Pacifica Synod News & Notes
June 16, 2020
We share with you the following news, resources, information and event updates taking place within our synod and throughout the ELCA. If you have items or information to share, 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 contact us using the above email or sign up here .
Current News & Resources
ELCA Prayer Service for
Commemoration of the Emanuel 9
Wednesday, June 17
As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members  adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9 —the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015 during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

Our relationship to the shooter as well as two of the slain reminds us of both our complicity and our calling. Together we confess that we are in bondage to the sins of racism and white supremacy and, at the same time, we rejoice in the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus who “has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2:14). May God continue to guide us as we seek repentance and renewal, and racial justice and reconciliation among God’s precious children.

The ELCA Prayer Service for Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine will be available live  online  at 9:00 a.m. PDT/6:00 a.m. HST on Wednesday, June 17. A recording of the service will be available on the ELCA's YouTube channel . Participants include ELCA leaders representing various leadership groups and ethnic-specific associations, and those who authored and organized the “Emanuel 9 Day of Repentance” resolution. Additionally, several ecumenical partners will participate, including the Rt. Rev. Adam J. Richardson Jr., senior bishop of the AME Church; Mr. Jim Winkler, general secretary and president of the National Council of Churches; and the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the Conference of National Black Churches. The Rev. Herman Yoos, bishop of the South Carolina Synod, and the Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green Sr., presiding bishop of the 7th Episcopal District of the AME Church, will co-host the service. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, will deliver the sermon.

The service will conclude with a call to action from three ELCA leaders, including the presiding bishop, Vice President William Horne and the Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, chair of the Conference of Bishops.

Congregations, ministries and leaders are encouraged to include this commemoration in your worship and conversations. A number of resources are available on the  ELCA Website .  
Coaching for All Seasons
Monthly Online Gathering for
Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders
Here to Serve: Coaching for All Seasons
Monthly Online Gathering for Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders
1 st  Tuesday at 11:00-noon Pacific Time via Zoom
Starting July 7, 2020 
 
The Pacifica Synod invites you to join a new monthly gathering. Our Pacifica Synod Coaching Team has designed a forum to provide encouragement and support to Synod leaders as we navigate the unknown. Each month, participants will hear a short presentation related to how we currently are called to be Church. Then they will have an opportunity to be in a small group discussion facilitated by an ELCA coach. We are creating a safe space for processing our responses to uncertain times and for discerning steps forward in our unique contexts.
 
Pacifica Synod has invested in training coaches to work with rostered and lay leaders one-on-one or in groups. Coaching provides an opportunity for rostered and lay leaders to experience a partnership focused on the unique objectives they want to achieve. A coach’s role is to support a leader in naming challenging issues and identifying constructive responses to them. Pacifica Synod coaches are volunteering their time to create presentations and coaching opportunities that provide a hands-on resource for addressing your challenges.
 
Our first meeting will be via Zoom on Tuesday, July 7, 11:00-noon Pacific Time. 
 
Together we will watch a presentation based on William Bridges’ groundbreaking work on navigating external changes and the often-unsettling, internal transitions they cause. Following the presentation, we will break into small groups for a coach-led conversation based on how you see this information relating to your unique circumstances. We will conclude with a debriefing to share the small groups’ experiences.  

If you are interested in participating in this gathering or would like more information, Deenna Eley, Pacifica Synod Coaching Coordinator at  mikedeenna@gmail.com .
From the Bishop
An Invitation to Work Together
for Racial Justice
On June 15, Bishop Andy shared a letter with our synod, inviting us to work together for racial justice. If you missed this, you may read the Bishop Andy's full letter here .

In his letter, he shared the following:

"We in the Pacifica Synod are committed to providing resources to guide this work. Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group is currently curating resources and they will be added to the Pacifica Synod website. If you would like to share a resource that has been helpful for your congregation or recommend an organization doing racial justice work in your local community that your congregation is partnering with, please send an email to Pastor Lara Martin at   pastorlaramartin@gmail.com. We seek resources for children, Confirmation, youth groups, young adults, inter=generational Bible studies, women’s groups, men’s studies, etc. As we receive resources and partnering organizations, we will post them on our website at   www.pacificasynod.org . "

ELCA Invitation to Participate
Revision of Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline
As a member of this church, you are invited to participate in a series of digital town halls to offer feedback that the Committee on Appeals can use in revising Definitions and Guidelines.
 
Please  click here  and register to attend . You will be asked to indicate your first and second choices of dates. Registration will be limited to 200 persons per event and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. You will receive an email to confirm registration and to give you instructions for logging in to a session.
 
