Merry Christmas from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona! This year, Spirit welcomed diverse groups seeking healing and renewal while continuing to provide exceptional hospitality and spiritual connection. Looking ahead, Spirit offers retreats and programs to deepen faith, including Centering Prayer, contemplative Zoom services, and a Spring Training baseball retreat. Discover how Spirit continues to serve as a haven for peace and renewal.
Read More2024 was a year of remarkable advocacy through the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona (LAMA), with record participation at Lutheran Day at the Legislature and impactful work in areas like hunger, housing, and international aid. As we celebrate Christmas, we reflect on the Nativity’s call to care for the vulnerable and recommit to advocacy in 2025. Read more for highlights from LAMA Director Solveig Muus and an inspiring message from Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars.
Read MoreArizona’s Christian leaders have issued a powerful statement calling for immigration reform that upholds human dignity and family unity. They denounce unjust deportation practices, including raids on churches and other critical locations, and call on law enforcement to act with conscience. Grounded in Gospel values, the leaders urge us all to see the image of God in every human being and advocate for a fair and humane immigration system. Read the full statement to learn how our faith compels us to stand with the vulnerable.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Susan Swanson, who celebrates 26 years on December 27.
Rev. Kim Taylor, American, Tucson, who celebrates 40 years on December 30.
The Office of the Bishop will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The staff enjoys some time off with family and friends, and does our final wrap-up on 2024.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop will be closed on January 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. Regular hours resume January 2. May the new year bring you joy, hope, and renewed faith in Christ.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Sharon Brown and the people of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Clarkdale, part of the High Country Conference.
Read MoreWe uplift and pray for Rev. Mark Rossman, Rev. Shari Bernau and the people of Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, part of the Northeast Valley Conference.
Read MoreWhat happens to LGBTQIA2S+ families if marriage equality is overturned? Join Central Lutheran Church on January 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM for Planning for Your Future in Uneasy Times. Estate Attorney Aaron Fransua, Esq., will share essential steps to safeguard your family and rights in uncertain times. This vital event is open to all—come and learn how to protect what matters most.
Read MoreAFN would like to thank the many people who made the 2024 Annual Gathering a success. We'd especially like to thank the generous sponsors and exhibitors who made the event possible and enabled people to connect with many important organizations and resources.
If you weren't able to attend, here's a link to the Annual Gathering Program and here's a YouTube recording of the program portion of the event (here's a link starting at the beginning of the keynote address from Rev. Eugene Cho).
Read MoreFaith communities across the U.S. are embracing solar power to care for God’s creation and reduce energy costs. Federated Community Church in Flagstaff has cut its energy bills by 96%, while Lutheran congregations nationwide are becoming leaders in climate justice through solar adoption. Supported by incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act, congregations are proving that collective faith can inspire real change. Explore how solar energy helps churches live out stewardship and care for future generations.
Read MoreAlicia Granholm, Dwight Zscheile, and Terri Elton address listener-submitted questions about navigating resistance, fostering trust, and discerning God's will in church leadership today. Listen to the latest Pivot podcast from faith+lead here.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod will host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix from July 28–August 2, 2025. We’ll need up to 100 volunteers to assist with this significant event, held at the Phoenix Convention Center. More details and sign-up forms will be available soon. For early inquiries, contact Mary Beth Baron at mbbaron@gcsynod.org. Save the date and help us welcome the wider ELCA church to Phoenix!
Read MoreThis Advent season, as we wait in hopeful anticipation for the gift of Christ’s birth, I find myself reflecting deeply on gifts and generosity. Not just the kind we wrap in paper and ribbons, but the kind we experience through the Spirit—the gifts of love, grace, and community that bind us together as one church, one body of Christ.
In the past months, I’ve been blessed to witness firsthand how the Holy Spirit moves through our shared ministry, both within our synod and across the globe. During recent visits to two of our companion churches—the Lutheran Church of Senegal (LCS) and Iglesia Luterana Mexicana (ILM)—I saw acts of generosity that have left me humbled and inspired.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop will be closed December 24-26, and the staff will be enjoying Christmas with friends and family. We share photos from our visit to Faith/La Fe and the pastoral role changes of Rev. Veronica Alvarez and Rev. Jonathan Linman.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Bjorn Pedersen, who celebrates 37 years on December 20.
Rev. Rodney Hutton, who celebrates 47 years on December 26.
The 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly will be held June 12-13, 2025, at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, NV. To ensure equitable participation across our vast synod, the assembly location rotates between Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. This year, costs are minimized by avoiding Friday hotel stays and hosting the event in a church instead of a hotel. Congregations are encouraged to elect voting members at their annual meetings, including one youth or young adult and one person of color or whose primary language is not English, to reflect the diversity of God’s people.
Read MoreHave news, events, or opportunities to share? The Grand Canyon Synod invites all congregations to submit their stories, job openings, and volunteer opportunities. Keep our community informed and connected by contributing to our news blog, events calendar, and weekly email newsletter. Share your updates today at gcsynod.org/share.
Read MoreLooking to make a difference and save on taxes before 2024 ends? Discover smart ways to give that benefit both you and the ELCA ministries you care about. From simple cash donations to leveraging appreciated securities, gift annuities, and IRA contributions, these giving options can maximize your impact. Contact Lisa Marie Higginbotham, our Regional Gift Planner, to explore how you can contribute meaningfully this holiday season.
Read MoreYoung adults across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to join the upcoming Winter Retreat at Camp ALOMA in Prescott, January 17-20. Enjoy faith-based learning, fellowship, and fun activities like Laser Tag, s’mores around the fire, and hiking. Connect with other young adults in a beautiful outdoor setting and grow in your faith. Spaces are limited—register today!
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