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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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Pacifica Synod News & Resources
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Bishop's Gatherings 2018
"Treasures New & Old: Sharing Ministry Ideas & Opportunities"
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This fall's 2018 Bishop's Gatherings are just around the corner. Congregations are invited to send key lay leaders along with their pastors and deacons to a Bishop's Gathering. Other congregation members and friends are also welcome. 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 in advance by 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.
Below are the dates, times & locations for the Bishop's Gatherings that have been confirmed.
We are grateful to our deans and host congregations for their help in planning this time together. Please check our
event web page often for updates to those yet to be announced as well as information about how to prepare in advance for the time together.
Saturday, September 15
Big Bear Conference
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
ALL will gather at 11:00 a.m. for the "Bishop's BBQ Bash" (lunch),
followed by Bishop's Gathering program.
A freewill offering will be received for lunch.
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
5050 N. Sierra Way, San Bernardino
Sunday, September 16
Raincross Conference
2:00 to 4:30 pm
(Rostered Ministers @ 2:00/All @ 3:00)
Grace Lutheran Church
8877 Mission Blvd., Riverside
Saturday, September 22
Saddleback Conference
9:30 am to 12 pm
(Rostered Ministers @ 9:30/All @ 10:30
Christ Lutheran Church
35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente
Sunday, September 23
East & West San Diego Conferences
2:15 to 4:45 pm
(Rostered Ministers @ 2:15/All @ 3:15
Calvary Lutheran Church
3060 54th Street, San Diego
Saturday, October 6
Hukilau Conference
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
(All will gather during this time)
Christ Lutheran Church
95-1361 Meheula Pkway, Mililani
Saturday, October 13
Harvest Conference
Location & Times to be Announced Soon
Saturday, October 20
Rejoice and Son & Surf Conferences
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
(Rostered Ministers @ 9:30/All @ 10:30)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
7082 Crescent Avenue, Buena Park
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ELCA Women and Justice Draft Social Statement Hearing
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Pacifica Synod is hosting a hearing for ELCA members to comment on the text of the "Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice"
on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning (Pacifica Synod Offices) at 1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C in Santa Ana.
This hearing is a vital part in the development of the statement in which ELCA
 members share their thoughts on the draft.
Before attending the hearing, please read the draft social statement and come prepared with affirmations and suggestions related to specific line numbers. The draft can be found at
ELCA.org/womenandjustice electronically in English and Spanish. You can also order printed copies in English at
bit.ly/OrderWJDraft.
A representative of the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ will be present at the hearing. An appointed recorder will keep track of everything said (without names) and submit a report to the task force. The task force is committed to reading all these reports as they consider how to revise the draft into a proposed social statement, which will be released in February 2019.
For additional information about the synodical hearing, please visit
ELCA.org/womenandjustice or call the synod office at 714.692.2791.
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Theoasis 2018 Registration Open Now!
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Theoasis 2018
Monday, October 22 - Thursday, October 25, 2018
Embassy Suites, Palm Desert
(please note change in location)
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!
For information about this event, including speakers, schedule, hotel information, program costs, golf tournament and the link to register, please visit our Theoasis web page.
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Workshop for Congregational Treasurers & Administrators
Saturday, October 6
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801-C Park Court Place, Santa Ana
$10 per person, includes refreshments, lunch and all materials.
PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE BY OCTOBER 2
Topics will include:
Financial Oversight & Internal Controls
Accounting Policies & Procedures
Handling Church Income & Expenditures
Records Retention
Insurance for Congregations
Federal & State Reporting Requirements
Human Resources for Congregations
Portico Benefits Services Updates
Budgets, Financial Statements & Audits
Synod & ELCA Mission Support
Synod Funds for Mission
ELCA Online Resources
Social Media Guidelines
Special Guest Presenters:
Andrea Arey, Portico Benefit Services
Nancy Bond, Nancy Bond Insurance Services
Questions? Please contact Terri Robertson at 714.352.8732 or by email at ([email protected])
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Pacifica & Southwest CA Synod 2018 High School Gathering
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"Dream Team? Who, me? Discovering Your Place on God's Team" is the theme for the upcoming High School Gathering and is based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. This event, co-sponsored by the Pacifica Synod and the Southwest California Synod Youth Teams, will take place November 9-11, 2018 at
Luther Glen Camp in Oak Glen.
