This issue of the Synews is for:
April 25 - May 9
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Southwest California
Synod Staff
Dean W. Nelson
Bishop
Assistants to the Bishop
Mission Support
The Rev. Laurie Arroyo
Lay Mission Leadership
AIM Agnes S. McClain
Rostered Mission Leadership
Maria Paiva
Director of Evangelical Mission
Directors The Rev. O. Dennis Mims African Descent Ministry Support Staff Andreas Hirsch Accountant Melissa Onnen Chaddick Administrative Assistant Sherri Miller Administrative Assistant Courtney Bassler Communications Assistant
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 507-9591 Phone
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Synod Meetings & Events
Held at Synod Office unless otherwise noted
Saturday, April 28
Mission Team for Evangelical Outreach (EOMT)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm.
Synod Board Room
Equipping Leaders for Mission (ELM)
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Synod Trinity Conference Center
Sunday, April 29
New City Parish 20th Anniversary
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
New City Parish
Tuesday, May 1
Executive Committee Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Synod Board Room Wednesday, May 2Chapel 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Synod Trinity Conference Center
Thursday, May 3
Channel Islands Collegium
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks
Glendale Cluster Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Synod Trinity Conference Center
Endowment Committee
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Synod Board Room
Saturday, May 5
Equipping Leaders for Mission 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Trinity Conference Center Tuesday, May 8
San Gabriel Valley Collegium
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bethlehem, Temple City
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Synod Council
Vice President
Dr. Joyce Thompsen
Secretary
The Rev. Keith G. Banwart, Jr.
Treasurer
Dr. Jim Gilbert
Members-At-Large
The Rev. Terry Tuvey Allen
Ms. Tempie Beaman
The Rev. James L. Bessey
Mr. Robert Chillison
The Rev. Rustin Comer
The Rev. Lynn J. Enloe
Mr. Jeremy Hovland
Ms. Vickie Kropenske
Mr. Paul Muller
Ms. Kristal Shipp
The Rev. Dr. George Villa
Conference Representatives
LA Metro
Mr. Eugene Williams
South Bay
Mrs. Margarita Gonzales
Twin Valleys
Ms. Jan Smith
Central Coast
Ms. Mary Bankert
Greater Long Beach
Ms. Nancy Neyer
San Gabriel Valley
Ms. Gladys Chow
Tehachapi
The Rev. Glen K. Egertson
Foothill
Mr. Ross McConnell
Channel Islands
Mr. Ted Jensen
Youth Representative
Mr. Caleb Arndt
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Intercessions
Please pray for the following:
Aida Arroyo Louise Bergmann & family
Jerry Frantz
AIM Barbara Hoffman & family
Pastor Ray Kibler
George Liesenberg
Pastor Chris Lindstrom
Pastor John Miller
Pastor Dan Parr Pastor Carlos Paiva The Rev. Dr. Jarvis Streeter
Susan Tapia AIM Gerri Wilkowski AIM Karen Wilson |
Important Dates!
Mark your calendars for some
very important dates coming up
throughout the year!
Friday, June 1 - Saturday, June 2
Synod Assembly 2012
Hilton Hotel - Glendale
100 West Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA
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Did you know Lutherans have their very own credit union?
The Synod has had an ongoing relationship with Lutheran Credit Union of America for many years. You may think that you need a local branch, however they are as close as picking up the phone or a click of the mouse. They understand us and can relate to our needs, and they can relate to yours too!
Does your church need a loan? Or do you need a great rate auto loan? Credit Card? Home Loan? Home Equity Line of Credit? Free checking account? Free bill payment? Even a free box of checks! Call 800.729.7307 and speak with one of LCUA's friendly, knowledgeable member service officers to find out how Lutheran Credit Union of America can help you too.
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Annual Congregational Report Cover Now Available
For those of you who would like to purchase the ELCA Annual Report Cover for your congregation, click here.
Bring a spiritual and missional
message to your congregational annual meeting with the new 2012 Annual Report Cover.
A bundle of 50 covers cost $5.50 and a $1 handling fee.
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Like us on Facebook!
The Southwest California Synod is now on Facebook! Click here to find our Facebook page and like us. Now, you will get updates about Synod events and other information to share with those that you serve!
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Synews, the email newsletter of the Southwest California Synod, ELCA, brings you news and information from the synod office in an environmentally friendly format. Please share this information with those you serve.
