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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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Hurricane Harvey Disaster Response
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Late Saturday night, Lutheran Disaster Response's Coordinator for Texas/Louisiana reported that immediate threats and search and rescue are starting to slow. "Praise God," she said in her report. She also let us know that the donation centers are being overrun with "stuff." Things that are not necessarily needed, wanted or can be stored. Lutheran Disaster Response asks that you give responsibly. Unless a need has been verified and logistics confirmed ahead of time, please do not send material items.
Your gifts are needed now to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Your support through Lutheran Disaster Response will bring hope and healing to those who have been or will be affected by this hurricane. Gifts designated for "Hurricane Response - United States" will be used in full until the response is complete to help disaster survivors recover and rebuild.
Click here to be taken directly to their donation page.
The need is great and recovery efforts will continue for years to come.
Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters through LDR's
Facebook page. Join in prayer and partnership, and use this
bulletin insert in your congregation to help spread the word. You can find additional resources for worship
here.
Also, see news from the
Texas-Gulf Coast Synod, and connect with their
Bishop Rinehart for updates and information.
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TheOasis & Safe Boundaries Workshop Registration Now Open
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Following Christ into the Future:
The Lutheran Movement as Discipleship
October 23-26, 2017
Embassy Suites, La Quinta
A joint church leaders' event (a theological oasis): Rostered leaders, professional lay church staff, youth leaders, church administrators, office managers, outdoor ministry leaders, worship leaders... all are welcome!
Online registration is NOW open. Receive a $25 discount when you register by September 20. Follow this link to register online.
Visit the TheOasis webpage for more information about the event including speakers, costs, hotel info, schedule, recreation opportunities and more.
Safe Boundaries Workshop
At the 2017 Pacifica Synod Assembly, a resolution was passed strongly encouraging every rostered minister of this synod to have completed a Professional Ethics and Boundaries training sometime between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. This resolution also asked each rostered minister to renew this training every three years.
On Monday, October 23, a Safe Boundaries Workshop, led by Ms. Barbara Keller from the ELCA Churchwide Offices in Chicago, will be held from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Palm Desert (42695 Washington Street). The cost is $25 and includes lunch. To attend this workshop, please register in advance by selecting the Safe Boundaries option found on the TheOasis registration page. If you are NOT planning on attending TheOasis, but would like to attend the Safe Boundaries Workshop, please contact Terri Robertson at 714.692.2791, ext. 732 or by email at [email protected] to register for the workshop alone.
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"Congregational Leadership in Changing Times"
Bishop's Gatherings 2017
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Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9b)
Plans are being made for this fall's 2017 Bishop's Gatherings. All mainland locations and times now have been confirmed. You are welcome to attend the gathering on the date that works best for your schedule and location.*
To assist our host congregations in planning, we strongly encourage congregations or individuals to register using this link for the gathering they plan to attend. Congregations are encouraged to collect names from their members and register the entire group at one time. Individuals may also register on their own. There is NO cost to attend.
All gatherings will begin with the first 45 minutes for Rostered Ministers, followed by a 15 minute break. Lay leaders will then join the group at the second time listed.
Saturday, September 23 - 9:30 Rostered/10:30 Lay Leaders - until noon
St. Paul Lutheran, Fullerton
Sunday, September 24 - 1:30 Rostered/2:30 Lay Leaders - until 4:00 p.m.
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Dana Point
Saturday, October 7 - 10:00 Rostered/11:00 Lay Leaders - until 12:30 p.m.
Lutheran Church of Our Savior, San Bernardino
Sunday, October 8 - 2:00 Rostered/3:00 Lay Leaders - until 4:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran, Norco
Saturday, October 21 - 9:30 Rostered/10:30 Lay Leaders - until noon
San Marcos LC, San Marcos
Sunday, October 22 - 2:00 Rostered/3:00 Lay Leaders - until 4:30 p.m.
Clairemont Lutheran, San Diego
*A date for Hawaii's Gathering in January 2018 will be shared once it is available.
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Workshop for Congregational Treasurers & Administrators
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Saturday, September 30, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801-C Parkcourt Place, Santa Ana
$10 per person, includes lunch
PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE BY SEPTEMBER 25
Topics will include:
Financial Oversight & Internal Controls
Accounting Policies & Procedures
Insurance for Congregations
Records Retention
Federal & State Reporting Requirements
Salary & Benefits for Church Leaders
Portico Benefits Services Updates
Budgets, Financial Statements & Audits
Synod & ELCA Mission Support
Designated Gifts
ELCA Online Resources
Social Media Guidelines
*We are working to live-stream and/or record this event.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Questions? Please contact Pastor Hitoshi Adachi (714.692.2791) or Terri Robertson ([email protected])
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Matthew 25 Fund - Apply Now!
