Featured in the
November 10, 2016 issue:
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Are you connected with us on Facebook?
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November 16, 11:30 a.m.
Midweek Eucharist
Lutheran Center, Glendale
November 18 -19
Middle School Youth Gathering
Anaheim
November 19, 10:00 a.m.
First, Torrance
November 23
No Midweek Eucharist
November 24
Thanksgiving Day
November 27
First Sunday in Advent
November 29
Giving Tuesday
January 21, 2017
Hill Avenue Grace, Pasadena
March 25, 2017
Emmanuel, North Hollywood
May 13, 2017
Ascension, Thousand Oaks
June 19 - 30, 2017
June 28 - July 2, 2017
CLU, Thousand Oaks
July 15, 2017
Mt. Carmel, San Luis Obispo
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"The commitment to love and serve our neighbor that Jesus taught us in the Great Commandment is not altered by a shift in the political winds. Nothing that was true or good or right on the day before this election has changed a whit on the day after-and this would have been true no matter who won. We may-we must-hold our political leaders to the standards and principles we ourselves hold, whether or not we voted for those leaders. It's harder to do this when in opposition, but even more urgent then to do so."
In a message addressing the election, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares three things the church can do and reminds us: "No human candidate can guarantee our life or our future. That is work that God has done through the death and resurrection of Jesus."
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Middle School Gathering
November 18 - 20, 2016
Anaheim, CA
Come join 300 Christian youth for a weekend where we build up our faith. Speakers, music, workshops and worship help us understand the roles we play in God's created world. A day at Disneyland and Hotel Night Life make the experience complete.
This event is sponsored by members of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the ELCA and Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences (LRCC).
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Postils for Preaching
Now Available
Retired SWCA Synod pastor John Rollefson (Church of the Master, LA, 1994-1999), now living in San Luis Obispo, delights to report the publication of his new book,
Postils for Preaching: Commentaries on the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A.
Copies are available from wipfandstock.com
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The Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Union Seminary in NYC says, "If you can read only one book for this lectionary cycle,
Postils for Preaching will not disappoint you."
The book consists of essays of a thousand or so words on the texts for each Sunday and special occasion of the church year, and would make an excellent Christmas present for your pastor, rostered or lay leader.
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Western States Youth Gathering
June 28 - July 2, 2017
Thousand Oaks, CA
What is it that you dream about? What is it that you hope for yourself? What is God calling you into and what dream has God placed in your head.
Time to stop allowing the voices of others to dictate the dreams you have.
Time to start relying more on the influence, grace, and power of God to help your dreams into reality.
After all...God planted those big dreams there to begin with.
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Please pray for the following:
- The family and friends of Ten Jensen, on his passing.
- Pastor Ray Kibler's Cancer is now in remission! Please pray that ongoing chemotherapy will keep this so.
- Pastor Sam and Ellen Platts. Pastor Platts has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
- Kikuno Nakamura, wife of Pastor Paul Nakamura, recovering from a stroke.
- Pastor Carlos Pavia, receiving treatment for a knee injury
- Catherine, Jaffa Carrera's grandmother
- Mark Abad
- Dick Buma, husband of Pastor Christine Buma, undergoing clinical trial for aggressive Stage 4 lung cancer.
- The family of Pastor Norma Castillo
- Keny and Anthony Callahan; Anthony has stage 3 lymphoma
- The family of Rev. Gerry Swanson
- Pastor Nimrod Flores
- Cowan Family
- Pastor Charlie Kurtz
- Clemontene Richmond
- AIM Karen Wilson
Your prayer requests are important to us and will continue for two months in Synews.
If you would like to be added to the prayer list or if we should continue your request, please
contact us
.
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Southwest California
Synod Staff
The Rev. R. Guy Erwin, Ph.D.
