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News
Why battle the noise and crowds of the Vegas Strip when you can experience a professionally produced, high-energy concert right at Synod Assembly? On Thursday, June 12 at 7 PM, our host congregation, Community Lutheran in Las Vegas, is delivering a stunning musical performance that promises to inspire and uplift. Make plans now to stay on-site—this is one show you don’t want to miss!
Mountain View Lutheran Church is celebrating 50 years of ministry with a special anniversary weekend on April 5-6! Join the Anniversary Dinner and Worship Service on Saturday (tickets available through this weekend), followed by a special 9:00 AM worship service on Sunday, presided over by Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer. After worship, enjoy Sunday Funday with bounce houses, food trucks, games, and more! Visit www.mvlutheran.org/mvlc50th for full details.
Join us at Synod Assembly 2025 in a special service project to assemble 200 hygiene kits for individuals in need! We’ve set up an Amazon Gift List where you can purchase needed items, which will be shipped directly to our host church, Community Lutheran. Help us reach our goal—donate by June 1, 2025, and join us on June 12 during check-in to pack the kits. Let’s build up the body of Christ together! Shop the Gift List here.
El Sínodo del Gran Cañón está invirtiendo en accesibilidad con un nuevo sistema de traducción al español que debutará en la Asamblea del Sínodo 2025. Anabel Estrada será la traductora, utilizando equipos actualizados para garantizar una participación más clara e inclusiva para los asistentes hispanohablantes.
The Grand Canyon Synod is investing in accessibility with a new Spanish translation system debuting at the 2025 Synod Assembly. Anabel Estrada will serve as translator, using updated equipment to ensure clearer, more inclusive participation for Spanish-speaking attendees.
Featured Events
Featured
Mountain View Lutheran Church is celebrating 50 years of ministry with a special anniversary weekend on April 5-6! Join the Anniversary Dinner and Worship Service on Saturday (tickets available through this weekend), followed by a special 9:00 AM worship service on Sunday, presided over by Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer. After worship, enjoy Sunday Funday with bounce houses, food trucks, games, and more! Visit www.mvlutheran.org/mvlc50th for full details.
We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.
Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.
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. View our 2025 assembly home page for full information.
The Grand Canyon Synod will host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix from July 28–August 2, 2025. We’ll need up to 100 volunteers to assist with this significant event, held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Visit our Churchwide Assembly page to learn how you can help. For early inquiries, contact Mary Beth Baron at mbbaron@gcsynod.org. Help us welcome the wider ELCA church to Phoenix!
The 2025 Bishop’s Fall Gathering will take place from September 29 through October 1 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. This annual event offers a time of spiritual renewal, theological reflection, and fellowship for all within the Grand Canyon Synod. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more details!
2025 Synod Assembly
June 12–13, 2025
Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas
Featured
Featured
Wondering if seminary is the right next step for you? Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) invites you to Signs Along the Way, a Visit and Discernment Weekend on April 4–6, 2025, in Berkeley, CA. With PLTS moving to fully online programs, this event provides a unique opportunity to connect with faculty, explore theological education, and experience online learning. Lodging and meals are provided, and travel assistance is available. Learn more at plts.edu/signs.
Join Women of the ELCA for the 2025 Leadership Event on Saturday, April 5, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm MST/PDT(12:00–4:00 pm MDT), held on Zoom. Centered on the theme “Yes! What’s Next?” this virtual gathering invites servant leaders to reflect on calling and mission with dynamic speakers, small group discussion, and a digital toolbox. Registration is open—come be inspired, challenged, and renewed.
Mountain View Lutheran Church is celebrating 50 years of ministry with a special anniversary weekend on April 5-6! Join the Anniversary Dinner and Worship Service on Saturday (tickets available through this weekend), followed by a special 9:00 AM worship service on Sunday, presided over by Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer. After worship, enjoy Sunday Funday with bounce houses, food trucks, games, and more! Visit www.mvlutheran.org/mvlc50th for full details.