This will be an opportunity for high school youth across our two synods to gather and grow together, learn and lead, play and pray, serve, worship and wonder. The gathering begins on Friday evening at 7 pm and will end on Sunday by noon. For an event brochure to download and share, click
here.
Through workshops, music and worship, fellowship, prayer and interaction with other young leaders, it is our hope that youth and adult leaders will come away from camp feeling renewed, refreshed, and equipped with some new tools to use in their own ministry settings. We are excited about o
ur speaker for the weekend, the Rev. Kevin Strickland, Assistant to the ELCA Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship of the ELCA. For Pastor Strickland's full bio, please visit our event page.
Online registration for this event may be found
here and is open through November 1. The cost for the weekend, which includes all programming and 4 meals, is $99 per person, adults and youth. An event t-shirt is included for those who register prior to October 26. All youth must be accompanied by a same gender adult leader from their home congregation. Medical release forms are the responsibility of the adult leader accompanying the youth.
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"Tending the Longing: Discernment of Call" Retreat
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Retreat Times - 3:00 p.m. Thursday to 6:00 p.m. Friday
This retreat is designed to be a safe and guided space for discernment and vocation. Wherever you are in your ministry discernment (i.e. candidacy, exploring a new call within your context, exploring a change in call, retirement, struggling with burnout, considering a sabbatical), this retreat is a time set aside to ask honest, open questions and explore where God might be leading you next. There will be cohort break-out groups for mutual conversation.
Location:
St. John's Lutheran Church
42695 Washington Street
Palm Desert 92211
Includes Thursday dinner and Friday lunch.
*A special note to candidates of the Southwest California Synod - please contact Pastor Reg Schultz-Akerson (
[email protected]) for details about scholarships available.
Program:
Our leader for this event will be Rev. Elizabeth Rechter, the executive director for
Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality. Stillpoint is a Pasadena-based organization that has aided seekers in their journey of spiritual discovery and transformation for over thirty years, training individuals in the Art of Spiritual Direction.
Registration
All registration is done online using
this link. Payments may be made by credit card at the time of registration or by check mailed to the Pacifica Synod office.
Lodging:
Participants are responsible to reserve their own lodging, at a location of their choosing. The Embassy Suites, Palm Desert (74-700 Hwy 111, Palm Desert) is offering a discounted rate of $114, plus taxes, on Thursday night. This rate is available until September 20 or when the room block is filled. Use
this link to reserve a room at this rate.
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32nd A
nnual Pacifica Synod Assembly
Friday, May 10 to Saturday, May 11, 2019
Hope Lutheran Church
Palm Desert
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Save the Date - 2019 Deacon Summit
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Share Your Stories - "God's work. Our hands." Sunday
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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is less than one week away, Sunday, September 9.
You will find the
resources
you need to plan your activities and worship, invite your neighbors and promote within your community. There are
videos
to watch and share for inspiration. New this year are
Spanish-language
postcards, door hangers and social memes.
The ELCA wants to hear from you! Shortly after September 9, please share with them your congregation's activities. Send your stories and photos to [email protected] so that together we can celebrate what God is doing through the congregations and ministries of the ELCA.
We'd also like to share your stories and photos within the Pacifica Synod. If you'd like to participate, please email 3-4 of your favorite photos, along with a brief description of your project/projects, to [email protected] by September 17 for inclusion in our e-news.
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ELCA Churchwide Office Open Positions
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The
ELCA Foundation
is searching for a
Director of Gift Planning
. A copy of the
Position Profile may be found
here.
There are two key responsibilities for this
leadership position
:
- Through the direct supervision of a national staff of about 20 regional gift planners (coaching and managing), lead and manage a robust fund-raising program to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospective donors of current and planned gifts;
- Manage the business relationships with ministry partner organizations through on-site visits.
