Pacifica Synod News & Notes
November 29, 2021
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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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Current Synod News & Resources |
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Celebrating the Ordinations of
Pastors Cole & Amanda McGlynn
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Congratulations to both Pastor Amanda and Pastor Cole McGlynn who were both ordained on Sunday, November 21 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks. Both Bishop Andy Taylor and Bishop Brenda Bos (Southwest California Synod) were present for the ordination.
Cole has recently been called to be the pastor of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in San Clemente, and his wife Amanda has been serving as pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Oceanside since August.
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Coaching for All Seasons:
Monthly Online Gathering for Pacifica Synod
Rostered & Lay Leaders
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
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11:00 a.m. to noon (PST) / 9:00 a.m. (HST)
"The Calm Before the Storm -
A Place for Advent Refuge"
With Pastor Darryl Kozak
Pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to join. Click HERE to register.
December is a hectic time of the year with shopping, decorating, and getting things ready for another holiday season. And in the church, it’s a busy time as we prepare and plan for celebrating the great festival of Christmas. It can seem overwhelming.
As a way to set some time aside for prayer, meditation, and silence, our December Pacifica Coaching theme is “The Calm before the Storm” - a time for rest, renewal, and reset. During our gathering, Darryl W. Kozak, one of our Pacifica coaches and pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Corona, will lead this session with a guided meditation to center ourselves followed by a time of prayer and silence. You’ll be invited to join three breakout groups each focusing on a different topic.
We hope this will provide a safe space for you to simply rest in God’s Spirit.
Brought to you by your Pacifica Synod Coaching Team to support Synod leaders during challenging times. Each monthly offering brings a presentation on a current topic and an opportunity to discuss it in a small group facilitated by an ELCA coach.
Pacifica Synod has invested in training coaches to work with rostered and lay leaders one-on-one or in groups. A coach's role is to support leaders in naming challenging issues and identifying constructive responses to them.
For more information:
Click here to view our Synod Coaching web page for resources as well as previous presentations.
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Reflections on Practical Ecumenism
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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San Diego LARC (Lutheran/Anglican/Roman Catholic) is holding, hosted by Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, La Mesa on January 19th, 2022. This will be an in-person event, also available for online streaming.
Download a PDF flyer to share HERE.
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Upcoming Ordinations & Installations in Pacifica Synod |
Installation of Pastor Carole Parmeter Dyer - December 11
On Saturday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Carole Parmeter Dyer will be installed as pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Cypress. All are invited to participate in prayer, as well as in-person or online (over Zoom).
Those planning to attend in-person are asked to wear a mask even if they are vaccinated. Mt. Calvary is located at 5895 Ball Road, Cypress. For those who wish to join via Zoom, please email the church office at mtcalcypress@sbcglobal.net to have the Zoom link sent to you.
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Ordination of Jennifer Garcia - December 18
Installation of Pastor Jennifer Garcia - December 19
The ordination of Jennifer Garcia will be celebrated on Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran in Fullerton. St. Paul is located at 111 W. Las Palmas Drive. Those attending in-person are asked to wear a mask. There will be a reception following the service and those planning to attend are asked to RSVP in advance to pastorjennifergarcia@gmail.com. Those who would like to view the live-stream of the service may do so on St. Paul's Facebook page.
The following day, Sunday, December 19 at 9:00 a.m., Pastor Jennifer will be installed as Associate Pastor at First Lutheran in Fullerton, 215 N. Lemon Street. Those attending in-person are asked to wear a mask. Light refreshments will be served after the service. For those wishing to view the service online, it will be live-streamed on First Lutheran's YouTube channel.
Jennifer Garcia grew up attending St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fullerton. After graduating from Westmont College, she worked in nonprofit administration for six years before discerning her call to ordained ministry. She attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and served her internship at Our Redeemer Church in Garden Grove. She married Eric Garcia in 2019, and they live in La Mirada. Jennifer was called as Associate Pastor to First Lutheran Church in Fullerton and began her ministry there in October 2021. She is overjoyed to serve her hometown.
