Join us at the 2023 Bishop's Fall Gathering

This October 23-25, Bishop Deborah Hutterer invites you to join her at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona for the 2023 Bishop's Fall Gathering. With the theme of "Be Bold In Your Baptism," our aim is to deepen our emotional and spiritual health together.

We warmly welcome active rostered ministers, retired pastors serving congregations, seminary students, and interns. Retired pastors are welcome to attend — rooms may not be available. Visit our fall gathering page for more info and to register.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 10, 20232023 Bishop's Fall GatheringComment

Ordination celebrations: 7/10/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Richard Staats, who celebrates 57 years on July 10.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 10, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Ordination celebrations: 7/9/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Joshua Auchenbach, Tanque Verde, Tucson, who celebrates 17 years on July 9.
Rev. Timothy Nybroten, Resurrection, Oro Valley, who celebrates 23 years on July 9.
Rev. Daniel Hodgson, who celebrates 56 years on July 9.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 9, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Discussing Our Environmental Legacy: Join the Spirited Book Club with Larry L. Rasmussen

Join Spirited Book Club online on August 10 & 24 at 2pm PDT/MST, 3pm MDT, as we delve into Larry L. Rasmussen's new book, The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren When Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing.

Explore the nexus of climate change, global citizenship, democracy, and legacy with a renowned environmental ethicist. Let's discuss what our legacy for future generations will be in this era of climate instability and global upheavals. Open to all - bring a friend, share your insights, and create a shared legacy. Register now and become part of the conversation.

Office of the Bishop Updates: 7/7/2023

The Office of the Bishop staff continues to travel for preaching and youth events, attends Best Skills, Best Churches training, and manages the daily and weekly maintenance of the office.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJuly 6, 2023Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations: 7/6/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Arlyn Norris, who celebrates 48 years on July 6.

Summer 2023 Issue of Promise available

Mosaic’s summer 2023 Promise magazine celebrates National Intellectual and Disabilities Month by sharing triumphant achievements made by those we serve when making their own choices. View the Summer 2023 Issue of Promise here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 6, 2023Disability Ministries, MosaicComment

Rev. Jonathan Linman joins The Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Network

We are delighted to announce that Rev. Jonathan Linman, pastor at Faith/La Fe in Phoenix, has been appointed to serve as our synod representative to The Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Network (LEIRN). He will join Rev. Dr. Mari Larson in this capacity, strengthening our synod's voice within this influential organization.

LEIRN is a volunteer-based body representing all 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The network serves as a model for ecumenical and interreligious engagement, promoting dialogue and understanding within our church and beyond.

POSITION FILLED: Christ Lutheran Church seeks Music Director

Christ Lutheran Church of Sedona is searching for a Music Director. After 30 years of devoted service, our esteemed and beloved Music Director has announced his retirement later this year. CLCS is seeking an experienced person (or persons) to lead our vibrant music ministry. If interested, please review the attached job description. Come take up residence in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona and become the next great music leader for the friendly and faithful family of CLCS!

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2023Help Wanted, Christ Sedona, High Country ConferenceComment

Podcast Series: Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares a podcast series from the Christians Against Christian Nationalism movement. The original 10 podcasts can be found here (from 2019), which feature interviews with theologians, historians, authors and activists, including Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Walter Brueggemann, Sen. John Marty (D), MN, author Steven Green, and many others.

The BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation produces the podcasts. Visit their site to view resources, which include the podcasts as well as webinars, study materials, books, and a sign-on statement. Read the original LAMA article here.

Ordination celebrations: 7/5/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Deacon Bernice Johnson, who celebrates 64 years on July 5.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 5, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Bishop Hutterer: Creating Space for Conversations

In turbulent times, our shared faith is both a source of solace and a beacon, guiding us towards the path of understanding and unity. With our nation grappling with all sorts of divisions, it is vital that we seek not to fight one another, but rather to engage in open and compassionate dialogue.

This comes after recent events have left our hearts heavy. Reports of church burnings in Southern Arizona, protests at our churches that openly welcome LGBTQIA+ members, and ongoing racial tensions nationally have underscored the urgent need for us to live out our call to be peacemakers and bridge builders.

Rostered Leaders of Color Cohort to gather in Sedona

In our ongoing mission to connect people, we are happy to announce the upcoming Rostered Leaders of Color Cohort Retreat. This event is scheduled to take place in Sedona from August 20 to August 23, 2023.

The gathering will include rostered ministers of color and full-time rostered ministers from the Office of the Bishop Staff. It aims to create a nurturing environment where stories can be shared, connections made, and voices heard.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 3, 2023Leaders of Color CohortComment

Ordination celebrations: 7/1/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Glenn Zorb, Mountain View, Phoenix, who celebrates 44 years on July 1.
Rev. Jan Flaaten, who celebrates 50 years on July 1.
Deacon Brenda J. Laukonis, who celebrates 42 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Hutson Jr., who celebrates 50 years on July 1.
Rev. Robert Rod, who celebrates 50 years on July 1.
Rev. James Dew, Abounding Grace, Tucson, and Interim Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), who celebrates 33 years on July 1.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 30, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment

Missed our Manna Grants Webinar? Catch up now and apply by July 31, 2023!

If you were unable to join us for our enlightening Manna Grants webinar, fear not! The recording of this information-packed webinar is available here with the passcode: E^fi7Bvs

Our guest speakers, Roselle Tenorio, ELCA World Hunger Program Manager, and Sue Jensen, Synod Council Executive Committee member, shared insightful presentations on addressing the root causes of hunger and essential information on Manna Grants.

Ready to make a difference? Learn more about our Manna Grants here. The application deadline is midnight on July 31, 2023.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 30, 2023Grants, Manna Grant, HungerComment

A prophetic call to action: An interview with author Kenneth Wheeler

In this article from Living Lutheran, we read how Rev. Kenneth Wheeler was compelled to write his new book US: The Resurrection of American Terror (Precocity Press, 2022) after connecting the trauma he’d experienced under Jim Crow segregation to the rise in Christian nationalism he’d seen in recent years. Read the full article in this post, and be sure to participate in our Conversations with Rev. Kenneth W. Wheeler, July 11 and August 1, 2023, at 10 am.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 30, 2023Racial Justice, Living Lutheran, Simon's ProjectComment

Your input is essential: Take the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Ministry Survey

The Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders needs your help. In order to move forward with the implementation of the Grand Canyon Synod Resolution S23.01, they require some crucial information from each congregation.

To help us achieve their first goal of gathering data, please take a couple of minutes to complete this survey for your church. Their aim is to achieve 100% participation across the synod. Every response counts! You can access the survey here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 30, 2023Hunger, Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders NetworkComment

Office of the Bishop Updates: 6/30/2023

The Office of the Bishop travels the synod and the Southwest for preaching and youth events.

News, Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJune 29, 2023Office of the BishopComment

Ordination celebrations: 6/30/2023

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

Rev. Randy Winsand, Ascension, Paradise Valley, who celebrates 10 years on June 30.
Rev. Myron Nysether, who celebrates 49 years on June 30.
Rev. William Dowling, who celebrates 63 years on June 30.
Rev. John Williams, who celebrates 50 years on June 30.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 29, 2023Ordination AnniversariesComment