This position is
located in Chicago
and
reports to the Executive Vice President of the Foundation
. It requires
about 30% travel
, visiting regional gift planners, donors, and ministry partnerships.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The
ELCA is searching for an
Executive Director for Domestic Mission. A copy of the
Position Profile may be found
here.
This senior leadership position brings
decisive and visionary leadership to this unit charged with wide-ranging work and relationships with churchwide units, synods, congregations, and other partners. The work involves
equipping synods and
congregations;
developing new ministries,
seeking to renew strategic ministries; and
working with synods and congregations in programs and strategies for
evangelical outreach.
Reporting to the presiding bishop, this position requires about
25% travel. It is
located in Chicago.
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Portico Benefits Services News
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Greetings from Portico!
It's hard to believe ... Annual Enrollment season is already approaching. In mid-August, employers were sent information about 2019 rates, specific dates, and a link to your 2019 Custom Comparison Report!
Here's a quick overview:
- September - When your organization decides which health benefit option to offer
- October 1- 26 - When employers make that selection on EmployerLink
- October 31 - November 14 - When sponsored members make benefit selections on myPortico
Upcoming Live Webinars
- 2019 ELCA Medicare-Primary Changes - September 10th from 2-3 pm
- Turning 65 in 2019 - September 25th from 2-3 pm
- Pre-retirement webinar 1: "Can I Afford to Retire?" - October 4th from 2-3 pm
- Pre-retirement webinar 2: "Can I Create a Sustainable Income in Retirement?" - October 11th from 2-3 pm
- Ready to Retire - November 6th from 1-2:30 pm
For more information and to register for webinars, click
here.
Join Omada® To Build Healthy Habits That Last
Omada is a digital lifestyle change program. They combine the latest technology with ongoing support so you can make the changes that matter most - whether that's around eating, activity, sleep, or stress. It's an approach shown to help you lose weight and reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. more than 800 members have enrolled in the Omada® program for those at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, logging a collective 6,411-pound weight loss thus far. If you or your adult family members are at risk for type 2 diabetes or heart disease and covered by ELCA-Primary health benefits, Portico offers the Omada program at no cost to you. Take a 1-minute health test to see if you're eligible: omadahealth.com/portico
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Celebrating Ministry Together!
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Global Mission Update - Pastor Hitoshi & Satoko Adachi
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Pastor Hitoshi Adachi and his wife, Satoko, are currently serving as missionaries with the Japan Evangelicial Lutheran Church in Kumamoto, Japan. To learn more about what is taking place in their ministry, click here for their September  newsletter.
We encourage you to consider becoming a longer-term sponsoring congregation/individual to support Pastor Hitoshi and Satoko in their ministries, which will continue for the next four to eight years. As it is written in attached profile, if you wish to support the Adachi's with an automatic monthly bank withdrawal or to establish a covenant of prayer, communication and support, please contact 800.638.3522, ext. 2657, or at [email protected].
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Stewardship Grants Available
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The Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI) seeks to promote stewardship education in the ELCA, especially with seminarians and rostered leaders. Thus, SOLI Is accepting grant proposals from ELCA seminaries, synods, congregations, and other ministries for projects, workshops, or events that encourage stewardship education. In keeping with SOLI's mission, proposals of primary interest will be those that assist  in seminarian education or first call theological education. Of secondary interest will be proposals that assist in stewardship leadership education among laity and clergy. SOLI is especially interested in proposals that that are repeatable and scalable across multiple constituencies and/or that involve collaboration within the ELCA. SOLI anticipates that its grant funding is part of a budget that includes "skin in the game" by the sponsoring organization and/or participants.
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Celebration of Life for Dr. Frances Burnford
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The family of Dr. Frances "Fran" Burnford and the Southwest California Synod of the  ELCA invite you to a memorial service and celebration of Fran's life at the Lutheran Center, 1300 East Colorado Street in Glendale on Wednesday, September 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Lunch will be served after the memorial service. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Robin at the synod office at (818) 507-9591 or [email protected].
In accordance with Fran's wishes, her family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to one of the following:
- The Southwest California Synod, to be used for enrichment of synod worship life. Checks may be sent directly to the synod at 1300 E. Colorado Street, Glendale, CA 91205. Please note "In Memory of Fran Burnford" on the memo line.
