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Bishop Bos' Assembly Welcome Letter

Welcome to the 2026 Southwest California Synod Assembly, "God is Our Refuge and Strength."

Our theme comes from Psalm 46, words which have been clung to by people of Abrahamic faiths for centuries. This theme offers a message of hope for each of us. God is our refuge. The psalmist likely wrote about God protecting him from pursuing military enemies. A refuge is a place to hide and watch out for danger. While that may not be a relatable experience for most of us, we may understand other concepts of a refuge:

A refuge is a place to find comfort and rest when you are away from home... a place to get out of a storm... a place to breathe and pray when life becomes overwhelming or even dangerous.

God is that refuge, no matter what our life circumstances bring.

READ MORE

Assembly is around the corner and we want to make sure you have ALL the information.

Yesterday (May 13th) we had our first Pre-Assembly Session on the topic of nominations. Thank you to all who attended and asked such thoughtful questions.

Mark your calendar for two more pre-assembly Zoom sessions covering the following topics:

Resolutions and Memorials - May 20th at 12noon and 6pm

Synod Budget - May 27th at 12noon and 6pm

We have two time options for each topic. For more details and zoom links for our Pre-Assembly Zoom sessions, please visit our NEW Synod Events page! Link below.

Keep an eye on our Assembly webpage as details will be added as they come in!

Meet our Keynote Speaker Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge.

Read Krish's bio HERE.

Join our song!

A closing worship choir for Synod Assembly is being assembled and you are invited to join!

Please email Lisa Curtis at vicepresident@socalsynod.org if you would like to participate and receive a link to the music. There will be two opportunities for short rehearsals on Friday and Saturday, and then we will sing during the closing worship which begins early afternoon on Saturday, May 30.

Anyone who would like to sing is invited, whether or not you are an assembly member!

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE SYNOD

Assembly Information Page

Click HERE for latest information and updates regarding the 2026 Assembly.

New Synod Events Page

Click HERE to see our new Synod Events page. Please be sure to reference this page for all upcoming Synod events and details.

Two Sermons For Sunday After Assembly

Bishop Brenda Bos will be providing two sermons uploaded on YouTube and google drive by May 28. Gospel of John is the lectionary text, gospel of Luke is the alternative lectionary option.

Job Opening at the Synod office

Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Finance - Learn more and apply HERE

MORE FROM THE SYNOD OFFICE

Staff Change

Katelyn Bailey is no longer working at the synod office. We wish her well.

Communications needs are being managed by Stacey Beaman at communications@socalsynod.org.

Bishop scheduling and other administrative issues may be addressed to Karen Boon at admin@socalsynod.org.

Most Synod Assembly logistics may be addressed to Deanna Zercher at assembly@socalsynod.org.

ELCA & COMMUNITY

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Supply Collection for Western States Youth Gathering

Help support our youth attending the Western States Youth Gathering by sending in supplies to make care kits for those still recovering after the fires. The youth will learn more about disaster response by using the Lutheran Disaster Response Simulation Kit. They will then put together the kits, which will be distributed by the synod. Please send in donations by June 5th. 

Click on the event title below to learn more.

• Wednesday, May 20th - Lutheran Lobby Day, Register HERE
• Wednesday, May 27th - How to Love Someone in Recovery
• Sunday, May 31st - An Afternoon with Global Refuge Donors & Friends
• Now through June 10th - Applications Open for Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS
• July 6th -9th, 2026 - ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering
• Sunday, June 7th - Solheim Annual Meeting of the Corporation



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.

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.

Congregational Resources

2025 Compensation Workbook (includes Salary Guides for Rostered Leaders and Supply Pastor Reimbursement)

Pulpit Supply Listings & Information

Treasurers Training Materials

Secretaries Training Materials