REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 

for our PSD All Workers Conference 2024!

Click here to register! 

Registration has been extended to November 1.

**The registration form includes the ability for an administrator or other individual to register multiple people for the conference. Note that the person registering a group will need to re-enter some information for each registrant - instructions are provided.

When: November 24-26, 2024 

Where: Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Phoenix, AZ

Theme: All One – Ephesians 4:1-7

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

We are excited to have our own Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, President of the Pacific Southwest District, lead our worship on Monday morning. This year’s conference offering is designated to go to a newly created Pacific Southwest District Church Worker Scholarship Fund. 

We will start the conference Sunday afternoon with a plenary keynote presentation by Dr. Danny Brassell, “America’s Leading Reading Ambassador” and author of 16 books, including his best-selling book, Read, Lead & Succeed. The presentation will be followed by an exciting kickoff event featuring praise and worship, commissioned minister jubilarian recognition and more.

On Monday, we will have a morning keynote presentation by Dr. Vanessa Seifert on adaptive leadership following our main worship with President Gibson, with two sessions of breakout presentations for all church workers in the afternoon.  

This year’s registration cost will be $190 per person. Hotel rooms will be $129 per night. Check out the conference website. Registration is now open - click here to register. Please register by October 15.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - SNEAK PEEK

CLICK HERE for a sneak peek of the breakout sessions that will be offered at the All Workers Conference! Registration for sessions will be coming soon, so be sure you are registered for the conference by November 1, as session registration will come as a separate email. 

SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS

Be an integral part of this conference as a sponsor and exhibitor, and engage with the wide spectrum of PSD church and school leaders and decision-makers.

Sponsor/Exhibitor Info and Registration Here

Please note: Deacons and PMAs are included in this conference.

Check out the conference website

"Making Jesus Real" is a series of online training modules that grew out of needs expressed by congregations of the Pacific Southwest District to inform, acculturate and equip teachers for Lutheran early childhood center careers. This course focuses on: 1) Lutheran thought and teaching (theology); 2) Nurturing the faith (faith development); 3) A distinctively Lutheran education (history of Lutheran education); 4) Methods and materials for teaching the faith to the young child.

The training answers the following questions: What is a Lutheran school, specifically a Lutheran early childhood center? How are Lutheran schools unique? What do Lutherans believe? What is the heritage of the Lutheran schools? What are the characteristics of the Lutheran teacher? 

Read Full Article

First Lutheran Church, Monrovia, CA will be having a free Big Band Concert on the lawn on Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and join us for some terrific music. This 2-hour event stars Big Band Theory. Parking and access to the lawn area is in the rear of the church.

There is an urgent need for 18,000 personal hygiene kits and 15,000 flood clean-up kits. We encourage you to share this request with your church - any amount of kits helps. Thank you for your support and care for our communities. 

For more information on hygiene and clean-up kits, click here.

You can help by sending contributions to:

Southeastern District

2305 N. Parham Road, Suite 200, Henrico, VA 23229

or via the District website.

Florida-Georgia District

5850 T G Lee Blvd., Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32822

or via the District website.

Contributions may also be sent to the Pacific Southwest District and we will forward them. Be sure to mark your contribution Hurricane Helene.

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA is hosting a Breakfast Bible Study on Saturday, October 12 at 9:00 am led by Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher. The topic is A Brief "Story" You Can Tell Your Friends (About Lutheranism). Breakfast starts at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall followed by the presentation at 9:00 am. RSVP to the Church office at churchoffice@redeemer-lutheran.net or call 714-846-6330. For those who would like to participate over Zoom, a meeting link is available on our website under Events, Upcoming Events.

Pastor Day, being held Friday, October 18, is a chance for the University to thank those who serve as pastor to our students - or any church worker for that matter. In addition to celebrating you in our chapel service that day, we will also make sure that you eat well and get a Pastor Day memento to take home. In the spirit of servant leadership, we will also offer the pastors in attendance an opportunity to serve the students, faculty, and staff of Concordia.

To register, email Elisabeth Michael at elisabeth.michael@cui.edu.

• New Ideas
• People-to-People Sharing
• Prayer & Singing
• Energized Mission
• Connections Made and "To Be Made"! 

