Christ - Community - Connect
Weekly Newsletter - February 18, 2021 
Transforming lives and making the Great Commission REAL!
The Weekly Newsletter and the Prayer & Praise are created with postings submitted by congregations. Please share with us so we can share with the entire Pacific Southwest District.

Visit the Job Site to view current job openings in congregations and schools of the Pacific Southwest District.
RACHEL KLITZING
Executive Director of School Ministries
Celebrating 30 Years of Service
in the Pacific Southwest District
We give thanks to God for the faithful leadership of Rachel Klitzing who will celebrate 30 years of service as an integral part of the PSD Staff on Friday, February 19, 2021.

Rachel began her district work, first as an assistant to Dean Dammann, and then as Executive Director of School Ministries with District Presidents Loren Kramer, Larry Stoterau, and Mike Gibson.

Through Rachel's tireless work congregations, schools, principals, administrators, preschool directors, DCEs, and more have been supported and equipped in their ministry, resulting in an ever expanding legacy of student families who know Jesus.
The 150 schools in the Pacific Southwest District continue to be wonderfully blessed by her loving and visionary leadership.

Thank you, Rachel!


Results of Convention Referendum
Blue Cross
Click here to view the official notice from Synod in regards to delaying the LCMS National Convention to 2023. More than the required one-fourth (63.32%) of the Synod's member congregations registered a vote, and the majority (90.67%) of votes cast favored adoption of the extension. 135 PSD congregations voted (50.19%) and 131 (97.04%) voted in favor of the extension.
 
The PSD Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, February 23 to vote on moving the PSD Convention to 2022. The result of that vote and other information will be provided following that meeting.
From President Gibson
It is my joy and honor to wish you a very blessed and
Happy Lunar New Year! 

From your friends and ministry partners in the
Pacific Southwest District.
New This Week
DR. EGGER ACCEPTS CALL AS SEMINARY PRESIDENT OF CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
Dr. Thomas J. Egger, the Gustav and Sophie Butterbach Professor of Exegetical Theology and chairman of the Department of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, has accepted the call to serve as the 11th president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
 
Dr. Egger will transition to his new role in mid-March, and his formal installation is expected to be in August. Electors extended the call to Egger after a unanimous vote on the first ballot February 6.
 
Dr. Egger will succeed President Emeritus Dr. Dale A. Meyer, who retired June 30, 2020, after serving 15 years as president. Dr. Daniel Preus has been serving as interim president of the Seminary since July 1.

Read more about Dr. Egger here.
THE MARKS OF LOVE LENT DEVOTIONS
No story in human history is like the narrative of Jesus' Passion. In it we see God in the flesh, coming to seek and to save the lost. In The Marks of Love, from Lutheran Hour Ministries, we meet a Savior who endured life's hardships, suffered our pain, and bore the weight of our sins. Each left its mark on Him as He pressed on to the cross, giving His life for ours, appeasing God's wrath against sin, and rising victorious over sin, death, and the devil.  Read, Listen, Email, or Print 
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
HUNGER CHALLENGE TO SAVE LIVES
Around the world, children are dying of starvation. Without your love, we cannot reach them in time. That's why I'm letting you know our 2021 Hunger Challenge to Save Lives is underway. Please be one of the first to make an urgent gift to prevent young children from dying. In South Sudan, a severe food crisis fueled by drought, civil war and the coronavirus pandemic has left children, women and men on the brink of famine.  Give Today
INDIA IN CRISIS: EMERGENCY RELIEF
The Covid-19 pandemic has escalated into a humanitarian crisis in India impacting the poorest of the poor. Many of our ministry partners in India are already responding - and they are pleading for help. A gift of $40 will feed a family of 4 for 4 weeks. Will you help them? Donate Now
Supreme Court of the United States
Lifts California's Ban on Indoor Worship
We rejoice with you and give thanks to God for the news that the Supreme Court of the United States lifted California's ban on indoor worship. While the 25% capacity limitation and singing ban remains in place, congregations can once again gather for worship in person. Click here for a news article regarding the decision.
 
Interim revised guidelines regarding indoor worship capacity limits are available here: covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/#worship. (Note that the 25% capacity limit remains in place but the 100 person limit does not.)
 

We acknowledge and support the reality that not all congregations can or should reopen at this time due to the needs of their congregation and COVID realities in their communities.  I want to express my thanks for the way that all our PSD congregations and schools are living out their freedom in Christ, during this difficult COVID season, with love for one another and respect for those in authority.

 
Please be sure of my prayers as you:
  • Work with your leaders to figure out what this means for your congregation and context, and consider carefully how to gather indoors in the safest manner possible.
  • Provide love and patience without judgment for individuals and families who are not ready to return to in-person worship.
  • Stream or post your worship services for the many who are choosing to participate remotely rather than in-person.
  • Follow your local county guidelines regarding occupancy limitations, distancing, safe communion distribution practices, and mask-wearing to ensure the health and safety of all.
  • Show caution and careful discernment, remembering that in many cases, as the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians and Galatians, what is permissible is not always beneficial.
  • Continue to aggressively engage your community with the Gospel.
Thank you for praying for the congregations and schools in all three States of the Pacific Southwest District, as we proclaim together our never-failing hope in Christ and patiently find our way forward to the other side of COVID.
Previously Posted
UNITE LEADERSHIP WEBINARS
Unite Leadership is offering free monthly webinar calls to help you become the missional leader you were called to be! Leadership can be overwhelming and frustrating, but it can also be the adventure of a lifetime. That's why the ULC exists - to empower leaders to multiply missional impact by connecting the dots between leadership, theology, and ministry strategy. 

