The Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 pm CDT at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Curry will be the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preside at the installation and present Curry with the pectoral cross, the common symbol of the office of bishop in the ELCA. 

The Rev. Kevin Vandiver, senior pastor of Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., will deliver the sermon. Members of the ELCA Conference of Bishops and other invited leaders will participate in the processional.

In celebration of the ELCA’s many partnerships, several ecumenical, interreligious and global partner representatives are invited, including the Rev. Henrik Stubkjaer, president of the Lutheran World Federation; the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church; the Rev. Jihyun Oh, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); and the Rev. Larry Kochendorfer, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Music leadership for the worship service includes the National Lutheran Choir and musicians from St. Olaf College and the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

The installation is a public worship service, open to all who wish to attend. The service will also be available via livestream.

Theoasis Registration Closes TOMORROW!

Registration for Theoasis is about to close! This joint church leaders’ event is a theological oasis for rostered leaders, professional lay church staff, youth leaders, church administrators, office managers, outdoor ministry leaders, worship leaders, and anyone else doing ministry. All are welcome! 

Theoasis will be held at the Embassy Suites in La Quinta, CA, from Tuesday, October 14 to Thursday, October 16, focusing on the theme “Blessed are the Poor—In Mind, Body, and Spirit.” Registration is now open and will close TOMORROW, October 3.

For more information about this impactful event, including speakers, schedule, and crucial hotel information, go here.

To read how Theoasis has impacted others, check out this story.

The Pacifica Synod has committed itself to becoming an anti-racist Church, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our baptismal call “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” Rooted in the ELCA’s social statement Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, we understand racism as sin and seek to dismantle its power in our congregations, institutions, and wider community.

To support this commitment, the Synod seeks a half-time Assistant to the Bishop for Anti-Racism Coordination (20 hrs/week) who will shepherd this work with faith, accountability, and hope. Is that you? Or do you know someone who might be a good fit? Find the complete job description and application details here. Applications must be submitted by October 14, 2025.

Bishop Dave wants to hear what you think. As we reach the midpoint of his term, what is the synod doing that is helpful for you? What are we missing? How can he better serve your ministry as your bishop? Below is a link to a survey that will allow you to provide some helpful feedback. Please take 5-10 minutes and let us know how we are doing and how we can serve you more effectively.

You can take the survey here. Your responses are automatically anonymous unless you supply us with your name and email address. Please respond by October 9th.

Support Immigrants

Through AMMPARO and CLUE

THANK YOU for your wonderful support of migrants, asylum seekers, and immigrants! We are in this together! We will not turn our backs on those who are suffering and we will continue to prayerfully do what we can!

Pastor Karla will be leading Border Church on Sunday, October 5 at the Whiskey 8 border wall location. Interested attendees may meet at St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 12:15 pm and carpool or caravan to the 1:00 pm service. AMMPARO is asking for donations of first aid/medical supplies and electrolyte packets, which may be brought to the border on Sunday, or delivered to St. Mark's between now and Sunday. After Sunday, please contact Anne Voth for donation pick up and distribution information either by phone at 858-395-9051 or by email at annevoth236@gmail.com.

What you can do:

1. Come to AMMPARO meetings and contact Pastor Karla Halvorson or a planning team member to find out more! You can text Pastor Karla at 858-442-6761. The next meeting is Saturday, October 11, at 10 am, with keynote speaker Pr. Manuel Retamoza of Border Church, and you can join via Zoom here. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A NEW LINK! (Meeting ID: 870 8107 6920  Passcode: AMMPARO) 

2. Faith leaders in the San Diego area are invited to join the Catholic Diocese of San Diego and Detention Resistance as courthouse escorts. This is someone who meets with asylum seekers and goes into courtrooms with them to support them and help them feel safe. This is especially important in this moment where many of these asylum seekers will be detained and kidnapped by ICE when they exit the courtroom. Having sustained volunteer presence matters even if it's just to witness what is happening and pass that information on to others. To participate or to get more information, text Krystle J of Detention Resistance at 858-382-2109.

