Pacifica Synod News & Notes
January 31, 2022

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.
Current Synod News & Resources
Upcoming Installations & Ordinations
in the Pacifica Synod
Installation of Deacon Margy Schmitt Ajer Saturday, February 5
On Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m., Deacon Margy Schmitt Ajer will be installed as Deacon for Faith Formation and Congregational Outreach at San Marcos Lutheran Church. All are invited to participate in prayer and those who plan to attend in person, are asked to be vaccinated, masked and honor social distancing. Deacon Margy began her call with San Marcos on September 15, 2021.
Installation of Pastor Gloria Imamura
Tuesday, February 22
On Tuesday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m. HST/1:00 p.m. PST, Pastor Gloria Imamura will be installed as Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Honolulu. All are invited to participate in prayer and those who plan to attend in person are required to wear a mask. The service will be livestreamed on the congregation's Facebook page and may be accessed at https://www.princeofpeacewaikiki.com/.

Pastor Gloria was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. She was working as a lay church minister at Phinney Ridge Lutheran in Seattle when she met her future husband, Al, on a trip to Kalaupapa, Molokai. That led to her eventually moving to Honolulu when she married Al Imamura in 1987. After working for approximately seventeen years in insurance, she left that industry and went to seminary, receiving her Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary’s Pasadena campus in 2010. In the fall of that same year she was called as an associate minister to Central Union Church, where she served until late in 2015. In 2016 she accepted a call to Makiki Christian Church as an associate pastor of their English division. She served in that capacity until retiring at the end of 2020. 

Watch for More Information to Come on These Services
Installation of Pastor J.P. Paxton - Lihue Lutheran Church
Saturday, February 19 - 3:00 p.m. HST/5:00 p.m. PST

Ordination & Installation of Pastor Brianna Lloyd - Lutheran Church of Honolulu
Sunday, February 20 - 5:00 p.m. HST/7:00 p.m. PST

Installation of Pastor Moses Barrios - Calvary by the Sea, Honolulu
Saturday, February 26 - 5:00 p.m. HST/7:00 p.m. PST

Ordination of Pastor Steve Anderson
Called to Lutheran Church of Our Savior-Spirit of Hope, San Bernardino
Service at Eden, Riverside - Saturday, March 12 - 3:00 p.m. PST/1:00 p.m. HST
Bishop's Conversations with Congregation Presidents
February 1 and 5
We invite Congregation Presidents to join us for the next Congregation President's meeting Bishop Andy. Since January is the time when many new presidents take office, we’ll discuss how to run both congregational and council meetings, giving suggestions for best practices. We’ll also have time for break out groups for discussion with other presidents about what is happening in your congregation, and how you and your churches are proclaiming the gospel at this time. 
 
The conversations will take place over Zoom and both current and incoming Congregation Presidents are invited. There will be two sessions offered so you can choose the one that works best for you. The dates and times are as follows:
 
Tuesday, February 1 - 7:00 p.m. PST/5:00 p.m. HST
 
Saturday, February 5 - 10:00 a.m. PST/8:00 a.m. HST
 
You may register for the session of your choice by using the registration button below. Each session will last about 90 minutes. You will receive a confirmation email after registering which will include the Zoom link to join the conversation. This link will also be sent to you the morning of your session.
 Coaching for All Seasons:
Monthly Online Gathering for Pacifica Synod
Rostered & Lay Leaders
Thursday, February 3, 2022
11:00 a.m. to noon (PST) / 9:00 a.m. (HST)
Pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to join and may be done here.

What does a Bishop do?
What an interesting question in this year when Pacifica Synod will elect a Bishop who’s never served in that role. At our next gathering, Bishop Erik Gronberg, of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, will share his thoughts on the responsibilities of a bishop.

Topics will include:
 
  • what qualifications help a bishop succeed;
  • how a bishop selects his/her staff; 
  • how a bishop sets priorities; 
  • what Bishop Erik wishes he had known before he became bishop that he had to learn by experience; and
  • anything else Bishop Erik thinks would be helpful to rostered and lay leaders who will be voting to elect our new bishop.
 
