Pacifica Synod News & Notes
June 3, 2020
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We share with you the following news, resources, information and event updates taking place within our synod and throughout the ELCA. If you have items or information to share, please email Terri Robertson at
terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org
. If you know of others who aren't receiving our emails, please share this with them and encourage them to contact us using the above email or sign up
here
.
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From Our ELCA Presiding Bishop
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has rerecorded her sermon for this Sunday, June 7.
The ELCA has shared links to the sermon via email with rostered ministers serving congregations this morning. We have also sent this information out through our synod communications. Please contact Terri Robertson at
terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org
if you have not received either of these emails.
Please refrain from sharing the recording on social media until Sunday, June 7.
ELCA Worship will continue to provide “Worship in the Home” via the ELCA Worship blog (
blogs.ELCA.org/Worship
) for those who make use of these resources for individual/family home devotions each week. On June 7
th
, “Worship in the Home” will include a link to watch Bishop Eaton’s sermon as part of these home devotions.
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Coaching for All Seasons
Monthly Online Gathering for
Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders
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Here to Serve: Coaching for All Seasons
Monthly Online Gathering for Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders
1
st
Tuesday at 11:00-noon Pacific Time via Zoom
Starting July 7, 2020
The Pacifica Synod invites you to join a new monthly gathering. Our Pacifica Synod Coaching Team has designed a forum to provide encouragement and support to Synod leaders as we navigate the unknown. Each month, participants will hear a short presentation related to how we currently are called to be Church. Then they will have an opportunity to be in a small group discussion facilitated by an ELCA coach. We are creating a safe space for processing our responses to uncertain times and for discerning steps forward in our unique contexts.
Pacifica Synod has invested in training coaches to work with rostered and lay leaders one-on-one or in groups. Coaching provides an opportunity for rostered and lay leaders to experience a partnership focused on the unique objectives they want to achieve. A coach’s role is to support a leader in naming challenging issues and identifying constructive responses to them. Pacifica Synod coaches are volunteering their time to create presentations and coaching opportunities that provide a hands-on resource for addressing your challenges.
Our first meeting will be via Zoom on Tuesday, July 7, 11:00-noon Pacific Time.
Together we will watch a presentation based on William Bridges’ groundbreaking work on navigating external changes and the often-unsettling, internal transitions they cause. Following the presentation, we will break into small groups for a coach-led conversation based on how you see this information relating to your unique circumstances. We will conclude with a debriefing to share the small groups’ experiences.
If you are interested in participating in this gathering or would like more information, Deenna Eley, Pacifica Synod Coaching Coordinator at
mikedeenna@gmail.com
.
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Announcement of Eighth President
of California Lutheran University
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The Board of Regents at California Lutheran University has announced that Lori Varlotta will be the eighth President of Cal Lutheran. The first woman president in Cal Lutheran’s 61-year history, Dr. Varlotta will begin her official duties on September 30.
Coming to us from Hiram College where she has served as president since 2014, Dr. Varlotta will bring proven inclusive leadership skills, a deep commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, and a talent for engaging unified support for Cal Lutheran’s mission.
Please help us in welcoming Dr. Varlotta to Cal Lutheran!
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Pastoral Intern Seeking Housing in Orange County
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Our Redeemer Lutheran in Garden Grove is seeking housing for their new Pastoral Intern, who will begin her internship with them in August. She is a single woman with no pets, who is looking for a 1-bedroom apartment, duplex or other housing, with parking for a car, while she serves at Our Redeemer.
If you can help, please contact Pastor Brian Taylor or Rebecca G. Terrones in the church office at 714-539-9541 or by email at
office@orcgg.org
.
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Office Administrator Position
Faith Lutheran, Menifee
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Faith Lutheran Church in Menifee seeks technology-savvy self-starter for the Part Time position of Office Administrator. To submit resume and/or request job description, email
faithlutheranmenifee@gmail.com
. No phone calls, please. Position open until filled.
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Bibles and Bible Study Resources
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St. Peter's by the Sea in San Diego has extra copies of some Bible study books and Bibles. The following resources are free to those who may want them.
Good News Bible – 14 copies
Good News for Modern Man – 4 copies
The Adventure Bible – 7 copies
Good News by a Man Named Matthew – 10 copies
If you are interested in any of these resources, please contact the church by June 30 via email at
office@stpetersbythesea.org.
They are willing to hold them for you until it is safe to share them.
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Paycheck Protection Program
Funds for Ministries are Still Available!
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For the past few weeks, the ELCA Mission Investment Fund regional managers have been working with the ELCA Federal Credit Union to support congregations applying for loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). There has been a significant response to this opportunity, and we’ve heard many stories about how grateful church leaders are to get clear communication and fast action on their applications, thanks to the Credit Union’s mission to serve and support ELCA ministries.