- The Immaculate Heart Community Development Fund. Please click here for information on donating to Immaculate Heart Community.
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Care Connections Network - September Events
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Care Connections Network is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to empowering older adults and changing how we all think about aging. We work  with existing community organizations and vetted service providers to connect our members to services that are designed to assist older adults with staying active and remaining in their own homes. We are a social ministry of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and have received support and encouragement from the ELCA. Our educational and social programs are open to everyone in the community.
The next Educational Seminar, "Know Me, Care for Me, Ease My Way: Palliative Care to Support Who You Are", is Thursday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m. Our presenter is CCN Board Member Kanako Kusano, MSW, Palliative Care Social Worker, Providence Health & Services. You are invited to join this presentation to learn about Palliative Care and if it may be appropriate for you or your loved one. Lunch will be served, but you must pre-register. There is no charge for the seminar or for lunch and all are welcome. To register call the CCN office at 714.962.9346.
For more information about this and other events, click here to download CCN's September newsletter or visit their website here.
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2018 Youth Workers Retreat
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2018 Youth Workers Retreat
September 20-22, 2018
Luther Glen
All are welcome to attend (pastors, youth ministers, youth directors and volunteers) from both Southwest California and Pacifica Synods. The weekend is a time for us to gather, network and learn from each other. Please join us for a great weekend of fun and fellowship. This years speakers are, Pastors Scott & Melissa Maxwell-Doherty from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA. Register now at LRCChome.com/youthworkersretreat If you have any questions, please contact Nate Maxwell-Doherty at [email protected].
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Safe & Healthy Churches Ending Family Violence Training
San Diego - September 28-29
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Safe & Healthy Churches: Ending Family Violence Training
September 28-29, 2018
First United Methodist Church, San Diego
A two-day training for church teams to prevent sexual and domestic violence and child abuse. Over the past decade, this regional training has been offered across the US, thanks to the sponsorship of InFaith Community Foundation. This year, they offer this groundbreaking, two-day training to churches in San Diego to infuse faith communities with the tools and knowledge they need to address domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of relationship violence. The training is free; advanced registration is required.
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Cal Lutheran's Center for Equality and Justice - Fall 2018 Programs
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The Sarah W. Heath Center for Equality and Justice (CEJ) at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks brings together organizations and individuals to collaborate for equitable social change. Our goals are to support faculty and student research, build partnerships in the community, and inspire dialogue and action.
For a full listing of film series screening, lectures and other events offered this fall, please click here. Admission for most events is free and open to the public.
The
Sarah W. Heath Center for Equality and Justice
(CEJ) supports Cal Lutheran's mission
to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.
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Pacifica Women of the ELCA Annual Convention
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Our invitation to join us November 2-3 for our annual Pacifica Women of the ELCA convention is open to all women! You can find information about the program, the business, the costs, Love Gifts to share, and more on our website -
www.pacificawomen.org. There are several tabs but to print the registration form and other information, go to the downloads tab where you will find everything in PDF form for printing. Our newsletters are there as well. At our business sessions we will be electing a secretary and board members. We are looking for at least three new board members plus a secretary. If you are willing to serve, go to the nomination form and contact our nomination chair, Jeanne Sandvig. We are ready to welcome YOU!!
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Lutheran Middle School Youth Gathering!
November 16-18, 2018
at the Hilton Hotel, Woodland Hills
This event is sponsored by Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences and
 members of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the ELCA. An exciting weekend has been planned especially for your group!
Theme Verse: 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
The weekend program offers large group sessions with speakers and praise music. Friday night activities include extreme sports, games and much more! Saturday morning workshops will focus on teen faith topics and the afternoon will be spent at Universal Studios. Sunday concludes with morning worship. Join Christian youth as we learn to laugh out loud, love out loud and live out loud through Jesus Christ.
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Below, please find prayer requests for our synod's rostered ministers, spouses, key lay leaders and congregations here in our synod e-newsletter. 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:
************************************************************************************
We ask that you hold the following people and congregations in prayer:
Family & Friends of the Rev. Carl Erickson
All those affected by Hurricand Lane
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