build a volunteer communication team. Register here.
We gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa. The exact dates and time are subject to change.
At 6pm MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
May 6th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81979480200
September 9th Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/81769929305
We gather to connect people and do business at our annual synod assembly. We are pleased to be back at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. The exact dates and time are subject to change.
The 2025 Churchwide Assembly will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Mark your calendars! Times and dates may shift for this event. More info will be updated at ELCA.org.
Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley is looking for an experienced musician/choir director for its weekly worship services in Saddlebrooke. This paid position is for approximately 4 hours per week to rehearse with and direct the congregation choir, and to accompany the Sunday worship services at 9:00 AM in the HOA1 Ballroom. The position may be separated into two roles.
We share the latest updates from the teams at the ELCA Youth Gathering. First up is a newsletter full of details now that registration is closed, and they also share a what to expect webinar video.
View the 2024 California Lutheran University Assembly Report in this post or as a PDF.
The ELCA Foundation doesn't just envision a future; it's building one where intentional generosity and stewardship have allowed the mission and ministry of the ELCA to grow beyond our expectations. Our goal is to create a vibrant culture where intentional giving fuels the expansion of the ELCA's work in the US and around the world.
Dear Friends in the Grand Canyon Synod, where Mosaic provides services through locations across the state of Arizona.
Last year, while taking down a building on our founding campus that was well past its useful era, we found a time capsule from around 70 years ago. One of the items in the capsule was a copy of The Small Catechism of Martin Luther. Many of you probably remember spending time with that catechism as a child—I know I do.
Luther Seminary’s latest annual report includes a letter from President Robin J. Steinke as well as the Luther Seminary’s 2023 Annual Report in full, as well as quick facts.
We pray for the Rocky Mountain Synod and the Alaska Synod of the ELCA, as they meet in assembly and elect their new bishops. We give thanks for the good and faithful work of Bishop Jim Gonia and Bishop Shelley Wickstrom.
Greetings from Luther College and from our home in Decorah, Iowa – where river, woodland, and prairie meet upon lands that have been home to the Ioway, Sac, Fox, and Dakota people and their ancestors. We are proud to share with you highlights from this past academic year that reflect our mission to educate minds and develop whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society.
Join experts and community leaders at "The Trouble with Water" symposium by the Creation Care Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona on June 1st in Mesa. Discuss critical issues surrounding water scarcity and distribution in Arizona, hear from top field experts, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Registration is free and includes lunch. RSVP today.
Join ELCA World Hunger’s Generation Zero-Hunger initiative and contribute to ending global hunger. This youth-led fundraising challenge, which will see contributions matched dollar for dollar up to $250,000, invites congregations and individuals to support vital hunger relief efforts. Participants can bring their offerings to the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans or engage through various fundraising activities, amplifying their impact on this global crisis. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona blog.
The Grand Canyon Synod is calling for its mission and ministry partners to share their unique stories in preparation for the 2024 Synod Assembly. With a theme of "Embody the Word," contributions can be made in various formats, aiming for a 2-3 minute presentation. These stories will be prominently featured across the synod's digital platforms, celebrating the rich tapestry of ministry within the synod.
The Office of the Bishop travels for preaching, leadership meetings, and Region 2 business this week.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of women's ordination in the Episcopal Church with a special screening of "The Philadelphia Eleven" documentary. Join others for this one-day-only event on May 21, 2024, at Harkins Shea 14 in Scottsdale. The screening will include a post-film discussion with The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Reddall and others. Tickets available now.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Diane Drach-Meinel, Christ the Servant, Henderson, who celebrates 37 years on April 26.
Rev. David Drach-Meinel, who celebrates 37 years on April 26.
Rev. Kevin Meyer, LSS-SW, Phoenix, Covenant, Quartzsite, who celebrates 29 years on April 30.
Deacon Sally Almen, who celebrates 37 years on April 30.
Rev. Melissa Harr, who celebrates 13 years on May 1.
Deacon Don Burgess, who celebrates 19 years on May 1.
The 2024 Synod Assembly nominating committee is calling for nominations for synod council members, committee positions, and Churchwide Assembly voting members. Embrace this opportunity to serve and lead within the Grand Canyon Synod by submitting your nominations by April 30, 2024. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our church. View our nominations page for full info.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of the various regions of our synod. The Grand Canyon Synod is spread across lands in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, which are currently home to over two dozen tribal nations.
We acknowledge and honor these communities, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We give thanks to our Indigenous siblings who have cared and continue to care for this place — this land — and call it their home.
Learn more about ELCA Indigenous Ministries, land acknowledgments, and Native American and Indigenous education resources.
The 2024 Synod Assembly nominating committee is calling for nominations for synod council members, committee positions, and Churchwide Assembly voting members. Embrace this opportunity to serve and lead within the Grand Canyon Synod by submitting your nominations by April 30, 2024. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our church. View our nominations page for full info.