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132 People Make A $30,000 Difference!
The opportunity for congregations, institutions and organizations of the synod to earn a 2% discount on 2012 ELCA health contributions ends Monday, April 30.
Plan members and spouses with ELCA-primary health coverage, please do your part and take the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment as soon as possible.
Remember, if we accomplish the goal of 65% of health plan participants taking the health assessment by April 30, we'll all save 2% of the costs - a total of $30,000.
So far 77 people have taken the assesment totaling 10.9%. We only need 48 more people to go to reach the 65%! Let's keep up the good work and spread the word!
 Take the assessment today at www.elcaforwellness.org.
Click here to learn more about the health assessment.
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 Synod Assembly
June 1 - 2 , 2012
Registration Materials Available Online !
Synod Assembly is almost here. Registration materials are now available along with a link to register for the Hilton hotel.
Click here for Synod Assembly Registration.
The Synod Council and Churchwide Assembly nomination forms are on hand at the Synod's website or here. |
 World Malaria Day is April 25, 2012 and the kickoff to World Malaria Week. We're turning this day into one week (April 25 - May 1) to raise $200,000 - enough to expand our anti-malaria work to include Liberia this year. You and your congregation are invited to join congregations across this church to take an offering for the ELCA Malaria Campaign on Sunday, April 29, and help make this dream a reality.
Here's how your congregation can observe World Malaria Day:
- Announce on Sunday, April 22, that you'll be joining congregations from across the country in the fight against malaria by observing World Malaria Day the following Sunday, April 29.
- Pray for those affected by malaria by using prayers, litanies and suggested hymns specifically designed for World Malaria Day.
- Show the ELCA Malaria Campaign video before or during your service.
- Share the World Malaria Day bulletin insert.
- Find more resources on ELCA Malaria Campaign website and blog.
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New Mission Congregation Continues its Ministry
Glory Lutheran Church, a new mission congregation in Torrance continues to work with young adults in the South Bay. Many of the members of the congregation are young people from and nearby the South Bay area.
The new mission congregation recently celebrated the baptism of a young woman, Lori, who is from China and recent USC graduate school alum.
Mission Developer Newman Chiu, "Lori first shared came to GLC with depression at the end of December last year. She just kept tearing up whenever she heard hymns or listened to message in worship."
Lori continued to come to GLC regularly.
"Lori called herself 'the woman beside the well,'" said Chiu. "With God's grace she is much better. We can often see a lot of smiling on her face recently."
According to Pastor Chiu, Lori - an only child - came from a die-hard communist atheism family. Her father is a senior cadre serving at Party Central committee.
God's work is being done every day. Please keep Lori and the Glory Lutheran congregation as well as all of our mission start congregations in your prayers. |
Make This Summer an Adventure to Remember Forever!
You are invited to visit the Southwest California Synod's newest Global Mission Companion Synod: El Salvador, Central America!
If you have ever wanted to serve God on a mission trip, now is the time! Come with members from the synod to El Salvador, Central America this summer, August 1-August 10, 2012.
The cost is $775 per participant, covering lodging and meals. Airfare is extra, usually around $450 per person.
Calling All Congregations!
This summer is very special because church congregations of the Southwest California Synod can come find sister Lutheran churches to partner with in El Salvador. 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. We would love for you to share this most inspiring faith experience of our lives!
For more information, please call Pastors Anna-Kari (310) 818-9231 and Pastor Kristian Johnson (310) 818-9230 and co-leader Julie Jacks.
We would love to have everyone registered by Sunday, April 24, 2012.
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 LRCC News
Summer Camp Registration is out!
Summer Camp offers a variety of fun and fantastic opportunities for campers in grades 1-12. Programs are hosted at four different sites (El Camino Pines, Yolijwa and two Beach Camp locations). LRCC also offers a Day Camp Program where we bring camp to your church or school.
All of LRCC's camps are week-long experiences that include games, crafts, swimming, campfire, Bible studies, worship, hiking and more. You will find everything you need to plan for summer camp here.
This year's theme Facing Giants is based off the story of David. David led a remarkable life of faith and we can learn so much from him. David gives campers an example in how to follow God, how to overcome challenges in life and how God is with us in those times of trouble. Campers will learn how to live in community, love our neighbors as ourselves, how to lead, and how to praise God.
