Notice of SWCA Synod Council Meeting
Saturday September 18 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon
A meeting of the SWCA Synod Council will take place on Saturday, September 18, 2021 via Zoom.

Interested parties may attend the meeting using the link below. An agenda is attached here.

Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 951 6203 1626
Passcode: 219359
Dial-in: +1 408 638 0968 
Join Bishop Brenda Bos for The Haven 
Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Lights in the Valley:
A celebration of blessings in the pandemic
You're invited to come share and hear stories of your congregation's blessings and new learnings in the past 18 months. If you have things to celebrate, such as new ministries or improved connections, please come! If you need encouragement, please come!

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 896 446 7618
Passcode: 090434
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kKv20c5D
PLTS Founder's Day
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Dear Congregation, Pastors and extended community, 
 
You are invited to attend the Founders’ Day lecture September 29, 2021 with Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy.
Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California –a progressive, multidenominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the well-being of all. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized higher education and immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change.

Keynote Lecture
Finding Level: Apocalypse, Prophets, and a Vision of the Possible Extremes in weather conditions, ideological positions, and inequality are tearing at the fabric of our churches, communities, countries, and nations. At the same time, our connection to one another is made evident by everything from a global pandemic to global social awakening. What does this moment demand from and offer to the church and its leadership in the world?

This will be a hybrid event, with only 50 people attending in-person.


National CROP Hunger Walk for World Food Day
October 16, 2021
Join us for the 2021 National CROP Hunger Walk on World Food Day, October 16th and end hunger in the U.S. and around the world!

Walk on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, in a park with friends – you choose the location and the experience.

Walk one day - 3.7 miles (the average distance a woman walks for water) or take the Weekend Challenge and walk 11.1 miles (3.7 miles for 3 days).

Every step you take, every dollar you raise makes the walk shorter for neighbors in need by providing clean water, emergency food as well as livelihoods and access to education.
Contact info@cwsglobal.org for more info.
Embassy Suites, La Quinta
Monday, October 18 - Wednesday, October 20
Fling Wide the Door:
Preaching in Advent and Holy Week
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!

Costs (Program and two meals, excluding hotel):
$235 (rostered leader, lay staff, ministry partner)
$165 (retired rostered, interns, candidates & non-rostered spouses)
$75 Optional Golf Tournament (Palm Desert Country Club)

Online registration is NOW open and will close October 4. 
CLICK HERE to register online.
 
A limited number of registration scholarships are available, each with a $50 maximum. Applicants must register online by September 1 and choose the scholarship option, completing the additional questions required. Applicants will be notified by email within two days of their request. Once notified, final payment must be received by October 1 to receive the scholarship discount.

Please note:
Theoasis is taking place Monday to Wednesday this year, is one day shorter than in the past due to the number of participants who need to get back for Wednesday events. For those who would like to stay Wednesday night, a limited number of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the discounted rate of $115.
 
Additional information about Theoasis will be added to the Theoasis event page as it becomes available. Please check back often!

Pacifica Synod Professional Boundaries Workshop for Rostered Ministers: Pacifica Synod will be offering a Professional Boundaries Workshop in Palm Desert following the close of Theoasis in the afternoon on Wednesday, October 20. Watch for more details and registration information to come soon.

If you have questions about this workshop, please contact Rev. Terry Tuvey Allen at terrytuveyallen@pacificasynod.org or Carol Youngman at carolyoungman@pacificasynod.org.
Update regarding the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering
After much prayer and conversation, Gathering leadership have decided to require full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test result (likely 72 hours before arrival) to attend the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble. As of now, leadership have not decided on any additional safety measures. We commit to continued transparency in the decision-making process and will release information as it becomes available regarding additional safety measures or adjustments to key dates. Any updates will be communicated via Gathering social media, gNews and our website.
For a list of updated Frequently Asked Questions, we encourage you to visit: elca.org/YouthGathering/COVID19
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL
Southwest California Synod of the ELCA | (818) 507-9591 | news@socalsynod.org | www.socalsynod.org