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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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Remembering the Past-Anticipating the Future-
Reforming the Present
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Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM) is a unique faith-based program located in San Bernardino, dedicated to serving people living in poverty. CCLM was established as a grass roots ministry in 1994 by five local Lutheran churches, and it continues to be supported by those original congregations, as well as many more parishes throughout the SO CA Synod. In July 2015, Central City Lutheran Mission and Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSS) merged to increase the Lutheran footprint of compassion in that city.
San Bernardino is the poorest city in California, and provides shelter, food and clothing for those in greatest need. Every night 70 homeless men are given a place to sleep where they are safe.
CCLM has been an oasis of grace for over 20 years, but the mission itself has an immediate need. The building does not meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and it must be brought up to code in order to serve all in the homeless community.
LSS plans to construct a brand-new shelter on the open lot next to the mission. There will still be 70 beds, along with new shower and bathroom facilities. This is the first phase of a long-range plan to provide supportive housing for many more individuals and families.
We will continue to provide community services like the tutorial classes we offer, our thrift store, and our after-school homework assistance program for children, in support of the worshiping community.
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Carlee Wood: Southern California's
Young Adult in Global Mission
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 Along with the other 96 young adult volunteers who have accepted the call to serve with the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission during the 2017 - 2018 program year, Cal Lutheran graduate Carlee Wood will be departing for her year of service on August 23, 2017. Members of this year's Synod Assembly met Carlee when she appeared by video to share about her mission.
Young Adults in Global Mission is an opportunity for young people from the ages of 21 to 29 in which volunteers live and serve with ELCA companion churches and partner organizations around the world. Country programs are in Argentina/Uruguay, Australia, Cambodia, Central Europe, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal, Southern Africa, and the United Kingdom. In addition to Hungary, the Central Europe program will add a site in Serbia. At 96, this year's group is a record number of volunteers for the year-long program that started in 1999 with eight young adults.
As part of accepting the call, ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission are asked to raise at least $5,000 to help the program thrive and grow. Please consider helping Carlee reach her goal by supporting her with a a donation - from your congregation or as an individual - today. Join her on her journey as she grows in her faith and walks in partnership with our global companions, and receive updates throughout her year of service. Every gift, no matter the size, matters.
For more information about Carlee and to donate,
click here
to go to her YAGM page.
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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
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Region 2 Deacon Epiphany Gathering
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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
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"Loosening Lutheran Lips" - Sharing Our Stories
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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.
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!
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From Our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton
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Live in the Freedom of Christ.
When Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton attended the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in May, she was reminded that the ELCA is not alone in the world. In her July column for Living Lutheran, she notes that while our contexts are very different, all Lutherans have something in common-our life in Christ.
Read her column in English at
or in Spanish at
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Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network
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LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2017 to the end of July 2018, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.
The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These placements address issues of homelessness, unemployment, children and youth ministries, computer literacy, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.
We gather each week for worship, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in a 4-bedroom apartment in Davis, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation.
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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday 2017
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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.
Watch how some members shared God's love with their neighbors during the 2016 day of service.
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday celebrates who we are as the ELCA - one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. This is work you do in your communities every day, and we look forward to doing this work together again this year.
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500th Anniversary of the Reformation
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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.
Augsburg Fortress is sponsoring a unique opportunity. Get 20 free books on the Reformation for your church! Host a Reformation 500 Bookstore at your church this fall and introduce your congregation to engaging and affordable resources on the Reformation while growing your church library! Don't miss this incredible opportunity! Sign up here by August 15!
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| ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Opportunities |
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Would you like to volunteer at the Gathering and help our young people grow in faith and encounter Christ? Serving the youth of this church is a vocational calling that requires careful discernment.
Every volunteer must agree to follow the terms of a volunteer code of conduct and submit to a background check by the ELCA. There are four volunteer categories: Local Volunteers, Community Life, Gathering Volunteer Corps, and Servant Companions. The responsibilities vary, and all volunteers (except Local Volunteers) must commit to being in Houston for one week. Volunteers arrive on Monday, June 25, and depart Sunday, July 1, 2018.
Volunteer applications are being accepted until July 15, 2017. To find out more about each role and to apply,
follow this link.
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Celebrating Ministry Together!
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You're Invited as We Celebrate Together!
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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!
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Share Your VBS Experience!
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 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.
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Members of St. Paul, Fullerton gathered around their tree in Wittenberg in June, planted in October 2015, as one of the 500 trees planted around the town in observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.
Synod Council members, Jan Neuhaus and Jeff Cours, are pictured next to the Pacifica Synod tree, planted in June 2015, near the Luthergarten in Wittenberg.
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The Rev. Dr. Timothy Eichler, newly installed pastor of King of Kings, Oceanside and also a Navy Captain, retired on June 30, 2017 on the USA Midway after 30 years of distinguished service as military Chaplain and Naval officer. He served in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Congratulations, Pastor Eichler!
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Martin Luther Movie Event
Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World
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:
If you would rather not purchase tickets online, you can purchase tickets by contacting: Pr. Ashley Nicolls, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Whittier at
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Lutheran Night - Dodgers vs. Padres - August 12
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Join family and friends for a fundraising event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, August 12 for a 6:10 p.m. game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres to benefit Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Southern California! A donation to LSS is included in the price of each ticket.
Our seats for Lutheran Night are in the Preferred Reserve section at $28.00 per ticket and in the Infield Reserve section at $32.00 per ticket (both on the third base line).
Organize a group from your congregation or conference! When you order 20 or more tickets at the same time, you will receive a significant discount in fees.**
Groups of 20 or more also enjoy additional special benefits, including a welcome greeting on the message board and preferred seating options. Purchases of 40, 60 or 80 tickets receive additional incentives that may include a free bus parking pass or free tickets. To purchase group tickets, please contact Britni Howze at (323) 224-1304 or
[email protected].
The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Great Dodger Moments Coin #6 - Sandy Koufax Perfect Game.
** Individual tickets for Lutheran Night can be purchased at www.dodgers.com/lutheran. Fees for tickets purchased on the website are $6.50 per ticket plus $5.10 per transaction. Purchase 20 or more tickets from the group sales office (Britni Howze at (323) 224-1304), and there is NO fee per ticket, and the total fee for the transaction is $10.00.
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View the Solar Eclipse in Oregon!
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Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Lebanon, Oregon, will be in total darkness for
 the rare "complete umbra phase" of the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21 at exactly 10:17 a.m. The total phase will last just short of 100 seconds. The church parking lot has 19 spaces available for RV "dry camping". Make reservations early! Space is precious for this event. Sites will be marked and numbered - first come first served.
The parking lot is paved, illuminated at night, and secure. A water spigot is available but not for hook-ups. Dump sites are nearby. 30' and larger RV's are $200 per night. Under 30' RVs are $175 per night. We are providing RV spaces - bring your own RV. ISO certified eclipse shades, made in the USA, are provided.
Some persons may choose to come early on Saturday night and worship with Our Saviour's congregation on the patio Sunday morning followed by a picnic. Others may arrive on Sunday afternoon, and some may extend their visit through Monday night. Individuals and families with children are welcome.
Reservations: Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 3111 S. Main Road, Lebanon, OR, 97355. Phone 541.451.1065. Email: [email protected]. Contacts: Secretary Denise Derby or Pastor Joel Schmitz.
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Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic Prayer Service Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
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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.
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"Catechism Revisited: Reformation"
Rejoice Conference Day of Theological Education
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Saturday, October 14
9:00 am-1:00 pm
Danish Lutheran Church,
16881 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
The Rejoice Conference of the Pacifica Synod invites you to attend our 4th
 "Catechism Revisited" and in the year of Reformation 500 we will be focusing on important aspects of The Reformation in historical, present and musical perspectives. Rev. Jarmo Tarkki and Singer/Conductor James Koenig will be our speakers with a chance for questions and discussion after each speaker.
Cost $15 - Includes coffee and pastry in the morning and lunch at 12:00.
SCHEDULE:
9:00 am Check in, coffee and Danish pastry, Invocation and Opening Remarks
9:30 am Rev. Jarmo Tarkki - "Ecclesia Semper Reformanda Est?"
What did it mean in the 16th century and what does it mean for us today? How far can we "reform" the church before it becomes unrecognizable?
10:45 am James Koenig, conductor/singer - "Chorale-ing the Reformation:
Catechism in the Key of C." Much of the theology, heart, and soul of the Reformation made its way to Scandinavia on wings of song. We shall explore "sound" theology and the spirit of Luther's lyric influence via music from or inspired by the Reformation.
12:00 pm Lunch provided by Danish Lutheran Church (included in cost)
12:30 pm Short Closing Worship
Please RSVP by October 4, 2017 to Pastor Anne-Grethe Nielsen
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