Connect on Saturday, October 26 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (or even part of the day) to learn and grow as disciples and disciple-makers. Hear from Dr. Michael Ziegler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour along with presenters and Mission Display Partners who will share how the Holy Spirit is working in and through them so many come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Registration is FREE and includes lunch and a continental breakfast (Thanks, Concordia, Irvine!) If you can bring any of the items listed on the registration page for Orphan Grain Train hygiene kits...great! If not...come anyway! 

World Lutheran Deaf Outreach is in need of NIV Study Bibles. They use them for training deaf leaders. If you or your congregation has some they would be willing to donate, please contact Rev. Dr. John Reinke at Rev.Reinke@gmail.com.

Concordia Health Plan is excited to announce the launch of a new and improved Evernorth Confide Behavioral Health Navigator℠ website and app experience.

You may need to enter your employer ID to register:    

• Concordia Health Plan and household members: CONCORDIA
• Pastors and household members: PASTOR 

We look forward to providing you with an enhanced online experience to fit your personal wellness journey.

For questions or help with registration, please call Evernorth Confide at 866-726-5267, or try the Registration guide.

You are invited to a Pipe Organ Benefit Concert on Saturday, November 2, 4:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, Banning, CA. Recitalist Bob Scholz from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Lake Arrowhead, CA will play on 900 pipes in 16 ranks to benefit Mama's House, a safe home for women facing unplanned pregnancies, with children and/or victims or abuse. Advance tickets are $15.00, at the door tickets are $20.00. Visit glcbanning.org for more information.

Now through January 6, 2025, Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry is conducting their annual Toy & Shoe Box Drive, collecting wrapped or unwrapped gifts for children ages newborn-18 years. Drop off is located at the LBCM's office located at 3060 54th Street, San Diego, CA. For drop off times and further information call 619-286-2445 or email lbcmsd@gmail.com. If you would like them to do the shopping for you, you can make a donation by check or use PayPal or Venmo.

Registration

Here you will find registration materials to register your group for the Gathering. Primary Adult Leaders are encouraged to read through the provided materials thoroughly before beginning the registration process. Groups can begin online data entry in October 2024 (Date TBA). Beginning November 1, groups can begin mailing their registration to the Gathering Office (LCMS Youth Ministry - 1333 South Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122).

Pre-Gathering Bible Studies Now Available

Each study dives into the Old Testament, offering insights that connect directly with this Gathering’s theme, ENDURE. 

YAV Application Open Until December 31

Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) are adults ages 19–25 who serve as role models and servant leaders throughout all corners of the Gathering. The YAV application is open until December 31, 2024.  

YAV Captain Application Open Until October 15

YAV Captains have the responsibility and privilege to care for a team of YAVS, communicate with the YAV Planning team, Squad Leaders, and Gathering Planners of their area(s) of service. Applicants can select to be consider for serving as a Captain through October 15, 2024.  

Gathering Questions?

Check out lcmsgathering.com or email the PSD District Coordinators at lcmsgathering@psd-lcms.org.

Celebrate the Christmas season with the voices and instruments of Concordia University Irvine. Concordia's annual Christmas concert tradition returns to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Sunday, December 15 with a 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm performances.

Concordia’s critically-acclaimed choirs, handbells, and orchestra share a sojourn to the birth of the world’s long-awaited Savior! This year showcases more than 200 performers from eight vocal and instrumental performing ensembles under the masterful direction of Dr. Michael Busch, Dr. Jeff Held, Dr. Clarissa Shan, and Alex Guebert. Enjoy festive carols and Christmas favorites, old and new.

Concordia's Christmas concerts are a highlight of the holiday season, so get your tickets today! Tickets start at $22.60. Purchase Tickets Here

Sign Up Today!

Building on our Lutheran heritage, Concordia Center for the Family (CCF) is training pastors, other church workers, and qualified lay leaders to help us ignite new zeal for Family Discipleship in our LCMS. As home and congregations work together to disciple the next generations, our LCMS and Christ's Kingdom will flourish!

Would you like more training and resources to support this vision? CCF would love to have you join us! Our next training events are scheduled for April 22-26, 2025 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and May 12-16, 2025 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

For more information visit concordiafamily.org.