Bishop Erik was elected in April of 2016. Before that, he served as pastor of congregations in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and Fort Worth, Texas. 
 
A native Texan, he enrolled at Harvard University, where he was a letterman on the football team (1997 Ivy League champions) and an active participant in Lutheran Campus Ministry. After earning his Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy, he worked as a consultant in the municipal bond market assisting governments, hospitals, and universities to structure and re-structure multimillion-dollar debt financings.
 
Bishop Erik graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2005 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained in the ELCA. He earned a PhD in Leadership Studies at Dallas Baptist University in 2017. His area of academic interest is adaptive leadership in crisis.
 
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. 
 
If you would like more information about coaching, please contact Deenna Eley, Pacifica Synod Coaching Coordinator at pacificacoachinggroup@gmail.com
Memorial Service for Pastor Yutaka Kishino
Last Friday, January 28, we shared the news of the death of Pastor Yutaka Kishino. You may view that email announcement here. In addition to a number of other calls, Pastor Yutaka served as Pacifica Synod's Mission Director from 1989 until 2005.

We have since learned that a memorial service celebrating Pastor Yutaka's life will be held on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4861 Liverpool Street, Yorba Linda.

Cards or notes of condolences may be sent to:

Nancy Kishino
3681 Sunnyside Drive, #20144
Riverside, CA 92506

Sharing Our Faith Stories
Evangelism Curriculum Training
for Congregation Leaders
Evangelism doesn't have to mean handing out pamphlets or cornering strangers at the mall.
 
Pastor Jennifer Garcia, Associate Pastor of First Lutheran in Fullerton and a member of the Pacifica Synod Evangelism Team, is offering a Bible study curriculum for Pacifica Synod congregations to use during the Easter season about sharing our faith stories in a more relational way.
 
Interested in hearing more? Pastor Jennifer is leading this study over Zoom for anyone in the synod interested in using it later in their congregations. There are four weekly sessions remaining on Wednesday evenings from February 2 through 23, 2022 from 7-8 p.m. PST/5-6 p.m. HST (don't worry - it ends before Ash Wednesday). There's no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to join.
Living the Resurrection
Saturday, February 12
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. 

Don’t miss this chance! You can come to the first official workshop of Living the Resurrection, even if you didn’t make it to any of the earlier opportunities. We don’t need a commitment to the process until mid-March. However, once the process starts, the workshops closed and no new congregations can be added. Perhaps it is better to have started, and quit, than never to have started at all. Or something like that.

The first official Living the Resurrection workshop will be Saturday, February 12, 2022. If we can meet in person, we will (site TBD), otherwise we will be online. 


Questions about Living the Resurrection?
Contact Pastor Marj Funk-Pihl at marj@livingtheresurrection.com.

This opportunity is funded by
2022 Pacifica Synod Assembly News!
Important Synod Assembly Registration Information
In January, all congregations will be sent information about congregational voting member registration. This will include the number of voting members assigned to your congregation, as well as an invoice to take advantage of the early congregational registration fee of $525 (for up to 3 voting members). To take advantage of this discount, the invoice must be paid by February 28. Beginning March 1, the congregational fee will increase to $550. Online registration of voting members and visitors to the Assembly will open on March 1.

**Please note - ALL 2022 Synod Assembly attendees must provide proof of full COVID vaccination or negative test, as per Synod Council vote.
The Deadline for Presenting a Resolution or Memorial to the
2022 Pacifica Synod Assembly is February 19, 2022
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.
Nomination Period for Pacifica Synod
Council & Mission Funds Committee Open Through February 15
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.
Annual Reporting Reminders
for Congregations & Rostered Ministers
Annual Reporting for Rostered Ministers
All rostered ministers in the ELCA are required to complete an annual report to the bishop. Follow this link to select the applicable report from the ELCA website page. This report is a fillable PDF. 
 
Once completed, please return this form to the synod office by email to Bishop Andy at andytaylor@pacificasynod.org or by mail to the Pacifica Synod office at 1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA, 92701. 

