During each day of Advent, beginning with "DAY 1" on November 27, you are invited to reflect on a word of the day for Advent and watch a video reflection from across the Rocky Mountain Synod. Visit the calendar each day of Advent here.
Read MoreWe share a prayer of lament from Bishop Jim Gonia and the Rocky Mountain Synod in the face of the heartbreaking shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, and lamenting the long history of violence against our LGBTQia+ siblings.
Christ our victim, whose beauty disfigured and whose body torn upon the cross; open wide your arms to embrace our tortured world, especially the victims who were injured and for the families mourn the deaths of those killed at Club Q in Colorado Springs, that we may not turn away our eyes, but abandon ourselves to your mercy. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Read MoreThe Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is back! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023. The event is open to high schoolers in our synod and ELCA Regions 1-4. The Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Pre-Event (WYLE) will be held July 4-6, 2023.
Early-Bird registration for the Western States Youth Gathering is now OPEN! Learn more and register your group for the lowest possible prices at wsyg.com/registration!
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University’s Thriving Leadership Formation offers two upcoming opportunities for church leaders. Executive Skills for Church Leaders will be at Spirit in the Desert, January 9-13, 2023. Leaders can also join a Thriving Leadership Cohort Group.
Read MoreLutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences in Southern California is looking for Outdoor School Instructors for our Spring 2023 season!
Our season starts with a comprehensive training in March and ends in June (with the opportunity to work year-round if interested).
Read MorePacific Lutheran Theological Seminary celebrates Founder’s Day with a keynote lecture "The Planet You Inherit: A Re-Founding Catalyst?", from Larry L. Rasmussen. Online lecture begins 6pm, Thursday, 11/3/2022.
Register here.
Voltaire (1694-1778) said the "three things exercise a constant influence over the minds of [humankind]: climate, governance, and religion...That is the only way of explaining the enigma of this world." This Founder's Day Lecture looks at each of these three - climate, governance, and religion - to ask whether today's planetary emergency requires re-founding our way of life.
Read MoreThe Southwest California Synod presents We are the Lord’s: A Conversation on Grief, Death, and Life, Saturday, 10/29,2022, 10am-1pm MST/PDT, 11am-2pm MDT, via Zoom. This Zoom event featuring Rev. Francisco Javier Goitía Padilla is for rostered leaders, seminarians, interns, and congregational leadership in general.
To register, please contact Pastor Abel Arroyo Traverso, Southwest California Synod’s Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation and In House Theologian at abel.at@socalsynod.org or call 626-665-9133.
Read MoreJoin facilitator Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, founding director for the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS, for a three-day retreat at Spirit in the Desert, Friday, 3/10/2023 through Sunday, 3/12/2023.
Explore the economic, cultural, political, and ecological contours of the systemic crisis we face, and grow in the knowledge, skills, spiritual strength, and community that are so vital to forging the paths toward climate justice. Register here and learn more on our calendar listing.
Read MoreRegistration for the Fifty and Better program’s FABulous Fall Lecture Series is open! Join them in late 2022 for independent and two-part lectures on various topics, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, comparisons of the conflicts in Cuba and Ukraine, Jewish film, neurodegeneration, cyber-terrorism, and more! Visit callutheran.edu/fab for more info and registration.
Read MoreCohorts come together with the intent of creating nurturing and empowering times, spaces, and relationships. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices. Membership is open to rostered and non-rostered leaders in ELCA Regions 1 and 2. Explore the cohorts for this year and find one that works for you!
Read MoreThe Rocky Mountain Synod shares this upcoming interview with Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers, on Wednesday, 11/2/2022, 5:30pm MST/PDT, 6:30 MDT. Register for The Rise of Christian Nationalism webinar here.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran Univeristy's Fifty and Better Fall session begins September 6, 2022. Click here for PDF info, and click here to register.
Each course and lecture meets for 2 hours. All are available virtually, one is also in-person. In our virtual courses and lectures, students communicate with faculty via the chat function in Zoom. All courses and lectures are recorded and available for students to watch the next day.
Read MoreThriving Leadership Formation (TLF) is currently recruiting leaders and participants for the next round of Cohorts this Fall! Watch this video to hear from those who have found community and meaning through their Cohort. Click here if interested in joining a cohort. Click here if interested in serving as a Leader.
The goal of the Contemplative Action Cohorts is to foster and equip spiritual leaders for new models of ministry and church.
Read MoreRevitalize your congregation's preaching ministry by making the practice of preaching more collaborative and participatory. These six Zoom sessions will be held October 2, 2022, through January 8, 2023, and led by Rev. Dr. Shaunna Hannan, Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (of California Lutheran University). Interested? Fill out this form, bit.ly/LayPreachingCLU, and view more info in this post and this PDF flyer.
Read MoreBishop Eaton shares a message regarding the listening panel which reviewed the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana leading up to and on Dec. 12, 2021, and asks for prayers for all concerned in these matters. Leer en español también.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has contracted with Sarah Kruger to serve as their new Resiliency Representative for the LDR Western Region. The Western Region includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Hawaii, and U.S. Pacific Island Territories.
Read MoreWe are on for June 26-29, 2022, at the Dumas Bay Center in Federal Way, Washington. Staff, please fill out this form to register. Synod folks, encourage the staff in your part of the world to join us for this important and life-giving event!
Read MoreDr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Director of the Center for Climate Justice and Faith, lets us know about their new website at centerforclimatejusticeandfaith.org. The Center, part of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University, connects ecological healing to racial and economic justice. Visit the site and be sure to sign-up for email updates.
Read More42 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.
Read MoreIn this video, Dr. Anthony Bateza discusses the question: What does it meant be a Lutheran seeking justice through public policy today?
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