Join the ELCA Seminaries for a virtual Fireside Chat on Thursday, April 10, as Deacon Krista Anderson and Deacon Beth Anderson explore the ministry of Word and Service in the ELCA. This engaging conversation will offer insight into the call to diaconal ministry and is perfect for those discerning a call or seeking to understand this unique role in the life of the church.
Want to lead worship with a guitar around the campfire? Join Camp ALOMA in Prescott, April 25–27, for a weekend retreat focused on learning how to lead and support campfire worship. Designed for guitar players with basic chord skills, the $110 weekend includes lodging, meals, and musical leadership training grounded in Lutheran faith. Register now at campaloma.com or call 928-778-1690.
We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.
Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.
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.
Join Mountain View Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Bear Creek Golf Course in Chandler for a 50th Anniversary Golf Fundraiser supporting MVLC’s Mission & Outreach! Registration is $145 per player and includes golf, a banquet, contests, and more. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals. View a PDF flyer here. Sign up today at MVLC’s event page!
Join Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law on Thursday, May 8, for a free webinar that reimagines stewardship through storytelling. Learn how the simple act of writing “love letters to our church” can inspire natural generosity rooted in gratitude and connection. No registration needed—just join online from 4–5:30 p.m. AZ/NV or 5–6:30 p.m. UT/Navajo Nation.
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.
Church & Society
Featured
Medicaid is the lifeline for thousands supported by Mosaic, a Lutheran-affiliated organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this inaugural Q&A of their “Medicaid Matters” series, Vice President Cheryl Wicks outlines why advocacy is urgent, what’s at stake, and how you can take action—starting with sharing your story and contacting legislators.
Join Casa Peace Ministry Friday, April 4 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale for a screening of Disturbing the Peace, a powerful documentary about Israelis and Palestinians who chose nonviolence and reconciliation. The evening includes pizza, prayer, film, and conversation. Space is limited—register by April 2 at 7:00 pm.
On March 7–8, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania co-hosted a powerful event with United Lutheran Seminary exploring Christian nationalism and how we as followers of Jesus are called to respond. Featuring speakers Amanda Tyler of Christians Against Christian Nationalism and Dr. Lori Brandt Hale on Bonhoeffer’s legacy, the gathering emphasized relational approaches, theological clarity, and communal courage. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached at the closing worship, reminding us we are part of a movement of truth, freedom, and love. Click here to read the full blog post and explore the original article.
The March 2025 Advocacy Connections update from the ELCA highlights critical federal policy developments affecting public servants, energy and climate programs, immigration enforcement, and international aid. Of particular concern to our synod are proposed HUD staff cuts, threats to solar tax credits used by congregations, funding freezes to Augusta Victoria Hospital in Palestine, and a broader retreat from humanitarian support. These changes call for faithful public witness rooted in our Lutheran theology of justice and care for neighbor. Click here to read the full update from the ELCA Advocacy Office.
Millions of Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table, yet the average benefit of just $6 per day is often not enough to maintain a healthy diet. The SNAP Challenge, happening March 18–20, invites participants to experience firsthand the difficult choices faced by those living on limited food budgets. This challenge raises awareness about hunger, highlights the need for increased SNAP benefits, and encourages congressional action. Learn how you and your congregation can get involved—click here.
Feeling overwhelmed by the many needs in our communities? Our partners at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) share practical ways to stay engaged without exhaustion. Whether you have five minutes to make a call, ten minutes to write a letter, or a few hours to host an event, there are simple, effective ways to take action. By setting boundaries, leaning on trusted sources, and building community, we can respond with focus and faith. Click here to read more.
Proposed Medicaid cuts could leave millions without essential healthcare, impacting our congregations, ministries, and the most vulnerable in our communities. A recent ELCA Advocacy and Lutheran Services in America webinar explores the implications of these changes and how Lutherans can take action. Watch the webinar recording and find key resources to help advocate for protecting Medicaid. Click here to learn more.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has convened an interfaith coalition to advocate for refugees and immigrants, urging the restoration of faith-based partnerships in resettlement. The statement, released during the overlapping holy days of Purim, Lent, and Ramadan, calls on elected officials to renew support for those forced to flee their homes. Read the full statement here.