Congregational (Parochial) Reports
In December, the ELCA mailed the 2021 Congregational Report forms to all congregations. The mailing included Form A, Form C, the instructions, and the financial worksheet. In addition, the Congregational ID number and password for online reporting (printed on Form A) were included in the mailing. You will need these items to log in and file your report online. To do so, follow this link.
 

The due date for these forms is March 1, 2022. If you can't locate your login information, please contact Carol Youngman at carolyoungman@pacificasynod.org.

2022 Statement of Intent
Congregations are asked to submit their 2022 Statement of Intent as soon as your 2022 budget is approved. You may find a copy of the fillable 2022 Statement of Intent here for you to complete and return to the Pacifica Synod office as soon as you are able, if you haven't done so already. You can mail it to the synod office or email a scanned copy to Terri Robertson at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.
Books & Breakfast at Danish Lutheran Church
NEW DATE - Saturday, April 30
On Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, author, folklorist and Orthodox Christian, Nic Hartmann from Iowa will visit the Danish Lutheran Church and speak about his book: " Northern Light of Christ. Lessons on faith from above the Birch Line."

The church is located at 16881 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda. The event cost is $20 and includes breakfast. You may reserve your spot and purchase tickets via their website at www.danishchurchsocal.com (click the "Shop & Reservations tab at the top of the page) or by email at info@danishchurchsocal.com. Walk-ins are also welcome to attend and pay at the door.

Masks will be required when not seated and eating. For a downloadable flyer to share, click here.
10th Annual Bonhoeffer Festival
Thursday, May 12
The 10th Annual Bonhoeffer Festival will take place on Thursday, May 12 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Claremont from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. PST. This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP to attend, please email Pastor Thom Johnson at TJohnson@cst.edu or contact by phone at 909.802.9549.

The event will also be offered online via Zoom. For those who wish to participate in this manner, please indicate so when you RSVP and you will be sent the link and password.
For a downloadable PDF flyer to share, click here.
From the ELCA

ELCA Presiding Bishop's Pastoral Message on Ukraine
 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
 
I watch with grave concern as tensions continue between Russia and Ukraine, and I fervently pray that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will be reached. I affirm the statement of the Lutheran World Federation’s general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt: “We urge all parties to de-escalate the situation and work for peace and stability. A peaceful solution must be found.”

Our social statementFor Peace in God's World offers guidance:
We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers. . . . [T]he basis of the Church's peace-calling is in God's final peace, the peace of God's eternal reign. That calling is to proclaim the Gospel of God's final peace and to work for earthly peace.
Join with me in praying for peace for the people of Ukraine and that the international community will play a constructive role in this regard. We pray also for the Ukrainian diaspora in our context, that they may know God’s peace.  
 
In peace, 

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
 
Boldly Serving Our Afghan Neighbors Webinar
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
4:00 PM PST/2:00 PM HST
The need for our accompaniment and support is growing following evacuation of thousands of Afghan refugees to the United States, and we hear the call to bear witness to God's love with Afghan newcomers who have lost their homes and must make new beginnings. Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA AMMPARO network and ELCA Witness in Society will help congregations and individuals answer the call to engage in co-sponsorship, financial support and advocacy meaningfully and effectively as we seek to show welcome in the days and years ahead.
 
"Now is the Time" Study Guide
The ELCA introduces "Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent" to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
 
"Now Is the Time" stresses realism, self-examination and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
 
The five-part study resource, with a guide and participant materials, is available here.
Portico Benefit Services Updates
At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Tests
Details are emerging daily for our ELCA-Primary members. Plan members can find the most up to date information on our website: At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Tests (porticobenefits.org)

Annual Meeting – 2022 Budget Approval
When your annual budget is approved, a friendly reminder if there are any changes to compensation or staff, be sure to update this information on Portico’s EmployerLink website. Also, please remind staff to check their paychecks to make sure any pre-tax contributions to their retirement, FSA/HSA, and extra life insurance contributions are accurate in the new year. 

