Posts in News
Rev. Jacqui Pagel Annual Report: 2024
Rev. Jacqui Pagel Annual Report: 2024

Pastor Jacqui Pagel, Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation, reports significant strides in nurturing leadership and spiritual development across the Grand Canyon Synod. The Candidacy program is flourishing, with 27 candidates poised for pastoral roles, and anticipates ordaining deacons for the first time in fourteen years. Additionally, the Grand Canyon Synod is among the top ten synods for candidate numbers.

Efforts in Lutheran Campus Ministry have continued robustly despite pastoral retirements, maintaining vital support and faith exploration spaces for students across multiple campuses. Pastor Jacqui also highlights the impactful financial support provided to seminary students through the Funds for Leaders program, alleviating the burden of educational expenses. Her report encapsulates our synod’s ongoing commitment to forming faith-filled leaders equipped to serve and enrich their communities.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Office of the BishopComment
Ecumenical Progress: ELCA and Partners Update Common Texts, Address Historical Bias
Ecumenical Progress: ELCA and Partners Update Common Texts, Address Historical Bias

The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), which includes the ELCA among its members, recently convened to address revisions in the lectionary to combat anti-Jewish interpretations. Key updates and resources, such as the “Preaching and Teaching With Love and Respect for the Jewish People,” guide our community in respectful, inclusive worship planning. The CCT also plans to introduce a new feast celebrating divine creation, reflecting a broader ecumenical commitment.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Lutheran Advocates Unite: A May Recap of Ecumenical Outreach and Policy Engagement
Lutheran Advocates Unite: A May Recap of Ecumenical Outreach and Policy Engagement

This May, Lutheran advocates have been active from the U.N. to local state legislatures, promoting sustainable development, justice, and community welfare. Highlights include the ECOSOC Youth Forum, California’s successful Lutheran Lobby Day, and significant legislative wins in Colorado. Join us for an upcoming event on June 13 to discuss the Farm Bill, a key policy affecting our communities. Read the full blog post on ELCA.org for more on how Lutherans are making a difference globally and locally.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Pause and Reflect: Embracing Stewardship in the Midst of Summer
Pause and Reflect: Embracing Stewardship in the Midst of Summer

As we step into June, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect. Congregational leaders often worry about attendance and engagement during the summer, but June offers a unique opportunity to take a moment to just be. The latest “Where Your Heart Is” newsletter from Tim Brown, ELCA’s Director of Congregational Stewardship, explores how to find peace, share community stories, and stay connected with upcoming stewardship events.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardWhere Your Heart Is, StewardshipComment
Unveiling the 2023 ELCA Foundation Annual Report: A Year of Growth and Generosity
Unveiling the 2023 ELCA Foundation Annual Report: A Year of Growth and Generosity

Explore the ELCA Foundation’s latest strides toward intentional generosity and financial stewardship in the newest issue of “Insights.” This edition includes the expanded 2023 annual report, featuring both gift planning and investment services. Learn about their new Vice President of Advancement role and find inspiring articles on leaving a legacy. Engage with the full content for more details and updates.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Foundation, StewardshipComment
Your Quilts & Kits offer warm hospitality to ships stuck in Baltimore after the Key Bridge collapse
Your Quilts & Kits offer warm hospitality to ships stuck in Baltimore after the Key Bridge collapse

The Port of Baltimore is the starting point for most shipments of Lutheran World Relief Quilts & Kits. From here, seafarers from all over the world transport them across the seas to ports in Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. 

But this spring, for the first time in LWR history, the ships themselves were the final destinations — and the seafarers were the intended recipients. Read the article and view the video at lwr.org.

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Global Church, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran World ReliefComment
Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson is Hiring Part Time Children's Ministry Director
Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson is Hiring Part Time Children's Ministry Director

TVLC is a dynamic, multi-generational congregation with a gifted staff, devoted volunteers and vibrant worship. We are looking for a part-time Children's Ministry Director to help us invest in our children and families, and tackle the challenges of ministering to a changing world from a position of strength. See the full job description on Indeed.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino Conference, Help WantedComment
Thriving Leadership Formation Annual Report: 2024
Thriving Leadership Formation Annual Report: 2024

Thriving Leadership Formation, supported by a significant grant from the Lilly Endowment, continues to foster spiritual and leadership growth within our synod through its diverse initiatives and events. In the past year, this program, housed at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and California Lutheran University, has significantly impacted pastoral and lay leadership across ELCA Regions 1 and 2. Under the leadership of Pastor Lourdes Olson, among others, the program has engaged numerous leaders in spiritual practices and community building, helping them to thrive in their congregational roles. View their full annual report in this PDF.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Assembly Stories, Thriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Ordination celebrations: May 31 – June 6, 2024
Ordination celebrations: May 31 – June 6, 2024

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 16 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Gilbert, who celebrates 16 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 40 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 66 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Douglas Moffat, Faith, Yuma, who celebrates 50 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Carol Breimeier, who celebrates 24 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Ronald Pechauer, who celebrates 61 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Roland Harder, who celebrates 58 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Ellis Eskritt, who celebrates 59 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Gary Benson, who celebrates 50 years on June 2.

  • Rev. James Lundeen, who celebrates 59 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Lloyd Wallace, who celebrates 61 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Ernie Larsen, who celebrates 61 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Fred Nelson, who celebrates 24 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Thomas Dunham, Streams in the Desert, Tucson, who celebrates 45 years on June 3.

  • Rev. Patricia Lowe, Emmanuel, Prescott Valley, who celebrates 17 years on June 3.

  • Rev. Mark Halvorson, who celebrates 51 years on June 3.

  • Rev. Donald Jacobson, who celebrates 62 years on June 3.

  • Rev. Greg Wenhold, who celebrates 45 years on June 3.

  • Rev. Joseph Doherty, New Promise, St. George, who celebrates 25 years on June 4.

  • Rev. Floyd Anderson, who celebrates 63 years on June 4.

  • Rev. Keith Hardy, who celebrates 45 years on June 4.

  • Rev. Maria Valenzuela, who celebrates 35 years on June 4.

  • Rev. Stephen Beyer, Lord of Life, Sun City West, who celebrates 43 years on June 5.

  • Rev. Jason Adams, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 10 years on June 5.

  • Rev. Arlyn Saathoff, who celebrates 59 years on June 6.

  • Rev. Vern Barlow, who celebrates 59 years on June 6.

  • Rev. Daniel Carlson, who celebrates 42 years on June 6.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Administrative Assistant Position Available at Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix
Administrative Assistant Position Available at Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix

Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix seeks a committed administrative assistant to support our church’s vibrant community. Interested individuals should contact Pastor David M. Sivecz at pastordavid@graceinthecity.com or visit us at 1124 N. 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004. More details are available on our website, Grace in the City. Join us in making a difference in our community!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardGrace Phoenix, Capital Conference, Help WantedComment