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2022 Pacifica Synod Assembly News! |
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The Deadline for Presenting a Resolution or Memorial to the
2022 Pacifica Synod Assembly is February 19, 2022
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The resolutions process enables individuals or recognized groups within the synod to bring a request for action or a request for a statement to be made by the Synod Assembly. Since the ELCA Churchwide Assembly meets in the summer of 2022, this Synod Assembly will consider both resolutions and memorials. For information about the differences between a “resolution” and a “memorial,” please visit the ELCA Office of the Secretary webpage found here.
Resolutions and memorials may be submitted by a congregation of the Synod, a Ministry Team, an ELCA institution or agency, a conference, or the Synod Council and must be signed by the appropriate leadership (i.e., president, chair, dean, etc.). Individuals may submit a resolution/memorial with the signatures of 10 other members of the Synod. The maker(s) of the resolution/memorial must be identified separately from the required signers.
Resolutions/memorials are to be submitted in writing 90 days in advance of the Synod Assembly (by February 19, 2022) for review by the Resolutions Committee and for placement in the preassembly materials. They may be mailed or emailed to the synod office at rachelline@pacificasynod.org to the attention of the Resolutions Committee.
For more information about resolutions and memorials, click here.
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Nomination Period for Pacifica Synod
Council & Mission Funds Committee Now Open
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Are You Feeling Called to be a Leader in the Pacifica Synod?
· Do you feel called to do more in Pacifica?
· Do you want to do something new in Pacifica?
· Do you think you could be a leader for change in Pacifica?
· Perhaps you are being called to be a leader in the Pacifica Synod.
The Nominating Committee of the Pacifica Synod invites members of Pacifica Synod congregations to prayerfully consider if God is calling them to serve on:
· Synod Council
· Mission Funds Committee
Elections to fill these positions will take place during the 2022 Synod Assembly from May 19-21, 2022. Descriptions of the duties of each open position can be found using the links below.
Any congregational member in good standing may self-nominate or be nominated to open positions by completing the online nomination form.
Nomination forms for all positions must be received no later than Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Biographical forms must be received no later than Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Those who wish to be considered for open positions who have not submitted their form by March 1 will need to be nominated from the Synod Assembly floor per S9.03.02*** and must be accompanied by a written nomination containing the signatures of no less than 10 persons entitled to vote at the assembly for the nominee.
For a complete listing of open positions and position descriptions, click here.
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Warner Trust Fund Grant
Application Period Now Open through January 15
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The application period for the 2022 Pacifica Synod Warner Trust Fund Grants is now open until January 15, 2022.
Charles and Mable Warner were members of First Lutheran Church, Los Angeles.
They had no children and loved their church as evidenced by the following
quote from their will:
"...The entire remainder of the trust estate shall go and be distributed to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Southwest, Los Angeles, California, with the request that such estate be used in the construction of Sunday School facilities and to further youth Christian education."
As legal successors to the Southwest Synod, the principal was divided among the five ELCA synods in Region 2. The principal from the fund has been placed in the ELCA Mission Investment Fund and the interest is made available annually in March, as grants. Depending on interest rates we anticipate receiving about $20,000 on our investment this year that will then be distributed as grants.
More information about these grants and the application may be found here.
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Living the Resurrection
Upcoming Zoom Conversations & Exploration Workshops
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Living the Resurrection is a vitality initiative to help congregations thrive through processes, workshops, keynotes, consultations, and coaching developed by the Rev. Dr. Marjorie Funk-Pihl while she served the Southwest California Synod as director for Evangelical Mission. Although she had led medium-sized congregations for more than 20 years, she was challenged by how to help smaller monocultural congregations located in large multicultural neighborhoods. She created Living the Resurrection to help these congregations.
Now California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH), an independent not-for-profit social ministry organization that provides assistance for those in need of housing and human services through partnerships with church congregations, community-based organizations, and local agencies, will collaborate with Living the Resurrection to make the 18-month Living the Resurrection program more accessible to small-to-medium-sized congregations in Southern California.
Is it Time to start Living the Resurrection?
