The Office of the Bishop staff dives into 2024 with synod assembly planning, a resumption of one-on-one meetings, and full steam ahead on our 2024 projects. We also share photos from Pastor Kim Sterner’s last day of ministry at Lord of Life.
Read MoreWe pray for the family and friends of Rev. John Roger Anderson, who died December 24, 2023.
Rev. Anderson was a former bishop of the Southwest California Synod, and a former pastor at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West.
Roger's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 West Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Ossuarium Fund (which Roger served on the committee) or the El Salvador/Sister Church Fund https://www.htlcto.org/give.
Read MoreWe pray for the family and friends of Rev. Charles Paulson, who died December 15, 2023.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, 2/10/2023, 11am, American Lutheran Church of Sun City (17200 N Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373). A reception will follow the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall at noon following the memorial service. People attending the reception shout RSVP at 623-974-2512. Lunch will be provided, and this will help them plan accordingly.
Pastor Paulson worked within the ALC congregation for twenty years and was much beloved by a good percentage of the membership as he was the intake pastor with whom they had first and often quite memorable contact.
Read MoreLAMA encourages a pre-session check of your legislative district. Stay updated and engage effectively with your legislators. Find your legislators here.
Read MoreWest Valley Young Adults invites you to start the year with meaningful connections through a winter retreat and engaging social events. Join us for reflection, fun, and fellowship.
Read MoreUPDATE: This organ has found a home with a new congregation in Phoenix.
Rita Corey writes to offer a treasured 1953 Walnut Hammond Organ for donation. Preserved with care and ready for music, it awaits a new chapter in a loving church or camp. Available in Scottsdale, AZ without stairs for removal.
Read MorePeace Lutheran Church in Peoria, Arizona, is offering a well-maintained 2003 Ford E450 bus to a deserving organization within the Grand Canyon Synod. Ideal for serving community needs, the bus has faithfully facilitated youth trips and charity work. Interested? Call the church office, 623-972-6785 or reach out to Jay Fellows, Director of Operations at Jay@peaceaz.org.
Read MoreAttend two exciting West Valley Young Adult events. Experience the Winter Retreat at Camp ALOMA, packed with activities from Jan 12-15. And don't miss the Morning Hike on Jan 6 at Thunderbird Park. It's a great way to engage with the community and enrich your faith.
Read MoreJoin us as we mark a monumental milestone—the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger—at the 2024 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering on February 1-4, 2024. Celebrate decades of dedication and look ahead to the future of hunger advocacy and action. Be a part of this transformative event for networking, learning, and planning, as we continue to embrace hope and move forward in our mission. Act now to secure your spot and take advantage of special rates!
Read MoreMartin Malmberg of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada shares their 2023 Impact Report, highlighting th thousands served in 2023, as well as LSSN’s expansion into two new locations.
Read MoreYou are cordially invited to participate in a listening session hosted by the Grand Canyon Synod. This Zoom session on Tuesday, 1/16/2023, 5pm MST, 4pm PST, features Sarah Morris and Anthony Ormsbee-Hale from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC), and offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our community. Click here to register.
Read MoreAs we end a year full of collective achievements and spiritual growth, we invite you to join us in celebrating our synod's shared journey. Your generous contributions have been instrumental in every success, from outreach initiatives to the nurturing of our faith community. Take a moment to read our year-end newsletter, which highlights the remarkable moments and milestones of 2023, and reflects the vibrant life of our church thanks to your steadfast support.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop staff wishes you a blessed and peaceful 2024. This week, as we prepare for the new year, we remind you the Synod Office will be closed Monday, January 1, 2024.
Read MoreAs 2023 comes to a close, LAMA invites you to celebrate with them the work we’ve accomplished together. They’re are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. And don’t forget to register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature! View their 2023 year end newsletter here.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is delighted to announce Deacon Katie Kline as our new Interim Director of Congregation Transitions, starting January 2024.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Janice Zimbelman and Rachel Line for their dedicated service. Deacon Janice Zimbelman will be retiring from this half-time position that is shared with the Rocky Mountain Synod as Deacon Katie Kline takes up this work in an interim capacity.
Read MoreJoin beloved 1960s TV icons Davey and Goliath for their 1965 Christmas special. Davey learns the real meaning of Christmas when he gives his part in a Christmas play to another boy.
Read MoreAs part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Marie Olson Purcell, “Oh, Those Words Are So Divisive, Pastor!”: Christian Nationalism and Identity Expression in the United States, from A Chosen Nation?, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.
Read MoreThe phrase “America is a Christian nation” is a highly polarizing statement in the contemporary United States. But like many such polarizing statements, the situation surrounding it is much more complex than it might seem. These complexities are actually openings for a deeper discussion of national identity and Christian faith, if such conversations can be had.—Marie Olson Purcell
The 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering staff shares some updates for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, the tAble and Young Adult Gathering next summer. To learn more about the Gathering or to register, visit elca.org/Gathering.
Read MoreThe ELCA recently announced the Rev. Louise Johnson, Executive for Administration, has accepted the Executive for Vision, a new position in the churchwide organization.
Starting in January 2024, Johnson will lead a small team in a new effort that will emanate from the ELCA's vision, purpose, goal, and priorities, which call for the church to work together to share the difference God's grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.
Read MoreJoin us in celebrating Rev. Lowell Nelson's impactful service as the Grand Canyon Synod Emissary and Encourager in 2023. Pastor Lowell's dedicated work in strengthening our community and leaders is a legacy that will resonate for years to come.
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