At our recent Regional Gatherings, I offered a slide with three suggested commitments for the year. It is my prayer that we as a synod can meditate on them and integrate them into our personal lives and congregational ministries. Here they are with some explanation.

Trust God

Trust is a much better translation of the Greek word pistis than belief, because trust implies relationship, commitment, and investment. Belief can be reduced to our opinions. It can keep us locked in our heads and never penetrate our hearts. But trust in God happens over time. It is born of worship, spiritual practices, and loving actions. It becomes more deeply rooted in us during times of hardship or struggle.

Love One Another

The observers of the early church commented, “See how they love one another.” Jesus gave this as his only commandment: that we love one another as he loved us. In a polarized society, remaining committed to loving each other may be the most obvious gift of a Christian community. This is not about feeling something emotional; it is a commitment to one another’s wholeness. It seeks reconciliation and not schism. Love includes all people and their perspectives respectfully.

Serve the Neighbor

Martin Luther wrote, “God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.” This statement clearly roots our actions in the world in good Lutheran theology. Our salvation/wholeness is a free gift. We are set free to love and serve our neighbor. We don’t serve them to make them join our church—we simply address their material, social, and spiritual needs as best we can because they, too, are children of God. When we serve our neighbors in joy, the promise of scripture (and our experience) is that our lives become more meaningful. Our mission becomes clearer. Our divisions become less important.

I am convinced that if we can trust God, love one another, and serve our neighbors, we will be a faith-filled and dynamic synod. Our light will shine, and our joy will be restored!

Peace,

+Dave

You can download a PDF version of this exhortation here.

To read this on the synod website, go here.

Synod Assembly Recap (And Other Assets)

Now Available

The 2026 Online Synod Assembly is in the books. If you'd like to access the annual recap of the assembly and our regional gatherings, a full PDF is available here. or on the Synod Assembly page on the Pacifica Synod website. You can rewatch any portion of the livestream at the Pacifica Synod YouTube channel.

Additionally, many of you have asked for access to some or all of the videos that were shown during the Synod Assembly. You can access and download the individual videos via this Google Drive folder.

All these links are also available on the Synod Assembly page at PacificaSynod.org.

Closing the Anti-Racism Baseline Assessment (For Now)

For the past few months, we have been inviting rostered leaders, council members, and lay members across the synod to complete a baseline assessment, a set of honest questions about where our congregations and ministries stand in the work of becoming an anti-racist church. The invitation has happened at each of the regional gatherings, the online synod assembly and in the synod emails. It was a starting place, so we are able to recognize where we are, offer real accompaniment, and report truthfully to the whole body about where we are.

The window now closed, and 62 of you took the time to respond. Thank you!!! Your honesty is the foundation this work will build upon.

In the coming weeks, I will be analyzing what you shared alongside the Anti-Racism Team, who will help shape what this data means and what it asks of us next. We will bring our learnings and proposed next steps back to the synod in the next couple of months.

We plan to send a similar assessment next year, so we can begin to see how we are growing and changing together over time. My hope is for at least 100 responses next year! The more voices we hear from, the truer the picture we can offer the whole synod.

We are on this journey together holding curiosity about what we will learn and what it might open up. Your response mattered. It still does. I am grateful to be on this journey with you.

Desta Goehner

Assistant to the Bishop for Anti-Racism Coordination

Candidacy and Discernment Retreat

August 28-29

• Curious where God may be calling you?
• Feeling pulled towards Rostered Ministry?
• Want to learn more about become a Deacon or Pastor in the ELCA?
• Already in the Candidacy process and looking for dedicated time and conversation with other candidates?

Consider joining Pastor Cate Luehr, Candidacy Coordinator for the Pacifica Synod and other leaders for an overnight retreat at Luther Glen Retreat Center where we will explore some details about the Candidacy process as well as taking time to engage the Holy Spirit in discernment.

If this sounds like you, feel free to get more info and/or register right here.

Anti-Racism Formation Webinars

September 3 & 10, 2026

October 1 & 6, 2026

Pacifica Synod's Anti-Racism Committee is pleased to be offering two upcoming webinars for Anti-Racism Education, an opportunity for congregations and leaders synod-wide to learn, ask questions, and begin the practice of anti-racism in your own context.

Each webinar will be offered twice, on two different days and times, with the same content both times. Choose the session that works best for you.

Indian 101: Truth and Healing Movement 

with Pastor Manuel Retamoza

Thursday, September 3 | 9:30-11:30 am

Thursday, September 10 | 6:00-8:00 pm

Registration coming soon

Rooted in Place: Land Acknowledgment in Your Congregation: Why It Matters and How to Begin

with Pastor Manuel Retamoza

Thursday, October 1 | 9:30-11:30 am

Tuesday, October 6 | 6:00-8:00 pm

Registration coming soon

Theoasis 2026: Save the Date(s)

October 13-15, 2026

What does it mean to take "Time to Breathe"? We'll dig into that concept and more at this year's Theoasis event, once more at the Embassy Suites in La Quinta. Block out October 13-15, 2026 and stay tuned as more about this refreshing annual event is revealed in the coming weeks.