If anyone has questions or would like to reach out to Andrea Arey for more conversation around their benefits or retirement account, Andrea can be reached at 949-338-9573 or aarey@porticobenefits.org.
Lutheran Schools Week
March 6-12, 2022
The Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) encourages congregations to share, support, advocate and/or participate in Lutheran Schools Week, March 6-12. As the message in their 2021-22 ELCA Schools and Learning Centers Devotion Guide states: "As ELEA and as a ministry of the ELCA we are “rooted together in Christ” and we will continue to persevere in our roles and responsibilities, to be a shining and inspiring example of faith-filled leadership and Lutheran education amidst ever-changing environments."  

The materials for the Lutheran Schools Week provide connections to be made with your children, families, staff, and congregation. The information provided is the product of collaborative and creative partnerships through members of the ELEA Board. This year’s theme — “Persevere: Rooted Together in Christ,”  considers the time, space, and people needed to incorporate Lutheran Schools Week into all our partner organizations. This is designed to be a resource for you and your staff, as you celebrate the joy of Lutheran Schools with your colleagues around the country. The support of this vital ministry will only help strengthen relationships and engage the diverse families and children of our ELCA Schools and Learning Centers into our Congregations; living into Church and School Together!
ELCA World Hunger 40 Days of Giving
For nearly two years, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16).
 
Thank you for all you are doing in your congregation and community to continue God’s work and to share the grace and love of Christ. You are invited to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
 
To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order free resources today.
Lutheran Disaster Wildfire Response
On Dec. 30, the Marshall Fire ignited in Boulder County, Colo. Over 6,200 acres burned quickly, forcing the evacuations of 35,000 people. The fire spread throughout suburban neighborhoods, destroying at least 500 homes. While December wildfires are rare, the severe drought in the western United States created hazardous conditions that allowed the Marshall Fire to spread rapidly. This unusual fire is one of the impacts of a changing climate and will become increasingly more common.

Lutheran Disaster Response is engaging with the Rocky Mountain Synod and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains to respond to the impact of the fires. We anticipate that immediate needs will include emotional and spiritual care, temporary shelters, food and other necessities. With local partners, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to accompany survivors throughout the years of long-term recovery.

Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires, until the response is complete. Or make a gift to "Lutheran Disaster Response" so they can respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike.
ELCA 2022 Youth Gathering Registration Update
On January 14, the ELCA Youth Gathering announced the following:
"Due to the latest COVID-19 surge and recent changes in Gathering leadership, we are pausing registration so our team can evaluate and discern the most faithful next steps for the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble. Registration rates and other key dates will be adjusted accordingly. Stay tuned to our social media, website and gNews for updates in the coming weeks."

Update on January 26:
"Our team is hard at work discerning the next steps forward given the information we have. As you can imagine with an event of this size-- there are a lot of components. We appreciate your patience. We hope to have more information in the next week."

Please keep all those working to plan this event in your prayers as they discern the next faithful steps.
No-Cost College Readiness Webinar Series
February 2022
ELCA colleges and universities are dedicated to providing students with the best education possible, and we are kicking off 2022 with the College Readiness Webinar Series, free webinars to answer any questions families may have about applying to or preparing for college. The series is composed of five different webinars, each focusing on a topic that will move you forward in your college search. The webinars will be offered throughout February.

These free, easy-to-access webinars get you the firsthand information you need to help make your college search successful!

  • Get the Most Out of a College Visit: February 8, 2022
  • Admissions Directors’ Advice: February 10, 2022
  • How to Pay for College: February 15, 2022
  • Starting Your Search: February 17, 2022
  • Overview of Your College Search (in Spanish): February 22, 2022

Registration is free and can be done here! Attend as many webinars as you wish.

From Our Other Partners
"Designing Faith Formation for the Future"
ELCA Christian Education Network Webinars
February 3 and March 10
The Christian Education Network of the ELCA is sponsoring two "Designing Faith Formation for the Future" webinars in partnership with Lifelong Faith Associates.

The first webinar will be on Thursday, February 3 from 5:00 p.m. PST/3:00 p.m. HST
"Building Community & Relationships" with Jane Angha


The second webinar will be on Thursday, March 10 from 5:00 p.m. PST/3:00 p.m. HST
"Formation for Christian Living" with John Roberto

These webinars are $12 each ($10 for CENetwork members).

