Grand Canyon Synod's Sarah Morris appointed to ELCA Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church

We are pleased to announce that Sarah Morris, of Our Saviour's Lutheran in Phoenix, was appointed to serve on the ELCA's Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Read more about the process here.

Sarah's dedication and passion for our church's mission is a testament to her commitment to serve our faith community. Please join us in congratulating Sarah and extending our heartfelt thanks to her for stepping up to represent our Synod in this pivotal role.

by Sarah Morris

I was one of the voting members at the Churchwide Assembly in August of 2022 in Columbus when 738 individuals present called on the ELCA Church Council to establish the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). The mission of the CRLC is to reconsider statements of purpose for the church and its organizational structure and present its findings and recommendations at the next Churchwide Assembly in 2025.

I don’t know about you, but when I read that out loud it sounds like a really weighty mission without many boundaries or guidelines. It called to me. Who are we as a church? What do we hope to be going forward? Are we making the best use of our gifts and resources? What can I do to help?

For anyone who hasn’t met me, I’m Sarah Morris. I grew up in Phoenix and have spent 95% of my life in Arizona. I received a BA in Psychology from ASU and a MA in Library and Information Sciences from the UofA. I was a law librarian for over 20 years and transitioned to the nonprofit sector a few years ago, where I’m now serving as the Director of an organization called Arizona Academic Decathlon – an educational competition program for high school students. I also work as an adjunct faculty librarian for the Maricopa Community College system.

I’m active in my church, Our Saviour’s Phoenix, by serving on the executive committee for the past six years. I was also part of our Reconciling in Christ journey, help with sound, and other committees and tasks as they come up. I’m a loving aunt of five nephews and nieces, have four pets, spent lots of time with family and friends, enjoy hiking and Pilates, and go wine tasting whenever possible.

I look forward to traveling to Chicago in July to meet the other members of the CRLC so we can begin our work. I know God will lead us on the right path together. Please keep us and our mission in your prayers.

Sarah Morris with Bishop Hutterer and Pastor Karl Carroll at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.