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We are pleased to share with you the following news, information and ministry opportunities taking place within our synod. If you have items to share about the ministries happening through your congregation, please email Terri Robertson at
[email protected]. If you know of others who aren't receiving our emails, please share this with them and encourage them to sign up
here.
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Pacifica Synod News & Resources
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Pacifica Synod Ash Wednesday Worship Invitation
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All are invited to be with us at the Lutheran Center for Mission and Learning (Pacifica Synod Office) as we gather on Wednesday, February 14 at 11:30 a.m. for Ash Wednesday worship and the imposition of ashes. Bishop Andy Taylor will preach and preside.
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Annual Reporting for Rostered Ministers
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All rostered ministers in the ELCA are required to complete an annual report to the bishop. Follow this link to select the applicable report. This report is a fillable PDF. To ensure that your report is saved properly before sending or printing it, please follow the instructions below. Once completed, please return this form to the synod office by email (see below), fax (714.692.9317), or by mail to the Pacifica Synod office at 1801C Parkcourt Place, Santa Ana, CA, 92701.
- Right-click or control-click (on a Mac) on the file you want to use and select "save file" so it gets saved on your computer in a place you can find.
- Close the webpage! Don't type your answers in the webpage version!
- Find the file on your computer, and open it in Acrobat or Preview or another .pdf reader.
- Fill out a couple lines of the form. Save it. Close the file. Reopen it to see that the data is being saved correctly.
- Finish completing the file and save it.
- Find the file on your computer and attach it to an email sent to Bishop Taylor at [email protected]
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Congregational (Parochial) Reports Due February 15
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In December, the ELCA mailed the 2017 congregational report forms to all congregations.The mailing included Form A, Form C, the instructions, and the financial worksheet. In addition, the Congregational ID number and password for online reporting were included in the mailing. You will need these items to login and file your report online. To do so, follow
this link.
The information included in these reports is vital to the ELCA's commitment to improving its efforts to spread the good news and are used in allocating the ELCA's resources to synods and congregations. Did you know that the information you submit (or do not submit) in your parochial report goes into your congregation's trend report, which is publicly available online? Seekers looking for your congregation can see not only the information you submit but also whether the congregation hasn't submitted parochial reports.
The due date for these forms is February 15, 2018. If you can't find your login information, please contact Carol Youngman at 714.692.2791 or by email at [email protected].
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Congregational Statement of Intent for Mission Support
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Your ministry partners in the ELCA and Pacifica Synod invite congregations to make a statement of intent to synod and churchwide ministries for 2018. As your congregation considers its commitment, please note this invitation models the spiritual practices of regular reflection and faithful response to God's abundant grace. We encourage each expression of the church (households, congregations and synods) to engage in these practices regularly. In this way, we move beyond ourselves to do God's work together.
Congregations are asked to submit their 2018 Statement of Intent as soon as your 2018 budget is approved. You may find a copy of the 2018 Statement of Intent here for you to complete and return to the Pacifica Synod office as soon as you are able, if you haven't done so already. You can mail them or email them to [email protected]
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31st Annual Pacifica Synod Assembly - May 18 to 19, 2018
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The 2018 Pacifica Synod Assembly will meet at Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert for
 a two-day assembly on May 18 and 19, 2018. Our Assembly Planning Team has been meeting and has chosen the theme for the Assembly - "Go and Tell: Giving Voice to Faith, Justice
and Blessing".
The assembly will begin on Friday, May 18 with registration opening at 7 a.m., Hearings at 8 a.m. and the opening business session at 9 a.m. The assembly will end on Saturday, May 19 at noon.
The 2018 Synod Assembly webpage has been updated with information about nominations, memorials and resolutions. Please note that the deadline to present resolutions and memorials or to make a nomination for the 2018 Assembly is February 15, 2018.
The registration fees for this assembly will remain the same as they were this year. Each congregation has been sent an invoice, detailing voting member assignments for your congregation and allowing congregations to take advantage of an Early Bird Discounted Congregational Registration Fee ($545 for 3 voting members) if paid by February 28, 2018. After that date, this fee increases to $600. Additional voting members are $125 and visitors are $75. Online registration for voting members and visitors will open on March 1, 2018.
If you have questions about your Synod Assembly invoice or registration for the assembly, please contact Terri Robertson at
[email protected].
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Presiding Bishop's Statement on Dreamers
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On Friday, February 9, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton issued a statement on Dreamers. Follow
this link
to read her full statement.
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From the Presiding Bishop - "True Love"
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This year Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day fall on the same day. It may seem  an odd pairing. But in her February column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton suggests we think of Ash Wednesday as a valentine from God. Read her column in English at http://bit.ly/2BZYzsz and in Spanish at http://bit.ly/2C0Q7Jh.
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Ecumenical Lenten Devotions
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The bishops of the Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopal churches in the U.S. and Canada have prepared Lenten devotions on the theme "Set Free by Truth," which reflect upon truth-telling and racial justice. Each segment presents Scripture, a reflection and a prayer.