Register today   for these Town Hall Dates/Times:
 
·    Thursday, June 18: 1:00 p.m. MDT
·    Thursday, June 25: 6:00 p.m. MDT
 
We encourage you also to  participate in a brief survey  that will allow you to give written feedback on Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline. The survey will be available for feedback through June 15. Please note: Survey Monkey will be down for 8 hours on May 23, beginning at 10 a.m. MDT
From the Presiding Bishop
"Witnesses to the Transcendent"
In her June/July column for  Living Lutheran , Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes that the “restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made it clear that people are searching for hope and meaning and love.” As those restrictions are eased, she urges us to assess the ways our congregations are witnesses to the transcendent, keeping in mind all those who worshiped with us online but may not walk into our churches.

Read her column in English at  https://bit.ly/3hgd0yo  and in Spanish  https://bit.ly/2YqYMSy .
Available Positions Around the Synod
Preschool Director
King of Glory, Fountain Valley

King of Glory is searching for the next person who will be responsible for the direct leadership of our year-round, full day preschool. The Preschool Director will be responsible for administration, curriculum, staff development, and age-appropriate Christian education of our infant - preschool age children. This position requires strong leadership skills, good communication skills, a non-anxious presence, confidentiality and strong Christian behavior. The Preschool Director reports to the Pastor. 

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. A full job description may be found here .

Interested parties should send resumes to Deacon Leah Lind at  deacon@kogchurch.org .
Pastoral Intern Seeking Housing in Orange County
Our Redeemer Lutheran in Garden Grove is seeking housing for their new Pastoral Intern, who will begin her internship with them in August. She is a single woman with no pets, who is looking for a 1-bedroom apartment, duplex or other housing, with parking for a car, while she serves at Our Redeemer.

If you can help, please contact Pastor Brian Taylor or Rebecca G. Terrones in the church office at 714-539-9541 or by email at  office@orcgg.org .
Bibles and Bible Study Resources
St. Peter's by the Sea in San Diego has extra copies of some Bible study books and Bibles. The following resources are free to those who may want them.

Good News Bible – 14 copies
Good News for Modern Man – 4 copies
The Adventure Bible – 7 copies
Good News by a Man Named Matthew – 10 copies

If you are interested in any of these resources, please contact the church by June 30 via email at office@stpetersbythesea.org. They are willing to hold them for you until it is safe to share them.
Webinars and Other Events
Here to Serve: Being Church in the Times of Crisis
Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. PDT
This weekly gathering has been called Being Church in the Time of COVID-19. Going forward, we will expand this to Being Church in Times of Crisis.  The pandemic is not the only topic we will bring to our discussions.

You are invited to join this weekly gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church and throughout society. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in times of crisis, as well as an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. All of this is designed to help us process our feelings in this strange and fearful time and to create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context.

Join us on June 17 for a time of Lament and Accountability.  We will be joined by the following gifted presenters:

Judith E. B. Roberts , ELCA Director for   Racial Justice Ministries   and author of   How to talk to kids about race , identifies as a Black woman and knows what everyday racism and sexism feels like. She reminds us: "Our ELCA Baptismal covenant calls us '…to serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and Strive for justice and peace in all the earth.' Confronting racism isn’t easy. Especially when it involves people that we like, love or live next door. If you see or hear something…say something. Let them know how their words or actions made you feel and that you don’t respond to messages that devalue and cause harm. If you see something online, flag it. Let social media platforms know that everyone should feel safe online. Lastly, we don’t have to do this alone. Time and time again members across this church have shown up for racial justice. We have marched together for #BlackLivesMatter. We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors. We’ve accompanied migrant minors at the southern border. We’ve condemned white supremacy and declared ourselves a sanctuary denomination. We have been here before….now, let’s do it again."

Solveig Nilsen-Goodin , offers spiritual direction and coaching, support and accompaniment for leaders, activists, organizers, healers, and anyone longing to "heal-the-whole" on any level. Grounded in a liberative Christian faith, Solveig also brings experience with shamanic healing, wisdom from Buddhist teachings, and a deep appreciation for indigenous worldviews and all life-giving spiritualities and faith practices. She is committed to practices that cultivate courage and joy, deep-feeling and open-heartedness, humility and fierceness, tenacity and imagination in the struggle for healing and wholeness. Solveig received her Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1994, where she studied feminist liberation biblical interpretation. She was ordained in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) in 1996 and received her certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction from Namasté with Sister Pat McCrann in 1997. Since then, Solveig has been a spiritual director and grief ritual leader; pastor of a Lutheran Church and founding pastor of the  Wilderness Way Community ; climate justice activist / organizer / teacher and leadership coach through EcoFaith Recovery; as well as an author and musician who LOVES dancing, Zumba and reading. She is currently working toward her Professional Coaching Certification (PCC) focusing on accompanying people in the many ways we experience death and grief throughout our lives.