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The purpose of The Matthew 25 Fund is to honor Christ as he spoke in Matthew
 25:35-40. Jerry and Lynda Engelhardt established the fund through a strong desire to help people as in the verse. The primary criteria for making awards shall be Matthew 25:35-40. A secondary criterion shall be to evaluate if the proposed project will help establish or maintain congregational outreach and unity as in the spirit of the verse.
The fund is intended for ELCA Pacifica Synod congregations. However, awards may be given to other well-managed organizations not in the Pacifica Synod that meet the spirit of the verse. Grant applications may be downloaded here or obtained by contacting the Synod office at 714.692.2791. Questions about this fund may be directed to The Rev. Hitoshi Adachi (Ext. 734) or Terri Robertson (Ext. 732). The deadline for applications is October 15, 2017 and grants will be awarded by January 15, 2018.
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Apply Now for Stephen Ministry Training Scholarships!
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Pacifica Synod is pleased to announce available scholarships for the Stephen Ministry Leader's Training Course to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, February 4-10, 2018.
This scholarship is made possible by the Cathryn W. Wright Bequest specifically designated for Stephen Ministry lay leaders.
It is expected that congregations send a pastor and two to four lay leaders for the training.
For more information about Stephen Ministries, please go to their website at www.stephenministries.org. For training course information and to receive a registration packet, call Stephen Ministries at 314.428.2600.
The synod scholarship program will provide the following:
1. $800 scholarship per lay leader, available for up to two lay leaders per congregation. Additional $285 scholarship per lay leader for non-commuters will be added.
2. $1,000 per congregation toward your congregation's enrollment in the Stephen Series, if not currently enrolled. The Leader's Training Course is designed for congregations enrolled in the Stephen Series.
3. $400 travel assistance per lay person for up to two people for Hawaii congregations.
To apply for this synod scholarship, please use the attached application form. All applications must be received by close of business on December 15, 2017. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are exhausted.
If you have any questions, please contact the Rev. Hitoshi Adachi at 714.352.8734 or by email at [email protected].
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Murray and Rhoda Finck
Global Engagement Mission Fund
Applications Now Being Accepted!
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 In 2016, "The Murray and Rhoda Finck Global Engagement Mission Fund" (GEM Fund) was established. It is named in honor of Bishop Emeritus Murray Finck and his wife Rhoda, in recognition and appreciation of their service and accomplishments during the 18 years that Bishop Murray served as Bishop of the Pacifica Synod from 1998 through 2016.
The goals of the fund are:
- To assist congregations of the Pacifica Synod in their Global Mission efforts.
- To initiate and/or continue direct support of present and future Companion Synods of the Pacifica Synod.
- To share in ministry with God's people as we together strive for a lasting world peace.
Distribution of funds may be given to increase awareness of global mission work, to fund domestic and/or foreign projects related to Pacifica Companion Synods and Lutheran partners and provide assistance in travel expenses related to the fund's stated goals.
Attached please find the grant application, which must be completed and submitted along with a one-page description of the project/program and how the money will be spent. The maximum amount that can be requested is $3,000. The application deadline is October 15, 2017.
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Pacifca Synod Women of the ELCA Convention
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"LOVE FULLY - LIVE FULLY"
30th Annual Pacifica Synod Women of the ELCA Convention
November 3 - 4, 2017
Calvary Lutheran Church
Solana Beach
 Check the WELCA website for more details at
www.pacificawomen.org. (
Click on News and Events; Pacifica Partners)
Artists - Crafters - Small Business Retailers... Looking for a place to market your creations and products? Why not consider being a VENDOR at the Pacifica Women of the ELCA Convention, November 3-4, 2017, at Calvary Lutheran Church, Solana Beach.
To qualify for a space you must be a member of an ELCA congregation. There is no fee for use of the space; however a donation will be much appreciated. Contact Jackie Severa at [email protected] or 760.464.2309 for an application form. (Space is limited.)
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Save the Dates - Synod Assembly 2018!
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2018 Synod Assembly 
May 18-19, 2018
The 2018 Pacifica Synod Assembly will meet at Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert for a two-day assembly in an effort to make the assembly more affordable and more efficient. Look for more details of agenda and speakers as we get closer.
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Bishop Andy Taylor's BAT Blog - NEW LINK!
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Bishop Andy has started a blog to share his thoughts and ideas with members of the Pacifica Synod. We invite you to read it and share your comments.
We have affectionately titled it "The BAT Blog" (BAT=Bishop Andy Taylor). #BATBlog
We've moved the BATBlog from it's original location to be a part of our website. You can now find it located here. Be sure to update this link if you've bookmarked the original location.