Bishop
The Rev. Reg Schultz-Akerson
Rostered Leadership
The Rev. Marj Funk-Pihl
Congregational Mission
/ Director for Evangelical Mission
The Rev. Reginald Hansome
Coordinator of African Descent Ministries
Andreas Hirsch
Finance & Administration
Maria Paiva
Latino Ministries
Janet Renick
Children, Youth and Faith Formation
Sherri Miller
Bookkeeper
Administrative Assistant
Robin Lujan
Administrative Assistant
Samantha Henderson
Communications
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 507-9591 Phone
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Synews, the weekly email newsletter of the Southwest California Synod, ELCA, brings you news and information from the synod office in an environmentally friendly format. Please share this information as you are able. You can sign up to receive the Synews and special emails from the synod office here.
News and information for
Synews should be emailed to
Samantha Henderson
(shenderson@socalsynod.org). To follow Bishop Guy Erwin's daily schedule, search #thebishopsday on Facebook.
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Guardian Angels - Protecting the Most Vulnerable
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| An Introduction to the Guardian Angels |
by Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, Guardian Angels Co-Founder
The 9 year old girl arrived in the US from El Salvador four days ago. As she colors in a coloring book, she can't stop talking about her brother. The last time she saw him, he was being beaten by members of the Marasalvatrucha, an international mafia which is controlling increasing large territories of Central America. She tells me for the fourth time that there was blood coming out of everywhere - "His nose, his eyes, his ears, everywhere". Then she whispers, "We will be safe now. We are here." Of course, they are not yet safe; they could be deported any day - but not if the Guardian Angels can help it!
For the past two years, our Synod has led the ELCA in a creative response to the crisis of the Central American refugees. The murder rates in Central America are some of the highest in the world - similar to Syria - as the result of an increasing conflict that Bishop Gomez of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador calls a "social war." International mafias whose income comes from drug trafficking, human trafficking and guns trafficking are in charge in many areas of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - and they are ruthless in their extortion of small businesses, their forced conscription of young boys and their sexual violation of young girls - all on pain of real threats of violence. As a result, roughly 80,000 young boys and girls have fled to the US over the past two years along with about 10,000 mothers with younger children.
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For each session, the first lecture will be a "Getting on the Road" introduction to the day's topic. Lunch will be served, followed by a "Zero to Sixty" in-depth lecture about Luther's teachings. Come hear one, or come hear all: the topic is different every time!
The second stop of the Roadtrip is at First, Torrance on November 19, 2016! Join us at 2900 West Carson Street in Torrance for "Luther as a Reformer of Christian Life." The in-depth text is "The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther, 1529."
Each Reformation Roadtrip event will be held from 10:00 a.m to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per event. Please bring payment in cash or check the day of the event. Checks should be made out to the Southwest California Synod.
Afterwards stay for a concert featuring the Los Angeles-based Mühlfeld Trio! This group is quickly establishing itself on the forefront of new chamber music ensembles. This concert is part of the "Interludes" concert series, graciously hosted as a gift to the community by FirstServe Community Services, the nonprofit community service partner organization of First, Torrance. Admission to the concert is free, and donations are appreciated.
To make your reservations for one or more Reformation Roadtrip events, please contact Sherri Miller at [email protected].
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In August of 2016, Bethel, Templeton spent a month reflecting on the promise of ugly food. Through preaching, visits and volunteering with GleanSLO, film screenings, and finally an Ugly Food Banquet, they brought a spiritual dimension to the problem of food waste in America and had fun with it. Take some time to look at the linked collection of sermons and online films, and see if they inspire you or your congregation to create your own ugly food projects!
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Join Ascension, Thousand Oaks for Gifts of Hope
November 12 and 13 and November 19 and 20
Saturdays 6:00 - 7:30 p.m, Sundays 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Ascension Lutheran Church
1600 E. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
www.alcto.org
Ascension, Thousand Oaks's Gifts of Hope is a shining light for our neighbors at home and abroad. This year, we're focusing on ELCA Disaster Relief and its activities aiding victims of the drought in Southern Africa, as well as those suffering in the wake of domestic disasters, including California wildfires and Hurricane Matthew. Our local focus is Lutheran Social Services. We're also supporting God's Global Barnyard in its efforts against world hunger.
