Support the ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministries with your offerings at this year’s Grand Canyon Synod Assembly. Your donations will help fund scholarships for those called to serve as chaplains in the military, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and federal prisons, embodying the Word in their day-to-day ministries. Learn more and how to contribute on our ELCA Federal Chaplaincy page. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of those who serve on the front lines of faith.
Read MoreCelebrate the 2024 Diakonia Graduation Ceremony after our assembly on June 15 at 12:30 PM at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. Join us in person or watch the live stream here to honor our graduates’ faith journeys and achievements. For more details, visit www.diakonia.education and view the full PDF document with details of all the graduates.
Read MorePastor 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreIn preparation for the Youth Gathering this summer, youth from ELCA congregations across the country are raising money to become the generation that ends hunger. Will you join them?
Read MoreExplore 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreMosaic is offering people more options to help them have the life they choose in a place they want to live. Learn why Mosaic at Home shared living has become our largest 24/7 residential service. The post Why Mosaic at Home is Our Largest Residential Service appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreTVLC 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.
Read MorePacific Lutheran Theological Seminary shares their 2024 Annual Report via a just-released YouTube video.
Read MoreThe congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod actively engage with and support many programs globally. Whether it be a direct congregational relationship or project outside the US or programs and partnerships attached to the synod, the ELCA or the Lutheran World Federation!
The Global Engagement team works to support these efforts and our ongoing companion synod relationships; we also support the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program and other ELCA Global Mission programs.
Read MoreThriving 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.
Read MoreFor their annual report, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Phoenix shares a video from their 8th Arcadia Cares Food for Kidz Packathon that was held on March 1-2, 2024. The 2025 Arcadia Cares packathon is scheduled for February 28 and March 1 at Prince of Peace.
Read MoreIn the past year, 1517 Media has continued to enrich spiritual life across our Synod with diverse offerings. Their “All Creation Sings” initiative provides a broad array of worship and prayer resources tailored for all age groups, enhancing congregational activities and personal devotion. View their full annual report in this PDF.
Read MoreIt’s June, and the Office of the Bishop focuses on synod assembly preparation. We also share a photo from the latest meeting of the candidacy committee.
Read MoreThis 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.
The Diakonia Program is a 40+ year old ministry within the ELCA committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. The program has recently added new course curriculum and more flexibility with a Foundation Year and optional subsequent Practical Year tracks. View their full annual report in this PDF.
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