Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA

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2022 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly Summary

Brian Flatgard

The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly convened June 10-11, 2022, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona. Attending were 87 rostered ministers (three were deacons) and 153 lay voting members. The youngest member of our assembly was 17 years old. You can view photos of the assembly here, and watch the entire assembly here.

Our theme was “Stirred Up In the Spirit,” from Hebrews 10:24-25. During assembly planning in May and June, we realized the NRSV translation of "provoked by the Spirit" was a better fit for what we hoped would be an outcome of our gathering.

The Rev. Louise Johnson was our Churchwide Representative and preacher for closing worship. She shared highlights of our Churchwide partnership, which includes support of Fund for Leaders Scholars (six of whom are from Grand Canyon Synod) and acknowledged the work of Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director of Evangelical Mission (funded by churchwide).

The Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, president of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana (ILM) was our guest. He presented the joys and challenges facing the congregations in Mexico. After his presentation, Vice President Barbara Carl and Bishop Deborah Hutterer signed the covenant that officially recognizes our partnership with the Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, who is now our second global companion. Our synod also has a relationship with the Lutheran Church of Senegal.

The assembly passed the 2023-2024 Mission Spending Plan. The assembly ratified Synod Council Conference Representatives

  • Janis Richert, Kino Conference

  • Roger Bailey, High Country Conference

  • Wendy Weiske, Capital Conference

Hannah Roberts, with All Saints Lutheran in Phoenix, was elected youth at large representative, and Rev. Stephen Springer elected as Synod Secretary. Their terms begin September 1, 2022.

When people registered for assembly, we asked each person what would make this our gathering successful. The overwhelming response was opportunities to talk with each other. The schedule included Bible study led by Pastor Peter Perry and Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta focusing on Hebrews 10:24-25.

Pastor Carol Breimeier facilitated "How to have a spiritual conversation without be a jerk." The assembly also heard three videos of 1-minute faith stories presented by Sue Jensen, Hannah Manzanares, and Erik Rehms. Perhaps each voting member can create their own as well?

The Assembly also passed a resolution entitled A Call to Honor Diversity in Every Congregation.

A team from Ascension Lutheran in Paradise Valley (Molly Gary, Karen Olson, Laura Musfeldt, and Rev. Randy Winsand) presented a $90,000 check to fund a new hunger grant in our synod — the Manna Grant — honoring the legacy of member Orpha Hoganson. The church will provide an additional $90,000 towards hunger later in the year.

The Growing Generosity Appeal — launched at last year’s Synod Assembly — has expanded opportunities for our Synod. Because of your generosity the original goal of $500,00 has been met. In the stretch phase of the appeal to get to $750,000, our focus is on Lutheran Campus Ministry, new and ethnic specific ministries, and continuing to shore up advocacy efforts. We thank Pastor Sarah Stadler for providing sunflower and calendula seeds from her garden — in honor of our Growing Generosity Appeal — as a gift to all who attended.

Grants

This past year, also because of your generosity, the Grand Canyon Synod was able to disburse over $200,000 in grants. These grants are a direct result of your benevolence, and on behalf of the Office of the Bishop and the recipients of these grants, we thank you.

The team that reviews applications and makes recommendations include Heather Burgett, Sue Jensen, Pastor Gary McCluskey, Pastor Brian Weinberger, and Theresa Thornburgh who gives Office of the Bishop support.

There are two categories of grant applications:

  1. Project Support Grants, and

  2. Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants.

$107,000 were awarded in ACTS Grants, and $95,874 in Project Support Grants.

 The ACTS grant is available to SAWCs and Strategic Ministries as they strive to become Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS). The maximum award for an ACTS grant is $20,000. 

  1. Beautiful Savior, Tucson: $2,000 for Community Connections Center/Generosity Center

  2. Bethany Lutheran, Scottsdale: $4,000 for Hybrid Worship Project

  3. Central Lutheran, Arizona City & Casa Grande: $3,000 for Spreading the Word of Jesus: Connecting and Communicating with People Through God's Message Using Technology

  4. Central Lutheran, Arizona City & Casa Grande: $7,000 for Adult Community Education Ministry

  5. First Evangelical, Mesa: $4,000 for Grass Roots for Grass Roots - Farmer's Market

  6. Holy Trinity, Chandler: $8,000 for Providing Shower Services for I-HELP Guests

  7. House of Prayer (NELM), Rock Point: $8,000 for Hoz'Ho Café Food Truck

  8. Lord of Grace, Tucson: $8,000 for Livestreaming System for Sanctuary

  9. Church of the Foothills, Tucson: $2,500 for Audio-Visual Booth Construction

  10. Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM), Phoenix: $3,200 for Native American Online Ministry & Christian Education

  11. New Spirit, Tucson: $4,724 for Blessings in a Backpack

  12. New Spirit, Tucson: $4,350 for Homeless Blessings Program

  13. New Spirit, Tucson: ION Program, $8,000 for Transforming Reentry

  14. San Juan Bautista, Tucson: $2,000 for Extended Worship Service Improvements

  15. Santa Cruz, Tucson: $4,000 for Enhancing Audio/Visual Capabilities for Livestreaming Worship

  16. Spirit of Hope, Mesa: $1,500 for Purchase of Autism-Friendly Materials for Youth and Young Adult Areas

  17. Spirit of Hope, Mesa: $2,100 for Network and PC Upgrades to Support Online Service Recording and Broadcasting

  18. Spirit of Joy, Clarkdale: $1,500 for Religion and Science Series

  19. Stewardship Team (GCS): $5,000 for The Generosity Project: Holy Exchange

  20. St. Raphael, Benson: $4,000 for Desert Skies

  21. Tanque Verde, Tucson: $5,000 for Equipping TVLC Chapel for Livestreaming and Hybrid Zoom Meetings

  22. University Lutheran Church & LCM at ASU, Tempe: $4,000 for ULC/LCM Online Streaming Equipment and Operation

The Project Support Grant is available for a specific, new or continuing project that serves one or more of the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan goals; the maximum amount awarded is $8,000.