The Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will start a series of Spring Gatherings next week, starting in the Phoenix area, under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story.” The gatherings, designed to foster connection and reflection within the synod, will be open to all rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members.
The first of these events will take place Saturday, February 21st, at Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona. Additional Phoenix-area gatherings are scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th, at American Lutheran Church in Sun City and St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix. The Sun City gathering is set to begin at 9:30 am, while the Phoenix event will commence at 6:30 pm. A further opportunity in the Phoenix area will be held on Sunday, March 8th, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Chandler, in partnership with Mission Coffee & Tea.
Following the initial Phoenix-area events, the Spring Gatherings will expand across Arizona and southern Nevada. Scheduled locations include Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff on Saturday, March 14th; Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson on Saturday, March 28th; and Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 11th. Organizers have stated that participation is open to individuals regardless of their assigned conference within the synod.
According to the Grand Canyon Synod, the gatherings are intended to provide a space for shared learning, conversation, and encouragement, allowing participants to reflect on the meaning of being “rooted in God’s ongoing story of grace.” The synod emphasizes that Lutherans believe individual and congregational narratives are encompassed within a larger story of love, grace, and renewal, and that communities are shaped by Word and Sacrament.
The 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly is scheduled for June 11–13 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, also under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story.” Early bird registration for voting members is currently open, with pricing varying based on registration date. The synod is also offering a free voting member registration for one youth or young adult using the code YOUTH2026.
The Spring Gatherings follow a recent call from ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, along with eight other Christian leaders, urging Congress to enact just and humane immigration policies, with a February 13 deadline for DHS funding decisions.