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Lutheran World Relief Lenten Resources
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Walk with Lutheran World Relief during the season of Lent and announce to the world that the hope of Christ makes a new season possible: a Season of Hope.
Visit lwr.org/lent for resources including a special homily series and step-by-step Personal Care Kit assembly instructions. This Lent, energize congregations for global good!
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Join Bishop Eaton at the Rally to End Racism April 4!
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In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther
 King Jr., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for Act Now: Unite to End Racism April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally April 4 on the National Mall.
The event, organized by the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA, will bring together many ELCA members from across the country. The ELCA is a founding member of the council.
The rally's call to action emphasizes three key points: awaken to the truth that racism is evil and hurts us all; confront racism through truth-telling and action to right the wrong; and transform the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and institutions.
Events begin April 3 with an ecumenical worship service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral and will be capped off by a lobby day on Capitol Hill April 5.
All are invited to join Bishop Eaton at the event. Learn more here.
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The ELCA Directory (formerly Yearbook) is Now Online!
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The 2018 ELCA Yearbook is now online and known as the ELCA Directory. Just as
 the printing press changed the world during Martin Luther's time, so are the digitization of data and the internet changing the way we publish and access information. This digital online solution will provide the same content as the ELCA Yearbook with added features of accessing the information from any computer (including mobile devices), filtering and annual reporting. Find this free resource at
directory.ELCA.org.
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ELCA Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
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In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social
 statement on women and justice. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ has been at work since 2012 and brought their work to a crucial stage. On November 15, 2017 it released the Draft of a Social Statement on Women and Justice. The comment period on the Draft is open until September 30, 2018.
Information about the Draft, along with an FAQ, overview, brochure, information about the task force, timeline and information about how to participate in the comment period may be found
here.
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Celebrating Ministry Together!
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You're Invited - Hope Lutheran, Temecula's Building Dedication
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Creating a Legacy Writing Workshop - February 13
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California Lutheran University Lecture - February 20
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Artificial intelligence poses profound ethical questions for humanity's future. What will a world filled with intelligent machines mean for the human family? Shannon Vallor is the William J. Rewak, S.J. Professor of Philosophy at Santa Clara University, where she researches the ethics of emerging technologies.
For an event brochure with more information, please click here.
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LRCC 2018 Winter Retreats - January to March 2018
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Come to Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences Winter Retreats, where we will be given a deeper understanding of the God that has already named and claimed each one of us, with a love too abundant to comprehend.
Our Winter Retreats at both sites feature special programming designed by our year-round staff.
Friday - Sunday retreats run from 7 pm on Friday evening through lunch on Sunday. Saturday - Monday retreats run from 4 pm on Saturday through brunch on Monday.
Come with your youth group, come by yourself or invite a friend and be ready for a weekend you won't forget. Click here for more info, pricing and a registration link.
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"Is This a Bonhoeffer Moment?" - April 9
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A Group of Lutheran clergy in our Synod will be gathering on Monday, April 9 at Regents Point Continuing Care Center in Irvine to discuss the theme of the February issue of Sojourners: "Is This a Bonhoeffer Moment?"
Anyone is welcome to come. Discussion will begin at 10 a.m. If you desire a copy of the key article on this topic, contact Pastor George Johnson at 949.280.0044. A Lutheran professor who has taught a class on Bonhoeffer has been invited to participate at this gathering. Response pending. Those who wish may stay for lunch.
This concern is a timely topic for those wanting to act and preach responsibly with integrity in this kairos moment in our history that has some similarities to the rise of the Third Reich in Europe. Let me know of your interest.
Pastor George S. Johnson
Irvine, CA
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Breaking the Silence - April 21
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Saturday, April 21
9:00 am - noon (lunch included)
Southwest California Synod Lutheran Center
1300 E. Colorado Street, Glendale
Speaker: Rev. Lynn Enloe, MA, MB
Sponsored by the SWCA Synod Recovery and Spirituality Task Force
This event will focus on Breaking the Silence. We will examine the stigmas and fallacies that surround the issue of addiction, then explore ways to find release and renewal that leads to a better way of living, in a safe and caring environment. We'll participate in a large group presentation, interact in small group, and worship together. A light lunch is included.
Our goal is to provide comfort and support through education and conversation. The body of Christ should be a place where we ought to bring our burdens, and this is a real and present burden for the body. If there is something of a confidential nature that you want to discuss, we do have trained counselors on our task force that will be present throughout the morning/afternoon who would be happy to speak with you privately.
ALL are welcome: Whether you feel this issue relates to you directly or is an area that you wish to learn more about, please join us. As already mentioned, we believe this problem is pervasive and touches all walks of life. Your presence and voice is welcomed and valued.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Pastor Dan Gibson at
[email protected]
. Full event info may be found here.
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Luther Glen Barnraising - June 9
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Barn Raising Fundraiser
Saturday, June 9
3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
3-5:00 Activities/Silent Auction
5-5:30 Presentation/Blessing
5:30-6:30 Meal
6:30 Live Auction
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