ULC will host a free live webinar once a month with special guest speakers. Subscribe for webinar updates at www.uniteleadership.org.
 
Ministry Leadership Development - February 25, 11:00 am MST 
Join us for Ministry Leadership Development with special guest speaker Jacob Boessling and Leadership Development Pastor Mac Lake. Mac's passion is growing leaders for the local church. Mac Lake's passion is for growing leaders for the local church. Have you ever found yourself asking, "We need more leaders!" Most ministry leaders are facing that very  same struggle with growing frustration because they cannot seem to find a solution. The shortage of leaders decreases the impact on ministry and increases the stress on staff. Join us as Jake and Mac discuss the struggle and help identify solutions that you can begin implementing immediately! 
LCMS TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR CONGREGATIONS
The LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) has announced a new grant opportunity to assist congregations in funding technology, software, equipment and training that will help them fulfill their mission to proclaim the Gospel to their members and the world. Under the Esther 4:14 National Grant Program, approximately 100 grants of up to $1,500 each will be awarded to LCMS congregations seeking to advance their technological capacity in "such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). 

Grants may be used to fund: 
  • Technology (cameras, mixer boards, etc.); 
  • End-user equipment (tablets for shut-ins, etc.);
  • Software or software subscriptions (Microsoft Teams, Zoom Pro accounts, editing software, etc.); and 
  • Other equipment or training to meet congregational needs. 
In recent months, many LCMS churches have experienced an increased need for technology to carry out their mission. Such technology can be expensive, however, and many churches - especially smaller churches and those that were already struggling prior to the pandemic - have been limited in their efforts by financial concerns. This grant opportunity is designed to ease those limitations.
Grant recipients will be chosen by a grant committee, with preference given to congregations that:
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Show the ability to meet an unmet need with grant funds;
  • Provide evidence of thoughtful planning; and 
  • Document the actual costs of desired equipment or technology.
Applications for Esther 4:14 grants will be accepted through April 5, with awards announced in May. Visit lcms.org/esther4-14 for more information and to submit an online application. 
FREE ITEMS AVAILABLE
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, San Diego has free items available to any church who would like them.  If interested, please contact us at 858-273-2886 or by e-mail at holycrossword@gmail.com. Pictures available upon request. Items available: 
  • 5 brass communion cup trays
  • 20 choir robes with green trim
LEADERSHIP PIPELINE TRAINING
Ever feel like 20% of the church is always doing 80% of the work? Has recruiting volunteers to serve in a leadership position become a daunting task? Is leadership in your church/ministry merely a placement of people or an intentional development?
 
Exciting news!!! LINC SoCal will be partnering with Multiply Group to host a Leadership Pipeline Training starting in April for 6 months for SoCal churches. This training will be virtual.
 
You do not want to miss this. Space is limited. Registration is now open. Bring your whole team to the training for one fixed and discounted price of $1795.  Registration deadline is March 25.
 
Questions? Contact Stella Yau Lok, LINC SoCal City Director, at syau@linc.org.
LCMS LIFE CONFERENCE
LCMS Life Ministry will host its first-ever virtual life conference March 19-20, under the theme "Making Disciples: Valuing Life." The conference has been designed for people of all ages and vocations, including sessions for school ministries as well as sessions in Spanish. Registration is open now at lcms-life.orgJoin us!
  • Be equipped to speak up for the sanctity of life within your community.
  • Gain ideas on how to care for all human life.
  • Interact with fellow Lutherans on Life Ministry topics.
  • Be a part of the LCMS Life Ministry community .
Dozens of experts in Life Ministry will present throughout the conference with multiple video presentations available for immediate on-demand viewing as soon as you login.  Engage in live Q&A sessions with experts in Life Ministry.
LCMS YOUTH GATHERING "IN ALL THINGS"
The next LCMS Youth Gathering will be July 9-13, 2022in Houston, TX. The 2022 Gathering theme is "In All Things" centered around Colossians 1:15-20. 
 
Upcoming Dates:
  • VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN - Gathering Ambassador/Team Lead, YAV Squad Leader (closes March 15, 2021), and Team Flex Applications (closes April 2022) available now! Visit lcmsgathering.com/volunteer for more information and to apply. 
  • July 2021 - Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) and YAV Team Captain Applications
  • Fall 2021 - Gathering Registration Opens
Ms. Laura Bredehoft, DCE at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, San Diego, has been selected as our District Coordinator. She has happily agreed to serve! If your church has never been to a LCMS Youth Gathering, Laura would love to connect with you! Please send her an email or call her so you can chat about connecting your youth to this amazing opportunity to spend time together in God's Word, worship, service, and fellowship with a community of God's people coming together to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith, and their Lutheran identity.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact Laura with any questions you have regarding the Gathering. Email her at lbredehoft@stpaulspb.com or call 858-272-6363 ext.122. You can also find more information about the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.
 
Please note: The LCMS Youth Ministry office is in continual conversations with the City of Houston, government officials and Synod leadership monitoring the developments of COVID-19. The LCMS Youth Gathering team is currently proceeding with planning toward a 2022 Youth Gathering. Gathering planners will work together to make decisions with the highest priority of safety and care of Gathering participants. 
SHARE YOUR STORY
Is there something exciting happening in your congregation or school? Let us know so we can celebrate with you! Does your church or pastor have a blog, vlog, or do you live stream your services? Let us know so we can help drive engagement! Visit the Around the PSD page on our website to hear some great stories. You can submit your story from this page. Please Note: This is not an events page. 

Pacific Southwest District-LCMS
949-854-3232