This section is dedicated to celebrating and lifting up the everyday work of our congregations, ministries, and partners at various levels—from local to global. Join us in gratitude and prayer for these people and organizations. View all our spotlight posts here.
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.
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…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Rev. Adele Resmer, Ascension, Scottsdale, who celebrates 39 years on April 5.
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For Dame Sarah Mullally and her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury…
For the families of those killed in hospital attack in Sudan…
For safe working conditions for all workers, especially in wake of car parts factory fire in South Korea…
For victims of the Air Canada runway crash at LaGuardia Airport…
For all who know the trauma and pain of sexual assault, abuse, or exploitation…
For elections and political transitions, local and global…
For those affected by flooding in Hawaii, and all impacted by natural disasters…
For travelers, especially those facing airport delays and uncertainties, and for TSA workers…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For ongoing energy crises and rising fuel costs…
For pastors, church musicians, and congregational leaders preparing for Holy Week…
The Office of the Bishop will be at the Kino Conference Spring Gathering: Our Saviour's Lutheran in Tucson, Mar 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. We also continue to work on our annual audit.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. William Timm, who celebrates 45 years on March 29.
Deacon Glenda Blegen, who celebrates 20 years on April 2.
The Office of the Bishop staff will gather with leaders and congregations in Tucson for the Kino Conference Spring Gathering while continuing preaching, teaching, and relationship-building across the synod. Alongside these shared ministries, staff will advance key internal work—including assembly planning, financial and audit preparation, leadership development, and ongoing communications—supporting the synod’s mission in both public and behind-the-scenes ways.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Heriberto Prudencio, who celebrates 36 years on March 25.
The Rev. Kerry Neuhardt, Church of Our Saviour, Lakeside, who celebrates 43 years on March 25.
Lent Series Blog: Closer to creation
India: a passion for intergenerational justice and women’s empowerment
Joint ecumenical statement calls for immediate ceasefire in Middle East
Senegal: Literacy sets new goals for excluded children and women
Anglicans and Lutherans review progress towards full communion
Commission on the Status of Women shines spotlight on access to justice
The Office of the Bishop staff will gather for an in-person staff meeting while continuing key synod work, including participation in the High Country Conference Spring Gathering in Flagstaff, preaching and congregational visits, and meetings focused on congregational vitality and faith formation. Staff will also advance preparations for Synod Assembly, manage communications and upcoming events, and support the synod’s annual audit and financial close.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Peter Lai, who celebrates 41 years on March 16.
Rev. Martin Overson, who celebrates 47 years on March 18.
Rev. Daniel Potaznick, Office of the Bishop, Phoenix, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 3 years on March 18.
Synod staff are preparing for the March Synod Council meeting, supporting Spring Gatherings, continuing assembly planning, and beginning the annual financial audit while carrying out the ongoing ministries and administrative work of the synod office.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Timothy Hansen, New Journey, Fountain Hills, who celebrates 39 years on March 8.
Rev. Stephen Talmage, Love of Christ, Mesa, who celebrates 41 years on March 10.
Rev. Patsy Koeneke, Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, who celebrates 19 years on March 11.
Rev. Bruce Ayers, who celebrates 64 years on March 11.
Rev. Steven Crittenden, who celebrates 17 years on March 12.
For an end to war, conflict, and uncertainty, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…
For escalating tensions in Iran and Lebanon and the safety of civilians and military personnel…
For partisan cooperation across divisions and elected leaders to seek the welfare and dignity of all…
For protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those living with uncertainty and grieving loss of life in Jalisco, Mexico, and neighboring states in the wake of recent gang-related violence…
For those without adequate shelter during recent snowstorms in the northeast US…
For the recent shootings in Macon, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Kansas City, Missouri; and for an end to gun violence…
For those experiencing heavy rains and flooding in southern Peru…
This week, Bishop Hutterer will attend the Flourishing Communities conference in Tempe and the Conference of Bishops in Chicago, while synod staff continue preaching, hosting discussions, preparing for upcoming events, launching Assembly publicity and forms, and completing month-end financial and audit preparations.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Christopher Heller, Esperanza, Phoenix, who celebrates 16 years on February 28.
Rev. Jeremy Nausin, Holy Spirit, Las Vegas, who celebrates 11 years on March 1.
Rev. Elaine Watskey, who celebrates 23 years on March 1.
Rev. Timothy Wright, who celebrates 42 years on March 4.
Rev. Jonathan Linman, Faith/La Fe, Phoenix, who celebrates 37 years on March 4.
The Office of the Bishop staff attends Lutheran Day at the Legislature, (Feb 23, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM) as well as our first three Spring Gatherings in Phoenix, open to all:
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: Desert Cross, Tempe, Feb 21, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: American Lutheran, Sun City, Feb 24, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Phoenix Area Spring Gathering: St. Andrew Lutheran, Phoenix, Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
For the evening gathering at St. Andrew Lutheran Church (6:30 pm), participants are invited to arrive anytime after 6:00 pm for light refreshments and informal fellowship prior to the conversation, as we will not have a post-gathering reception.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Barbara Bengtson, who celebrates 32 years on February 20.
Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, who celebrates 17 years on February 22.
Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s, Glendale, who celebrates 29 years on February 23.
Rev. Kaila Armbruster, who celebrates 12 years on February 23.
Rev. Paul Block, New Song, Henderson, who celebrates 25 years on February 24.
Rev. Arhiana Shek-Dill, University, Tempe, ASU LCM, Tempe, who celebrates 14 years on February 25.
Rev. Robert Crabb, who celebrates 31 years on February 26.
Bishop Hutterer will preach at Desert Hills (Green Valley) and American Lutheran (Sun City) for Ash Wednesday and participate in the Region 2 SAM Summit. Synod staff will continue preparing for Spring Gatherings, advancing candidacy and congregational vitality work, exploring AI in ministry, and managing financial and operational responsibilities.
For an end to war, conflict, and uncertainty, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…
For protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For strained diplomatic relations between nations in the United States, Canada, and Cuba…
For those grieving the death of Hallie Tobler, daughter of Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson…
For all victims of domestic violence and abuse, and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation…
For those affected by severe cold weather, especially those without access to adequate heat and other resources…
For the continued safety of athletes, reporters, and others participating in the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy…
For the conclusion of the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace, ending in Washington DC this Tuesday…
For affirmation, dignity, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities…
For pastors, deacons, church administrators, and musicians preparing for Lent…
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversary of Deacon Wendi Van Beek, U of A LCM, Tucson, who celebrates 1 year on February 19.
This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. Lowell Nelson, who celebrates 15 years on April 10.
Rev. Charles Newman, King of Glory, Tempe, who celebrates 21 years on April 15.