For four consecutive Saturdays, April 25 through May 16, 2026, Pacifica Synod hosted four regional gatherings as a prelude to the Online Synod Assembly on June 20, 2026. Members of the synod were offered the opportunity to gather in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and in Riverside, Los Alamitos, and San Diego, California for a time of community, mutual appreciation, fellowship, and collaboration both with each other and with the synod at large. 

Each gathering had its own regional flair, with scriptures proclaimed in a variety of region-specific non-English languages, musical worship from the host churches, and a lunch sampling the local flavor. But even with all this variety, the overall message was the same: we are all called to serve those within and without our synod. 

You can keep reading this report on this year's regional gatherings on the Pacifica Synod website.

Online Synod Assembly (A-Zoom-bly)

REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 10TH!

Voting members ONLY must register for the online Synod Assembly that will take place Saturday, June 20 from 12:00-3:00 PM (Pacific) / 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (Hawai'i). Prepayment of your congregational assembly registration fee invoice did NOT register your voting members. Registration of voting members for the online assembly closes on June 10 so register here.

The A-Zoom-bly is to be attended by voting members ONLY, each registered with their own unique email address. Registration for the online assembly is separate from the Regional Gatherings that were held earlier in April and May.

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If you have any questions about fee payment or registration, please contact Terri Robertson at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.

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.

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.

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.

June 17 Is a Commemoration of the

Martyrdom of the Emanuel 9

In 2019, at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.

As church we are called to confess the sin of racism, condemn the ideology of white supremacy, and strive for racial justice and peace. Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices. We invite you to visit the ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge web page to learn more about the pledge and commit to one or more of the actions listed.

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.

Documentary Screening: "Run, Hide, Fight"

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal (Poway, CA)

June 9

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Consider observing Wear Orange Sunday on June 7th this year, or any Sunday in June. Wear Orange and National Gun Violence Awareness Month honor survivors and victims of gun violence and encourage faith communities to pray for those who have lost their lives to gun violence and those who have survived and have been traumatized by the epidemic of gun violence in our country. May our prayers lead us to commitment and actions to reduce gun violence. 

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children and teens. "Run, Hide, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun" is a new 30-minute documentary about how gun violence affects young Americans, from PBS News Student Reporting Labs in collaboration with 14 student journalists from six U.S. cities: San Diego, Philadelphia, Oakland, Washington D.C., Nashville, and East Lansing, Michigan. It profiles how the same young people that have survived these traumatic events are leading the fight for a safer future.

This film will be screened Tuesday, June 9, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Poway, CA. Watch the film as a group, then participate in a discussion on gun violence in our communities and how we might address it. Invite your friends to take part in this important conversation. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Paul Conry for more information at paul.j.conry@gmail.com.

Read the ELCA Social Message of Gun-Related Violence here.

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.

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.