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Synnouncements
Events along the way...
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Issue Date: February 11, 2013 |
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Free Practice Discipleship Initiative Webinar Training
Last summer at the 2012 National Youth Gathering, synod youth participated in the Practice Discipleship Initiative.
Now, congregations have the opportunity to share the initiative more widely. The Practice Discipleship Initiative is a ministry of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. It provides training resources for congregations in their faith formation work with young people.
Webinars are as follows:
- "Working Together in Solidarity" with Rozella White on February 17 at 1:00 p.m.
- "Inculturating the Gospel" with Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes on March 3 at 1:00 p.m.
- "Dog Eating Chicken" with Heather Hansen on March 17 at 1:00 p.m
- "Going Public" with Dr. Jeremy Myers on April 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Click here for more information about the Practice Discipleship Initiative. |
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Synod Office Worship: A Chance for Mid-Week Reflection
Join us, on Wednesdays for mid-week worship services at 11:30 a.m. in the Trinity Conference Center at the Synod Office.
We join together in the Eucharist and hear the Word from various synod pastors.
Join Us This Week:
If you are interested in preach and presiding for a worship service, please contact the Assistant to the Bishop for Lay Mission Leadership Laurie Arroyo. |
Reports to the Bishop and Parochial Reports
The deadline for Parochial Reports is days away. Please complete them online or mail to the Synod Office by Friday, February 15. For more information, click here.
We have received 48 percent of the Reports to the Bishop which are due by Friday, March 1! Please fill out the form online or mail it to the Synod Office.
Filling out both reports is especially important as it will be helpful for the new bishop to become acquainted with our rostered leaders and their ministries.
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Upcoming Music Events near and in the South Bay
Music by the Sea
Friday, February 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Encinitas Library
540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA
For a Google map, click here.
Tickets: $12
For information and to order tickets online, click here.
The Previews
Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
1340 Eleventh Street, Manhattan Beach, CA
For a Google map, click here.
Free admission
For information click here.
Music in the Mansion
Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Greystone Mansion
905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills CA
For a Google map, click here.
Tickets: $20, includes a post-concert meet-the-artists reception and a guided tour of the historic Greystone Mansion. Seating is limited. Advance registration recommended.
To reserve tickets, call (310) 285-6850 from Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m-4:00 p.m. or at the door on Sunday if tickets are available.
For information, call (310) 285-6830 or click here.
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Lenten Motet at Faith Lutheran Church: Seven Last Words
7500 De Soto Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303
Sunday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The Passion of Christ in Music: for centuries, the Lenten theme of the suffering of Christ has been expressed in beautiful music. This year, Faith Lutheran Church presents a much-loved 19th century French version of Jesus' seven last words from the cross, performed by noted local musicians and free of charge to the public (a free will offering will be taken).
Now, again, Faith Lutheran Church offers its friends and neighbors a chance to begin their Lenten observation in the prayerful and profoundly beautiful spirit of classical music, in a setting by Th�odore Dubois (1837-1924) originally performed in Paris in 1867. |
Another Level Upcoming Community Events
4th Annual Fundraiser Reception
February 16, 2013 at 3 p.m.
$5 donation
Community Rejoice! Lutheran Church
650 E. 135th St
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Pastor's and Leader's Prayer Breakfast
March 9, 2013 at 9 a.m.
Free event
Olivet Lutheran Church
2506 W. Imperial Hwy Hawthorne, CA 90250
For more information about Another Level or the events, contact Minister Jonathan Hemphill or visit the website. |
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John Dominic Crossan Lectures in Solvang
Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Rd., Solvang, CA 93463 will have the honor of hosting Dr. John Dominic Crossan at our Farstrup-Mortensen Lecture Series from February 22-24, 2013. The theme for the lectures is: "Jesus and the Kingdom of God." Space is limited, please make your reservation early.
John Dominic Crossan was educated in Ireland and the United States, received a Doctorate of Divinity from Maynooth College, Ireland, in 1959, and did post-doctoral research at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome from 1959 to 1961 and at the �cole Biblique in Jerusalem from 1965 to 1967. He was a member of a thirteenth-century Roman Catholic religious order, the Servites (Ordo Servorum Mariae), from 1950 to 1969 and an ordained priest from 1957 to 1969. He joined the faculty of DePaul University, Chicago, in 1969 and remained there until 1995. He is now a Professor Emeritus in its Department of Religious Studies.
He was Co-Chair of the Jesus Seminar from 1985 to 1996 as it met in twice-annual meetings to debate the historicity of the life of Jesus in the gospels. He was Chair of the Parables Seminar 1972-76, Editor of Semeia. An Experimental Journal for Biblical Criticism 1980-86, and Chair of the Historical Jesus Section 1993-1998, within the Society of Biblical Literature, an international scholarly association for biblical study based in the United States. He served as Vice President of the Society of Biblical Literature 2010-2011 and President 2011-2012.
Dr. Crossan has received awards for scholarly excellence from the American Academy of Religion in 1989, DePaul University in 1991 and 1995, and an honorary doctorate from Stetson University, DeLand, FL, in 2003.
In the last forty years he has written twenty-five books on the historical Jesus, earliest Christianity, and the historical Paul. Five of them have been national religious bestsellers for a combined total of twenty-four months. The scholarly core of his work is the trilogy from The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant (1991) through The Birth of Christianity: Discovering What Happened in the Years Immediately After the Execution of Jesus (1998), to In Search of Paul: How Jesus's Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom, co-authored with archaeologist Jonathan L. Reed (2004). His works have been translated into twelve foreign languages, including Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
He has lectured to lay and scholarly audiences across the United States as well as in Ireland and England, Scandinavia and Finland, Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa. He has been interviewed on 200 radio stations, including four times on NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross. He has also been interviewed on television networks such as ABC's PrimeTime, Peter Jennings Reporting, and Nightline, CBS' Early Show and 48 Hours, NBC's Dateline, and Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, and on cable programs such as A&E, History, Discovery, and the National Geographic Channel.
His book, The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer, was published by HarperOne, San Francisco, in September, 2010. His most recent book is The Power of Parable: How Fiction by Jesus became Fiction about Jesus (publication by HarperOne in March of 2012).
Please visit our website at for more information and registration: click on "Farstrup-Mortensen Lectures" and then click for the pdf brochure. You can also call the church office and register at (805)688-4637.
Note that Early Bird Registration discount ends February 15 (not February 1st, as indicated in the brochure). |
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Wartburg Theological Seminary - Upcoming Events
32nd Annual Rural Ministry Conference
March 3 - 5, 2013
The Center for Theology & Land at Wartburg Theological Seminary hosts the annual Rural Ministry Conferences. Each year's conference addresses issues and themes pertinent to the well-being of rural communities and the ministry of rural churches. This year's theme is Food and Faith. The keynote speaker is Dr. Norman Wirzba.
The conference will include worship, keynote speakers, workshops, and Bible study, and offer participants a unique opportunity to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry. Presenters come from a variety of denominations. For more information, contact the Rural Ministry.
"Considering Your Call" - Conference on Ministry
March 9-11, 2013
We invite you to explore your call to ministry and enter into the community of Wartburg Theological Seminary. For more information, call 1-800-225-5987 and ask for Campus Visits or email Sandy Nickol.
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Composed entirely of vignettes, monolouges and dialouges; this show retells the greatest story ever told with both humor and drama.
An original show written and directed by Jeff Zimmer, member of Emmanuel, North Hollywood and five-time Emmy nominee.
March 8-10, 15-17 & 24
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors & Students
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.
The Lincoln Stegman Theater
6020 Radford Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Box Office (818) 509-0882
ELATE is a ministry of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, North Hollywood
Facebook page - Emmanuel Lutheran Actors Theater Ensemble - ELATE
Website |
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Spring Conference Assemblies - Welcoming Congregations
Spring is right around the corner which means that it is time once again to gather with conference members from our congregation.
As people of Christ we are called to welcome all. This year's Spring Conference Assemby theme is "Welcoming Congregations." Congregation members are invited to attend this event. There will be breakout groups emphasizing:
- Welcoming Immigrants
- Welcoming LGBT
- Welcoming Veterans
- Welcoming Youth and Young Adults
The Spring Conference Assemblies are as follows:
Channel Islands
Saturday, Feb. 23
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks
Please RSVP to Dean Nancy Switzler
Tehachapi
Sunday, Feb. 24
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Redeemer, Bakersfield
RSVP to Dean Jon Christenson
Greater Long Beach
Saturday, March 9
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Our Saviour, Long Beach
RSVP to Dean James Proper
Central Coast
Sunday, March 10
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hope, Atascadero
RSVP to Dean Marj Funk-Phil
Foothill
Sunday, March 17
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Trinity, Pasadena
RSVP to Dean Bruce Johnson
San Gabriel Valley
Sunday, March 24
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
St. Paul's, Monterey Park
RSVP to Dean Shel Hess
LA Metro
Saturday, April 13
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Chapel of Peace, Ingelwood
RSVP to Dean Scott Bartlett
Twin Valleys
Saturday, April 13
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bethel, Encino
RSVP to Dean Tricia Lowe
South Bay
Sunday, April 14
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
First, Torrance
RSVP to Dean Bill Hurst
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Download the registration packet here. |
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Register Today for the Luther Academy of the Rockies - June 17 - 27, 2013
We invite you to join us in the beautiful Colorado mountains for Luther Academy of the Rockies, Wartburg Theological Seminary's premier LifeLong Learning educational program for rostered leaders and their families. The daily rhythm of worship, mornings filled with insightful scholarly lectures and forums, afternoon free time to explore the incredible scenery, and evening fellowship opportunities will structure our time together. Home to the Academy for the past 44 years, Meeker Park Lodge is an old time, rustic, mountain lodge surrounded by housekeeping cabins. Its natural setting lends itself well to outdoor recreation and relaxation, as well as spiritual and intellectual renewal. Learn more about the event here.
You may register and pay online! Or, you can print out a registration form and mail it, along with payment, to Wartburg Seminary. Click here for brochure package with printable registration form.
Registration is limited, so act quickly to reserve your spot! |
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Enjoy a Week of Renewal at PLTS!
"A wonderfully non-stressful, yet deeply stimulating opportunity to engage with colleagues and professors, both known and new, in a fabulous setting. I highly recommend it." - Peg Schultz-Akerson
Join Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary June 24 - 28 in Berkeley, CA for a week of worship, stimulating conversation, and restorative time in the company of colleagues in ministry and lay people interested in theology. There will be five outstanding classes:
- Tom Rogers, "Reclaiming the E word"
- Jane Strohl, "The Global Luther"
- Victor Thasiah, "Justice for a New Day: Anarchism and Christianity"
- Steed Davidson, "Prophets Then & Now"
- David Balch, "The Economy: Jesus, Luke/James/USA/El Salvador"
More information is available here.
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Southwest California Synod's Global Mission Companion Synod: El Salvador, Central America
If you have ever wanted to serve God on a mission trip, now is the time!
Congregations of the Southwest California Synod can come find sister Lutheran churches to partner with in El Salvador August 1-August 10, 2013.
Please send a person or small group representing your congregation in California to find a sister church congregation for mutual prayer partnership and encouragement for both congregations! Jesus Christ's unstoppable power to give life to the Church in the world is so evident to us in El Salvador.
The cost is $775 per participant, covering lodging and meals and airfare.
For more information, please contact Trip leader Julie Jacks at 310-798-9081, or Pastors Kristian and Anna-Kari at 773-990-0814. |
What will the Right Loan Help you Build? Consider the Mission Investment Fund for your Building Loan
Are you considering a building project this year-a revitalized space that will help you grow your ministry? The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA specializes in financing church building projects. Whether your needs are small-a simple renovation, for instance-or if your plans are grand-a new sanctuary or fellowship space, perhaps-the Mission Investment Fund offers project expertise free of charge as well as competitive rates and terms on our portfolio of loans.
To learn more about MIF loans and investments-and our competitive rates-visit our new website, mif.elca.org, call us toll-free at 877-886-3522, or contact your MIF Regional Manager, Joel S. Wudel, at (773) 682-1765. |
A Resource from Ecumenism
A new resource for congregations and the rostered is available as a result of four church bodies cooperating and being creative, putting ecumenism into practice! Those four partners include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Anglican Church in Canada.
Epiphany devotions were developed through the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee (U.S.A.) and the Joint Anglican Lutheran Committee (Canada). They are now available, and will soon be available for free download online.
Some ideas of use could be personal devotions, devotions for parish council meetings, staff meeting devotions, text group studies, as well as others. The devotions begin with the Feast of the Epiphany and go through the Season of Light.
Enjoy and look for more fruits from Ecumenism! |
Wanted: One Generous Gift
Has "Old Betsy" the family car of yours been forgotten in the garage? How would you like to use that space to store more "stuff," get a tax credit and do a good deed all at the same time?
A new ELCA Filipino Ministry has begun its "call" in Glendale/Burbank and it needs both "wheels" and our prayers for its success.
If you have an automobile in search of a new home and in good working, order please contact 818-842-3138. |
Wooden Altar and Matching Railing Available
Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church in Pasadena, is offering a wooden altar and matching railing, embellished with much intricate hand-carving, to any congregation in Southern California.
You may recognize the altar from the long period during which it was placed on loan to Solheim Lutheran Home in Eagle Rock.
Any representatives who wish to make an appointment to come to the church sanctuary to see the altar intact should do so in the next few weeks. By mid-October, it will be photographed, then carefully disassembled and stored.
Please let either Pastor Greg Uthus or Joyce Thompsen know if you have an interest. |
 Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles is looking for Lutheran Volunteers
Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30
p.m. in Lynwood, CA
Come help complete this year's Thrivent Builds Home for
the Luna Family!
Contact Chris Untiet, HFH GLA Faith Relations Manager
at (424) 246-3622 or chrisu@habitatla.org for more
information. |
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 "4A Cause" Internship Program Fall 2012
Sponsored by CLU Career Services
Program Description:
The "4A Cause" Internship Program gives non-profit organizations the opportunity to have an unpaid Undergraduate or Graduate Intern assist them with a variety of work-related tasks. CLU Career Services will screen students and match them with the non-profit's cause. Students will complete an application asking for 3 top choices from over 25 options they feel passionate about helping (social justice, animal rights, public policy, religion, environmental, and more).
The program will end with an Awards Ceremony.
*Applications will be accepted every Summer for the Fall semester.
What's in it for Non-Profits?
Once students are on-site they will assist organizations in areas of marketing, outreach, public relations, grant writing, web and graphic design, social media marketing, writing, finance, research, and more. Organizations with hiring needs may also find a strong candidate for a job at their organization sometime in the future.
What's in it for Students?
This experience will provide students with new skills, stronger communication, and the ability to adapt, follow-through, and gain new insights into where they excel and what they enjoy. Students will receive a mandatory initial training through CLU Career Services on how to be effective in the workplace, including learning what it takes to run a non-profit. Students can build their resumes with this experience, and studies show that 30% of internships lead to jobs.
Future Goals:
In the future CLU wants to fund 50% of the internships for underrepresented college students (defined by Trio Programs, SSS at CLU). CLU strives to find grants and donors to pay a stipend so these students can take advantage of the program. CLU hopes to remove social justice barriers and obstacles related to class, affluence, and equal access to educational and career resources.
Questions? Email Cindy Lewis or call or Tiffany O'Reilly (805) 493-3200. |
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How Beautiful - Society of St. Andrew Lenten Devotional Program: During Lent Make Feeding the Hungry Your Mission
The season of Lent is a journey in which we have been given the opportunity to grow closer to God through Jesus Christ. In keeping with the traditions of Lent, the Society of St. Andrew (Advance Special #801600), a domestic hunger-relief ministry that provides nutritious fresh produce to hungry Americans, invites your congregation to participate in a program of spiritual reflection, prayer, and giving. Our Lenten devotion program challenges the reader to take seriously the scriptural injunctions to care for the poor, while it also provides an opportunity to feed our hungry brothers and sisters.
This year's Lenten devotion booklet, How Beautiful, is based on Romans 10:15b,"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News." During His earthly life, Jesus brought good news by restoring sight to the blind, encouraging tax collectors to be honest, and challenging people to have a deeper faith. Each day during your reading, you will meet a new Biblical character. One of the gifted writers will use this theme to share how they feel Jesus brought wholeness to that person's life. This Lenten season is an opportunity to grow in your faith so that Easter and the resurrection of Jesus might be the glorious celebration of a risen Christ that lives within each of us. An optional "Good Friday Fast" booklet is also available for use in partnership with the daily devotions or as a stand-alone program.
The Society of St. Andrew is a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry that rescues over 30 million pounds of excess produce each year that would otherwise go to waste for various marketing reasons. This food is then distributed to critical feeding agencies across the country at no cost to the agencies or the people they serve. The Society of St. Andrew has three main food salvage programs in addition to their spiritual-life programs. The Potato & Produce Project saves tractor-trailer loads of produce from being dumped for cosmetic reasons. The Gleaning Network sends volunteers directly into farmers' fields to pick the excess produce after the harvest. The Harvest of Hope program is a Christian education and mission experience. More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs is available online or by email.
All materials for the Lenten devotional program are free from the Society of St. Andrew. For a church sample kit or a personal packet, order online; by phone: 800-333-4597; or by email.
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ELW Hymnals Available
Forty-eight ELWs are in need of a new home. If you would like to have these hymnals, please contact Pastor Ron Bennett. Also note, that the shipping cost of the hymnals must be repaid. |
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Lutheran Social Services Program Director for Santa Clarita Area
Under the supervision of the Area Director, the Program Director is responsible for the administration, operation, development and public relations for all contracts and programs in Santa Clarita for LSS.
Click here to download the job description. Please attach a cover letter along with the resume to Jan Maseda or mail at:
Jan Maseda, Area Director
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
6425 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys CA 91401
Phone: (818) 901-9480 |
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Sunday School Teacher at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Arcadia
A Sunday School teacher is needed for its Kindergarten aged children on Sundays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 66 W. Duarte Rd., in Arcadia, California.
The church is offering a modest stipend for the right person to help guide these young lives with a Christian curriculum. If interested, please contact Pastor Charlie Wang at (626) 447-7232. |
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Two Job Openings at San Marino Community Church Nursery School
Nursery School Director
San Marino Community Church Nursery School is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to direct its Nursery School. A job announcement giving information about this position is available here.
Receptionist
Receptionist is needed to be the "face" and "voice" of the church office and provide administrative support. Responsibilities include phone calls/customer service, assistance with producing and printing publications, managing correspondence, and serving as registrar for events.
Excellent interpersonal skills, pleasant phone voice, good communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, and self-motivation required. 40 hours per week. Benefits include two weeks vacation and full medical/pension.
Full job description is here. Resumes may be sent to Business Manager Skip Ober Miller.
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Our Savior's Lutheran Church Seeking School Principal
School Principal, San Clemente, CA. We are seeking a qualified Christian educator to oversee our 250 student K-5 elementary school and preschool.
Our Savior's Lutheran School (OSLS) is an ELEA accredited ministry of Our Savior's Lutheran Church (OSLC). Located on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, our Blue Ribbon school has a rich 50 year tradition of providing the highest quality Lutheran Christian education in service to the community.
Please contact oslcsec@sbcglobal.net for more information. All resumes and letters of introduction are requested by Thursday, February 28, 2013. |
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Teacher needed in Tanzania
The Metro New York Synod enjoys our companion synod relationship with the North Western Diocese in Tanzania and our support for teachers at Kibeta English Medium Primary School (KEMPS) is longstanding.
Be a part of this exciting ministry: Do you have the skills to teach primary school children in English? Do you have the sense of adventure to commit one year to service in Bukoba, Tanzania? Do you have a strong love of the gospel to share in mission with our brothers and sisters in the North Western Diocese?
If so, we need you! The Metro New York Synod is seeking a teacher to begin teaching at KEMPS as soon as possible. A degree in education andteaching experience preferred. Experience with children, a strong sense of mission, flexibility and a sense of adventure required. Salary and benefits are commensurate with ELCA Global Mission standards. For more information and an application, please contact Pastor Perucy Butiku, Assistant to the Bishop for Multicultural Mission.
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Synnouncements are sent twice a month. Please send your items for publication accordingly.
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