42 rostered leaders from ELCA’s Region 2 of the ELCA (the Southwestern United States) gathered in San Diego CA, for First Call Theological Education.

New pastors and deacons are encouraged to participate in additional education opportunities for up to 3 years after ordination/consecration in order to build collegiality, foster pastoral identity and increase skills specific to ministry.

Bishop Andy Taylor of the Pacifica Synod greeted the group and closed out the session with “What I wished I learned in my first 3 years.”

Thank you to Clairemont and First Lutheran Churches in Southern CA, for their hospitality and Mission Investment Fund’s donation that helped make this event possible. Contributions from near and far make it possible for leaders like the pastor who traveled from Honolulu to join.

We are fortunate as a church we can encourage our new leaders with such offerings to stay in ministry and reminders that we are church together.