Registration for the webinars may be found at https://cenetwork.brownpapertickets.com/

More information about the webinar topics may be found at https://www.lifelongfaith.com/webinars.html

A downloadable version of the flyer below may be found here.
Cal Lutheran's Thriving Leadership Formation's
Contemplative Action Community
All are welcome to join Thriving Leadership Formation staff, church leaders, and lay people for a time of spiritual renewal and contemplative practice via Zoom. Come gather for 1, 2, or all 3 virtual sessions to find community and restoration in the New Year. There are different days/times for different schedules and time zones.

We have two more sessions coming up in February and March. We are excited to offer Spanish interpretation during the March 27, 4:00-5:30 p.m. PST session. These sessions are free and open to everyone - church leaders, lay people, and those who are seeking contemplative community.

Sign up to attend at: www.tinyurl.com/TLFcommunity
LRCC News!
Learn more about the items below by visiting lrcchome.com.
Care Connections Network
Aging. Better.
Care Connections Network is changing the face of aging in Orange County. We are dedicated to helping older adults, 50 and over, age in their own homes and communities. We connect our members to the community programming and expertise they need to continue living lives of purpose and promise. We strive to empower older adults by offering educational opportunities to help them age with confidence, social and cultural events to keep them connected with the community, referrals to vetted service providers and a volunteer program providing additional support and assistance.
 
To find out more about upcoming events and other services, click here for the Care Connections Network February newsletter.
ELCA & Other Partners
News & Ministry Links

ELCA Advocacy Connections - December 2021

ELCA Worship News - January 2022

ELCA Administration Matters - January 2022

ELCA Disability Ministries - Oct 2021

ELCA World Hunger "Go & Do News" - Nov 2021

ELCA Global Links - January 2022

ELCA "Seeds Monthly" Newsletter - January 2022

ELCA Foundation "Insights" - November 2021

ELCA Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram - January 2022

Job Postings
Worship Leader (Part-Time)
Lutheran Church of Our Savior-Spirit of Hope,
San Bernardino
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.

Please send resumes to Paula@spiritofhopelutheranchurch.org. If you have any questions regarding the position, please call 909-882-2961.


Webinars and Other Events
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Build for Unity Build - February 23
For a clickable PDF flyer, click here.
Stephen Ministry Bridge Leader's Training Course
Synod Scholarships Available
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.

To learn more about Stephen Ministry, visit www.stephenministries.org or call (314) 428-2600. Additional information about the Bridge Leader’s Training Course is available at www.stephenministries.org/bridge.

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.
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
2022 Events Update
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). 

Once we have finalized arrangements with the host churches, we will post the sites at www.LMPeaceCenter.org. For current details please consult the MSTI Brochure.

We Remember in Our Prayers
We ask that you hold the following people and situations in your thoughts and prayers:

  • The family and friends of Pastor Yutaka Kishino
  • Pastor David Jorstad
  • Pastor Joel Martyn
  • For the Afghan people, our allies, and vulnerable populations in the midst of this humanitarian disaster.
  • 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 - Ukraine, 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.
  • 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:

E. San Diego Conference - The Rev. Richard Vevia - revvev@cox.net
W. San Diego Conf - The Rev. David Nagler - pastordave@christpb.org
Harvest Conference - The Rev. David Jorstad - pastorjorstadsmlc@yahoo.com
Raincross Conference - The Rev. Linda Brown - pastor@edenlutheran.net
Big Bear Conference - The Rev. Matt Anderson - pastormatt@trinityvictorville.org
Saddleback Conference - The Rev. David Mattson - pastordavid@mygloriadei.org
Son & Surf Conf - The Rev. Jennifer Schultz - prjenniferblclosalamitos@gmail.com
Rejoice Conference - The Rev. Anne-Grethe Nielsen - info@danishchurchsocal.com
Hukilau Conference - The Rev. Kathryn Zurcher - kzurcher002@luthersem.edu
Pacifica Synod - ELCA
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.692.2791