A big concern about the second round of PPP funding was that the $310 billion appropriated by Congress would be used up as quickly as the first round of funds. In fact, the average size of PPP loans has dropped considerably in this second round, allowing smaller businesses and not-for-profits access that is expected to continue for days, if not weeks.
Please know that the staff of the ELCA Credit Union is still accepting applications for PPP loans.
If you know of congregations that would benefit from this program, please encourage them to visit the website of the ELCA Federal Credit Union for more information and to start the process. That address is:
www.elcafcu.org/ppp.
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Webinars and Other Events
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Here to Serve: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19
Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. PDT
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You are invited to join this weekly gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church and throughout society. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in the time of COVID-19, as well as an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. All of this is designed to help us process our feelings in this strange and fearful time and to create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context.
June 3 Topic - How are you? Emotional Well-being of ELCA leaders
Rev. Jeff Thieman, President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services, will join us on June 3 to share
a perspective on the current state of emotional well-being of ELCA leaders, a dive into aggregate data, and a look at the implications for holistic wellness. This will include resources available to ELCA Benefit Plan Members, as well as to the general public
.
Rev. Theimann has a unique lens from which to speak about wellness in this time of pandemic and looks forward to joining us to talk about the holistic resources available through Portico that are designed to strengthen our physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
Rev. Thiemann was called to his current role in 2011. When asked, he indicated he was drawn to lead Portico by the opportunity to combine two things he cares about deeply: solving the complex challenges of health care and retirement planning, and helping more people through God’s work. These gifts are surely being given the chance to shine in our current circumstances.
ELCA Coaching is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Weekly Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Time: June 3, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160
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Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160
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ELCA Webinar on Cultivating Generous Congregations
Thursday, June 11 at 1 PM PDT
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Is your congregation struggling financially? Compared to a year ago, many ELCA congregations have seen a decline in total revenue. While the pandemic does not stop ministry outside the walls of our congregations, it is having an impact on financial contributions. This means both regular giving and fundraising efforts. And yet, there are congregations that have maintained or increased their giving. How do these congregations continue to be generous?
For more than a year, the ELCA has been focusing on cultivating generous congregations. Rev. Larry Strenge and his Lake Institute trained team have worked with more than a hundred ELCA congregations. This has led to three strategies – recognizing the impact of negative influences (i.e., the pandemic, scarcity thinking), cultivating generosity leaders and developing a culture of generosity in your congregation and households.
Join Rev. Larry Strenge for a webinar to talk about these three strategies and how congregations can be proactive in nurturing generosity.
This Zoom meeting will be on Thursday, June 11, at 1PM PDT
Meeting ID: 319 941 5281
One tap mobile
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All Roster Leaders and lay leaders are invited. This session will be recorded and made available. If you are unable to attend on June 11, simply notify
Neil.Bullock@elca.org
and a link will be provided.
We look forward to you joining us for this conversation. Please bring your questions.
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Please join us for this week's Advocacy in Quarantine call TODAY at noon.
Join us for a 30-minute briefing on COVID-19 related legislation. See Zoom links below to participate or join
here
.
Thank you for your continued engagement. We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday!
PAX,
Regina Q. Banks
Director
Topic: Advocacy in Quarantine
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 389 725 625
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,389725625# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,389725625# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 389 725 625
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We Remember in Our Prayers
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We ask that you hold the following people in your thoughts and prayers:
- Family and friends of Rev. Jack Lindquist
- Rev. Laura Ziehl and family at the death of her father
- Reverend Robert Freistedt
- Family and friends of Rev. Duane Berg
- Family and friends of Rev. Lowell Larson
- Reverend Ron and Paula Rennegarbe
- Those affected with the COVID-19 virus and those who have lost loved ones
- Our healthcare providers, first responders, essential workers and all who continue to serve so that others can remain safely at home
In our synod e-newsletter, prayer requests may be shared for our synod's rostered ministers, spouses, key lay leaders and congregations.
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:
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2020 Joint Synod Assembly
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On March 18, 2020 - Bishops Andy Taylor and R. Guy Erwin issued the following statement regarding the 2020 Joint Synod Assembly scheduled for May 28-30 at California Lutheran University:
As we live into a new "abnormal" with COVID-19, social distancing, and cancelling of most events in our lives, we wish to inform you that the joint Pacifica and Southwest California Synod Assembly scheduled for the end of May has been postponed.
We are working with the Synod Assembly Planning team, the staffs of both synods, and California Lutheran University to see what options there may be to hold the assembly in August. While there will be questions on the postponement, we ask for your patience and prayers as the staffs and planning teams work out the details.
It seems everything is changing by the hour. But in the midst of this uncertainty, we hold on to the never changing love of God and the promise that we do not walk this untrodden path alone.
We will keep you informed as more details become available.
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Pacifica Synod - ELCA
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.692.2791
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