Gratitude for our 2021 Bishop's Fall Gathering

We give thanks to all those who attended and presented at our 2021 Bishop’s Fall Gathering. Your participation strengthens the connection of the people of the Grand Canyon Synod, making us better together for the sake of the Gospel.

We especially thank our ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for her presentation and preaching at our opening worship. In smaller Zoom sessions, she also took the time to meet with our conference deans, the Office of the Bishop team, and other various leaders.

We are grateful for Ryan Panzer for his hybrid ministry presentation, which took place over three sessions on Tuesday. The PDFs of his slides are available by session: Discerning the Why of Hybrid Ministry, The Hybrid Church in Action, and The Hybrid Ministry Roadmap. Get 30% off the cover price of his book Grace and Gigabytes with code PANZER30, valid only at fortresspress.com. Subscribe to his digital ministry newsletter at www.ryanpanzer.com. 

Thanks to Pastor Roberto Trejo Haager, president of the Mexican Lutheran Church, or Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, for his adaptability as we planned this gathering and as we grow our relationship between our churches. His welcome greeting can be seen here: https://youtu.be/GcVh2c0saXw

We are very grateful for our worship planning and prayer team for creating sacred connections as we gathered online:

  • Veronica Alvarez, Faith/La Fe, Phoenix

  • Rev. Sharon Brown, Spirit of Joy, Clarkdale

  • Rev. Karn Carroll, Our Saviour’s, Phoenix

  • Vocalist Karin Gunderson, All Saints, Phoenix

  • Pianist Jerry Gunderson, All Saints, Phoenix

  • Rev. Dan Hoeger, All Saints, Phoenix

  • Courtney Krueger, All Saints, Phoenix

  • Rev. Kristin Rice, All Saints, Phoenix

  • Rev. Sarah Stadler, Grace, Phoenix

  • Rev. Kari Williamson, St. Andrew, Phoenix

Thanks to these pastors who shared their hybrid ministry experiences during Ryan Panzer’s presentations:

  • Rev. David Pavesic, Beautiful Savior, Tucson

  • Rev. Ben Bergren and Rev. Brian Ward, Community, Las Vegas

  • Rev. Steve Beyer, Lord of Life, Sun City West

And we also thank our Portico representative, Andrea Arey, for providing gift cards as giveaways during our event.

On behalf of the presenting team, thank you for all you do to support our ministry of communicating Jesus, connecting people, and creating possibilities…

  • Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer

  • Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality

  • Rev. Jacqueline Pagel, Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation
    Theresa Thornburgh, Director of Administration and Events

  • Brian Flatgard, Director of Communication

  • Rev. Pat Reed, Congregation Coach

  • Deacon Janice Zimbleman, Congregation Coach

Bishop Eaton, Bishop Hutterer, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2021 Bishop's Fall Gathering, Ryan Panzer, Bishop Elizabeth EatonComment