A One-hour Zoom conversation
Tuesday, November 30 at 3:30 p.m. PST
Are you curious about the Living the Resurrection process – but don’t want to commit to anything yet? Go to www.livingtheresurrection.com scroll down to the “upcoming events” and click on “Is it time?” You’ll find opportunities for a one-hour Zoom conversation at 3:30 p.m. PST on November 30. RSVP to attend!
Exploration Workshops
Online December 4, 2021 from 10am-1pm, RSVP by December 1
In-Person January 8, 2022 in Santa Ana, RSVP by January 4
In-Person January 15, 2022 in Glendale, RSVP by January 11
Want to experience what it’s like to be part of a Living the Resurrection Learning Community? Sign up and attend this workshop. You’ll get an overview of the whole process as well as a chance to practice using a couple of the skills! Go to www.livingtheresurrection.com scroll down to the “upcoming events” and click on “Exploration Workshop” and RSVP. If it will help your discernment, invite Pastor Marj to a zoom meeting with your council! marj@livingtheresurrection.com
Questions about Living the Resurrection?
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Global Mission Update - Pastor Hitoshi & Satoko Adachi |
Pastor Hitoshi Adachi and his wife, Satoko, are currently serving as missionaries with the Japan Evangelicial Lutheran Church in Kumamoto, Japan. To learn more about what is taking place in their ministry, please click here for their November 2021 newsletter.
The brochure attached here details the Adachi's ministry in Japan and how to best support them. You can give through the synod office or mail your check to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009. Make checks payable to “ELCA Missionaries” with “(Hitoshi and Satoko) Adachi GCS2051” in the memo line.
To donate by credit or debit card, go to https://community.elca.org/Japan or call 800-638-3522 and specify “(Hitoshi and Satoko) Adachi GCS2051”. To set up an automatic monthly bank withdrawal or to establish a covenant of prayer, communication, and support, please contact 800-638-3522, ext. 2657, or globalchurch@elca.org.
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Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Congregational Co-Sponsorship Opportunities
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Newly arrived Afghan refugees and allies desperately need the help of Lutheran congregations throughout the country. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and its network of national agencies are calling on ELCA congregations to again open their doors and their hearts in resettlement welcome.
The ELCA and LIRS believe in the Long Welcome. After the initial resettlement of our 50,000+ Afghan neighbors, we will need communities to continue to offer financial support and welcome for up to a year (congregational co-sponsorship). We expect volunteer opportunities (community sponsorship) and needs to continue for months, even years – because the work we are doing is about more than simply getting our allies out of Afghanistan. The work of welcome is providing the support, compassion, and community that our allies need once they arrive to the United States.
To assist with your congregational discernment two websites have been created:
Help Our Afghan Allies
This page provides prayers, videos, a donation link and ways to get involved
The Circle of Welcome for Afghan Allies
This page provides registration for congregations to have their information sent to their local affiliate as well as:
We are calling on Lutheran congregations to again bear witness to the gospel during this crisis by welcoming the stranger in our midst. We invite you to discern, register on the LIRS page, and join in this humanitarian movement.
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ELCA Faith, Sexism & Justice Study Guide Now Available |
The ELCA churchwide organization is releasing the study guide for this church’s newest social statement, Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action. The new study guide features six flexible sessions that can be customized for in-person gatherings, virtual discussions or interactive virtual meetings. Each session incorporates prayers, videos, engaging activities, Scripture study and invitations to live out the social statement’s call to gender justice in the world.
The study guide supports individuals, congregations, students, organizations and faith leaders as they explore gender justice to pursue equity for women and girls.
As Lutherans, we are called to serve the neighbor and affirm the diversity of God’s creation. Grounded in faith and love, we work for a gender justice that flows from the heart of Lutheran theology and cultivates abundant life for all people.
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Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications Now Open!
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After a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is preparing to send volunteers out into the world again! Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2022-2023 program year.
If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2022. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2022.) Talk to them personally about what this opportunity will mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world. You can share these videos about the YAGM experience.
YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2022 and will be placed in one of nine country programs.