3. Faith leaders in Orange County or Los Angeles can consider joining the CLUE Rapid Response network in Orange and Los Angeles County. CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) have long been advocates of immigrant rights and are looking for volunteers to help in many ways, including Courtroom Observation and Accompaniment. Speaking a second language is helpful but not required. Click here to find out more info on providing immigrant support at the courthouses in Los Angeles and Santa Ana.

Lutheran Office of Public Policy

Guidance on CA Prop 50

The Lutheran Office of Public Policy for California has made available two separate letters regarding the upcoming public vote on California's Proposition 50. You can read the letters by accessing the links below:

Prop 50 Policy Council Letter

Letter from CA Bishops in Support of LOPP

We're pleased to announce that Deacon John Baynton was ordained into the ministry of Word and Service on August 16, 2025 at Wartburg Theological Seminary. Deacon John serves at Hope Palm Desert. Welcome, Deacon John!

"Installfest" for Pastor Russell Lackey

Mission Lutheran, Laguna Niguel

October 19, 2025 (3:30pm)

Join Mission Lutheran in Laguna Niguel in celebrating Pastor Russ Lackey's Installation, better known as INSTALLFEST! The service begins at 3:30, followed by an Oktoberfest-style celebration with traditional food and drinks, plus kid-friendly options. This is a family event, open to all, with activities for children and plenty of festive fun. Feel free to wear Oktoberfest attire! View the invitation, with complete information and address, here.

Engaging and Equipping Faith Communities in Gun Violence Prevention (Free Webinar)

October 21, 2025

In response to the resolution on gun violence prevention passed by the 2025 Synod Assembly, this Zoom gathering will offer information, resources, and ideas faith leaders and congregations can use to respond to gun violence and work for gun violence prevention. We will be joined by members of the San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention coalition and hear from leaders in different areas of the synod. This Zoom event is open to all but you must register in advance to participate. 

Middle School Youth Gathering

November 14-16, 2025

Why be normal? It's time to live outside the box! Middle School Youth Gathering is BACK, November 14 through 16, and this year, we’re heading to Knott’s Berry Farm for a weekend of worship, encouragement, games, surprises, and five whole seconds of suspended terror as we wait for the drop on Hang Time.

Registration is now live, so if you have youth in the Pacifica or Southwest California Synods who are entering 6th through 9th grades, sign up now to secure your spots. And, just like last year, high school students (grades 10 through 12) are also welcome to come along for a special leadership track.

Pricing, dates, times, room information, and more details are available at the registration page, so head over there and get your group signed up ASAP.

Dates for 2026 Regional Gatherings, "A-Zoom-bly"

We are pleased to announce the dates and locations for next year's in-person regional gatherings and our all-synod assembly being held over Zoom. Save the date!

Regional Gatherings (from 10am to 2pm)

• April 25, 2026 – Hawaii (at LC of Honolulu)
• May 2, 2026 – Inland Empire (Trinity, Riverside)
• May 9, 2026 – Orange County (Bethlehem, Los Alamitos)
• May 16, 2026 – San Diego (Clairemont, San Diego)

And the A-Zoom-bly (starting at 9am):

• June 20, 2026

Watch this space for more details as they become available!

Webinar: Creating Accessible Spaces on a Budget

November 17, 2025

Every church should be a place where everyone feels welcome and included — regardless of ability. But making your facilities more accessible doesn't have to break the bank.

Join the ELCA Disability Ministry on Monday, November 17 at 7pm central time for this practical and inspiring webinar designed specifically for churches seeking to improve accessibility with limited resources. We'll explore affordable strategies to enhance physical, sensory and digital accessibility in your church buildings and programs. From simple upgrades to creative adaptations, you'll gain tools and ideas that can be implemented right away — no large renovation budget required.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• Low-cost improvements that make a big impact.

• How to prioritize accessibility changes.

• Ways to engage your congregation in accessibility efforts.

Show Solidarity with Palestinian Christians

with the Holy Land Accompaniment Pilgrimage

March 9-19, 2026

The ELCJHL (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land) is inviting the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods to the Holy Land early next year for an accompaniment pilgrimage. Come be with Palestinian Christians and experience the challenges they encounter just trying to live out their faith in the face of enormous structural obstacles. Yes, you'll see the historic foundations of the early Church--Capernaum, the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, and others--but more importantly, you'll form relationships with those who are building on those very foundations today. Have your faith inspired and your hope challenged.

