Posts in Spotlight
Office of the Bishop Updates

Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer accompanies visits with Iglesia Mexicana Luterana, AMEXTRA, and Young Adults in Global Mission partners while continuing meetings and preparations for the upcoming Synod Assembly.

Synod staff will continue supporting candidacy and faith formation work, preparing Assembly communications and storytelling projects, assisting congregations and ministry partners, managing administrative and financial responsibilities, and coordinating upcoming meetings and events across the Grand Canyon Synod.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For those exposed to gun violence at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, and for an end to political violence…

  • For stabbing victims in north London, and for an end to antisemitism…

  • For flotilla personnel detained by Israeli forces…

  • For communities in Oklahoma and Texas in the wake of tornado damage…

  • For all who live with mental illness, and for all those who support them…

  • For those who work or live in our prisons, jails, and courts, and for an end to capital punishment…

  • For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…

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Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop staff will be engaged in a wide range of ministry—from international visits and leadership development to storytelling for Synod Assembly, administrative support, and ongoing communications. Alongside this work, the team continues preparations for upcoming events, financial reporting, and key synod initiatives while also taking time for renewal and rest.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For an end to gun violence, and for all victims of gun violence, especially in the communities of Shreveport, Louisiana and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as well as tourists visiting the Teotihuacán site near Mexico City…

  • For healing, resilience, and rebuilding in Midwestern communities recovering from tornadoes, and for all living in areas facing wildfires and wildfire risk…

  • For the wellbeing of our planet as we celebrate Earth Week, and for human hearts, minds, and wills to work for its health…

  • For Christian unity as we celebrate the season Easter, and for an end to interreligious conflict and religious persecution…

  • For farmers and farm workers, and for all who work with the land to provide food…

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Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop is engaged in worship leadership across Tucson and Phoenix, supporting congregations through preaching, installations, and vitality conversations, while also preparing reports and continuing mission support and leadership development work. At the same time, staff are advancing preparations for Synod Assembly—including communications, storytelling, logistics, and financial oversight—ensuring the synod is ready for the work ahead.

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Ordination celebrations

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Stephen J. Hammer, who celebrates 44 years on April 25.

  • Rev. Debra Slifer, who celebrates 39 years on April 25.

  • Rev. Diane Drach-Meinel, Christ the Servant, Henderson, who celebrates 39 years on April 26.

  • Rev. David Drach-Meinel, who celebrates 39 years on April 26.

  • Rev. Kevin Meyer, LSS-SW, Phoenix, Covenant, Quartzsite, who celebrates 31 years on April 30.

  • Deacon Sally Almen, who celebrates 39 years on April 30.

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Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, synod staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing key leadership, ministry, and administrative work across the synod. Highlights include Deborah K. Hutterer and staff participating in the Ordination of Carly Chamberlain at Faith Lutheran, Phoenix, Apr 18, 2026, 10:30 AM, advancing assembly and audit preparations, collaborating with churchwide and conference leaders, and supporting congregations through preaching, stewardship conversations, and ongoing communications. We also share photos from the Region 2 First Call Accompaniment gathering at Franciscan Renewal Center.

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Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, synod staff will be engaged in the Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering in Las Vegas, alongside preaching, First Call Accompaniment, youth leadership, and key meetings with congregations and leaders. Additional work includes anniversary celebrations, stewardship planning, assembly and communications prep, audit and finance tasks, and ongoing administrative responsibilities.

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Office of the Bishop Updates

Next week, the Office of the Bishop staff will be engaged in candidacy work, preaching and leading worship, supporting conference gatherings and ministry conversations, and preparing for synod assembly and upcoming events. Alongside this, the team will continue core operations including communications, financial reporting and audit support, governance participation, and strategic planning for congregations and synod leadership.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…

  • For the Artemis crew and all who are guiding the mission…

  • For protests in the West Bank against death penalty laws…

  • For victims of a Russian military plane crash in Crimea…

  • For casualties of a migrant boat capsize near Turkey…

  • For families of those killed in gang attacks in Haiti…

  • For Pope Leo XIV, the Dali Lama, and all faith leaders speaking hopes for peace in the world…

  • For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…

  • For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…

  • For support, visibility, and civil rights for transgender individuals…

  • For all who have experienced religious trauma and feel alienated from the church…

  • For the church in every place as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ…

  • For Jewish siblings during the observance of Passover…

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