Dr. Don Eisenhauer founder of Coaching at End of Life, LLC. He is a pastor and a Master Certified Coach (accredited by the International Coach Federation). He is the author of the books Coaching at End of Life and Coach Yourself Through Grief. Don has a passion to help people live fully until they die. He enjoys teaching and equipping coaches, hospice workers, funeral directors, clergy, friends and family members to better support and care for the dying and grieving in their midst. Don comes to the field of coaching with a wealth of practical and educational experience in end of life care, including:
  • 15 years of pastoral ministry
  • 19 years as a hospice chaplain, grief care specialist, and grief support group facilitator
  • an End of Life Coach for a Funeral Home
  • a doctorate in counseling
  • ongoing seminars/presentations on end of life issues
He is also the co-founder of the Bereavement Management Group, providing software to help in the care of the grieving.


ELCA Coaching is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Being Church in Times of Crisis - Weekly Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Time: June 17, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160

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Adult Lutherans Organized for Action
EncourAGING & Equipping Congregations
for Older Adult Ministry
What Makes a Successful Congregational Ministry to Older Adults?
June 18, 2020 – 9:00 a.m. PDT

Hear a panel of 4 individuals discuss what works for older adult ministry in their congregation. Panel includes Shirley Carpenter, Redeemer - Westfield (NJ); Susan Lennartson, Dir. of Adult Ministry, St. Andrew’s - Mahtomedi (MN); Tom Perry, Senior Ministry Leader, Trinity - Mission (KS); and Carolyn Ross, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection/Care Connection Network (CA). Roundtable discussion will be moderated by Dr. Mary Manz Simon. There will be opportunities for questions. 


The webinar is free and will last approximately 60 minutes. Check out our past webinar archive at  aloaserves.org.

Please join us for this week's Advocacy in Quarantine call Wednesday at noon. 

Join us for a 30-minute briefing on COVID-19 related legislation. During the 30-minute call, we will discuss current state and federal priorities around COVID-19. We'll then ask you to make a phone call or two to policymakers to advocate with us.See Zoom links below to participate or join here .

Thank you for your continued engagement. We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday!

PAX,

Regina Q. Banks
Director

Topic: Advocacy in Quarantine

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 389 725 625

One tap mobile
+16699006833,,389725625# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,389725625# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
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Meeting ID: 389 725 625
Find your local number:  https://zoom.us/u/acjYkUn43s
We Remember in Our Prayers
We ask that you hold the following people in your thoughts and prayers:

  • Family and friends of Rev. Jack Lindquist
  • Rev. Laura Ziehl and family at the death of her father
  • Reverend Robert Freistedt
  • Family and friends of Rev. Duane Berg
  • Family and friends of Rev. Lowell Larson
  • Reverend Ron and Paula Rennegarbe
  • Those affected with the COVID-19 virus and those who have lost loved ones
  • Our healthcare providers, first responders, essential workers and all who continue to serve so that others can remain safely at home



In our synod e-newsletter, prayer requests may be shared for our synod's rostered ministers, spouses, key lay leaders and congregations.

 Prayer requests included are subject to the following guidelines:
  • Only the names of those to be prayed for will be included in our communications. Additional information (with permission) may be shared with the bishop or synod staff, but will not be publicized.
  • Those being prayed for must have provided the requester with explicit permission for their names to be shared with the synod.
  • Names will remain in the synod communications for one month, unless we are notified by the Conference Prayer Coordinator to extend the request.
  • Prayers MUST be added through your Conference Prayer Coordinator, who will submit the prayers to the synod office for distribution.

The following people are serving as your Conference Prayer Coordinators:

E. San Diego Conference - The Rev. Richard Vevia -  revvev@cox.net
W. San Diego Conf - The Rev. David Nagler -  pastordave@christpb.org
Harvest Conference - The Rev. David Jorstad -  pastorjorstadsmlc@yahoo.com
Raincross Conference - The Rev. Linda Brown -  pastor@edenlutheran.net
Big Bear Conference - The Rev. Matt Anderson -  pastormatt@trinityvictorville.org
Saddleback Conference - The Rev. Marty Jacobson -  pastormartyclcrsm@gmail.com
Son & Surf Conf - The Rev. Jennifer Schultz -  prjenniferblclosalamitos@gmail.com
Rejoice Conference - The Rev. Cate Luehr -  pastorcate@elclh.org
Hukilau Conference - The Rev. Kathryn Zurcher -  kzurcher002@luthersem.edu
Pacifica Synod - ELCA
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.692.2791