Who we are
Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CtL) in Carefree, Arizona is part of the Grand Canyon Synod (https://www.gcsynod.org ) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (https://www.elca.org). We stem from very humble beginnings in 1983 when we met first in a grade school cafeteria. After a capital campaign that began in 1985, we were able to build and dedicate the current sanctuary, fellowship hall, education building and offices by the end of 1990.
CtL has established and strengthened partnerships with affiliates and agencies serving the community, the region and the world. We are an important part of the Northeast Valley Consortium of Lutheran Churches, which collaborates in ministry for the sake of the Gospel. We share best practices, common causes, projects and resources as needed. Learn more through this video about our efforts since the group was formed in 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3l8wHj2r0M&t=3s
We are a small congregation of both year-round and seasonal members, who hail from all parts of the United States. We value, respect and support each other. You would be welcome here, just as you are.
We offer Sunday services at 9:00AM in our sanctuary as well as streaming online.
Staff
Anna Rieke
Pastor
Pastor Anna Rieke is a collaborative leader who has spent her career adapting to the changing landscape of religion and finding new and innovative ways of pointing people to the liberating love of God. Having been nurtured and shaped by churches through all stages of life, she knows the powerful impact they can have on both their members and the communities they serve.
Pastor Anna has served congregations in Oregon, New York and Washington. She has a relational approach to parish ministry that emphasizes joyful and authentic worship, working publically for justice and inclusion, and prayerful strategic planning in the midst of uncertainty and change. She has also served on multiple synod-based Strategic Teams for Authentic Diversity and is an experienced organizer and trainer in the arts of faith-based community organizing.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (University of Arizona ‘05) and Master of Divinity with a concentration in Evangelism and Justice (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary ‘13). Her ministry has been featured on Fast Company: The Christians Giving Up Carbon for Lent and NPR affiliate KUOW: What will be the future of church in Seattle?.
When not working, she can often be found swimming at the local public pool, dining with her parents at their retirement home or reading sci-fi at a local coffee shop or brewery.
Curtis Davia
Administrative Manager
Curtis is a tribal member of the San Carlos Apache Nation. He grew up in the Lutheran Mission Church on the reservation and attended Peridot Lutheran Mission School.
He recently returned to Arizona after living in New York City where he was the Executive Director of the American Indian Community House (the urban Indian Center in New York). He also worked as a Grants Administrator at Columbia University and Barnard College. Curtis retired in 2017 and has volunteered with several organizations here in Phoenix.
He has a Master of Public Administration from New York University and a BA in Political Science from Louisiana State University. He also received a Certificate in Management from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Curtis will be in the Office Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 3:00. You can reach him at admin@ctlcarefree.org or (480) 488-2081
Rodney Pitts
Multimedia Specialist
Rodney is a 24-year-old multimedia specialist and graphic design student at Scottsdale Community College.
Originally from Mexico City, he grew up in Prescott, Arizona. He has diverse experience in social media management and graphic design, having worked with Evervest Financial, as well as hands-on roles in manual labor at various farms and a wheelchair repair shop in Mexico.
In his free time, Rodney enjoys traveling—having visited seven countries—creating electronic music, fishing with his dad, and spending quality time with family and friends.
You can find Rodney at the Ctl You can find Rodney at the Ctl every Sunday or reach him at toxicpanda029@gmail.com
Church Council Members
Pastor Anna Rieke
Pastor
Mark Kennedy
President
Bob Flach
Vice President
Bonnie Kodis
Secretary
Ken Biederman
Treasurer
Sue Mayfield
Worship Committee Chair
Keith Hainy
Social Ministry Committee Chair
Donna Guerin
Stewardship Committee Chair
Sebastian Martello
Property Management Committee Chair
Dan Nelson
Evangelism and Outreach Committee Chair
Loraine Morris
Member-at-Large
If you are interested in helping with any of these committees, please let us know at admin@ctlcarefree.org.
Committees
Community Service
This committee shares the Good News of Jesus Christ with the widest possible audience by turning our faith into action. We show unconditional love to people who are sick, suffering and needy. This committee and its subgroups aim to match you with your interests and passion for service by identifying and meeting human needs, working with community organizations and advocating for justice.
Education
Our Education Committee provides opportunities for members of our congregation and the broader faith community to foster and nurture their spiritual life. From Bible Study to conferences, videos and lectures, we hope you will learn to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ to your own life.
Fellowship
We love to get together. We feel like family. We are friends. This committee plans and implements events such as coffee and snacks after services, ladie’s or men’s luncheons, Lenten soup suppers, First Fridays (evenings of wine, snacks and music), couples’ dinner circles, movie night and hiking trips. You might have ideas to help us celebrate the love of God together.
Ministry of Music
The Ministry of Music (MOM) Committee creates connections with our community via music-related opportunities and programming such as concerts (The Living Music Performance Series), guest performers at services, Chorale and Bell Choir, affiliations with music associations and programs in the area, and private voice lessons. Through the joy of music, we believe people can experience the love of God.
Mutual Ministry
This committee supports the Pastor and staff by offering confidential coaching and counseling, helping to hire staff members, and overseeing compliance with our church personnel guideline and Federal employment law.
Property Management
This committee manages and maintains all church buildings, equipment and grounds.
Stewardship
This committee coordinates the necessary resources to help meet the needs of the congregation, the church buildings, staffing costs and administrative costs.
Worship
This committee works closely with the Pastor and administrative staff to ensure bulletins supporting services are available, the altar is arranged properly (according to the liturgical calendar), volunteers have been recruited for ushering, Holy Communion, and readings.