Through YAGM, young adults will learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as they walk alongside global church companions. They’ll become immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. And they’ll confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.
Download a poster to share in your congregation HERE.
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"Called to Lead"
A Galactic-themed Journey of Discovery
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For young people who love science fiction and pop culture but struggle to talk about God and the Bible, the new, interactive “Called to Lead” guide offers young people a starting place for discussion of their inner selves, their vocation and their call to lead.
The “Called to Lead” spiritual gifts interactive activity was first offered at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. Participants traveled to a distant galaxy where they identified their specific leadership gifts and abilities. Then they were sent to planets that offered them specialized training — so they could become the best protectors of the universe they could be!
“Called to Lead” has been adapted into a set of downloadable resources that can be used in person or online. The materials include a five-part Bible study guide as well as instructions and supplies for leading the spiritual gifts interactive activity in a variety of contexts. These resources were designed for middle school and high school youth, but they can be adapted for use with young adults.
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ELCA 2022 Youth Gathering News! |
Important Registration Update
The Gathering leadership has decided to change the end of regular registration to Jan. 21, 2022. Originally, our regular registration deadline was Feb. 21. This change allows our planning teams more time to plan for you and your congregation next summer. Regular registration is $390 per person. For more information on registration, please visit the Gathering’s website.
Upcoming Key Dates
- Nov. 22, 2021 - Regular Registration begins
- Nov. 22, 2021 - Servant Companion application opens
- Jan. 21, 2022 - Regular Registration ends (NOTE THE EARLIER DATE!)
- Jan. 22, 2022 - Servant Companion applications close
- Jan. 22, 2022 - Housing Assignments released (for Early Bird registrants)
Top Ten Things to Know as You Start to Prepare
Many congregations are just now getting ready to attend the 2022 Gathering, so if you haven’t started, you aren’t behind! The Gathering team has put together a list of 10 things you should know as you prepare to get your group together for next summer. There are resources, ideas and pro-tips galore! Download the list here.
Getting Ready Materials
Getting Ready Materials (all free to download) are now available here!
Gathering Webinars
The Gathering webinars provide lots of valuable information. If you missed any of them, they are still available to be viewed using the link below. You can also register for upcoming webinars.: https://www.elca.org/YouthGathering/About/Webinars. The next webinar on Mass Gathering will be held on Thursday, February 17.
To find out more about the 2022 Youth Gatheing, check out the Gathering website www.elca.org/gathering or contact Molly Farrin, Pacifica's Gathering Synod Coordinator. Molly's role is to answer your questions and help your journey to the Gathering be as smooth as possible.
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ReconcilingWorks 2022 Sunday Worship Resources |
"ReconcilingWorks wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources. Many RIC communities celebrate RIC Sunday on the last Sunday in January. This year, that lands on January 30, 2022. ReconcilingWorks encourages you to celebrate on a date that is meaningful for your community. Be sure to use this day as a time to recommit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come." Learn more here.
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Cal Lutheran's Visioning Lab:
Executive Skills for Faith Leaders
Thursday, December 9
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California Lutheran University is rebooting their Executive Skills for Church Leaders program and is hosting an online space for leaders to come and offer feedback to inform their planning on Thursday, December 9 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. PST.
Four people who attend will be chosen at random to receive $100 off of whatever program is created. The Facebook event link may be found here.
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2021 Mohrenweiser Lecture Series
Co-Sponsored by PLTS Center for Climate Justice & Faith
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"Climate Justice, Health and Wellbeing"
with Dr. Manoj Kurian
Friday, December 10, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PST
Free to Join, Registration Required
This lecture will discuss how climate change is threatening human health and well-being, and the ethical and moral imperative for action. The lecture will also delve into preparedness and prevention; mitigation and adaptation; and recovery from the loss and damage already sustained. The discussions will encourage reflections on how we can be accountable and take responsibility- as individuals, as congregations, as communities, and as nations.
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LRCC In-Person Winter Events are Back in 2022! |
Family Winterfest 2022
Get away for the weekend with a family trip to El Camino Pines and Luther Glen Farm for Family Winterfest 2022!
