What does it look like when one diverse community gathers to support another diverse community? It might look like Lutherans for Love.

A network of nine ELCA congregations in the San Diego area, Lutherans for Love is a ministry of LGBTQIA+ people and allies. Its year-round programming makes a loud and enthusiastic point of having a presence at the San Diego Pride parade, manning a float every year.

The group’s role in the event is so recognized that they took home the honor of second place for “Best Faith-based Contingent” at the 2025 San Diego Pride Parade Awards.

Lutherans for Love’s recent Pride presence began as the area emerged from the stasis of the COVID-19 pandemic. One congregation, First Lutheran of San Diego, had long had a presence at the parade, but the reset of the pandemic led to the discovery that other area churches were also interested in participating.

You can keep reading this story on the Living Lutheran website or in the Summer 2026 print edition of Living Lutheran.

Online Synod Assembly (A-Zoom-bly)

Registration Closed

Voting members ONLY were allowed to register for the online Synod Assembly that will take place this Saturday, June 20 from 12:00-3:00 PM (Pacific) / 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (Hawai'i). If you missed your opportunity to register or have questions, please contact Terri Robertson at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.

Those who registered should have received an email on Friday, June 12, with important information, as well as Zoom links for the Test Your Tech session on Friday, June 19, as well as the A-Zoom-bly itself on Saturday, June 20. If you didn't see this email, be sure to check your spam and/or junk folders! If they aren't there, contact Terri Robertson at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org for troubleshooting help.

If you are not a voting member but would still like to view the A-Zoom-bly, a livestream link will be available on the Synod Assembly page on the Pacifica Synod website.

Is Your Congregation Ready to Begin?

We are looking for 2-3 congregations who are ready to begin their anti-racism journey and would like accompaniment along the way. This is not a program with a predetermined curriculum--it is a relationship, and it begins where you are.

The process is relational from the start: a one-on-one conversation between the rostered leader and Assistant to the Bishop for Anti-Racism Coordination Desta Goehner, followed by conversations with the Congregational Council, and then one-on-ones with key members of the congregation to make a plan moving forward. The one requirement is that the rostered leader needs to be willing and on board. 

If something is stirring in your congregation and you are wondering if this might be the right time, it may be! Reach out to Desta at Desta@PacificaSynod.org to start the conversation.

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 (Dates Corrected)

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

NOTE: Last week's newsletter featured incorrect days/dates for the October webinar. Those have been corrected in this week's edition and will be correct moving forward.

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

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. See you on Sundays at 1:30 PM at Whiskey 8! (Click here for the exact location.)

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:

Continuing to Support Immigrants in 2026

Flowers were delivered to the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Mother's Day by volunteers from several organizations that AMMPARO partners with. The flowers were accepted by the detention center staff and distributed to female detainees. We stand with our immigrant community!

If you’re curious about getting involved, join our monthly meeting on the 2nd Saturday at 10 am on Zoom. Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 13th. 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)

Global Refuge Seeks Ambassadors

Global Refuge invites laypeople and clergy in the Pacifica Synod to apply to be a Global Refuge Ambassador. The Global Refuge Ambassador Network is a nationwide community made up of passionate advocates, volunteers, and leaders from all walks of life. They are all united by their passion and commitment to stand in solidarity with Global Refuge and the newcomers we serve. Ambassadors are volunteers with Global Refuge who meet with our staff on a quarterly basis virtually, to talk with one another about their action items and give each other ideas. 

With active support and training from Global Refuge staff, Ambassadors carry out a wide variety of work on the ground in their communities. Interested? Get more information from this PDF or apply here by July 1st.

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".

Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative Invites You to Join the Work

The Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. We are seeking both clergy and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative. All are welcome, including those with skills in research, data collection, organizing, education, and leadership. The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for our church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.

We started in 2022 with 15 synods across four states. In May 2023, we expanded to 27 synods across ten states. We are now expanding to all synods across all states. We welcome you!

To learn more and to get involved, visit this link.

Summer Salon: Over the Rainbow

Christ Lutheran (San Diego, CA)

June 20

We are excited to announce a new pride event, “Summer Salon: Over the Rainbow.” This will be an evening centered on celebrating our queer community through song. It will also feature guest speaker, Dr. Mary Ann Horton, a Lutheran transgender activist and author from the San Diego area. Our Summer Salon has been co-organized by Wes Perry, one of our vocalists, and supported by SoCal Lutherans.

Pride and Purpose: In Hope We Rise

La Mirada United Methodist (La Mirada, CA)

June 26

Pastor Cate Luehr of the Pacifica Synod staff invites all to join her at La Mirada UMC for "In Hope We Rise," an evening of storytelling, music, singing, and sharing. Pastor Cate serves at La Mirada UMC as one of our full communion partners. The evening will begin at 6pm with a complete marketplace with vendors, food, and fun activities before the show begins at 7pm. Get more information or purchase tickets at this link.

Western States Youth Gathering

June 28-July 1

Summer is here and registration is now open for this summer's Western States Youth Gathering, which will be held on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. This gathering, being held a year before 2027's ELCA Youth Gathering, provides a wonderful opportunity to prepare your young people for the overall Gathering experience, becoming one step on the movement of their faith formation. Get more info or register at westernstatesyg.org.

Webinar: Aging With Grace

June 29

Our siblings in the Southwest California Synod are offering a three-part "Aging with Grace," faith-based webinar series for Seniors, Families & Caregivers. The first webinar in the series will take place on Monday, June 29th at 4pm PT on Zoom. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about helping older adults navigate aging with confidence, explore supportive options, and remain connected to faith, community and purpose. This webinar is ideal for Seniors, Families and Caregivers. Get more information or register at this link.

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.

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.

Office Administrator (Part-Time)

Ascension Lutheran, San Diego

Ascension Lutheran in San Diego is looking for an organized, people-centered Administrative Assistant who enjoys creating a warm, welcoming environment. This part-time role blends communication, coordination, and hospitality—supporting staff, parishioners, and church life. The Administrative Assistant supports the daily operations of the church office, helping ensure smooth, welcoming, and efficient communication and organization. This role is often the first point of contact for parishioners and visitors and plays a key part in supporting clergy, staff, and the life of the parish. If you enjoy meaningful work, this is a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference. To learn more or to get application information, click on this PDF.

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.