The Office of the Bishop continues to work behind the scenes on the details and administration of our synod, as well as engaging in conversations with leaders about our future. And getting in a few breaks and hikes.

View all the details for each team member in this post.

Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer

• I will be preaching at American Lutheran Church in Sun City on Saturday and Sunday,

• Meeting a first call candidate who is in the Synod for an interview,

• And taking a break from the meetings and planning to hike in Sedona for two days.

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta
Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality

• Preaching at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Gold Canyon

• Missional conversation with leaders of Alleluia Lutheran Church in Phoenix

• Northeast Valley Consortium

• ELCA Foundation Partners

I was originally trained as a coach back in the fall of 2017. Since then I have had multiple clients, mostly outside of our synod, though I have had a couple of pastors from our synod as clients. This week I will be having a monthly coaching session with Ana Becerra, a TEEM candidate and mission developer from  St. Paul Area Synod. I have been coaching her for the last 2 years. 

Our synod does have a coaching network with 9 talented coaches. If you are interested in finding out more about what coaching is all about and/or getting a reference for a coaching session please contact Pr. Phil Gustafson PCC, interim pastor of Shepherd of the Desert and coaching coordinator for the Grand Canyon Synod at pngustafson01@gmail.com.

Rev. Jacqueline Pagel
Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation

• Cactus Conference

• Candidacy

• Vacation @ California Lutheran University

I have been invited to the Cactus Conference to delve deeper into conversations on race. We will look at how our everyday language can be a barrier to being a welcoming church.

Ms. Theresa Thornburgh
Director for Administration and Events

• Roster changes and updates, call process and related documents, and similar recordkeeping issues.

• Growing Generosity Appeal

• Plans for the 2021 Bishop’s Fall Gathering

Mr. Brian Flatgard
Director of Communication

• Graphic design for Growing Generosity appeal, purpose statements, ordination cards and advent cards

• Congregations and pastor database

• News scheduling and planning

We don’t do a lot of printing at the Office of the Bishop, but when we do, I love the chance to do print work. We have a new Growing Generosity 2-page printout, and we’re working on sending advent cards this year. We also honor our rostered ministers by sending them cards around their ordination anniversaries, and we are expanding that practice to include all retired leaders on our roster as well.

Mr. Clint Wasser
Director for Finance

• Prepare July financial statements

• Process 8/31 payroll and August payroll tax payments

• Vacation first part of week

Dr. Jerry Kingston
Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility

• Researching RMPs and MSPs for the Synod