Workshop for Congregational Treasurers &  Administrators

Mark your calendars now for our next Workshop for Congregational Treasurers & Administrators to be held on Saturday, September 30 at the Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning in Santa Ana. Our time together will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. Watch for more information to come!

Theoasis Leader's Event

October 23 - 26, 2017

Embassy Suites, La Quinta

2018 Synod Assembly

May 18-19, 2018

Hope Lutheran Church, Palm Desert

Save the date for the Region 2 Deacon Epiphany Gathering

January 9 - 11, 2018

Download an event flyer here.

For more information, please contact your synod representative

Barbara Martyn at [email protected].

During Bishop Taylor's Synod Assembly report, he shared about a project led by Ellen Ray, a member of Spirit of Joy Lutheran in Ramona, who will be compiling tithing stories from those within our synod. Please see below for more information about how you can share your story.

Do you have stories about God's work in your life, specifically related to tithing and finances? Would you be willing to participate in a synod-wide project of sharing tithing testimonies?

The goal is to create a collection of stories of people's positive experiences of tithing and publish them as a devotional/inspirational book. A story of inspiration from you may encourage others to seek God's principles with their finances and resources, too.

An example: You tithe regularly, as part of your response to God's love in your life and your commitment to Him. You're out of work and out of disposable cash. A major appliance breaks down and you don't know how you're going to deal with it. Two days later, you receive the money in some unexpected form that enables you to replace/repair the appliance. God is good!

If you have a story you'd be willing to share, please let us know. Contact Ellen Ray (Spirit of Joy, Ramona) at 858.525.2334 or by email ( [email protected]). Thank you!

Charged times.

In her June column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on serving the neighbor in politically charged times. She reminds us that "active participation in public life and the duty of government to care for its people, especially the most vulnerable, have been part of the Lutheran movement since its beginning."

Read her column in English at livinglutheran.org/2017/06/serving-neighbor-charged-times/ or in Spanish at livinglutheran.org/2017/06/sirviendo-al-projimo-en-tiempos-de-tension/.

On Sunday, September 10, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will again join together for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are reminded of the gospel's promise that we are freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbors.

Once you begin making plans for the day of service, we ask that you register your congregation so we can share and tell stories about the good work that we do together.

Please visit ELCA.org/dayofservice for helpful resources for your planning.

Old Lutheran will once again have T-shirts available for purchase. The bright-yellow shirts provide a wonderful visual impact across the ELCA. The deadline for ordering your congregation's personalized T-shirts with Old Lutheran is August. 15.

Please plan to join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on Tuesday, October 31, as she co-hosts a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

The event, which will include speakers and a service, will be at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Bishop Eaton will be joined by co-hosts Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen, ELCA Vice President Bill Horne and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod Bishop Dick Graham.

The event is open to the public and will be available online via livestream. All are invited to participate and honor the Reformation anniversary as we bear public witness to Christ, who frees us to love and serve our neighbor, and as we look to the future to which God is calling us.

Please note this date on your calendar. More details will be available in the near future. Follow this link to stay up to date on event changes at the event calendar posts.  For other 500th anniversary events, click here .

Blessings to you as we commemorate this historic occasion in our church.

"For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:14-19) 

In God's eternal plan and wisdom there is a way to remove these barriers. This new humanity would no longer be many, but ONE believer in Christ. In other words, this was God's plan for the unity of many into ONE new people in Christ. 

As each individual, congregation, ethnic community and language gathers at MYLE, we will celebrate our uniqueness, dive into Scripture, serve in the Houston community, learn from teachers and elders, spread joy in fellowship and, most importantly, worship the Lord who makes us ONE! 

To learn more about previous MYLEs, follow the event on Facebook and check out pictures from past events.

We are pleased to share the following invitations to share with our synod congregations and rostered ministers as they celebrate  in the weeks ahead. 

Mindy Bugaj will be consecrated as Minister of Word and Service at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Poway on Sunday, July 9 at 2:30 p.m. A light reception will follow. Incarnation is located at 16889 Espola Road, Poway. 

Dianne Finnecy will be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament on Friday, July 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran in Solana Beach. Clergy are invited to vest. All are invited to wear red. Calvary is located at 424 Via de La Valle, Solana Beach.

Congratulations to both of you!

Throughout the summer, many congregations host Vacation Bible School for the children in their community. We would love to share your congregation's VBS experience with others so that we can all see God at work in your midst.

If you would like to participate, please send 4-6 photos by August 31, to Terri Robertson at [email protected]. Please include your congregation name, city and the theme of your VBS ministry.

Pastor Stephanie Lape shares that Shepherd of the Hills, Whittier will be hosting VBS from 9 am to 12 pm on July 10-14.  St. Paul, Fullerton will host their VBS from 10 am to 1 pm on July 17-21.  They both will have the theme Hero Central. The kids will wear capes, the firefighters will show up, we will have a water slide/bounce house. Fun will be had by all.  

On Sunday, April 23, the Rev. Keith Miller was installed as pastor of Christ Lutheran in Orange. We celebrate with both the congregation and Pastor Keith!

Martin Luther Movie Event

Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World

Tuesday, July 11 at 1:30 p.m. AND  Thursday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Edwards Brea Stadium East 12  (Reclining Seats)

155 West Birch Street, Brea

IMPORTANT: All tickets ($12) must be purchased in advance. 

Tickets can be purchased at a special website set up for the screening:

JULY 11, 1:30 p.m.     http://luthermovie.link/brea1

JULY 13, 6:30 p.m.     http://luthermovie.link/brea

If you would rather not purchase tickets online, you can purchase tickets by contacting: Pr. Ashley Nicolls, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Whittier at

714-681-2924 or by email at  [email protected]

Get your tickets online at www.tugg.com

Download the order form here

You are invited to a joint-sponsored Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic Service of Common Prayer on Sunday, October 29, 2017, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It will take place in the beautiful church of The Immaculata on the campus of the University of San Diego at 3:00 p.m. There is designated parking and a light reception will follow. 

The event is sponsored by the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Bishops from all three traditions will be participating. The service both commemorates an historic movement as well as celebrates the gift of strong ecumenical relationships that shape Christianity today, and in particular, the San Diego area. People from all denominations and faiths are welcome.