2023 Tax Preparation Resources Available

Two helpful tax guides are now available for church personnel. Portico provides rostered ministers and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program with access to no-cost tax guides:

• The Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar gives special attention to tax-related topics most relevant to ministers.
•  Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches helps congregations understand their federal tax-reporting requirements.

Both tax guides are available on myPortico and EmployerLink.

Registration is now open for Lobby Day 2024! Register yourself and a friend here.

Sign up by Tuesday, May 7th for Lutheran Lobby Day, which is taking place in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 15th from 8:30 am – 4 pm.

Exciting news! LOPPCA has funding to support the hotel and transportation costs of the first 15 people under the age of 25 who register for Lobby Day! Please indicate in your registration form if you fit that age criteria.

In honor of ELCA World Hunger’s 50th year in mission and ministry, the 5 synods in ELCA Region 2 are challenging one another to raise money for ELCA World Hunger. The challenge: Participate in some spiritual and physical practices during the 40 days of Lent, 2024. The synod with the most participants wins!

The five synods in ELCA Region 2 that are participating in the 2024 Lenten Challenge are Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain.

Pacifica AMMPARO’s general meetings are held via Zoom on the second Saturday of the month.



Our next meeting will be Saturday, March 9th at 10:00 A.M. (PST).

You are also welcome to attend the pre-meeting planning on Tuesday 2/27 at 11:30 A.M. using the same link.

The Church's Response to Immigration Course

Would you like to learn more about the history and current realities of migration?

Do you want to make a plan for your congregation’s further engagement?

Here is an option: The Church’s Response to Immigration Course from Fuller will be taking place this year starting April 13th. This class is led by some amazing leaders, including ELCA Pr. Alexia Salvatierra.

This year, ELCA AMMPARO has partnered with generous donors who have helped lower the cost of the course from $950 to $550 in hopes that this would make the class accessible for more people seeking to take action around immigration.

For more information, please contact Mary Campbell at ELCA AMMPARO (Mary.Campbell@elca.org)

Lutheran Schools Week is taking place March 3-9, 2024.

This year's theme is "On the Road, " taken from Luke 24:13-35. We'll explore scripture verses depicting Jesus and other disciples on their travels. It's a wonderful opportunity to witness how God reveals God’s self to us, no matter where our journey takes us.

This special week isn't just for our schools and early learning centers; it's also a chance for all Lutheran communities to come together and celebrate the Holy Spirit's presence working throughout the many ministries of our wider church. Resources include Bulletin insert and prayer (to be included in worship), Social media posts, Daily Activities for the Classroom (Mon-Fri), Chapel services for Early Childhood and Elementary, Focused Giving documents, Posters, and coloring sheets.

Whether you are a congregation with or without a school or if you are a school that is or isn’t a member of the ELEA. We invite you to learn more about our life-changing ministries at elcaschools.org. We would love to hear from you! Thank you in advance for considering a financial gift to support lifelong faith formation for children.

 Coaching for All Seasons

Monthly Online Gathering for

Pacifica Synod Rostered & Lay Leaders

 Thursday, March 7, 2024

at 11 am to noon (PDT)/9-10 am (HST)

Congregations After COVID

What does the research show?

Find out as we speak with Dawn Alitz, Ph.D, ACC

Dr. Alitz’s expertise is in the area of adult faith formation, coaching, and program coordination. Before joining the Luther staff in 2016, she had over twenty years of experience in congregational leadership in both mission-start and established congregations. She has her ACC credentialing with the International Coaching Federation, trained with the Global Team Coaching Institute, and is currently training in Red Team Thinking with a focus on agile coaching for churches and non-profits. She is well-known within ELCA and ecumenical circles for her work with adaptive leadership, developing online learning opportunities, and collaborating with various networks of educational and synodical professionals. Dr. Alitz's role at Luther places her in a unique position to equip leaders to engage the Gospel in the 21st century by designing, piloting, and building out new business models for theological education and congregational

leadership.

On Palm Sunday, March 24th, at 10:00 am, First Lutheran Church will present a short reading of a theater piece, “The Hours Before Dawn” during the service. Written and directed by Bil Wright and featuring MLK Jr. soprano Dale Fleming, actors Nick Young, Jody Catlin, and others. The reading, in a contemporary setting, speaks of the people surrounding Jesus in the days and hours before his death. It parallels the world we live in now through text and song. Wright is the recipient of an American Library Award, a LAMBDA Literary Award for his Young Adult novels, and has helmed many theater productions.

Join us at Christ Lutheran Chruch San Clemente on Thursday, March 28th, as our Lenten observance comes to an end with a combined remembrance of Christ’s last meal with his disciples and the final steps he takes in condemnation in our Stations of the Cross beautifully portrayed by Anthony Polanco.

In honor of the Last Supper, we centrally focus on his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another.



We are formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal. As we walk the final steps of Jesus we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Celebrate the rebirth of Jesus this Easter surrounded by God's natural glory for beach services at 6AM or 8AM at North Beach San Clemente with Christ Lutheran Church.

Enjoy a unique worship experience as you watch the sun rise over the Pacific (6AM service) while sitting with your toes in the sand.

Experience the story of his rising while hearing the sounds of waves crashing; bringing you ever closer to appreciating the sacrifice he made for us. We hope you will think of us when looking for a new experience in worship this Easter.

Christ Lutheran Church Beach Church is located off the 5 freeway Pico exit.

Go west on Pico until it ends.

Park in the parking lot (please remember to pay) go across the train tracks and head left towards the playground!

For GPS directions please use this address: 155 Avenida Estacion, San Clemente, CA 92672 *Beach church is conditional on weather, so please sign up with the link below so we can update you should weather not permit.

Southwest California Synod is seeking a Bookkeeper and an office administrator for full-time, non-exempt positions. While experience in non-profit religious institutions is preferred, it is not mandatory. The roles are based in person at the Synod's office in Glendale, CA. If you're interested in applying, kindly send your resume to Fernando Russo, Director of Finance and Administration, at frusso@socalsynod.org.

Please remember to include the job position in the subject line of your email.

Calvary Lutheran Church in Solana Beach, CA, is hiring for a Children, Youth, & Family Director position. The position is 30 hours a week with some flexibility of hours and does require in-person work on weekends, especially Sunday, for children and youth activities. The pay range is $24 – $27/hour. Please send resumes and references to Diane Beckman at ddbeckman@san.rr.com

If you have any questions, please call 858-354-3266

• Apply for the Robert L. Miller Scholarship Grant
• Consider the Wright Fund for lay training

The Pacifica Synod of the ELCA affirms that nothing can separate you from God’s abounding love. You were created in the image of God. We proclaim ourselves to be an open and affirming Synod to all of God's creation. All are worthy and welcome including people of every gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnicity, neurodivergence, age, disability, ability, and immigration status. We commit ourselves to doing the work of anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental restoration. All are embraced and loved here. We invite you to join us, as disciples of Christ, as we joyfully love and serve our communities.