Featured in the
May 7, 2020 issue:
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Are you connected with us on Facebook?
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Economic Impact Survey
During this time of social isolation and the shut down of public gatherings, churches have not only had to adapt to different ways of being a church "outside of the building" but have faced the same economic impact that their congregants have.
If your congregation has not yet completed the Economic Impact Survey (or forwarded it to the appropriate person in your congregation), please do so as soon as possible at this link or using the QR code above. You may not have a complete answer for every question, but we appreciate your taking the time to give us any information you can.
If you have completed the survey and have any updates (for instance, applying for or receiving SBA funding), please email Samantha at shenderson@socalsynod.org.
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A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy
The ELCA is preparing a social message on government and civic engagement. From March 20 to May 27, ELCA members are invited to provide feedback on a draft of the message. This writing project was requested by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly and authorized in November 2019 by the ELCA Church Council. It will be considered for adoption at a June meeting of the council.
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton:
We Still Have God and Each Other
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| We still have God and each other | ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton | April 30, 2020 |
"I have seen signs in some of the protests that say, "Faith Over Fear" or "Faith vs Fear," and that in this case is a false dicatomy. The faithful thing for us to do right now in caring for those who are vulnerable and at risk, and in order to slow the disease even more, is to stay home. So, as much it hurts, we still have God and each other, and this will be over."
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Director of Music -
All Saints, Sun Valley
All Saints Evangelical Lutheran of Sun Valley is currently in the search process for a new Director of Music. The salary will be $1,000 monthly. Directing of a small choir, piano, and pipe organ is sought. Knowledge of Lutheran Liturgy and Evangelical Lutheran Worship would be useful. If interested, please contact the Parish Offices at (818) 767-7260 or via email: Aslc8040@aol.com
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Please pray for the following:
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Pastor George McLeary at the Church of Hope in Canyon Country who has aggressive prostate cancer and is back on chemotherapy.
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Pastor David Schick in Sierra Pacific Synod who recently had a heart catheterization procedure
- All those affected and struck down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Healthcare providers and first responders.
- Retail workers, drivers, delivery people, and all those who labor to bring food and necessities to those in isolation.
- Jayden, an eight year old struggling with cancer.
- Pastor Ray Kibler, who is battling immuno-deficiency disease and cancer, and for cognitive recovery.
Your prayer requests are important to us.
If you would like to be added to the prayer list or if we should continue your request, please email news@socalsynod.org.
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Southwest California
Synod Staff
The Rev. R. Guy Erwin, Ph.D.
Bishop
The Rev. Brenda Bos
Rostered Leadership
The Rev. Marj Funk-Pihl
Congregational Mission Evangelical Mission
The Rev. James Phillips
Coordinator for African Descent Ministries
Maria Paiva
Coordinator for Latino Ministries
Coordinator for Children, Youth and Faith Formation
Sheri Dillon
Assistant to the Bishop
Chief of Staff
Lisa Higginbotham
Gift Planner/Advancement Advisor
Robin Lujan
Administrative Assistant
Receptionist
Thomas Yuschak
Region 2 Archivist
Edward Duarte
Administrative Assistant
Samantha Henderson
Communications Coordinator
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 507-9591 Phone
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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, information, and corrections for
Synews should be emailed to
Samantha Henderson
(shenderson@socalsynod.org).
Please note that the Synod Office/Lutheran Center in Glendale will be closed to visitors at this time. Calls will be answered by synod staff; staff is also available by email.
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DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 1 - APPLY NOW
Domestic Hunger Grants Applications Open
We are church together, working toward a just world where all are fed.
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants acco
mpany
congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger - for good.
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GatherIn
Calling of SWCA Synod Youth Adult Leaders
Join Matt Keadle, SWCA Synod Youth Director, on Fridays at Noon PST to talk about issues affecting Youth + Family Ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll have a different topic of focus for each week, but you are also welcome to bring your own concerns, questions, and ideas!
