CHRIST - COMMUNITY - CONNECT
August 26, 2021
Transforming lives and making the
Great Commission REAL!
The Weekly Newsletter and the Prayer & Praise are created with postings submitted by congregations. Please share with us so we can share with the entire Pacific Southwest District.
 
Visit the Job Site to view current job openings in congregations and schools of the Pacific Southwest District.
Pastors' Conference & Continuing Education
Our world isn’t just changing - it CHANGED!
While Jesus, the Word, the Sacraments, and the hope of His Gospel are the same yesterday, today, and forever, the challenges we face to ENGAGE with our broken world call us to new ways of thinking and serving.

The 2021 Pacific Southwest District Pastors’ Conference will address this critical moment in Christian history with presentations by home-grown PSD practitioners who will lead us in generative thinking, study, and discussion.
Significant time has been built into the conference to gift us with opportunities to reconnect, recreate, and refocus with one another for the exciting ministry season ahead.


Fall Pastors’ Conference will be taking place October 4-6 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix/Scottsdale in Arizona. Check-in will be available on Sunday, October 3 from 4 - 8 pm for those arriving early.

Early Registration (until September 1): $160
Late Registration (after September 1): $180
Emeritus: Registration free of charge!
Registration deadline: September 24.

Exhibitors: click here to be redirected to the Exhibitor Registration page.

PSD Continuing Education Conference
In person - or via Zoom!
The 2021 PSD Continuing Education Conference will be on Sunday, October 3 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, AZ. This ½ day conference will begin with lunch and fellowship at 12:30pm and will end about 5 pm. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Jon Bjorgaard speaking on the topic Keys to Having a Successful Mission and Ministry in a Post-COVID World.  

Can't make it to Scottsdale for a 1/2 day conference? Then join us via Zoom! Once your paid registration is received, a Zoom link will be sent to you.

Early Bird Registration: $10.00, if you register by August 31
Registration After August 31: $25.00
Last day to register is Friday, September 24. 

New This Week
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Rev. ST Williams has been in continuous communication with church leaders of our sister church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti. They are seeking support from their brothers and sisters. They need prayer, food, cleaning drinking water, health kits, blankets, and tents. All of these items can be purchased in Haiti and/or the Dominican Republic. The pastors and church leaders will purchase these items then transport them. Shipment of these items from the United States would be expensive and time-consuming.

Donations can be sent to:
St. Paul Haiti Mission: 3901 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Zelle: Haiti Mission: 402-525-3395
Cash App: 402-525-3395
Bringing Christ to the Nations Conference
Registration is now open for the 77th Annual Southern California District Lutheran Laymen's League Conference Bringing Christ to the Nations on Saturday, October 9 at Concordia University Irvine.

Our speakers will include:
  • Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, PSD President
  • Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
  • Rev. Dr. Norbert Oesch, Pastoral Leadership Institute
  • Mrs. Jackie Oesch, CrossConnect Ministries

This event is FREE. Lunch is provided. A free will offering will be accepted.

Previously Posted
For PSD Employers
Complete your Concordia Health Plans Employer Elections, CARES Act Student Debt Repayment survey

2022 Concordia Health Plans (CHP) Employer Elections end on Friday, September 3. It is strongly encouraged that PSD churches, schools and other employers actively engage in this process, as there are benefits such as Accidental Injury and Critical Illness coverage that employers need to actively elect in order for their workers to sign up.

Click here to access the recording of Concordia Plans’ 2022 ALL District Town Hall that covered available benefits, plans, revisions, new products, and more.

Complete the CARES Act Student Debt Repayment survey

Concordia Plans requests that you complete this survey regarding the taxable employee benefit that assists them in paying down their student loans. Deadline is Tuesday, August 31.
Invitation to San Diego County Pastors
San Diego County pastors are invited to gather on Tuesday, August 31, 9:00 am-12:00 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, San Diego to hear Dr. Michael Thomas, President of Concordia University Irvine, share details about the mission and work at CUI. Question, contact Pastor Jim Henkell at jhenkell@stpaulspb.com.
Church Growth Model - 2 Hour Live Webinar
These are unique times! Unique times demand extraordinary clarity. Are you clear on the roles of the church in attracting, getting, retaining, growing and multiplying disciples of Jesus to reach your community with the Gospel?

The Unite Leadership Collective is in year two of leading congregations through a year-long experience to building a leadership development culture through our Accelerator. The Accelerator focuses on the GROW and MULTIPLY areas of ministry!

Yet, this is an amazing time to get clear on the best practices in attracting, getting and retaining people in your community with the Gospel of Jesus! We are going to host two-hour webinars for you (pastors) and your team!

Our first webinar will teach the Engagement Model and will set aside space for your team to develop your unique ATTRACT strategy. The following two webinars will focus on the best practices to GET and RETAIN.

Join us on Thursday, October 28, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm MST. Your one time fee of $99 per event gains you and your entire team access for the day.

Registration Now Open for Interim/Transitional Ministry Training
Do you desire to become a more effective transitional leader and agent of the Gospel? Are you considering intentional interim ministry as a possibility for your future? Do you want to learn what is necessary to help a congregation move forward from being “stuck?” This training is for both pastors and lay leaders who seek to serve effectively in changing times. Coordinate with your District President for his blessing and encouragement. Basic Training in Transitions is offered in three phases. Phases 1 and 3 are online while Phase 2 is a residential week at one of three locations in February or April. For greater details go to Basic Training in Transitions.
2022 Petal Pushers Rose Parade Coloring Contest
Students from preschool through 8th Grade are eligible to enter the 2022 Petal Pushers Rose Parade Coloring Contest!

Three winners will be selected from the following categories:
  • Preschool - Kindergarten
  • 1st-2nd Grade
  • 3rd - 5th Grade
  • 6th - 8th Grade

1st place winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to use on Petal Pushers merchandise from the online store. They will also receive a Peter Pushers t-shirt and LHM float magnet. The teachers of the 1st place students will receive the same prizes. 2nd and 3rd place student winners will receive a Petal Pushers t-shirt and LHM float magnet.


Mail entries to: The Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, PO Box 20444, Riverside, CA 92516. Entries must be postmarked by November 21.
PastorDay at CUI
PastorDay, being held on Friday, September 17 at Concordia University, is a chance for the university to thank those who serve as pastors to our students, as pastors in our community, and as pastors in our LCMS District - actually ALL CHURCH LEADERS who would like to spend the day with our students. In addition to celebrating Pastors in our chapel service that day, we will also make sure that they eat well and get a PastorDay memento to take home. In the spirit of servant leadership we will also offer the pastors in attendance an opportunity to serve the students, faculty and staff of Concordia.

To register, email Amy Bramson at amy.bramson@cui.edu.
CONCORDIAserves
Concordia University Irvine is hosting its third service day, CONCORDIAserves, on Tuesday, September 28. Last year (during COVID) some of our students made phone calls to shut-ins from local churches. Encouragement was shared – prayers were said – stories were told! This was a HUGE blessing for both our students and the shut-ins. If your church would like to participate this year, please contact Sofia Saldana at 949 214-3191 or via email at sofia.saldana@cui.edu.

As part of CONCORDIAserves, Concordia will be hosting a book drive. Please drop off NEW and gently used children's books to the Library Arts building on campus, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, September 7-28. All collected books will be distributed by The United Way of Orange County. Questions? Please call Amy Bramson at 949/214-3180 or amy.bramson@cui.edu.
Pacific Southwest District
949-854-3232