LRCC is excited to face giants this summer and hope you'll encourage some youth to join us at camp! We are hiring an amazing staff right now that will be trained and ready to welcome campers.
Memorial Day Family Camp at El Camino Pines
This year LRCC welcomes Pastor Stephanie Jaeger of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica as its speaker. The theme is "Time Out: Centering in God." Those who participate will take a "time out" of our regular busy lives as laborers, volunteers, parents, grandparents and practice centering our selves and our lives in God. Sessions will include "Centering in God in Prayer," "Centering in God in Creation," "Centering in God in Scripture," and "Centering in God in Service."
For more information and other resources such as a flyer and a bulletin insert, click here.
Summer Day Camp 2012
LRCC already has 17 churches confirmed to host a LRCC Day Camp at their church this summer. You could be one of the lucky churches to get in on this.
Day Camp can act as your VBS program or be in addition to your VBS program. LRCC has several churches that do both each summer. They put on their own VBS program and have LRCC staff come for a week of Day Camp.
Day Camp is a unique blend of outdoor ministry and congregational ministry. Day Camp is for campers in Kindergarten - 6th grade. Campers can be from your church, school and community - this is a great and easy outreach!
LRCC provides a week, or more, of faith-focused programing including creative and age appropriate Bible studies and worship, community-building activities and our talented and trained summer staff.
Day Camp is only $89 per camper and a minimum of 20 campers is required. For further information, please click here.
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News from the ELCA Arab and Middle Eastern Community
ELCA Peace Not Walls Campaign
Don't miss taking your youth to see "The Wall," in the Interaction Center at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The area will feature a replica of the wall and host six Palestinian young people who will tell their stories of life and faith under occupation in Palestine. The beauty and richness of the culture, as well as the many difficulties, will be creatively enacted in various media.
Have you checked out the Peace Not Walls blog? Here you will find a series of stories and updates on the situation in the Holy Land. You can sign up to get posts directly in your mailbox at the above address.
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News from the Youth Ministry Network
Vibrant Faith Ministries for your congregation
Vibrant Faith Ministries offers a great opportunity for less than $1.00 per week, your congregation can build a more solid faith foundation with Taking Faith Home lectionary-based bulletin inserts.
With this amazing resource, individuals and families can nurture their faith all week long! Each bulletin insert contains a variety of faith-building activities, allowing you to pick and choose what works for you. These are great for individuals as well as groups to renew their daily walk.
Taking Faith Home bulletin insets are perfect for homes as well as all types of congregational settings, including:
- staff meetings
- church council
- team gatherings
- home visits
- children's sermons
- Christian education opportunities
Practice Discipleship: The Youth Ministry Training Project
The ELCA Youth Gathering in partnership with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is happy to present Practice Discipleship: The ELCA Youth Ministry Training Project. This special training opportunity is being offered to all youth and family ministry professionals and volunteers at no cost!
"Planning for the Unexpected"
Speaker: Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
May 6 @ 2pm (CST)
There are always surprises in youth ministry, and this session will discuss this reality. Evenwith great planning, events with teenagers almost always involve surprises. What is the role of a caring adult in the midst of these surprises-and how do we stay focused on a loving environment and disciple
ship in the midst of the surprise?
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Observe World Malaria Day on April 29
The ELCA has committed to raise $15 million to join hands with 11 African companion churches in the global effort to prevent, treat and contain malaria by 2015. World Malaria Day is Wednesday, April 25, so consider observing it in your congregation on Sunday, April 29, with a special offering. Order offering envelopes, brochures and more by visiting the ELCA resource page and clicking the ELCA Malaria Campaign tab on the left.
Interim pastor sought for the International Church of Vilnius, Lithuania
June-July 2012, or a 90 day period between December 2012-July 2013. Congregations provides modern efficiency flat with small kitchen and bath, utilities, wireless internet, television, and local cell phone. Laundry one floor below.
Interim pastor is responsible for airfare and living expenses. Valid passport required for period of service plus six months.
Please visit the congregation's website or for further information, contact Stephen Nelson.
Asia: Growing leaders to love the land
Looking for specialty coffee? Try some fair trade organic coffee from an Indonesian cooperative organized by the first female superintendent (bishop) in the Protestant Christian Batak Church. A self-confessed "city girl," she learned her agricultural skills at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. Read more at here.
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