This Friday, May 8:
Supporting Students in an Anxious Time + Alternative Graduation Celebrations.
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Congratulation to Pr. Stephanie Jaeger
2020 Confessor of Christ Award
Congratulations to St. Matthew's, NoHo's Pastor Stephanie Jaeger, recipient of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago's 2020 Confessor of Christ Award for her "Christian witness addressing issues of homelessness, housing shortage, and hunger in North Hollywood and the wider community." The Confessor of Christ Award is given to "a Christian individual whose commitment to Christ Jesus and the Gospel manifests itself through extraordinary personal sacrifice for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel or exemplary witness to Christ Jesus and the Gospel by selfless service to others."
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Congratulations to Pr. Albert Starr
Capital University Distinguished Alumnus
The Reverend Albert Starr, Jr. - Bachelors 1974 and Seminarian 1982 - was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus Awards from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Rev. Starr is one of the co-founders of the New City Parish in Los Angeles. He takes great delight and special joy in helping to lift up and engage the gifts and talents of people of African descent and others, celebrating their capacity for building a stronger church and a better world to the glory of God through Jesus Christ.
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Car-Bound Congregational Meeting Decides Call for New Pastor
Adapting to COVID-19
Last week, members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan Beach, which just celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, voted from their
cars to call a new pastor for their church. The April 19 congregational meeting was conducted with church members sitting in their
cars and dialing into a conference number on cell phones. Cars were parked six feet from each other to maintain proper social distancing.
People brought their own sticky notes to use as ballots. When the time came, 64 people cast votes by marking their sticky notes, then sticking them to the outside of their
car
doors. Once all
car
windows were rolled up, council members wearing gloves and face coverings collected and tallied the "sticky ballots."
The vote was unanimous to call Pastor Douglas David Barclay to serve as Trinity's new pastor. Upon announcing the results of the vote, the
church parking lot erupted in joyful
car
horn honking.
Pastor Douglas earned his Bachelors' Degree in Music in 2001 and his Masters of Divinity in 2015, and is currently serving at Concordia Lutheran Church in Manchester, Connecticut. Arrangements for his first day at Trinity are currently being planned.
Trinity, Manhattan Beach has been offering virtual Church worship services to its congregants and guests during the pandemic, and its preschool has been conducting online distance education to its students.
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Payroll Protection Program/SBA Loans
Apply now through the ELCA Federal Credit Union
As an SBA-certified lender, the ELCA Federal Credit Union (ELCA FCU) has been working closely with the Mission Investment Fund to provide special assistance to our members and customers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The ELCA FCU is now able to offer loans to congregations and ministries for the Paycheck Protection Program. If your congregation has not yet applied for an SBA Loan, it's important that you do so immediately.
Applying for one of these loans through the ELCA FCU is possible whether or not you're currently a member. Non-members, however, will need to join the credit union before receiving their loans, if approved.
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Lutheran Lobby Day is May 20
Your Voice is Needed
Maybe you are interested in politics, but aren't sure where to jump in. Or maybe you've never voted before and don't know what a legislative district is. Or maybe you've met with your legislators before, perhaps many times.
Whoever you are, Lutheran Lobby Day is for you.
WHO
Laypeople, pastors and bishops will convene virtually for our second annual advocacy day with the California State Legislature. While we regret that we cannot gather in person at the State Capitol, we are excited that gathering virtually allows more people to participate.
WHY ADVOCACY?
God calls us through baptism to strive for peace and justice through all the earth. Our advocacy will focus on COVID-19 relief for California's most impacted communities. Your voice is needed. No experience required!
HOW DO I PREPARE?
Two training webinars will be offered prior to Lobby Day on May 6 at 12:00 pm and at 6:00 pm PDT.
IS THERE A FEE?
The event is free of charge, but donations are always welcome. There will be breaks throughout the schedule.
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Southwest California Synod, ELCA
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale,
California
91205
(818) 507-9591
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