Dear Pacifica Synod,

It has been a joy to come back to the synod to work with you all in an administrative position. Pacifica Synod truly has an outstanding staff that works incredibly hard on your behalf.

During my time with the synod, I have also been working a side-gig with the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA. My work with MIF has expanded, which means I am saying farewell to my work with the Pacifica Synod as of July 15. While I am sad to say goodbye to my role with the synod, I am excited about the growth potential in my work with MIF.

God bless you all in your continued ministry through the Pacifica Synod!

Rachel Line

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From Bishop Dave Nagler:

For many years Rachel has been a tremendous gift to the synod staff. We are deeply grateful for her presence, expertise, and commitment to the church. We also love her sense of humor! The staff and community of Pacifica Synod thank Rachel for all her work and wish her well in her expanded role with Mission Investment Fund. We pray God's blessings on her life!

Peace,

Dave Nagler, Bishop

Zoom Discussion

Elections and Politics - Concerns and Aspirations

Sponsored by Incarnation Lutheran & St. Bart’s Episcopal

Wednesday, July 24

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Headlines, news broadcasts, and social media present conflicting reports on the validity of the election results as well as issues like economic impacts of the pandemic, guns, immigration, border security, abortion, climate, healthcare, and other pressing matters - often using facts selected to bolster specific views. It can be difficult to stay open-minded to new learning or understand the perspectives of those we disagree with. This conversation is an opportunity to share and reflect on our perspectives with others; cutting through the noise to seek a more productive exchange about our values, differing viewpoints and hopes for the future.

• What is motivating you to pay attention to or look away from certain political voices?
• What values are you hoping to promote? To protect?
• Where do you find news that you trust? Whose thoughts and opinions do you respect?
• How have you made your voting decisions in the past? What will determine how you cast your vote in the future?

Please mark your calendars, and feel free to invite friends and neighbors who may find this discussion meaningful. Email LoveCommittee@godamong.us to receive more information and the Zoom link. Please sign up by Tuesday 7/23.

The “Living Room Conversations” model provides for the discussions to be in the format of dialogue, not debate. It will be moderated by sound norms and will be non-partisan. We welcome a diverse group of participants to each stand-alone session.

Join the Pacifica Synod AMMPARO Network PB&J Challenge!

Attention all church councils in the Harvest and San Diego Conferences (or elsewhere in our synod!)

Members of the AMMPARO network are working with the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to provide sack lunches for refugees and asylum seekers who are released by the border patrol at the San Diego airport. 

Depending on the volume of people crossing the border, there can be up to 350 meals per day needed to feed those who may not have eaten in a long while. 

Each sack lunch consists of a PB&J sandwich in a zip lock baggie, one salty snack and one sweet snack, all in a brown paper bag. 

San Marcos Lutheran Church Council has pledged to assemble 50 sack lunches at each of their monthly meetings and we are challenging other church councils to do the same! The cost each month is about $75 and may be funded by the council with donations, budgeted funds, or a single sponsor. 

The shopping list is quite simple: 1 large jar of peanut butter, one large jar of jam or jelly, 4-5 loaves of bread (100 slices), 50 salty snacks (chips, crackers, nuts) and 50 sweet snacks (granola bars, cookies, muffins), 50 brown paper lunch bags, 50 sandwich baggies and two large trash bags (25 sacks each.) Smart & Final or Costco are good for purchasing bulk items. 

Assembly time is about 15-20 minutes and can be part of the regular agenda, or done by council members arriving early to the meeting. 

Please contact Anne Voth (annevoth236@gmail.com or 858-395-9051) at San Marcos Lutheran or Pastor Karla Halvorson (pastor.stmarkscv@gmail.com) at St. Mark's to coordinate the calendar of your council meeting dates and transportation of the bags of meals to San Diego. This is a small step, but answers the call to welcome strangers and feed the hungry.

In the Light,

Anne Voth

Portico Benefits Services

July 2024 Updates

Benefits reExamined Survey Reminder

Through an initiative called Benefits reExamined, Portico seeks input as we discern and design potential benefit changes to continue to meet the evolving needs of this church. Portico plan members and registered EmployerLink users, if you received an email invitation to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes before the survey closes July 12 and add your voice to the conversation.

Staying On Track with Retirement Planning

The idea of retirement can bring up many questions and emotions. Portico offers a series of 30-minute, prerecorded, online workshops called the Retirement Readiness Series to help ELCA Retirement Plan members feel confident about discerning their next steps. Workshops are easily accessible on myPortico. There’s no need to preregister — just sign in and watch. What to go deeper? Schedule a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner to understand more about where you are now and how to ensure you’ll reach your retirement goals.

Time for a Mid-Year Checkup?

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get regular checkups, vaccinations, and screenings. Preventive care is not only essential for maintaining overall health, it’s also one of the best ways to catch unknown health issues early. An annual preventive exam is part of your ELCA-Primary health coverage and this video can help you maximize the time with your doctor so you can live, work, and serve well.

Bishop Dave's 60th Birthday Fundraiser

As Bishop Dave prepares to celebrate his 60th turn around the sun in July, he'd like to utilize this milestone event to bring support to one of his favorite non-profit environmental organizations, The Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network.

You are invited to participate in this celebration by supporting the work of this valuable organization through a gift in recognition of Bishop Dave's birthday. Thank you!

Save the Date!

Middle School Youth Gathering 2024!

IT'S BACK!!!! Save the date for the return of the Middle School Youth Gathering to be held on November 22-24, 2024 in Anaheim. Watch for more details to come!

Youth Gathering Offering for ELCA World Hunger

The world produces more than enough food to feed every person, yet the number of people who are hungry has grown since 2019. More than 2 billion people around the world aren’t sure where their next meal will come from, and for as many as 828 million people, that next meal won’t come at all.

Together, we can be the generation that ends hunger. We all have a role to play, just as generations of Lutherans have done before us. Do you believe that hunger has no place in our world? At the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, join ELCA World Hunger and commit to being part of the generation taking action to usher in a world without hunger, and futures filled with hope.

Job Posting

Associate for Formation & Pastoral Care

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in San Diego is seeking a ¾ time "Associate for Formation and Pastoral Care." This position provides a highly competitive salary and is open to qualified lay and ordained* applicants with theological training to oversee the church's education and formation for all ages, as well as provide pastoral care and oversight of volunteers. The Associate will plan and work with adult/parent volunteers to execute a multi-faceted ministry for youth, supervise the children's minister and volunteers, work with the Rector to plan adult education offerings, and engage in worship leadership and administration duties as needed. Interested applicants from a variety of backgrounds and denominations are invited to apply. Please send your cover letter and resume to: rhansen@stdunstans.org. A complete position description may be found HERE.

*Rostered Ministers are asked to consult with Bishop Dave before applying for this position.