The ELCA has joined faith leaders in signing The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, reaffirming our commitment to welcoming immigrants and refugees. Rooted in Scripture and our call to love our neighbors, this declaration challenges harmful policies and advocates for justice. Now, individuals and congregations across the country are invited to add their voices by signing the declaration throughout Lent. Click here to read more and sign the declaration.
We are called not only to personal reflection but also to communal action—to live as people of grace, serving our neighbors and embodying Christ’s love. This Lent, let us consider how our thoughts, words, and deeds shape the world around us. In a time when political and social divisions run deep, may we be mindful of how we use our voices—not to cut each other down, but to build up, to witness to the hope we share in Christ.
Let us be bold and courageous in speaking for justice, compassionate in amplifying voices often unheard, and steadfast in proclaiming God’s grace through actions that heal and reconcile.
The ELCA joins church leaders in Jerusalem in a humanitarian plea for Gaza, standing against the proposed forced displacement of millions. Bishop Eaton calls on Lutherans to respond through prayer, advocacy, and learning, lifting up the voices of our Palestinian siblings in faith. Read more and take action: Click here.
Pastor Christine Stoxen of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chandler, testified before the Arizona House Appropriations Committee in support of HB2191, the “Yes In God’s Back Yard” (YIGBY) bill. Representing Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) and Valley Interfaith Project (VIP), she spoke on the critical role faith communities play in addressing Arizona’s housing crisis. While the bill advances, significant challenges remain, and continued advocacy is essential. Click here to read the full story on the LAMA site and see how you can help keep up the momentum!
Latest News
Portico Benefit Services supported over 52,000 ELCA members in 2024 with tools for health, wellness, and financial security. From nearly 3,000 virtual health visits to $199K in debt repaid, their ministry of care enables those who serve to do so with strength and confidence. In their 2025 annual report, read how their work impacts lives across our synod and the ELCA.
The ELCA Foundation helped generate nearly $95 million in gifts and assets in 2024, including $13 million directly supporting ELCA congregations. Free gift planning services are available to individuals and ministries through our synod’s regional planner, Lisa Marie Higginbotham. In their 2025 annual report, learn how the Foundation empowers faithful generosity to sustain ministry and mission for generations to come.
Mosaic and its Arizona-based subsidiary Soreo continue to provide life-changing support for individuals with disabilities and their families in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Kingman. In their 2025 annual report, learn how this ELCA-affiliated ministry is bringing renewed hope to families, empowering voices once silenced, and inviting congregations into inclusive worship and advocacy through Rejoicing Spirits and Mosaic Allied Voices.
The ELCA invites public feedback on a new draft social message addressing child protection and maltreatment. Open through June 30, this document reflects Jesus’ call to welcome children and the church’s responsibility to safeguard their well-being. Read the draft and submit your comments at elca.org/childprotection.
In Episode 2 of Here I Pod, ELCA Advocacy explores how Lutherans can take action on climate care and clean energy policy. Featuring ELCA leaders and theologians, this 24-minute episode offers practical ways congregations and individuals can advocate for environmental justice. Tune in for insight, inspiration, and tools for faithful action.
Since 1953, the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) has served Rock Point, Arizona, offering food, education, worship, and clean water to residents of the Navajo Nation. Now under its first all-Navajo leadership, NELM continues to deepen its mission of community-rooted service through its food bank, school, House of Prayer, and café. As the recipient of this year’s Grand Canyon Synod Lenten Challenge, NELM’s work reflects Christ’s call to serve with compassion and humility. Click here to read the full article on the LAMA site, and support NELM through this year’s Lenten Challenge.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a stop-work order cutting funding for refugee resettlement services, directly affecting thousands of resettled families. Global Refuge (formerly LIRS) continues its mission, calling on faith communities to respond. In their 2025 annual report, learn how you and your congregation can give, advocate, and welcome the stranger through Lutheran-rooted action.