Middle School Youth Gathering 2026: Save the Date(s)

November 6-8, 2026

This year's Middle School Youth Gathering returns to Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim/Garden Grove for an exploration of the theme "Choose Your Own Faith Adventure." Block out the dates now and stay tuned to the MSYG page on the Pacifica Synod website for more details as they become available!

Join Us at Border Church (UPDATED LOCATION)

Sundays at 1:30

We invite you to join us at Border Church for worship, learning, and a message of hope. Border Church is where faith inspires action—we are committed to serving our community on both sides of the border and advocating for justice.

All are welcome! Come as you are, and join us for a transformative experience. We are currently worshiping at Friendship Park on Monument Mesa. To reach the park, take the Dairy Mart Road exit and follow it west as it turns into Monument Road; the road ends at the park. (Please note that there is a $5 entry fee, payable at the booth just past the gate on Monument Road.) We expect to continue meeting at Friendship Park in the near future, ideally until the first rain.

If you're a group that plans to attend, we have a few requests:

Communion Elements: Please bring wine or grape juice, and bread or wafers, from your congregation.

Offering: Your financial support helps cover the cost of the lunch we serve in Tijuana. An offering of $200 covers half the cost, and $400 covers the entire meal. This warm lunch is provided to 50–100 individuals and families, and for some, it is the only hot meal they will have all week.



Sign up in advance to confirm your attendance or text Pastor Manuel Retamoza at 619-916-9673 on the morning of the event or earlier.

AMMPARO Border Trip

August 16

AMMPARO is planning a trip across the border on Sunday, August 16th, to attend Border Church in Tijuana, share lunch with the worshiping community there, and to visit Comunidad de Luz, the women's and children's refuge sponsored by Pacifica Synod and the San Diego Episcopal Diocese. We will meet at the border at 11:30, cross into Mexico and meet our hosts at 12 noon. From there we'll worship with Border Church at Friendship Park in Tijuana, followed by lunch with Casa de Luz and a visit to Comunidad de Luz.

A passport is required to cross the border and the deadline to reserve a space is July 26.

The cost is $25 per person, plus any additional funds you'd like to donate to Border Church Tijuana or Comunidad de Luz, as well as money for dinner (cash). You can reserve your spot by emailing Pastor Karla Halvorson at pastorkarla68@gmail.com. Reservations payments can be made via Zelle or Venmo at 858-442-6761. 

If you’re curious about getting involved with AMMPARO in general, join our monthly meeting on the 2nd Saturday at 10 am on Zoom. Our next meeting will be Saturday, July 11th. Use this link to join the meeting. Current opportunities include court accompaniment, helping families with basic needs, and attending Border Church—a weekly binational worship service at 1:30 pm on Sundays near the border.

Whether you want to donate supplies or show up in person, there’s a place for you. We’ll help you find your voice and live out the call of Jesus: “I was a foreigner and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25)

New Podcast and Study from

The ELCA Reconsiderations Task Force

The task force leading the ELCA in the reconsideration of one section of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is excited to share two important opportunities for you and your congregation to engage with this summer.

The task force is releasing a podcast called Learn and Discern as an educational tool for this church as we journey together through the reconsideration process.

The podcast’s episodes will explore the following topics:

• A history of the ELCA’s social teachings and ministry policy on human sexuality.
• The nuances of Lutheran theological ethics.
• A deeper look at the history of the Lutheran understanding of “the bound conscience.”
• The sources of agreement and disagreement on human sexuality in the church.
• Lutheran approaches to faithful conversation.

This five-episode podcast is a companion to the study “Conscience and Conversation” (described below). Individual episodes will be released in audio and video over the summer at elca.org/reconsiderations.

The task force has released a new study to foster conversation across this church and to generate feedback that will guide its work. The study, “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” invites reflection on agreement and disagreement through “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3).

Session One looks at what unites us as ELCA Lutherans and explores ways Christians have disagreed faithfully while seeking unity in the Spirit.

Session Two invites deeper reflection on disagreements and agreements regarding sexuality.

Please prayerfully consider leading your congregation or small group in this study. There is a survey link for participants to share feedback with the task force. Your input is essential as the task force prepares a first draft of the reconsidered subsection of the social statement for the church to consider. The survey is open until Sept. 30.

We understand this is a short period for feedback during a busy time of year. Please know that feedback, comments and questions can be shared with the task force at any time by emailing reconsiderations@elca.org. In addition, there will be a longer period for public comment on the draft reconsidered social statement once it is released next year.

Download the study and podcast and learn more about the reconsideration process at ELCA.org/reconsiderations.

