Struggling to make sense of your federal student loans? Join a free webinar hosted by Portico and Resourceful Servants on Tuesday, April 29 at 11am Central with Kim Miller from LSS Financial Counseling. Learn about recent changes and get your questions answered. Registration is open now. A short video preview and 1:1 counseling options are also available.
Read MoreReady for summer? Lutheran congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are offering Vacation Bible Schools and children’s camps filled with faith, fun, and fellowship. Explore the growing list of programs, and help us share your church’s summer offerings by emailing Deacon Laura Book at lbook@gcsynod.org.
Read MoreEvery congregation in the Grand Canyon Synod is encouraged to create written Safe Church guidelines to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults. This blog post outlines who should be on your policy-writing team, what legal and insurance steps to follow, and includes dozens of helpful links, resources, and sample policies from across the ELCA
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreYour ministry matters! Help us share the good news of faith in action across the Grand Canyon Synod. Whether your congregation is hosting an event, looking for volunteers, or seeking to fill a ministry position, we want to hear from you. Submitting is easy—just visit gcsynod.org/share to send us your updates. Let’s strengthen our synod by sharing the ways God is working in our communities!
Read MoreIs your church prepared to communicate faithfully in a crisis? Join a free live webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:30pm, as part of the Thriving Leadership Formation series. Learn how to build a crisis communications team, develop a ministry-specific strategy, and gain sample statements to guide your response. Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/EventsTLF.
Read MoreEngage with youth, cool off in the pines, and explore stewardship this summer! Campformation at Camp Pinerock, June 30–July 4, 2025, invites three rostered leaders to join for free as Resident Theologians. Travel, room, and board are covered. Apply by March 15, 2025. Contact Pr. Tim Perlick at tim.perlick@gmail.com.
Read MoreWant 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.
Read MoreReconnect with fellow missioners at the Mexico Mission Reunion Celebration on Saturday, May 4 at 5:30 PM at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Enjoy a taco bar from Los Taquitos, hear a special message from Pastor Don Liles, and reflect on the impact of our shared work in Mexico. Register now at bit.ly/mvlcmexicomissionreunion. Kids eat free!
Read MoreMountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites the community to a self-guided Good Friday experience, “The Way of the Cross,” on April 18 from 7 am to 6 pm. Seven prayer stations with artwork, Scripture, and meditation will guide participants through Christ’s journey to the cross and connect His suffering to the realities of our world today. All are welcome. View a PDF flyer here.
Read MoreJoin Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix on Saturday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. for the Easter Vigil, beginning at sunset with the blessing of the new fire and Paschal candle. The service includes readings of salvation history, renewal of baptismal vows, the welcoming of new members, and the first Eucharist of Easter. All are welcome—especially those without a Vigil service at their own church.
Read MoreChrist the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, AZ, is hiring a full-time Administrative Manager to support its ministry and operations as it enters a new chapter of leadership. This 40-hour/week role pays $22–25/hour and includes potential for benefits and remote flexibility. Applications are open until the position is filled. Learn more and apply at ctlcarefree.org or email Pastor Anna Rieke at pastor@ctlcarefree.org. View the PDF job description here.
Read MoreThe ELCA Church Council met April 3–6 in Chicago to shape the agenda for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, coming to Phoenix this July. The council received the final report from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church and recommended major actions related to diversity, governance, finances, and the proposed social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All.
To learn what actions may shape the future of the ELCA and how they impact congregations and synods like ours, click here.
Read MoreEarly-bird registration is now open for the Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy, held August 13–15 in Minneapolis, with the theme “Let It Be With Me According To Your Word: From Praying to Knowing to Doing.” But that’s just one of many opportunities this season for worship leaders and musicians. Upcoming events also include the Lutheran Summer Music Academy in Indiana, a Music That Makes Community retreat in New Mexico, the ALCM Conference in North Carolina, and new catechumenate resources from Journey to Baptismal Living. Explore the full list of partner offerings on the ELCA worship blog.
Read MoreBurundi: Since childhood, I have known nothing but war By Pascal, Recorded by Diogène Rukundo
COP30: Faith-based leaders call for climate action by governments
Baptismal unity: Anglican and Lutheran leaders commit to unity and common mission
German youth bring hope to terminally ill children in Romania
We uplift and pray for Rev. Richard Sherrill and the people of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Northeast Valley Conference.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Mateo Chavez and the people of San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Kino Conference.
Read MoreA 10-minute guided meditation from Thriving Leadership Formation offers church leaders a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with God during Holy Week. Designed to support those carrying much in this sacred season, this reflection is an invitation to rest and lead from a place of grace. Listen now.
Read MoreIn this 6-minute reflection from the Pivot podcast, Luther Seminary’s Terri Elton invites listeners to slow down and fully experience Holy Week—from Palm Sunday to Easter—highlighting how embracing its solemn moments deepens our faith and appreciation of Christ’s resurrection.
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