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The Office of the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA is located on the traditional territory of the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people. The SWCA Synod rests on the traditional territory of over 11 different indigenous people. 

Here is one resource you can use to find out more information about the traditional keepers of the land on which you live, work or travel.
Start Planning for God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday 2022!
Luther reminds us that we do works in celebration of our faith not in order to obtain salvation that has already been granted to us. God's work. Our hands. is merely a day we commemorate that promise and we are called to continue to celebrate in that work the other 364 days of the year.

Now is a great time to start talking to your youth and young adults about the ways our communities can do justice and serve our neighbors.
#SWCA2022 - June 11
New Resolution & Memorial
due date!
Living the Resurrection Workshops
February saw the first workshops of the Living the Resurrection process in the SWCA and Pacifica Synods of the ELCA. Eleven congregations formed two learning communities to begin the journey. Please keep them in your prayers!

If you would like to talk about learning how to facilitate this process with your congregation or in your synod/diocese, please contact me at marj@livingtheresurrection.com


This opportunity is funded by California Lutheran Homes:
More information: marj@livingtheresurrection.com 

Lenten Facebook Post Series

Are you looking for something to post for Lent in Facebook? LtR has a series to share it with you for your congregation. The Wednesday posts are based on Joel 2:12-13: Return to the Lord, while the Sunday posts are mainly from the Gospels. There are Ash Wednesday and Holy Week posts as well as a couple of relevant quotes and thought provoking questions.

If you'd like access to the folder, pleas email me at marj@livingtheresurrection.com

Living the Resurrection Blogsposts:

From Bishop Brenda
From the Presiding Bishop
Martin Luther's Last Words
“We are all beggars.” Luther wrote these words shortly before his death on this day in 1546. In spite of Luther’s flaws and in spite of the uncertainty of the Reformation at the time of his death, Luther had a deep sense of the presence of God. It’s not our righteousness but God’s righteousness and it’s the power of God’s word that creates faith and brings life.
Recommended Podcast
As part of The Washington Post’s coverage of the Smithsonian’s Natural Museum of African American History and Culture, people submitted objects relating to their own experience of Black history — and in this podcast their stories are brought to life through interviews, music, and archival sounds. These rich personal histories range from the history of Harlem through the lens of James Van Der Zee, New York’s leading Black photographer during the Harlem Renaissance, to the question of Black identity in the U.S. today.
Please pray for the following:
 
  • The people of Ukraine and all those touched by war.
  • Lutheran Immigrant Services and their work with refugees.
  • Pastor Ray Kibler, who is battling immuno-deficiency disease and cancer.

Your prayer requests are important to us. If you would like to be added to the prayer list or if we should continue your request, please email news@socalsynod.org.  
The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling In Christ Synod, making a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. For information about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or organization, please contact the Region 2 RIC Coordinator or the RIC office.
We are also a Lutheran Restoring Creation Synod. Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God’s promise of hope and healing for all.
The Rev. Brenda Bos
Bishop

The Rev. Toni Joseph Castañeda
Carrera
Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and Authentic Diversity

The Rev. Chryll Crews
Director for Evangelical Mission

Taylor Dariarow
Office Manager
Executive Assistant to the Bishop

Robin Lujan 
Roster and Candidacy Administrative Assistant

Claudia Iao 
Administrative Assistant

Lisa Higginbotham
Gift Planner/Advancement Advisor 

Thomas Yuschak 
Region 2 Archivist

Samantha Henderson
Mission Interpreter

1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 507-9591 
News from the SWCA Synod:
February & March, 2022
How to Support the People and Churches of Ukraine: Lutheran World Federation
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has launched a call for donations to support the churches and people of Ukraine, who are fleeing their homes and seeking shelter, basic necessities such as food and water, following Russia’s military invasion of the country.
LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt said this “support is vital for people desperately seeking shelter from the gunfire and bombing. Every donation counts.”
Congregational Reports due TODAY: March 1, 2022
The ELCA has mailed the 2021 Congregational Report forms to all congregations. This mailing included Form A, Form C, the instructions, and the financial worksheet. Your congregational ID number and password for online reporting were included in the mailing. If you can't find your login information or are missing your Congregational Report forms, please call or email Robin Lujan at rlujan@socalsynod.org.

Your report should be mailed or filed online by Tuesday, March 1, 2022*. The link for submitting your A/C form online is now live.


Submitting the A/C forms is a constitutional requirement for synod congregations, and data from your report an important ministry tool for your congregation, the Southwest California Synod, and the Churchwide body.

Please note that to be eligible for a Synod Mission & Ministry or Warner Grant, your congregation will need to have a 2021 report on file.

Thank you for your cooperation! 

*If you cannot submit the report by the March 1 due date, please submit it as soon as possible, and contact the synod office if you need any assistance.
World Water Day: March 22
Talks at the Desk
This is our future church: A ten-year-old preacher and professional artist; a grassroots campaign for affordable housing; young and diverse communities.

African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrated Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a new series exploring diverse expressions of the church. The four Wednesday videos are available at the synod website. Follow @ELCAADM on Twitter and Instagram or check out facebook.com/elcaadm.

"Now is the Time" Webinar
Join a special webinar on March 5, 11:00 - 12:30 p.m. PT to explore “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent.” Please register in advance for this free learning opportunity.

Participants will explore the new study guide that helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” and its accompanying explanation. Webinar speakers include the study’s author, Dr. Joyce Caldwell, Ph.D., Leading for Racial Equity, LLC; Judith Roberts, senior director for diversity, equity and inclusion, #ELCA; the Rev. Nicolette Marie Peñaranda, program director, ELCA African Descent Ministries; Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director, Women of the ELCA; and Shari Seifert, president, European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice.

Ask a Bishop!
email askbishopbrenda@gmail.com
Bonhoeffer Festival: May 12
The 10th Annual Bonhoeffer Festival returns Thursday, May 12 from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Reggie Williams, and an Interfaith panel will respond. This event is sponsored by Pacifica and Southwest California Synods. Please RSVP to tjohnson@cst.edu - this event is free (however donations are appreciated), and will be held both in person and online via zoom.
LSSSC Launches Community Wellness Center
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California will be creating a Community Wellness Campus in San Bernardino. This innovative campus will use a holistic model to provide housing and sustainability services to the communities in the region.
The project will revitalize the community and allow various housing types and supportive services as well as open and recreational spaces. Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, President and CEO of LSSSC, announced the launch of this initiative on Good Day LA this week.

LSSSC has been committed to helping the most vulnerable families and individuals in Southern California since 1944.

Thrivent Members - don't forget to designate your choice dollars!
Last year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provided more than $100 million to help congregations, communities and individuals in need. Thrivent Choice program offers two ways members can recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable outreach funds. Some members can participate in both, based on eligibility.

Eligible Thrivent members are designated Choice Dollars, based on insurance premiums, contract values and Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership. Choice Dollars can be directed to thousands of nonprofit organizations nationwide, including your local congregation! If you are eligible to direct Choice Dollars, you will receive a letter in the mail at the point you become eligible.

Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31 of the following year.

Find out more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.
Southwest California Synod, ELCA
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, California 91205
(818) 507-9591