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A POST ELECTION MESSAGE FROM BISHOP
The nation elected a large group of new leaders this month, including several candidates who are Christian clergy and seminarians. Jason DeRose, NPR Religion correspondent, and member of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Santa Monica, has followed these candidates and filed this interesting story. We highlight it here because his conversation is less about Christians seizing political power, and more about how the way they think and talk about religion shaped their ability to lead their constituents.
Among those elected is the Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, an ELCA pastor who will represent Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her ministry reminds us of the many places Lutherans live out their callings, in congregations, community organizations and public office. We celebrate the gifts, experiences and perspectives people bring to public service, and we pray for her and all elected leaders as they take up the responsibility of serving their neighbors.
How does your faith shape the way you move through the world? What gifts can our Lutheran faith bring to the neighbor? What broader conversations might we engage?
There are also massive changes which will take place in our legislative bodies. Please pray for the hundreds of civil servants who will lose their staff and support jobs or are uncertain about their future. Pray for our nation’s senate and house of representatives as they realign agendas and work for peaceful transitions. May they be motivated by love of neighbor, accountability and justice for all.
Our local landscape also shifts, and I invite you to engage your elected officials, your school boards, your community forums. God can use us to build loving, sustainable society.
Thank you for voting, thank you for praying and thank you for engaging our civic life.
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NEW POSITION IN THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
The Office of the Bishop is posting a new position as Assistant to the Bishop for Rostered leadership, taking on mobility and call processes for our rostered leaders and congregations. This work has been part of the porfolio for Associate to the Bishop Julia Morales. Julia will continue in her candidacy and lay leadership position in the new year. Rostered leaders are encouraged to apply for this position.
Visit HERE to read the full job description. Applicants should send a letter of interest and their Rostered Ministers' Profile to jbanks@socalsynod.org.
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SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENSION - FRIDAY 11/6 - Preparing for our Bishop’s Election 2027
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As we prepare for the 2027 bishop election, we want to hear about your congregation’s ministry, priorities, and hopes for synod support.
We've heard from 60 congregations thus far and we are grateful for the response.
Please submit one response per congregation, completed by a leader familiar with its ministry. If your congregation has a specialized or strategic ministry that should be represented through a separate survey response, please contact your DEM.
The survey takes 10–15 minutes and closes Friday, November 6. Thank you for helping ensure your congregation’s voice is heard!
| | FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE SYNOD | | |
2025 Form A Submission Re-Opened
The Annual Congregation Report online system has re-opened for 2025 Form A submissions. The system will remain open through Friday, December 4 at 5 pm central time. Congregations who have not yet filed a 2025 report will receive an email on Oct. 14.
Submitting a Form A is a mandatory responsibility of all congregations! Southwest California Synod grants are only given to congregations who have filed their Form A.
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Affordable Luther Glen Retreat for Youth Ministry Leaders
Upcoming December 3rd-5th
Youth Workers Retreat
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Help Shape the 2027 Synod Assembly! A Call for Volunteers.
The Southwest California Synod Assembly takes place May 21–22, 2027, and we’re gathering interest from volunteers to help plan and support this meaningful gathering. We’re looking for dependable, collaborative people who enjoy taking initiative, bringing ideas to life, and meeting agreed-upon deadlines. Specific roles and time commitments will be shared as planning develops.
Interested? Email Jermaine Banks at jbanks@socalsynod.org. Reaching out expresses your interest; assignments will depend on Assembly needs and the best fit for each role. Thank you for sharing your gifts!
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Reflective Leadership Grants: Up to $20,000 for Ministry Leaders
Facing a significant challenge, transition, or opportunity in your ministry? The Forum for Congregational Life is accepting applications for Reflective Leadership Grants of up to $20,000 to help established clergy and lay leaders step back from daily demands, gain perspective, and discern their next faithful steps. Funding supports structured reflection connected to your current ministry, including coaching, spiritual direction, learning experiences, and coverage of responsibilities to protect time for reflection.
Applications are NOW OPEN and due December 7, 2026. Online applicant Q&A sessions will be held October 21 and November 18.
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
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National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
November 14-22, 2026
This November 14–22, join congregations across the Southwest California Synod in supporting local food pantries during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
Choose your church’s pantry or a neighboring pantry, ask which items are most needed, and organize a collection and delivery. Every contribution helps support the ministries feeding our communities!
Find the Southern California Food Pantry List online. Send photos of your congregation’s efforts, or request to add your church’s pantry to the list, by emailing victoria@socalsynod.org.
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COMMUNITY
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reminder to check out our Community Events page on the Synod Website to see calendar of all upcoming events!
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SYNOD-WIDE JOB OPENINGS - Please visit our job openings page for more details.
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Conversations in Art with Max Del Bosque
Join Max Del Bosque, one of our synod’s candidates who recently returned from Berkeley and is now teaching at Pierce College, for “Art and Community Care: Artist Chaplaincy with SF Night Ministry.”
Presented by the Pierce College Department of Art and Architecture, the talk takes place Thursday, November 5, from 6–7 p.m. in Art 3300, followed by a reception from 7–8 p.m. in the Art Courtyard.
Come support Max and explore the connection between art, ministry, and community care!
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Explore Racial Justice and Faith with PLTS
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary offers courses and a certificate in Racial Justice and Faith for pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and anyone interested in connecting faith with action. Led by BIPOC theologians, six-week online courses combine mostly self-paced learning with Zoom components.
