Preparing for our Bishop’s Election 2027 – WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU | | |
As we prepare for the 2027 bishop election, we want to hear about your congregation’s ministry, priorities, and hopes for synod support.
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, October 30. Check your church or administrative inbox for an invitation from ELCA Research and Evaluation and use that link if you received one. No invitation? You can still participate below!
Thank you for helping ensure your congregation’s voice is heard!
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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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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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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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LOPP-CA’s Recommendations for the November 2026 California Statewide Ballot Propositions
The Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California (LOPP-CA) has released its recommendations for the November 2026 California statewide ballot propositions.
LOPP-CA looks at ELCA social statements and teachings, and applies those stances when recommending voting choices. The ELCA is committed to open dialogue between people who may disagree on issues, and while this is one resource for your discernment, it need not be your only resource. The guide is intended as a resource for Californians as they learn about the measures appearing on this year’s ballot.
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Community Meeting: Congregational Response to ICE Activity
October 29th, 6:30pm
How can congregations respond when ICE activity affects their church community?
Join us via Zoom for updates, practical steps following an incident, ways to care for those affected, and conversation about congregational response plans.
Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Register to receive the Zoom link.
Click HERE for Spanish Version of the flyer.
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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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Are You El Niño Ready?
As we look ahead to the winter months, the Southwest California Synod Disaster Relief Ministry is encouraging congregations and households to take steps now to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and other severe winter weather.
We encourage congregations to download and print this flyer and share it with members of your congregation and community. There is an English and Spanish version. Consider posting it on a bulletin board, including it with other church communications, or having copies available for members to take home.
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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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FOUR POSITION OPENINGS
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Director of Children’s Ministry, Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, CA
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Part Time Office Manager, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Woodland Hills, CA
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Director of Music, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, CA
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Lead Preschool Teacher, Christ Lutheran Preschool, West Covina, CA
Please visit our job openings page for more details.
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Grown Woman Real Talk, October 23
Join the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA), Los Angeles Chapter for “Grown Woman Real Talk,” an evening of candid conversation with Bishop La’Tresa Jester, author of Living Without Excuses. With the theme “The conversation you don’t have on Sunday morning,” this gathering welcomes participants ages 17 and older.
Friday, October 23 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
California Lutheran University, Ullman 100
60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks
For more information, contact adla.losangeles@gmail.com.
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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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Your Next Fellowship Hour Is on Equal Exchange!
Interested in trying fairly traded coffee at your church? Equal Exchange is offering free coffee for congregations to host a “fellowship hour on us.”
To request yours, email interfaithreps@equalexchange.coop with the subject line “First Fellowship Free.”
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Bible Study at Church of Hope
Wednesdays at 12noon
Canyon Country, CA
Join us every Wednesday at noon at Church of Hope in Canyon Country, CA, for an in-depth study of Genesis led by Dr. Carole Francis-Swayze. Together, we explore the lives of the early Hebrews—their triumphs and failures, their struggles with faith, and the ways God meets them throughout their unfolding story.
At the heart of this study is a compelling question: What do these accounts reveal about the character of God? Through his interactions with his people and the pagan peoples they encounter, we gain glimpses of his nature and consider what these ancient stories invite us to understand today. Whether you are new to the Bible or have studied it for years, you are welcome to join us for thoughtful exploration and meaningful discussion.
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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.
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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)
- Pastor John Miller
- 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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