SYNOD NEWS & NOTES
November 22, 2016
Pacifica Synod e-News
We are pleased to share with you the following news, information and ministry opportunities taking place within our synod. If you have items to share about the ministries happening through your congregation, 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 sign up here.
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
Thanksgiving Week Schedule
The Lutheran Center for Mission and Learning (the Synod Office) will be closed next Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, there will be no Wednesday Eucharist service on November 23. Worship will resume on Wednesday, November 30th. Blessings to you and your family as we are reminded of all we have to be grateful for.

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Stephen Ministry Training Scholarship Deadline - December 16
Pacifica Synod is pleased to announce available scholarships for the Stephen Ministry Leader's Training Course to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, January 29th to February 4th, 2017.

This scholarship is made possible by the Cathryn W. Wright Bequest specifically designated for Stephen Ministry lay leaders.  It is expected that congregations send a pastor and two to four lay leaders for the training. 

For more information about Stephen Ministries, please go to their website at  www.stephenministries.org. For training course information and to receive a registration packet, call Stephen Ministries at 314.428.2600. 

The synod scholarship program will provide the following:

1. $800 scholarship per lay leader, available for up to two lay leaders per congregation. Additional $285 scholarship per lay leader for non-commuters will be added. 

2. $1,000 per congregation toward your congregation's enrollment in the Stephen Series, if not currently enrolled. The Leader's Training Course is designed for congregations enrolled in the Stephen Series.

3. $400 travel assistance per lay person for up to two people for Hawaii congregations. 

To apply for this synod scholarship, please use the  attached application form. All applications must be received by close of business on December 16, 2016. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are exhausted.

If you have any questions, please contact Hitoshi Adachi at 714.352.8734 or by email at hitoshiadachi@pacificasynod.org.

ELCA News & Resources
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday Highlights
On Sunday, September 11, 2016, ELCA congregations, members and friends shared their gifts and talents to be the hands and feet of God in our communities. The ELCA has shared the following highlight video:

ELCA
ELCA "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday 2016

ELCA Candidacy Portal & Mobility System Updates
Rostered leaders, congregations, and candidates are reminded that from December 15 to January 17th, the ELCA will be shutting down the Candidacy Portal and Mobility System to implement updates related to the new Word and Service roster. No Candidacy forms (applications, decisions forms) can be completed or submitted during this time. No Mobility forms (RLP's, MSP's, references, etc.)  can be completed or submitted during this time.  No edits to submitted Rostered Leader Profiles will be able to be made during this time. The systems will be in a 'read-only' mode. 
ELCA "Engaging Worship & Culture" Event
When we come to worship, we come as part of many cultures: congregational and church cultures, the cultures of our family, towns or cities, cultures of country and many more. Worship both transcends culture and embraces the diversity of particular cultures. Communal worship also challenges cultures and highlights sharing between cultures. It is these many intersections that make thinking about worship and culture both exciting and challenging. 

What questions do you have about how culture and worship intersect in your place? "Worship at the Center: Engaging Worship and Culture" will give you opportunities to address theses questions. These two days of worship, presentations and workshops are geared for pastors, musicians, worship teams and anyone interested in vibrant worship in their communities.

Come to beautiful Santa Monica, California on February 19-21. St. Paul's Lutheran will be our host for this event

Registration will go live on December 16 at www.elca.org/worship.

Advent Devotions
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of Advent devotions for members of the four denominations. 

"Over fifteen years ago, our churches' respective full communion agreements inaugurated new relationships in which we fully recognized each other 'as churches in which the gospel is truly preached and the holy sacraments duly administered,'" the bishops wrote in a joint cover letter.

"May our prayers united be a modest but hopeful sign of what our churches can do together as we bear witness to the One who first reconciled himself to us."

In addition to Eaton, devotions were contributed by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, primate, Anglican Church of Canada; and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

The Advent devotions are available by clicking here.

ELCA StewardNet Winter 2016 Newsletter
Each quarter, the ELCA publishes a stewardship newsletter called "stewardNet" for use in congregations. The PDF version of the Winter 2016 edition may be found here. In it you will find helpful articles and resources. Our very own Bishop Andy Taylor may be found in this issue sharing about why he gives! There is also a link for you to sign up to receive this resource directly in your email inbox.


2018 ELCA Youth Gathering News!
The 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering will be held in Houston, Texas from June 27 to July 1, 2018. The theme of the Gathering is "This Changes Everything", based on Ephesians 2:8. 