In addition to the Alternative Gifts, Gifts of Hope includes a Gift Fair featuring edible and artisan products from around the world. From spice mixes, coffee, tea, chocolates and other edible delights to jewelry, baskets, cards, textiles, a wide array of Christmas ornaments and nativities, and a host of other beautiful treasures, this year's Gifts of Hope Gift Fair has products celebrating cultures, artisans and creative skills from nearly every continent on the globe.
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Synod Hunger Team
The first Sunday in Advent is November 27 -
just a blink away! ELCA World Hunger is offering a beautiful and FREE resource - their 2016 Advent Calendar ELCA World Hunger has a new Advent Calendar. This calendar will remind you each day of the reason for the season with hymns, prayers, Bible verses and stories of how ELCA Good Gifts animals make a difference in the world. Celebrate the excitement, anticipation and wonder of the birth of Christ with this Advent calendar. The calendars come in packages of 10 (so order 10 if you need 100). Order your calendars here, and do it soon so you can
share them with your congregation on November 27, the first Sunday in Advent.
#GivingTuesday - November 29
On Thursday, November 24 we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States. It is a day to think with gratitude about the blessings we have received. After Thanksgiving, the commercial holidays of Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us, but so is #GivingTuesday! The ELCA has been observing this global day of giving for several years, and this year keep an eye on social media and get ready to encourage friends, family and congregation members to give toward a just world where all are fed.
With blessings from the Synod Hunger Team,
Sheri Groenveld
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COME SEE, HEAR, FEEL
Con Te Partito (Time to Say Goodbye)
A Tragicomedy in Three Acts
about Grief, Comedy, Romance and Healing
by Richard Buckner
You are invited to a Table Reading (No Charge, Free Parking)
Presented by Elks Member Elizabeth Buckner
2:30 - 5:30 p.m, Saturday, December 10
West Hollywood Community Center, Rooms 5 & 6
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
2:00 - 5:00 p.m, Sunday, December 11, Oaks Elks Lodge,
158 N. Conejo School Rd, Thousand Oaks, 91362
Script Projected for the Hearing Impaired
This presentation, for Elks, theatre, church, academic, potential donors and the general public, is to garner support for a full performance by December, 2017 as a benefit for the San
Bernardino Community.
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California Lutheran Executive Skills Workshop
for Clergy/Church Workers
January 9 - 13, 2017
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
Carefree, Aizona
Gain valuable and needed skills for pastors, leaders, administrators in congregational settings!
Led by California Lutheran School of Management Faculty.
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Positions Open in our Synod Territory
Congregations and other organizations in our synod are seeking people to partner in ministry. Check out these opportunities posted on our website. To share a job posting in the synod newsletter, website, and Facebook page, email the details to [email protected].
Mt. Carmel, San Luis Obispo is seeking a Director of Children and Teen Ministries. This position has the primary responsibility for continuing and expanding programs for children and teens from birth through 18 years of age (nursery through high school) with the assistance of the CAT Ministry Team and lay leaders. This is a salaried, full-time position of 40 hours/week.
Applicants must have experience with children and teens in an area related to theology or education. Three years of experience in coordinating children and teen programs and/or possession of an educational background with an emphasis on working with children and teens is preferred. A college degree with an emphasis in elementary or secondary education is desirable. Applicants must possess a current, valid California driver's license.
"This small Highland Park congregation with a great elementary school is hard at prayer for you. You? You're a keyboard, piano, organ artist comfortable with Bach, Blues, Latin jazz, and Sunday liturgy. Pastor Ernest King is eager to hear from you - please text or call him at: (323) 222-1508." Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd,
6338 N. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
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Southwest California Synod, ELCA
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale,
California
91205
(818) 507-9591
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