Latine Ministry Competency Workshop:

Resisting, Restoring, Renewing

October 2-4, 2025

The Latine community is moving forward with deep faith and courageous spirit, despite the negative narrative, divisive rhetoric, and a culture of fear at work in the public arena. You are invited to be in dialogue with a group of learners and practitioners seeking to share insights and strategies to start or enhance ministry among the diverse Latine community in your context. Learn ways to become an ally and accompany your Latine neighbors at this crucial time. Open your church to be renewed by the faith and witness of the Latine community.

A flyer with speaker and schedule information is available here. Contact Pra. Maria Santa Cruz via email for registration information.

LFCNA Educational Event:

Hope in Practice: Applying Solution-Focused Communication 

Techniques in Response to Crisis

October 7, 2025

As a faith community nurse, or other professional in ministry, you are on the front lines of mental health and substance use care. It is possible that you engage with people and their families during some of their most vulnerable moments. This interactive session introduces attendees to the Solution Focused model, an evidence-informed, strengths-based approach that emphasizes hope, possibility, and patient resources over pathology, diagnosis and problems.

Rather than focusing on what's wrong, this model guides faith community professionals in helping people move toward hope, and what is possible. Participants will learn and practice strategies such as the miracle question, scaling techniques, and exception finding, all tailored for use in time-limited, high-stress community environments.

Prayer Vigil for Evi Sihomping

Detained by ICE

October 11, 2025 (10:00am)

Evi Sihomping is one of the active members of Getsemani Indonesian Lutheran Ministry in Riverside, CA. She was picked up from her home in Loma Linda by ICE on June 7, 2025 and is currently being held at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center.

She and her former husband applied for asylum back in 2003 but were denied; her former husband went back to Indonesia, while Evi stayed with her daughter, who was born in the US, in California. When her daughter reached 21 years old, she also petitioned for asylum her mom, a petition which is still in process. Nevertheless, ICE came to pick Evi up.

Right now, Evi is working with her immigration lawyer to get her out of prison so she can be with her daughter and her husband. Therefore, in connection with the API Leaders Migration Justice Training, held at Getsemani Indonesian/ Eden Lutheran Church in Riverside, there will be a prayer vigil led by Bishop Dave at 10:00am on October 11, 2025, outside the Adelanto ICE Detention Center. All are welcome to attend.

American Musical Theatre Workshop:

"Broadway's Grandest"

October 11, 2025 (3:00pm)

Come hear about the most expensive Broadway theatre productions, the biggest casts, the most complex dance numbers, the most expensive costumes, and which productions were performed on roller skates…AND WHY! We will be discussing the productions such as Beetlejuice, which utilizes four "houses" that change throughout the show..and rotates completely back to front; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which flies a car into the audience; the Mary Poppins tour that flies Mary from the mezzanine to the stage and, at end of show, back up to the mezzanine from stage; and the new 60-cast-member production of Vampires coming over from Germany this Fall. 

The workshop will be taught by Jason Chase, Director Of Music at St. Mark’s, Chula Vista. Invite your friends and family, children are welcome! Free and open to the public. Donations welcome.

Addiction & Faith Virtual Conference

October 23, 2025

Addiction is everywhere, and yet many churches feel unprepared to face it. This virtual conference will give you the insight and tools to change that. Learn how your faith community can start addressing the addiction crisis in a meaningful way. By the end of the day you will walk away with a deeper understanding, renewed hope, and concrete steps to make your congregation a safe, welcoming, and recovery-friendly community.

PLTS Discernment Weekend

October 31 - November 2, 2025

Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer travel assistance for those who need it.

Natural Sciences Retreat (Carefree, AZ)

January 16-19, 2026

Are you curious about the natural sciences' connection with Christian theology? If so, Living Into a New Story: A Spirited Assessment of the Christian Story in the Light of Earth-based Wisdom and Today’s Sciences Retreat is for you!