Come with your whole family, or come alone and meet some new friends! Children will have their own activities led by the LRCC staff. Adults meet separately with a keynote speaker. Enjoy a weekend of family, fun and fellowship!
El Camino Pines Family Winterfest begins Saturday, January 15 and ends on Monday, January 17, after worship and an early lunch.
Luther Glen Farm Family Winterfest begins Saturday, February 19 and ends on Monday, February 21, after worship and an early lunch.
El Camino Pines & Luther Glen Farm Cabin Price: $160 per adult
Luther Glen Farm Retreat Center Price: $210 per adult
High School, Middle School & Elementary School Winter Retreats
Various dates at both El Camino Pines and Luther Glen Farm
Price: $160 per youth
$125 per adult chaperone
For more information or to register your group, click HERE!
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ELCA & Other Partners
News & Ministry Links
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ELCA World Hunger "Go & Do News" - Nov 2021
ELCA "Seeds Monthly" Newsletter - Nov 2021
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Director of Music Ministries (Part-Time)
Good Shepherd Lutheran, Claremont
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont is seeking a Director of Music Ministries.
This position’s primary responsibilities will be to coordinate with the Pastor in providing leadership to all music ministries at Good Shepherd. The preferred applicant has proficiency in piano or organ, experience leading choirs/praise bands, broad knowledge of church music styles (classical, contemporary, folk and gospel) and the role of music in Lutheran worship, matching music with the themes of the church year.
Resumé, cover letter and references should be submitted to Good Shepherd via mail to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1700 N. Towne Ave. Claremont, CA 91768, or email pastorlaramartin@gmail.com.
This is a part-time position (20 hours/week) – payment is competitive based on experience and ability.
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Choir Director (Part-Time)
Community Lutheran, Rancho Santa Margarita
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Position Details
Reports to: Pastor – Status: Part-time – Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience – non-exempt
Job Summary
Serve as Chancel Choir Director for Sunday worship services, as well as for seasonal worship services. Lead Thursday evening rehearsal and coordinate recruitment and scheduling of vocal or instrumental soloists. Will coordinate scheduling with the Directors of other music groups within the congregation (e.g Bell Choir, Children's Choir), as well as our cantors.
Interested parties can email a letter of interest along with a resume to clcrsm@gmail.com. Please contact the church office at clcrsm@gmail.com for more information.
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Worship Leader (Part-Time)
Lutheran Church of Our Savior-Spirit of Hope,
San Bernardino
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Lutheran Church of Our Savior-Spirit of Hope, San Bernardino is seeking a part-time Worship Leader. The primary responsibilities of the part-time worship leader will be to lead the contemporary, prayer and praise worship services, and grow the music ministry at Lutheran Church of Our Savior – Spirit of Hope. The Leader needs to work closely in communication with the church secretary and is responsible to the Pastor and Church Council. The Worship and Music Committee is involved in helping to plan our worship ministry. Proactive communication and planning are essential.
For a position description, click here.
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Senior Development Manager
Survivors of Torture, International - San Diego
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Survivors of Torture, International in San Diego is seeking a full-time Senior Development Manager.
The Senior Development Manager is responsible for the management and execution of SURVIVORS’ fundraising to develop a stable financial base for the organization. Activities in this department seek a broad and balanced blend of sustainable funding sources (individual donors, governmental and foundation grants, faith-based support, and planned giving efforts). Fund development activity includes year-round tours and preparations leading up to the annual fundraising event, special community events, guiding committee work and individual donor cultivation and cultivation events. Emphasis is on generating five-year pledges in the range of $1,000-$25,000 per year, annual leadership gifts and management of grant acquisition and evaluation. This position supervises three direct reports (Community Engagement Coordinator, Grants Manager, and Data Quality and Evaluations Manager) and interns and volunteers as needed.
To download a complete position description, please click here.