Courses cost $250 each, with need-based scholarships and discounts for groups and PLTS alumni.
Learn more and explore courses.
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Calling All Knitters and Crocheters: Create a Super Scarf!
St. Luke Lutheran Church in Woodland Hills is collecting up to 1,000 handmade scarves for the Los Angeles Rescue Mission’s 2026 Thanksgiving Outreach Street Event. Help bring warmth and care to our unhoused neighbors by knitting or crocheting a scarf approximately 4 inches wide and 44 inches long. Neutral or dark solid colors are ideal.
Drop off completed scarves in the church office door mail slot at 5312 Comercio Way, Woodland Hills, by Sunday, November 15. Student volunteers can earn four hours of service credit per scarf.
For questions, contact Office.Saint.Luke@gmail.com or 818-346-3070. See the flyer for knitting and crochet instructions.
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Pre-Thanksgiving Jazz Benefit Concert
Enjoy an afternoon of jazz for a good cause!
Chapel of Peace Lutheran Church in Inglewood hosts the Paul McDonald 17-piece Big Band, featuring guest performers Charlotte A. Pope and Craig Cady, on Sunday, November 22, at 4 p.m.
The event includes food, drinks, and door prizes, with all proceeds supporting the church’s Community Food Distribution Program and Building Fund.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children ages 5–12.
The church is located at 1009 N. Market Street, Inglewood.
For reservations or tickets, call (310) 673-2584.
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Newsletter Submissions
If you would like your event considered for inclusion in the Southwest California Synod weekly newsletter, please email your event information to communications@socalsynod.org. For the best opportunity to promote your event, please submit all event details three to four weeks before the event date or registration deadline.
The Synod newsletter is distributed each Thursday. To be considered for that week’s newsletter, submissions should be received by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. Late submissions may be included the following week whenever possible.
Due to the number of submissions we receive, not every event can receive a full feature in the newsletter. Events may be highlighted with a graphic and description, included in our Community Events listing with a link to full details on the Synod website, or both. The timing, frequency and placement of newsletter features are determined by Synod-wide relevance, available space, event dates and registration deadlines.
When submitting an event, please include the event title, date, time, location, registration information or link (if applicable), and a brief description, and attach a flyer or graphic if available.
If you submit a job opening to be posted in the Synod newsletter and on the Synod website, please kindly alert us when your job opening has been filled!
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The Office of the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA is located on the traditional territory of the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people. The SWCA Synod rests on the traditional territory of over 11 different indigenous people.
Here is a resource you can use to find out more information about the traditional keepers of the land on which you live, work or travel.
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"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
- For the people of Iran and all people in harm's way in the Middle East.
- For our armed service personnel and their families.
- For our elected officials to govern with wisdom and ethical motivations.
- For our ELCA seminaries, dedicated to lifting up our leaders in our churches.
- For pastors, deacons and lay leaders serving faithfully during difficult times.
- For those who live in fear.
- The people of Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, and all those touched by war.
- The people affected by hurricanes, floods, fires, and natural disasters.
- Global Refuge and their work with refugees.
Thank you for your prayers.
Your prayer requests are important to us. If you would like to be added to the prayer list or if you have an update, please email communications@socalsynod.org
with the subject line: 'Prayer Request.'
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Southwest California Synod Staff
The Rev. Brenda Bos
(she/her/hers)
Bishop
bbos@socalsynod.org
Jermaine Banks
(he/his/him)
Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Finance
jbanks@socalsynod.org
Deacon Dr Cecelia Travick-Jackson
(she/her/hers)
Assistant to the Bishop for Senior Adult Ministries
deacondr@socalsynod.org
The Rev. Tracy Williams
(she/her/hers)
Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Care
pastortracy@socalsynod.org
The Rev. Amy Beveridge
(she/her/hers)
Director for Evangelical Mission
abeveridge@socalsynod.org
Laura Salazar Kreuger
Director for Evangelical Mission
lsalazar@socalsynod.org
Julia Morales
Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility
julia@socalsynod.org
Robin Lujan
Office Administrator for Rostered Ministry and Candidacy Archivist
RLujan@socalsynod.org
Victoria Villa
(she/her/hers)
Disaster Relief Coordinator
Victoria@socalsynod.org
Jaqueline Rosas
Welcoming Congregations Coordinator
Jrosasdeal@gmail.com
June Kline
Bookkeeper
JKline@socalsynod.org
Stacey Beaman
(she/her/hers)
Communications Manager
communications@socalsynod.org
Karen Boon
Office Administrator
admin@socalsynod.org
Lisa Higginbotham
Gift Planner/Advancement Advisor
lisa.higginbotham@elca.org
Bill Nuzzo
(he/him/his)
Properties and Facilities Manager
bnuzzo@socalsynod.org
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Who We Are
The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling In Christ Synod, making a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. For information about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or organization, please contact the Region 2 RIC Coordinator or the RIC office.
We are a Lutheran Restoring Creation Synod. Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God’s promise of hope and healing for all.
We are a Jubilee USA Network Synod. There are over 750 national and local faith groups that work with Jubilee USA to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. Congregations and faith communities are a critical moral champions on economic policies that impact our lives. Jubilee faith communities play a pivotal role in winning debt, tax, trade and transparency policies that protect vulnerable people and economies.
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