Arizona Faith Network is now hiring and recruiting volunteers for its 2025 Heat Respite and Relief Program, providing cooling centers for vulnerable neighbors in Glendale, Phoenix, and Tempe. Paid and volunteer roles—including Site Leads, Assistants, Safety Specialists, and volunteers—are open now and vital to the safety and dignity of those at risk during Arizona’s extreme summer heat. Apply or share today: www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/positions.
Gather magazine is collecting stories of ELCA women, congregations, and ministries who create and sell handmade goods—like soap, candles, clothing, or cards—as a way to support ministry or express faith. Know someone in our synod who fits this description? Send their name, contact info, and a short description to gather@elca.org by Friday, April 11.
Palestinian Christians living under military occupation in the Holy Land face immense challenges—separation from family, lack of work, and rising emigration. Through the Sumud initiative, the ELCA stands in steadfast accompaniment with our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), advocating for dignity, justice, and peace. Sumud means “steadfastness,” and this initiative invites us to listen, learn, and act in faithful support. Click here to read more at Living Lutheran.
How can congregations prepare for possible immigration raids? A new ELCA AMMPARO guide outlines practical steps—like hosting Know Your Rights sessions, connecting with local migrant organizations, and training ministry teams—to equip congregations for faithful response. Rooted in Lutheran theology and updated in response to recent policy changes, this guide offers a path forward rooted in justice, compassion, and love for neighbor. Read the full article at ELCA.org.
¿Cómo pueden prepararse las congregaciones para posibles redadas migratorias? Una nueva guía de AMMPARO ofrece pasos prácticos como organizar sesiones de Conozca Sus Derechos, conectar con organizaciones locales y capacitar a voluntarios para responder con justicia y compasión. Esta guía está arraigada en la fe luterana y actualizada frente a recientes cambios de política migratoria. Leer el artículo completo.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Adele Resmer, who celebrates 38 years on April 5.
Rev. Lowell Nelson, who celebrates 14 years on April 10.
The Rev. Christine Stoxen, pastor of Holy Trinity in Chandler, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Bedenbaugh Award by Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. She will be honored during Alumni Day at LTSS on May 1. Pastor Stoxen, a 2000 LTSS graduate, will offer remarks via video during a forum with Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
Join PLTS on Wednesday, April 9 at 10 AM (Pacific) for the 2025 Luther Lecture featuring Dr. Marcela K. Perett. Her lecture, “Teaching Certainty,” offers a fresh perspective on Martin Luther’s early catechisms and how they helped believers move from despair to confidence in God’s forgiveness. Available via Zoom or in person. Register here.
For the 10th year, St. John Lutheran Church in Victor, NY, is celebrating Lint for Lent, a tradition of collecting discarded household items—like dryer lint and candle stubs—to create fire bricks used to light Easter worship. This creative ritual reminds us how God transforms what we cast aside into warmth, light, and purpose.
Read the full story of this fiery and faithful practice—click here to explore the article in Living Lutheran.
From picture books that walk children through Holy Week to sharp theological insights on race, care, and church life, these seven new titles offer something for every ministry context. Featuring ELCA voices like Bishop Brenda Bos, Pastor Angela Denker, and Pastor Yolanda Denson-Byers, this spring’s must-reads can deepen discipleship, enrich congregational conversations, and offer rest to the weary.
Explore all the recommended titles and how they might shape your ministry—click here for the full article in Living Lutheran.
Synod Spotlight
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.
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.
Youth from the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to Leadership Lab 2025, a weeklong Lutheran leadership experience for grades 8 through age 24, held June 23-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Rooted in faith and friendship, Leadership Lab helps young people grow as disciples and leaders. Register now at leadershiplab.net.