Living Lutheran Wants to Know:

How Are You Showing Hospitality During the World Cup?

Living Lutheran would like to hear from our members and congregations about their plans to show hospitality to visitors to their areas for the World Cup this summer. Is this you? Email Public Relations Manager Candice Hill Buchbinder at candice.buchbinder@elca.org and let her know what you're up to. Be sure to use the subject line "World Cup".

Book Study: Life After Doom (Online)

Thursdays, July 9-August 27

EcoNet, a new Creation Care Ministry in the Pacifica Synod, is offering a new virtual book study to discuss Life After Doom, a powerful book by acclaimed pastor and author Brian McLaren. The study begins Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time and continues each Thursday through August 27.

Life After Doom explores the trauma many of us feel in this time when the dire warnings of climate change are being ignored and the efforts to address it seem woefully inadequate. How do we get beyond this sense of doom and find a new path of hope?

Copies of the book can be purchased new or used online, or let us know and we’ll be happy to obtain a copy for you.

This study is sponsored by EcoNet, our Synod’s new network of people concerned about environmental issues and opportunities to make a difference. To express your interest or for more information see this flier or contact Pastor Jim Friedrich at jfpeacepr@gmail.com or Jeff Cours at jtcours@gmail.com.

Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts

St. Olaf Collage (Northfield, MN)

July 20-22

The 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA) is a high-quality, affordable conference, full of practical ideas that you can adapt to your own setting, along with meaningful worship experiences — for ministry practitioners and by ministry practitioners. It will be held July 20-22, 2026, on the campus of St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.

CWTA attracts participants from many different roles, including experienced and first-call Pastors, Deacons, and other church professional leaders; Lay people including lay leaders; Church workers – volunteer and paid; Children youth and family ministers/leaders; Artists; Church musicians; Christian education professionals; Outdoor ministry professionals; Seminarians; Others interested in deepening theological understandings and spiritual practices; and Members of congregations that are reimagining their vocation. We’ll provide opportunities for you to find those people at the conference so you can connect and share experiences.

Interested? More information and registration are available at the conference website.

Concert to Benefit Comunidad de Luz

San Diego, CA

August 8

Experience an unforgettable evening of music and community as the San Diego Philharmonic delivers a benefit concert to support Comunidad de Luz on Saturday, August 8 at 5:00 p.m. The concert will feature a rich and moving musical experience in one of San Diego’s most beautiful sacred spaces, St. Paul's Cathedral.

This concert is more than an evening of music;  It is an opportunity to stand alongside vulnerable women and children seeking safety, stability, and hope. Comunidad de Luz, a ministry supported by Pacifica Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and its partners, provides shelter, childcare, education, job training, mental health support, and spiritual care for migrant women and children in Tijuana. The shelter offers not only emergency housing but a place to rebuild a life with dignity and community.

Every ticket purchased helps provide safety and connection through meals, counseling, childcare, and career development opportunities for families navigating profound uncertainty and trauma.  

Under the baton of Diego Guerra, the San Diego Philharmonic will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto and Dimitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11th in G minor, offering artistry and community in the shared experience of music.

Tickets and information are available here.

Two Exciting Offerings from PLTS This Fall

PLTS is delighted to announce a new Certificate in Church Leadership launching this fall. This certificate features 8-week online courses, primarily asynchronous, designed for lay leaders, those pursuing SAM status, and SAMs seeking continuing education. People are welcome to enroll in individual courses, a 3-course basic certificate, or a 6-course advanced certificate. 

Additionally, our successful Racial Justice and Faith certificate is continuing with two exciting fall courses - one on Artistic Practices for Racial Justice and another on Intersectionality. The courses are 6 weeks long and primarily asynchronous. Anyone is welcome - clergy, lay leaders, young adults, etc! Again, one can enroll in individual classes or the entire 4-course certificate. 

For more information or to apply, click the links embedded in the above paragraphs.

Associate Director of Youth and Family Ministries

St. John's Lutheran, Sacramento

St. John's Lutheran in Sacramento seeks an Associate Director of Youth and Family Ministries. This role works with staff and leaders of the congregation to design, implement, and facilitate a comprehensive program of Christian faith formation from infancy into young adulthood. The program will integrate all related ministries currently undertaken at St. John’s and coordinate the work of leaders of those ministries. A more full job description can be found here. Interested candidates may send resumes and contact information to interim Senior Pastor Paul Baglyos at paul.baglyos@stjohnslc.org.

Silverware and Silver Service Items (Free!)

Salem Lutheran, Whittier

As volunteers cleared out the cabinets at Salem, they found a cabinet full of silverware and silver serving items (pictured above), which the church is giving away to any interested congregation in the synod. They will either deliver the items locally or ship it at Salem's cost. Please contact Tom Pankow at tompankow@sbcglobal.net if interested.