The new website is live now at www.elca.org/youthgathering There you will find lots of information and resources to assist you in your planning and preparations. Check out the first Gathering video below:


Luther Seminary Diaconal Ministry J-Term Course
The Deaconess Community of the ELCA/ELCIC in partnership with Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota is offering a January Term course called, "Diaconal Ministry: History, Formation, and Spirituality." This course is designed for those discerning a call to ministry (Word and Service and/or Word and Sacrament), those in the candidacy process, and as continuing education for rostered leaders; it introduces students to the historical, theological, and social contexts in which the work of diaconal ministry has been expressed throughout the church's history and asks how that history continues to impact the present.

For more information please visit the Deaconess Community's website.


Celebrating Ministry Together!
Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in Malawi - June 2017
In June of 2017, Pastor Ron Baesler will be leading a group of 14 people to Malawi to take part in a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity project to build a home for the most vulnerable people.

The dates are June 18-25, 2017 and the cost is $1,195 for members of Thrivent or $1,695 for non-members. This includes all in-country meals, travel, lodging and insurance. It does not include airfare.

For more information, please download the attached flyer. Pastor Ron may be reached at baeslers@sbcglobal.net

Middle School Youth Gathering - "Fearless"
Over the weekend of November 18-20, over 300 middle school youth and their adult leaders gathered at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim for the annual Middle School Youth Gathering hosted by Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences. The theme for the weekend was "Fearless" and Pastors Brenda Bos (Christ, San Clemente) and James Pike (Grace, Upland) were the general session leaders all weekend. Bishop Andy Taylor was there on Sunday morning to bring a greeting and preside during worship. There was even time on Saturday afternoon for a quick trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!


Events & Opportunities
Children's Choir in Del Mar!
Now enrolling, grades 1-12! The Pacific International Children's Choir (PICC) in Del Mar is an exciting new community children's choir led by award-winning conductor Dr. Aaron Mitchell, with a mission-driven mandate. In addition to developing excellent music skills, self-discipline and confidence, children focus on language learning and cultural understanding and raise awareness for international outreach projects. In addition to the home choir in Del Mar, PICC projects serve children and youth around the world in areas of need, using music as a vehicle for empowerment. Select PICC members have the option to participate in these projects as global ambassadors.

REGISTER now and share with your friends! For more information and to get your children involved please visit www.picchoir.org. Or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or supporter, visit the website and click on SUPPORT
Deborah Live Johnson -  San Marcos Lutheran - December 4
On Sunday, December 4 at 4 p.m., award-winning singer/songwriter Deborah Liv Johnson will perform a variety of Christmas, original and favorite tunes at San Marcos Lutheran Church (3419 Grand Avenue, San Marcos).

Well-known for both her original music and her interpretation of classic Lutheran hymns and Christmas music, Johnson's voice has always been her most compelling draw. One fan wrote, "She could sing the phone book and I'd listen." Commenting on her recording of Georgia on my Mind, The Los Angeles Times wrote, "It is not surprising that Johnson's luxuriant alto is the album's most affecting instrument..." Johnson's rendition of "There is a Balm in Gilead" has had more than 300,000 hits on YouTube. Johnson particularly loves singing Christmas songs - "So many of them are really lullabies...so sweet and pure."

A free will offering will be received.
A Special Invitation - St. Olaf Christmas Festival

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States, featuring more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra. It is broadcast nationwide each year and is often featured in national media.

St. Olaf College has received a special donation to offer the live video stream of their concert for FREE to all ELCA congregations on Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m. CST. This generous gift has been given to the ELCA in an effort to share the joy of the Christmas season together.

Enjoy the concert together as a church by visiting stolafchristmas.com and entering code ELCACHRISTMAS during checkout.

CLU  Executive Skills Workshop for Clergy/Church Workers

Held January 9-13, 2017 this workshop provides valuable and needed skills for pastors, leaders, administrators in congregational settings.  Led by California Lutheran School of Management Faculty.

For the third year, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona and California Lutheran University are teaming up for what has become a very powerful and popular workshop - a week of continuing education with faculty from the School of Management.
Registration is NOW OPEN for
Western States Youth Gathering - June 28 to July 2, 2017


Held on the campus of California Lutheran University in Southern California
June 28 - July 2, 2017
For all high school youth in ELCA Regions 1 - 4
 
Western States Youth Gathering occurs every three years. There will be mass gatherings with great speakers and musicians; learning and small group experiences; a beach day; immersion experience in Los Angeles; worship that takes you in new directions; and much more!
 
Registration opens on Oct. 3. $425/person.  This price goes up to $460 on January 3, 2017. For more info, go to the website at www.wsyg.com.
 
Questions? Contact Linda LeBlanc, Assistant Director for Congregational Relations at leblanc@callutheran.edu or 805.493.3936.

Save the Dates - Pacifica Synod Assembly 2017
The dates and location of the 2017 Pacifica Synod Assembly have now been confirmed. We will gather for our 30th Annual Pacifica Synod Assembly from Thursday, May 11 to Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego.