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Bishop's Reflection on Pride Month, 2026

June is Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ people, and their contributions to our society. I understand why we call it “Pride” month, to counter the shame so many people have felt and still feel about their sexuality or gender. The movement has taught LGBTQIA+ people and the rest of society that these identities are to be celebrated and seen, in all the wonderful ways people express themselves in the world. 

But this year, I am wishing it was called “Liberation” month instead. Because I realize anew how people who are able to come out are freed from the closet, from secrecy and shame, and are now open to live and love as they were created. Many of us are compassionate about coming out, but I do not think we have a full understanding of the burden, the extra effort required to live inauthentically as a heterosexual person, or a cisgender person, when that is not how they were created. As people have explained to me, they had to mask their true selves, constructing what they perceive as an acceptable version of themselves for the world to see. Being able to drop that mask is frightening, but so freeing. The energy spent hiding their true selves can now be spent expressing themselves and discovering their giftedness.

READ MORE 

For more Pride resources, please visit the Reconciling Works website.

Juneteenth: A Prayer for Freedom and Justice

On June 19, we commemorate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. As we give thanks for God's liberating work in history and today, we invite you to join us in prayer.

Prayer for Juneteenth

Holy and righteous God, you created us in your image. Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression. Help us, like those of generations before us, resist the evil of slavery and human bondage in any form and any manner of oppression. Help us to use our freedoms to bring justice among people and nations everywhere, to the glory of your Holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer from the ELCA's "Worship Resources: Juneteenth."

Note: The Synod office will be closed on Friday, June 19th.

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE SYNOD

AGING WITH GRACE WEBINAR #1 - JUNE 29th, 4pm on Zoom

Please share with your congregations.

The first in our Aging with Grace faith-based webinar series for Seniors, Families & Caregivers will take place on Monday, June 29th at 4pm on Zoom. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about helping older adults navigate aging with confidence, explore supportive options and remain connected to faith, community and purpose.

This webinar is for Seniors, Families and Caregivers.

Link to sign up ----> REGISTER HERE

MORE FROM THE SYNOD OFFICE

Join Us For Dodger Night!

Get More Involved

One question that arose during Assembly was, "How can I get more involved?"

We'd love to continue the conversation. If you are interested in learning more about or becoming involved in any of our Synod ministries, please let us know using the form below. A member of our staff will be happy to connect with you and help you find opportunities to engage.

Get to Know Your Synod Staff - Part Two

Have you ever wondered who to contact when your congregation needs support, where your Synod communications come from, or who helps steward ministry and mission across our region? Last week we shared part one of our three part Synod staff introductions. Below is part two!

This week, we're featuring Deacon Dr. Cecelia Travick-Jackson, The Rev. Amy Beveridge, June Kline, and Julia Morales. We hope these brief introductions help you put faces to names and learn a little more about the dedicated people who serve alongside you in ministry throughout the Southwest California Synod.

DID YOU LOSE THIS?

This lovely water bottle was left at Assembly and we have a feeling someone is missing it! Please contact the Synod office to claim!

ELCA & COMMUNITY

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reconciling Works Bible Study



ReconcilingWorks wishes to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study. Please share this invitation with your community!

When:  Every third Thursday of the month (July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17)

NOTE: June Bible Study materials are already available on the ReconcilingWorks Bible Study webpage. Click on image next to "Sermon Notes" or Register here for the Bible Study to receive an email)

Time:  1:00pm Pacific / 3:00pm Central / 4:00pm Eastern

Where: Online via Zoom - Register here for the Bible Study to receive the link)

More Info: 

• The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register. 
• The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.
• The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering. 
• Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

Job Opening - Preschool/Toddler Teacher, West Covina, CA



Christ Lutheran Church and Preschool in West Covina, California is seeking a passionate and energetic Preschool/Toddler Teacher to inspire young minds and foster a nurturing learning environment. In this role, you will be responsible for creating engaging lesson plans, implementing age-appropriate activities, and supporting the developmental needs of children in early childhood education settings. Your enthusiasm and dedication will help cultivate a positive classroom atmosphere where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.

This paid position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's growth while developing your skills in early childhood development and classroom management. Please see the job overview for more details, and contact Michelle at psdirector@clswc.org for more information or to apply. Thank you!



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.