Posts in Grand Canyon Synod
Thanks to all who made our 2024 Assembly possible!
Thanks to all who made our 2024 Assembly possible!

We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who have embodied the Word in their contributions to this year’s Synod Assembly. From committees and task forces to volunteers on the ground, your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Visit our thank you page to discover all the wonderful people who helped us embody the Word at our 2024 assembly.

A special thank you goes to our voting members. Your commitment to travel, engage, and participate in the complex business of the church is invaluable, especially in this year of a Bishop election. Your willingness to serve, your discerning voices, and your passion for our mission have been vital in shaping the direction of our church. This Assembly’s success is a testament to your meaningful contributions and active participation. Y’all truly embody the Word!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment
Find Your Next Home Treasure at Ascension Lutheran Church’s Indoor Fixture Sale
Find Your Next Home Treasure at Ascension Lutheran Church’s Indoor Fixture Sale

Join Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, for their Indoor Fixture Sale on June 28th and 29th from 7 AM to 11 AM. Discover a wide range of quality fixtures that offer both style and functionality, perfect for any home. This event supports Ascension’s community missions and provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lutherans in the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on finding unique items that enhance your space while supporting a good cause! Ascension is at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAscension Paradise Valley, ClassifiedsComment
Community Spotlight: Food Bank at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church
Community Spotlight: Food Bank at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares an article after having had the pleasure of visiting several churches and feeding ministries in Tucson! They want to use their blog to help share the stories of various ministries around our synod, both to celebrate ELCA World Hunger’s 50th anniversary, and to foster connections between people doing God’s good work. Stay tuned over the coming weeks to hear more about ministries in Tucson and around the state!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Streams in the Desert Tucson, Hunger, Advocacy, Kino ConferenceComment
Ordination celebrations: June 21 – 27, 2024
Ordination celebrations: June 21 – 27, 2024

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Michael Johnson, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Roger Thompson, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Joseph Carucci, who celebrates 63 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Terry Pletkovich, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. John Sersland, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Nancy Milleville, Our Savior’s, Mesa, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Michael Girlinghouse, LCM Canterbury, Flagstaff, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Sarah Upham-Birdsall, who celebrates 22 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Matthew Dobyns, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Gary Hess, who celebrates 47 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Duane Peterson, who celebrates 66 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Andrew Schlecht, Maricopa, Maricopa, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Glenn Zimbelman, who celebrates 40 years on June 24.

  • Rev. Scott Hove, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 29 years on June 25.

  • Rev. Paul Overvold, who celebrates 46 years on June 25.

  • Rev. Dennis Hagstrom, who celebrates 47 years on June 25.

  • Rev. John Geske, Mayo, Scottsdale, who celebrates 36 years on June 26.

  • Rev. David Towers, who celebrates 48 years on June 27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
God's love in these times | 2024 ELCA Churchwide Report video
God's love in these times | 2024 ELCA Churchwide Report video

Have you heard the phrase, “May you live in interesting times?” Many would say we live in uncertain times, with a world experiencing war and famine, the stress and lingering effects of the pandemic. But Bishop Eaton reminds us that as people of the Resurrection we also live in hope. God’s love sustains us even in the most difficult times. We live in interesting times because God’s love is always real.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Grand Canyon Synod, News, LettersBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
Missed the 2024 Assembly? Watch the Grand Canyon Synod’s Livestream Replays
Missed the 2024 Assembly? Watch the Grand Canyon Synod’s Livestream Replays

Rewatch the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly on Love of Christ Lutheran’s Facebook page. All sessions, including the Diakonia Graduation, are now available online. Whether you missed the live event or want to experience it again, find all parts of the assembly at your convenience. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and the Diakonia Graduation are available for streami

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment
Living the Story: Moving from Membership to Discipleship
Living the Story: Moving from Membership to Discipleship

Join Luther Seminar’s faith+lead for an exclusive workshop, “Living the Story: Moving from Membership to Discipleship,” on June 27th via Zoom, designed to empower church leaders to foster a culture of active, daily discipleship in their communities. Explore effective strategies for spiritual growth and community engagement, led by Dwight Zscheile of Luther Seminary.

