SYNOD NEWS & NOTES
February 2, 2018
Pacifica Synod e-News
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  terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org. If you know of others who aren't receiving our emails, please share this with them and encourage them to sign up here.
Pacifica Synod News & Resources
Annual Reporting for Rostered Ministers
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. 
  1. 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.
  2. Close the webpage! Don't type your answers in the webpage version!
  3. Find the file on your computer, and open it in Acrobat or Preview or another .pdf reader.
  4. Fill out a couple lines of the form. Save it. Close the file. Reopen it to see that the data is being saved correctly.
  5. Finish completing the file and save it.
  6. Find the file on your computer and attach it to an email sent to Bishop Taylor at andytaylor@pacificasynod.org
Congregational (Parochial) Reports Due February 15
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 carolyoungman@pacificasynod.org.

Congregational Statement of Intent for Mission Support 
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 terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org
31st Annual Pacifica Synod Assembly - May 18 to 19, 2018
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 terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.
You Shop. Amazon Gives.

Did you know you can support Pacifica Synod ministries when you shop? By shopping through AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pacifica Synod whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Follow this link to start shopping!
ELCA News & Resources
The ELCA Directory (formerly Yearbook) is Now Online!
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.
Lutheran World Relief Lenten Resources
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!
ELCA Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
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.
ELCA Publications 

 



Celebrating Ministry Together!
Snow Day in Big Bear!
On Saturday, January 27 , Trinity Lutheran in Victorville traveled up the mountain to Big Bear for their annual "snow day," where they were hosted for lunch by generous members of Spirit of Peace in Big Bear. It was a wonderful day of fun and fellowship between sibling congregations in Christ!

ELCA Hunger Leadership Gathering
A fun moment that took place on Tuesday, January 23 during the ELCA Hunger Leadership Gathering in Washington DC.  The Pacifica Synod representatives to the Gathering were Pastor Greg Ronning (The Table/First Lutheran,Fullerton) and Pastor Glen Egertson (Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences), along with Mark Carlson from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy and other reps from Region 2.

This picture includes (left to right) Senator Ron Johnson, a Lutheran from Wisconsin; Senator Diane Feinstein from California; Pastor Glen Egertson and Mark Carlson.

They were there on behalf of the ELCA to advocate for a robust 2018 Farm Bill. The government shutdown ended only hours before.


This and That
IRS 2018 Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2018 optional standard mileage rates. This year, the mileage reimbursement rates will slightly increase.  Use of this rate is optional, though it is widely seen by churches as a simple way to determine a standard rate for calculating mileage reimbursement for employees who use their personal vehicle for ministry or business purposes.

If your organization uses the IRS rate to calculate mileage reimbursement, be sure to update your systems to account for this change.

 
Looking for Summer Camp Counselors


We are looking for summer counselors and need your help!

If you know of anyone interested in having the best summer of their life, impacting the lives of youth, growing in faith and self - look no more! Invite them to join our awesome staff for the Summer of 2018.

They will make friendships that last a lifetime and be a role model for the kids in our community.

Applications are available for Summer Staff and Staff In Training (SIT).
Please visit www.LRCChome.com/employment/summer_staff.php for more information.
Events & Opportunities
WomenDiscover inFaith Workshop - La Jolla - February 10
Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 9am-12pm
Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church
6551 Soledad Mountain Road
La Jolla, California
Breakfast and check-in begin at 8:30

Educate. Advocate. Activate your faith and passion. Bring a friend or two and join other women of faith in a shared experience that transforms our approach to making a difference, inspires generosity and empowers us to enact bold change in our lives, our families, and our communities. Are you looking for ways to be more strategic in your giving, especially with all that is happening? At the workshop engage in conversation about ways to make a difference, take a quiz to identify your "giving style", learn about financial and charitable giving tools, and give away $1000+ through a giving circle! Hosted by InFaith Community Foundation and Clare Truong of Thrivent Financial. 

Register at infaithfound.org/womengive/retreats or call Clare at 619.987.6221 with questions. For a flyer to share, click here.

California Lutheran University Lecture - February 20

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.
"Religions of the World" Community Class - Fullerton

Small Group Workshop - Walnut Creek, CA

The Sierra Pacific Synod has scheduled a workshop on holistic small group ministry for Saturday, March 17 from 9 am to 3 pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Walnut Creek, California in the San Francisco Bay area. 

Many Christian leaders believe that these small group communities, properly structured and connected to the congregation, are powerful engines for the renewal of the Church. Holistic small groups nourish the spiritual practices of prayer, witness, service, learning, stewardship, and interpersonal care. 

  For a flyer with more information, click here. Follow this link to register.

Questions? Contact Pastor Paul Theiss, Workshop Coordinator at 510.909.5754 or by email at theiss.paul@gmail.com
LRCC 2018 Winter Retreats - January to March 2018


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.

"Is This a Bonhoeffer Moment?" - April 9
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

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

Please RSVP to office@lrcchome.comIf you have any questions, please email Lauri Egertson at  lauri@lrcchome.com.