Report from Synod Assembly

The Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Assembly was June 11-13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa. Jeri Newman, Herb and Cindy Schilling, and Pastor Peter Perry attended as voting members from St. John’s. Pastor Dan and Deacon Wendy were also there in Synod roles. The GCS includes congregations in Arizona to southern Utah and Nevada.

Everyone had a great time at the well-attended event. There were great talks, food, and more talks, and more food and even worship services during the weekend. There were workshops offered on a variety of topics. One workshop was about congregational vitality and some tools that are available. The worrisome news is that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has shrunk from around 5 million baptized members to only 3 million in one generation like other denominations. The good news is that we are still a living, thriving group of churches because we are rooted in God’s story. Another workshops shared experiences of religious leaders protesting I.C.E. in Minnesota. Other workshops covered youth involvement in church and the growth of artificial intelligence. 

The keynote speaker, Rev. Tim Brown, talked about different forms of generosity.  If you look at the financial figures, the Grand Canyon Synod is very generous, but finances aren’t our only generous gifts. We are generous with our time serving our neighbors with food, clothing; our space providing a cool place out of the heat; our words of concern or empathy; our prayers; and, one that I hadn’t thought of, is the generosity of praise. With what or whom are you generous with your praise? Ask us later about the M&M game which demonstrates how generosity and happiness go hand-in-hand (even if you just eat the M&Ms). And in that theme, the synod’s service project gave nearly 1,000 pounds of rice and beans for distribution through the West Valley Community Food Pantry.

The 2027-28 budget was passed. A resolution was discussed and failed to pass. The newly elected synod officers and council were installed, including Pastor Dan Potaznick in his new full-time position. The assembly was closed following our worship service led by our very own Pastor Solomon in celebration of his recent ordination and another celebratory moment was recognition of Pastor Roland Harder’s 60th anniversary of his ordination (a member of St John’s).