This workshop is free for Faith+Lead members, with special membership rates available for new joiners. Rediscover the joy in your spiritual journey and transform your ministry practices. Register now and be part of God’s unfolding narrative in new and impactful ways.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Lay Leadershipo, Luther SeminaryComment
Draw Your Dreams: Submit Art for a Better Future at Youth Gathering
Draw Your Dreams: Submit Art for a Better Future at Youth Gathering

Join the Lutherans Restoring Creation art contest to envision a better future through your artwork! Open to youth and young adults, this contest encourages participants to reimagine their communities in harmony with the environment. Submit your art by June 30, 2024, for a chance to have your work displayed at the Youth Gathering in New Orleans and turned into advocacy postcards. All levels of art skills are welcome. Click to learn more and submit your vision of a sustainable tomorrow!

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ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardLutherans Restoring Creation, Climate Change, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 ELCA Youth GatheringComment
Reflecting on Our Journey: A Photographic Recap of the 2024 Synod Assembly
Reflecting on Our Journey: A Photographic Recap of the 2024 Synod Assembly

Pastor Lars Hammar of Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson provides a unique window into the spirit of the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly with his collection of 102 photographs. Documenting both the profound and the personal moments of our gathering, these images are available for viewing on Pastor Hammar’s Flickr page. Join us in celebrating our community’s faith, fellowship, and shared mission by exploring this visual record at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBvh6h.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Reelected at 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Reelected at 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

Bishop Deborah Hutterer has been reelected at the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, with 201 votes affirming her leadership out of 267 legal votes. We thank all participants, including Deacon John Weit from the ELCA and our hosts at Love of Christ in Mesa, for their support and dedication. Bishop Hutterer’s vision continues to guide us into a future filled with faith and community action. Full results of the bishop election ballot can be found here.

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Bishop Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment
Ordination celebrations: June 14 – 20, 2024
Ordination celebrations: June 14 – 20, 2024

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Charles Wilfong, who celebrates 60 years on June 14.

  • Rev. Dana Reardon, who celebrates 26 years on June 14.

  • Rev. Tom Shelly, who celebrates 43 years on June 14.

  • Rev. Ronald Tellefson, who celebrates 60 years on June 14.

  • Rev. Timothy Swanson, who celebrates 51 years on June 15.

  • Rev. Dennis Morreim, who celebrates 55 years on June 15.

  • Rev. James Vadis, who celebrates 56 years on June 16.

  • Rev. Corrine Chilstrom, who celebrates 39 years on June 16.

  • Rev. Daniel Megorden, who celebrates 45 years on June 17.

  • Rev. Richard Bosse, who celebrates 68 years on June 17.

  • Rev. Daniel Storvick, who celebrates 51 years on June 17.

  • Rev. Mark Rossman, Living Water, Scottsdale, who celebrates 36 years on June 18.

  • Rev. Paul Hansen, who celebrates 35 years on June 18.

  • Rev. Glen Stadler, who celebrates 46 years on June 18.

  • Rev. Raymond Christenson, who celebrates 56 years on June 18.

  • Rev. John Groh, who celebrates 58 years on June 19.

  • Rev. Norbert Schroeder, who celebrates 64 years on June 19.

  • Rev. John Kautz, who celebrates 53 years on June 20.

  • Rev. Theodore Swanson, who celebrates 70 years on June 20.

  • Rev. Paul Nelson, who celebrates 42 years on June 20.

  • Rev. Les Niemi, who celebrates 70 years on June 20.

  • Rev. Mark Reitan, who celebrates 53 years on June 20.

  • Rev. Charles Berdahl, who celebrates 59 years on June 20.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination Anniversaries Comment
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Annual Report: 2024
Bishop Deborah Hutterer Annual Report: 2024

The theme of our 2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, “Embody the Word,” serves as a powerful reminder of the vibrant faith we have been gifted through our baptism into Jesus Christ. It's a call to open ourselves to God's transformative power, enabling us to boldly embody our true purpose as individuals and as the Body of Christ.

As disciples within the ELCA, we are called to courageously articulate the truths and beliefs deeply rooted in our faith. In our divided world, and even within our congregations, silence can often widen gaps of misunderstanding and division more than the spoken word. It is crucial that we not retreat from our responsibility to voice justice, peace, and reconciliation.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Bishop HuttererBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Office of the Bishop, Bishop Hutterer LettersComment
Rev. Dan Potaznick Annual Report: 2024
Rev. Dan Potaznick Annual Report: 2024

There are many ways generosity is expressed in the church. The gift of leadership is offered by each conference dean, team & committee member, council member, and worship leader. The gift of time is offered by every attendee of Synod Assembly and volunteers who serve our neighbors. The gift of money is offered by weekly offering to the congregation, congregational mission support to the synod, mission support tithe to churchwide ministry, extraordinary gifts from congregations & donors, and planned gifts that continue a legacy of love in Christ.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Office of the BishopComment