Now available in the Reopening Churches section of the Reopening Resources page of our website, this PDF document includes a compilation of many of the resources provided below, and additional information. Includes AZ, NV and CA guidance for reopening, checklists, sample congregational surveys, sample plans and communications, and more. Navigate to the various resources using the clickable table of content links in the left portion of the document.

 

NEW: Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act passed,

makes forgiveness qualification easier, provides more time to

spend PPP proceeds

The Senate passed HR 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, on June 4, 2020, and was signed into law by the President on June 5, 2020. This bill makes a number of changes that could impact when and how organizations spend PPP loan funds. See information from Concordia Plans on this important update, and additional information from National Law Review. These links and more are also available on the Financial/HR Resources page on the PSD Coronavirus area of our website.

The Pacific Southwest District is partnering with LCMS Office of National Mission, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and a multitude of generous donors to support our church workers by providing Soldiers of the Cross (SOC)-Amplified grants to individuals who are experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this "amplified" version of the longstanding SOC program, the definition of "church workers" has been expanded to include not only rostered church workers (DCEs, DCOs, educators, pastors, deaconesses, etc.), but also lay workers (teacher assistants, secretaries, maintenance, etc.) who are currently working for an LCMS entity or who recently worked for an LCMS entity and were furloughed due to the pandemic. Read Full Article

President Mike Gibson has written a message to the Church regarding racism and the current crisis in our Nation.

Read Message

Our PSD Lutheran Schools have done a phenomenal job of continuous student learning during this time of pandemic. Our principals, directors and teachers have pivoted with agility to remote learning at home, while keeping the relationships strong with the students and their families. Here is a video I am PROUD to share with you, showing the excellence with which our schools deliver their education, even in times of crisis! #EducationalExcellenceInAction  #ConnectedInChrist  

~Rachel Klitzing, Executive Director of School Ministries

Watch Video

With more than 104,000 persons dead from the Covid virus, a call for a national day of mourning was held on Monday, June 1, 2020. Pastors from many denominations and non-denominational churches- joined with rabbis, imams, mayors from small towns and big cities across the country in an online national day of mourning for those who have died in this pandemic. There is so much pain and hurt throughout America as families could not be with their loved ones who died alone in hospitals and nursing homes. This day of national mourning is an attempt to heal the pain and grief as Americans honor all of those who have died from this virus. Rev. Jim Wallis, executive director of Sojourners magazine and website, said on NPR news that this is a collective event of religious leaders across America joining in a national mourning experience to try to heal the nation.  In the meantime Americans have been dealing with the outcry at the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer while three other police officers looked on. Read Full Article

In his introduction to the powerful book Cultural  Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage our Multi-Cultural World, author David Livermore writes that "cultural intelligence is the pathway for moving us along the journey from the desire to love the Other to the ability to express that love in ways that are meaningful and respectful." In these anxious days, many are asking what to say or not say, to do or not do in the face of the challenging issues facing our communities. In John's Gospel, Jesus gives the answer...love everyone, no matter who they are.  "By this all people will know you are my disciples" He says,"if you have love for one another." John 13:35. The same Apostle emphasizes Jesus' command writing, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but deed and truth." 1 John 3:18. Put simply, Cultural Intelligence is a tool that helps put the word of love into action. We believe that growing in our CQ is a MISSION ESSENTIAL, and as such we commend the book cited above as well as direct you to some amazing resources offered by our friend Yethus Johnson of 3rd Culture People. 

Please join us for a Community Bible Study at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach on Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 am.  In keeping with state guidelines, breakfast will not be served.  Pastor Mark Jasa will be presenting "The Full Humanity of the Unborn in the Old Testament" in the Sanctuary.  For those who cannot attend in person, the study will also be live on Zoom video and audio.  Please visit our website and look under Events, Upcoming Events for information on how to participate.  If you have further questions, please contact the Church office at 714-846-6330 or [email protected] prior to June 13th.

As society begins to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and its lockdowns, people need the church - in-person Word and Sacrament ministry - as much as ever.

Just as you have adjusted to the challenges of livestreaming services, you now face the challenges and the opportunities of reopening: gathering your flock back together and reaching out to your community with the message of Christ's hope and life. W e encourage you to take advantage of the free Welcome Back media kit . This kit's resources were designed to help you welcome people to in-person services once they resume. These resources are for welcoming your members back, as well as for reaching out to your community and those who may have tuned into your livestreams.   Designed by LCMS Communications in collaboration with the Office of National Mission, and approved by pastors, this kit includes banners, postcards, social media shareables, yard signs and a newspaper ad. Download Kit

Registration is now open for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis ' annual Faith and Writing Workshop July 21-23, now being offered as an online event because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Participants will explore the various forms of creative writing including starting a blog, creating a sermon or devotion, story, nonfiction, drama and poetry. The workshop will emphasize social media and new forms of expression. There will be ample time for creative exercises. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to share their own work, as well as favorite works by others.  The workshop will be led by Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of the Concordia Journal , and Peter Mead, a Christian editor, publisher and writer.  The workshop fee is $150 per person ($50 for Seminary students). The registration deadline is June 30, and the number of spaces are limited to 25. Interested participants can sign up here.  For more information about the Faith and Writing Workshop, contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or [email protected] .

Registration is now open for Online Greek: Part I, which will be taught during the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Registration for Part I of the course is available through August 7.   Registration for Part II, which will be taught during the spring semester, will be available in October. The course fee is $1,200 per semester and the class size is limited to 15 students.

Register Here