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Webinars and Other Events |
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The National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival
Friday, December 10
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Join the NLC this holiday season online for their 36th annual Christmas Festival, The Earth Adorned. A livestream of the concert will be available for free to all on the NLCA.com website at 6:00 p.m. PST/4:00 p.m. HST on Friday, December 10.
During The Earth Adorned, we will view the birth of Christ alongside the beauty of this world through works for choir and instruments including Aaron David Miller's Chanticleer, Paul John Rudoi’s Orbit Carol, and the Creation Suite by Dr. Larry Fleming. The Earth Adorned will include singing of carols, recitations of poetry, and more from the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, MN.
Christmas Festival: The Earth Adorned Livestream
Friday, Dec. 10th - 8 p.m. CT
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2022 Ignite the Church Conference
February 8-10, 2022
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ANNOUNCING the 2022 IGNITE THE CHURCH CONFERENCE
SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where do we go from here?
Since February 2020, the Church has been enduring unprecedented seismic shifts. In response, a new Hybrid version of the grassroots Ignite the Church Conference will gather next February…In-Person in sunny Orlando AND Online…to reflect on the theme: SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here? The theme is grounded in the witness of Psalm 46: 1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains shake." Four large group sessions will focus on the following shifts: Public Church (Robin Steinke and Winston Persaud), Hybrid Church (Joe and Jess Liles), Adaptive Church (Tod Bolsinger), Thriving Church (Stephanie Spellers). Ten 90-minute workshops will dig deeper into these shifts to offer encouragement, inspiration, and challenge for church leaders.
To register and learn more about the presenters, workshop options, and other details go to www.IgniteTheChurch.net. Register by November 30 to access the lowest $99 In-Person rate. The Online option will provide live and recorded access to each large group session and the post-conference Resource Page. The Online option is FREE…with a suggested donation $30 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders invited. All proceeds continue to benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders which has received $13,000 from the Conference in just the past two years.
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Stephen Ministry Bridge Leader's Training Course
Synod Scholarships Available
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Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains Stephen Leaders—the pastors, church staff, and lay leaders who begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregation.
The BLTC draws on newly redesigned and updated Stephen Ministry resources to equip participants with the skills and know-how to lead all aspects of their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. This includes training a team of congregation members as lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers), matching them with hurting people in the congregation and community, and offering ongoing guidance and support to Stephen Ministers as they provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people experiencing a wide range of life difficulties.
Established in 1975, Stephen Ministry is a lay caring ministry being used by thousands of congregations of all types, sizes, and settings—across the US, Canada, and 30 other countries. Stephen Leaders in these congregations have equipped more than 600,000 people as Stephen Ministers, who in turn have cared for millions of people in need. The new training and resources carry this ministry into the future, preparing congregations to meet the ministry challenges of an ever-changing world.
Did you know that the Pacifica Synod offers scholarships for lay persons attending Stephen Ministries training? These are available through the Cathryn Wright Fund. More information about the scholarship and the application to apply may be found on our synod website here.
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
2022 Events Update
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The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is pleased to announce that we will conduct three sessions of our Mediation Skills Training Institute in person in 2022!
Registration is open for all five sessions scheduled for next year: March 14-18 (online), May 9-13 (online), June 13-17 (in person in Fort Mill, SC), August 1-5 (in person in the Chicago area), and November 14-18 (in person, location TBD).
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We Remember in Our Prayers |
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We ask that you hold the following people and situations in your thoughts and prayers:
- For the Afghan people, our allies, and vulnerable populations in the midst of this humanitarian disaster.
- For the communities impacted by Hurricane Ida and those who have lost loved ones, housing and are without necessities.
- For the people of Haiti in the face of earthquakes, tropical storms and political unrest.
- Those affected by wildfires, floods, tropical storms and other natural disasters, as well as emergency personnel responding to these situations.
- For those in countries facing political and civil unrest - Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Myanmar and others.
- For peace in Palestine and Israel and for those who have lost loved ones and their homes due to violence and unrest.
- Our nation and its leaders.
- Those affected with the COVID-19 virus and those who have lost loved ones.
- Our healthcare providers, first responders and all who continue to care for those battling COVID-19.
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.
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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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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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