CHRIST - COMMUNITY - CONNECT
July 8, 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.
New This Week
Security Alert Phishing Attempt
It has been reported that many of you have received phishing emails from accounts pretending to be from PSD leadership. If you have received an email from a Gmail account claiming to be from President Gibson or Rachel Klitzing, please report it to your email provider as phishing and delete it.

Please also note that all district email addresses end in @psd-lcms.org.

We sincerely apologize for any confusion this has caused. In today’s world of technology, scams and phishing attempts are part of our reality and are impossible for us to prevent, it is important that we are all being vigilant and using our best judgment to help prevent ourselves from falling for these attacks. 
Concordia Plans 2022 Health Plan Town Hall Meeting
The Pacific Southwest District and Concordia Plan Services are inviting you to a Town Hall meeting to discuss everything you need to know about the Concordia Health Plan in advance of the 2022 Employer Election Period.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at 11:00 am Pacific Time (US and Canada). Topics to be covered:
  • 2022 CHP Rates
  • 2022 ER Election and OE Timeline
  • PSA Vendor Change
  • New AI & CI offerings
 
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Lutheran World Relief
It's time to end COVID for everyone, everywhere
As we head into the summer, we are blessed in the US to finally see declining rates of COVID infection, thanks in no small part to the deployment of the COVID vaccine.

The same is not true for many of our neighbors around the world. As we’ve seen in places like India and Nepal, vaccine distribution has been slow and resources are scarce. The emergence of the Delta variant shows us the crucial need to step up our efforts.

If COVID has affirmed nothing else for us as people of God, it’s that we are all connected, and we are all called to love and serve our neighbors. Below, we are lifting up ways Lutheran congregations can be an important part of leading the charge against COVID-19 and ending this pandemic.

Are you interested in your congregation joining this historic effort? If so, visit lwr.org/congregations to learn more.

THANK YOU, always, for everything you continue to do to keep your loved ones and neighbors safe during these difficult times.
Pastors' Conference & Contining Education
PSD Fall Pastors' Conference - Registration Now Open!
Mark your calendars now for the 2021 Fall Pastors’ Conference taking place from Monday, October 4 through Wednesday, October 6. This year’s conference will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix/Scottsdale in Arizona.

We are looking for someone to organize a golf tournament.
If you are interested in helping in this way, please contact Kelly DeJongh at kelly.dejongh@psd-lcms.org.

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

PSD Continuing Education Conference
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.  

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. 
Previously Posted
One Minute: Summer Reading List for Church Workers
The summer is in full swing and church workers are going on vacation or kicking back a little. Some of you may go to the beach toting a romance novel or maybe you will visit a lake or forest and take along an action novel for pure escape. But this might be a time to read something you have on your bookshelf or a book you heard about but never got around to reading related to ministry or the Christian life. If you are looking for something different this summer, perhaps one of these books will interest you.
Youth Gathering
Young Adult Volunteer Applications Open Late July 2021
YAVs serve as role models and servant leaders while working in all corners of the Gathering in a team setting. These teams are also a place where YAVs meet other Young Adults as they are supported physically, mentally, and spiritually. Applications for Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) open late July. Learn more and apply at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer. 

If you are interested, sign up to get updates by going to @orangenationya on Instagram and clicking the link in the bio! 
St. Paul Homecoming Worship & Picnic
You are invited to celebrate with St. Paul Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, August 8. Worship at 11:00 am followed by a church picnic at 1:00 pm. There will be food, games, jumpers, fellowship and so much more. Bring your family, friends and your favorite dish. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jeffrey Afflalo at 323-842-0215 or at jeffreyafflalo@gmail.com.
Pastor Day at Concordia University
Concordia University Irvine's Pastor Day is returning this year! All Pastor's and DCE's are welcome to join us on campus, Friday, September 17. Questions? Email bil.hood@cui.edu. Additional info will be sent in mid-August.
Pacific Southwest District
949-854-3232