Join Coaching for All Seasons as we meet with Reverend Erik Samuelson and learn more about cultivating ministry in your communities.



 Coaching for All Seasons

Monthly Online Gathering for

Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders

 Thursday, November 2, 2023

at 11 am to noon (PDT)/8-9 am (HST)

Thriving Leadership Formation Cohorts are continuing to form. Please see the Cohorts below.

Cohorts come together to create community grounded in spiritual practices to help church leaders thrive. Cohorts meet for 12 sessions (1.5 hours each). There is no cost to these programs.

Rev. Dr. Daren Erisman will lead a three-week online course with live sessions January 5, 12, and 19th, 2024: "AI for Pastors: What does AI have to do with faith?" 

Daren is an ELCA pastor with 25 years of parish experience, including congregations in the Pacifica Synod, and is currently Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Minot State University in North Dakota. Daren leads three 90-minute online sessions in January 2024 where ministry leaders will:

• Review historical perspectives on the development of AI and the newer generative AI tools like ChatGPT to better understand what AI is and is not.
• Gain hands-on experience with a few commonly used AI tools that pastors are using today. This includes sermon preparation and group discussion on best practices.
• Reflect upon relevant theological and ethical issues that should be considered in using AI within ministry.
• Better understand parishioners who work in the field of AI and those whose employment may likely be affected by the growth of AI in the marketplace.
• Access ministry resources and experts in the field of AI and faith.

Daren is a Contributing Fellow for the non-profit organization, AI and Faith, which consists of 150 technology experts, academic researchers, ethicists, theologians, and business leaders with expertise in AI and/or religion. AI and Faith’s mission is to bring the wisdom of the world’s great religions to the discussion around the moral and ethical challenges of AI.

The cost for the 3-week course is $50 for three weekly live sessions and includes online course resources and discussion on AI and Faith’s Mighty Networks platform. The live sessions will be held 11:30am EST / 8:30am PST on Friday, January 5, 12, and 19.

Registration and additional information on the course is available on the course registration page.

New Episode of "Being Here" Podcast



Today’s churches might count up to 7 different generations in their membership – which brings both incredible opportunities for building bridges of understanding, and possible differences over communication styles, priorities, and expectations. What does this mean for the church and its future? Two new episodes of the Being Here podcast explore this fascinating topic with generational-studies experts. Listen here!

Pastor Stephanie Lape from Eden Lutheran Church in Riverside will be leading a series of online Enneagram classes that will run on Thursdays from October 26 -- December 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m. PT (no class November 23).

Trinity Lutheran Church – Hemet is downsizing, and would like to sell some of their extra supplies and furniture before their upcoming yard sale on Oct. 28^th

For more information, please contact

Mary Rust 909-519-0420 glidertchr@gmail.com

A list of items can be found here.

Pastor Emily Erisman's installation at St. John's Lutheran Church, Palm Desert will be on Saturday, November 4th at 4pm pst.

St. John's Lutheran Church

42695 Washington St.

Palm Desert, CA 92211

Request for clergy to vest and process

Color of the day: Green

Reception following installation with RSVP: https://rsvp.church/r/uh5WZOYu

The Pacifica Synod of the ELCA affirms that nothing can separate you from God’s abounding love. You were created in the image of God. We proclaim ourselves to be an open and affirming Synod to all of God's creation. All are worthy and welcome including people of every gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnicity, neurodivergence, age, disability, ability, and immigration status. We commit ourselves to doing the work of anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental restoration. All are embraced and loved here. We invite you to join us, as disciples of Christ, as we joyfully love and serve our communities.