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Share Your Stories - "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.
"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.
Share your stories and your photos in a variety of ways. With the ELCA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #GWOH. Send stories to the ELCA via [email protected]. In addition, we'll be creating a summary of Pacifica Synod GWOH photos later this month. To have your congregation's work included, please send 5-6 photos and a brief description by September 22 to [email protected].
Still looking for a way to serve?
In honor of the 500th Reformation of Lutheranism,  Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences will be planting five-hundred trees, plants and much more between Luther Glen and El Camino Pines. To do that, they need your help!
Come up to either site on September 9th & 10th and make a permanent mark on your favorite Lutheran Bible Camp. For more information, contact Glen Egertson at [email protected].
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Mission Investment Fund Update
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Is your congregation considering a building project? Consider working with the Mission Investment Fund (MIF), the ELCA's lending ministry.
MIF loans finance a variety of capital projects-from new construction to additions and renovations, as well as land and building purchases and refinancing existing debt. And the Mission Investment Fund offers expertise in church building and capital campaign consulting.
For information on MIF ministry loans and investment opportunities:
Contact Joel Wudel, your MIF Regional Manager, at 773.682.1765 or email him at
[email protected]
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Celebrating Ministry Together!
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Installation of Dianne Finnecy - Spirit of Peace, Big Bear City
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On Sunday, August 13, the Rev. Dianne Finnecy was installed as pastor of Spirit of Peace Lutheran in Big Bear City. Congratulations to both Pastor Dianne and the congregation!
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Pacifica Synod Council Retreat 2017
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On August 25 and 26, our Pacifica Synod Council met for their annual retreat. In addition to meeting to discuss the vision and business of our synod, they also had the chance to spend time with the residents of The Farm at Luther Glen. Our thanks to First Lutheran in Redlands and to Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences for their hospitality and to our Pacifica Synod Council members and staff for their dedication.
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Synod Archiving Event - September 9
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On Saturday, September 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the synod will be
 hosting our first Archiving Event at the Lutheran Center for Mission and Learning in Santa Ana. On that day, Gabriele Carey, a member of Emanuel Lutheran in La Habra and a professional archivist, will be with us to examine congregational records in the synod's possession to determine what needs to be archived according to ELCA guidelines and what can be securely disposed of.
We are looking for a small (5 or less) group of volunteers to assist Ms. Carey on September 9. In exchange for their time, the volunteers will receive valuable, hands-on experience in organizing and archiving congregational records as well as breakfast snacks and a delicious lunch! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Rachel Line at 714.692.2791, ext. 733 or by email at
[email protected] by September 8.
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Lutheran Church of Our Savior, San Bernardino - Military Dinner
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LRCC Night at Petco Park - September 20
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Join Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences on Wednesday, September 20th at Petco Park as the San Diego Padres take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. This evening is a fundraiser to support Lutheran Outdoor Ministry in Southern California. $5.00 of your ticket price goes to support LRCC.
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TACO Annual FUNdraiser - September 23
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You are invited to Join Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) for an evening of Beer, Boots & BBQ on
Saturday, September 23 from 4-7 pm Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach. T
ickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door and can be purchased online at tacosd.org.
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3rd Annual Brew Boldly at Luther Glen - September 22-24
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Fascinated with the unique craft of brewing beer? Interested in the deep connection between Martin Luther and ale? Join Luther Glen for a weekend to Brew Boldly.
This will be a fantastic opportunity to gather and brew together, learn
and taste, study and explore, worship, wonder and relax! The event begins
on Friday night, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. and will end on Sunday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. The cost is $189 - 21 and over only, please. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday will be provided.
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Centering Prayer Workshop, La Mesa - October 14
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DO YOU HUNGER FOR A DEEPER PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
CENTERING PRAYER may be for you. Centering Prayer is a renewal of the rich tradition of contemplative prayer in the Christian Church. It is designed to reduce the obstacles to an intimate personal relationship with God, and to provide personal healing and transformation in your life. Our Centering Prayer Program, which includes a four-hour introductory workshop along with six one-hour-and-a-half continuing sessions, is an excellent way to enhance your spiritual growth.
* WHO: Presented by CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH OF SAN DIEGO
* WHAT: An Introductory Program on Centering Prayer
* WHERE: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church,
10842 Fury Lane, La Mesa
* WHEN: October 14, 2017, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
* REGISTRATION: 8:30 am -
Six Continuing Sessions day and time TBD
* INFORMATION & PRE-REGISTRATION - Karen Downs (858) 922-9103 OR
Jennifer Fenner (619) 670-7656 / [email protected]
This is a free program, but pre-registration is requested and appreciated.
Please come join us!
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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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