The retreat goals are to:

• Provide meaningful experiences together that will affirm our being cheered on by the whole Universe and by God
• Discover new realizations that our modest lives are part of a much larger story
• Inspire continued deep questioning and learning
• Stimulate a renewed sense of vocation

Highlights and takeaways include a booklet of current and rewritten hymns/songs grounded in ecology-theology themes; a worship/preaching/teaching resource for the Season of Lent; quotes, poems and journaling starts; book lists for further reading; time for journaling, worship, prayer, music, experiences; good food, serene surroundings, stimulating discussions, healing relaxation; time outdoors on the land, including an optional hike; wisdom for sustainable living and effective advocacy.

Remembering Rev. Ken Dale

(March 3, 1926 - September 9, 2025)

Longterm missionary Ken Dale of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont entered into his eternal rest on September 9, 2025. For more than 35 years, Ken taught pastoral care and counseling at Lutheran College and Seminary in Tokyo, where generations of students learned not only from his scholarship but from his deep kindness. Ken also founded and directed a pastoral counseling center in Tokyo, leading it for 14 years and offering community-based therapy, education, and research to the benefit of thousands of individuals and families.

Memorial information has been updated. A memorial will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the city of Claremont on Friday, October 10, at 2:30 pm with a light reception to follow. There will also be a memorial service on Saturday, October 11, at 3:00 pm in Decker Hall at Pilgrim Place. Ken's family will be present at both services.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in memory of Ken Dale in two ways that he indicated:

1. Please send a check to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1700 North Towne Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711) with “Ken Dale Memorial Fund” in the memo line of the check. Payments may also be made online at the Good Shepherd website. Once on the ‘Donate to GSLC’ page, click on “Give,” and add a note that this is ‘for the Ken Dale memorial fund.' The funds received will then be sent to the Japan Lutheran Theological College in Tokyo, where Rev. Dale spent most of his career.

2. Go to pilgrimplace.org and under the banner "Giving" click on "Ways to Give" to find how to give by check or online.

Music Items for Sale (Updated on 9-28)

Trinity Lutheran, Hemet

Trinity Lutheran in Hemet is still downsizing and wishes to sell some of their musical instruments, sheet music, and miscellaneous materials that go with them. This list was updated September 28, 2025, with many new items added and others removed that have already gone to other Lutheran churches in the Pacifica Synod. Download an updated flier with links to all the available items by clicking here or contact the church at trinityhemet@verizon.net

Hand Bell Director (Part-Time)

Clairemont Lutheran/Iglesia Luterana, San Diego

Clairemont Lutheran/Iglesia Luterana in San Diego is seeking a part-time Hand Bell Director to provide leadership for the CLC Hand Bell Choir regarding weekly rehearsals and scheduled performances. For a complete job description and application information, go here.

Organist

Incarnation Lutheran, Poway

Incarnation Lutheran Church (ILC) in Poway is seeking an organist to help us experience and celebrate God’s gifts of grace in worship at our traditional Sunday worship service at 11am. ILC has a long history of excellent music expressed through our musicians, vocal and bell choirs, congregational singing, instrumental ensembles, and soloists. If interested and qualified, candidate could apply to be considered at a later date as Director of Music and/or vocal and bell Choir Director. 

A full job description can be found at this link. Those interested are asked to contact the church office at Servants@GodAmong.us with questions or to send letters of interest/resumes.

Program Director (Remote)

Serve Boldly (Partner Ministry)

Serve Boldly is a service-learning ministry that brings youth groups into communities, leaning on relationships with local partners to learn from the area to see how a few extra hands can help out. In 2026, Serve Boldly will be in nine locations across the country, including a third year in San Diego. This position is fully remote. We’re intentionally seeking candidates who might live in or have connections to our partner synods, since this is such a relationship-based role. Ultimately, we see a lot of potential for this role to be a GREAT fit for someone based in the Pacifica Synod who has a passion for youth, service, and faith formation.

The Serve Boldly Program Director leads the design and delivery of programs, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience across locations. This educator-focused role develops curriculum, trains staff, creates faith formation for youth in grades 6–12, and ensures programming reflects Lutheran theology while remaining accessible to ecumenical partners. The Program Director brings creativity, adaptability, and vision to this growing ministry. View the full job description here.

To apply, send a resume to Sara Jonasen at sjonasen@gllm.org. Applications accepted until filled.