Aging With Grace: Free Webinar Series Supports Seniors, Families, and Caregivers

The Southwest California Synod is launching Aging With Grace, a free three-part webinar series for seniors, families, and caregivers. The first session, Understanding the Aging Journey, will be held on June 29 at 4:00 p.m. PT via Zoomand will offer faith-based encouragement, practical resources, and support for navigating aging with confidence and purpose.

Open to participants across the ELCA, the series is led by Deacon Dr. Cecelia Travick-Jackson and explores how faith communities can support older adults and caregivers through every stage of life. Register online and share with your congregation.

Region 2Brian FlatgardJune 22, 2026Southwest California Synod, ElderlyComment

Prayers and Support for Los Angeles: How You Can Help Amid the Fires

The devastating fires in Los Angeles have deeply impacted the Southwest California Synod, including the loss of Bishop Brenda Bos’s home. Please join us in praying for all affected, the first responders, and the ministries offering relief.

For those who want to make donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod, Pacifica Synod, and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete.

News, Region 2, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJanuary 14, 2025Southwest California Synod, Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment

Join the Effort: Supporting Lutheran Disaster Response for Wildfire Relief

Wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County, California, leaving tens of thousands displaced. Lutheran Disaster Response is actively working with synods and local partners to address immediate needs and plan long-term recovery efforts. Learn how you can pray, give, and share to support those affected. Visit ELCA.org/wildfires to donate and find resources.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJanuary 10, 2025Southwest California Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response, Climate ChangeComment

Faith Amid Flames: Bishop Eaton’s Call to Prayer for California Wildfire Relief

The devastating California wildfires have displaced thousands and destroyed homes, businesses, and places of worship. Bishop Brenda Bos of the Southwest California Synod is among those personally impacted. Presiding Bishop Eaton calls for prayers, accompaniment, and action as Lutheran Disaster Response mobilizes to bring aid and hope to affected communities. Learn more about how you can help: Lutheran Disaster Response.

CBS Mornings: Transgender pastor in California builds inclusive church for LGBTQ+ community

In the latest episode of "CBS Mornings" "The State of Spirituality with Lisa Ling," Lutheran pastor Drew Stever shares his journey as a transgender man and how he's creating an inclusive community at his Hollywood church.

ELCA, News, Region 2Brian FlatgardOctober 9, 2024In the News, Southwest California SynodComment

Region 2 Spotlight: Southwest California Synod

The Southwest California Synod, led by Bishop Brenda Bos, is a thriving community of over 100 congregations across nine conferences. As a Reconciling In Christ Synod, they champion LGBTQIA+ inclusion, environmental stewardship through Lutherans Restoring Creation, and economic justice as part of the Jubilee USA Network.

Region 2, SpotlightBrian FlatgardSeptember 10, 2024Bishop Brenda Bos, Southwest California SynodComment

We are the Lord’s: A Conversation on Grief, Death, and Life

The 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.

News, Region 2Brian FlatgardOctober 27, 2022Southwest California SynodComment

ADLA presents Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Commemoration Worship Service

The Southwest California Synod and the African Descent Lutheran Association, LA, present a Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Commemoration Worship Service, January 16, 2022, 4pm MST, 3pm MST, at adla-la.org. Guest preacher: The Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport, Bishop, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2022Southwest California Synod, Region 2, Racial JusticeComment

Bishop Bos and Bishop Rohrer installations

ELCA’s Region 2 celebrates the installation of Bishop Brenda Bos in the Southwest California Synod, and Bishop Megan Rohrer in the Sierra Pacific Synod. Check out information and highlights at the Southwest California Synod’s website and Facebook page, and at Sierra Pacific’s Synod website, Facebook, and this wrap-up newsletter.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 16, 2021Region 2, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California SynodComment

A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections

A Time of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Reflections for the lives and faith and leadership of:

The Rev. David Walter Preus, Presiding Bishop of the American Lutheran Church, Parish Pastor, Author
The Rev. Dr. Peter Louis Steinke, Parish pastor, Educator, Author, Therapist, Congregational Systems Consultant
The Rev. Walter Martin Wangerin, Jr., Author, Parish Pastor, Professor, Educator, Radio Announcer

Thursday, August 12, 2021, 4:00 p.m. Click here to attend the Zoom.

In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardAugust 11, 2021Region 2, Southwest California SynodComment

Living Lutheran Profile of Brenda Bos

Many bishops have had interesting and varied career paths to their current calls. But most of those paths don’t travel through Hollywood. But before entering ministry, she spent 18 years working in production for Warner Bros. Television.

Brenda Bos of Glendale, Calif., was elected June 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwest California Synod.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAugust 9, 2021Region 2, Southwest California SynodComment

In Memoriam: Beverly Anderson

We join the people of the Southwest California Synod as we offer our care and condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Beverly Anderson, who passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021. We also hold the Rev. J. Roger Anderson, Beverly’s husband and the first Bishop of the Southwest California Synod, in prayer.

2021 Bishop elections

With numerous bishop elections, we’re using this page to keep a running list of newly-elected Bishops in the ELCA.

Brenda Bos elected bishop of ELCA Southwest California Synod
Megan Rohrer elected bishop of ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod
Kevin Jones elected bishop of ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod
Paula Schmitt elected bishop of ELCA Allegheny Synod
Timothy Smith reelected bishop of the ELCA North Carolina Synod
Lee Miller II elected bishop of ELCA Upstate New York Synod
Felix Malpica elected bishop of ELCA La Crosse Area Synod
Dee Pederson elected bishop of ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardJune 15, 2021Region 2, Southwest California Synod, Sierra Pacific SynodComment

Southwest California Synod podcast honors Black History of the American Lutheran Church

Each Friday in February (and one in March), the African Descent pastors of the Southwest California Synod will be offering a podcast in honor of the Black History of the American Lutheran Church. Listen here.

NewsBrian FlatgardFebruary 11, 2021Region 2, Southwest California SynodComment

A Message on the Events of January 6, 2021, from the Bishops of Region Two

There are times when events in our nation and world are shocking—we search for words to try to make sense of what we are seeing on television.

As bishops serving in Region 2, we stand united in calling upon elected leaders of all political parties to call for an end to this violence.

Region 2 election prayer service: Thursday, 11/5

Region 2 bishops and leaders invite all who wish to gather for a time of prayer and reflection to join us as we pray for our nation. These livestream gatherings will be on the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Facebook page, facebook.com/rmselca, Thursday, November 5, 7 pm MST, 6 pm PST, 4 pm HST.

Pastors and deacons are invited to open conversation via ZOOM immediately following the Thursday prayer service. You may register here.

Region 2 unites for election prayer services

Region 2 bishops and leaders of the Sierra Pacific, Pacifica, Southwest California, Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon Synods of the ELCA invite you to gather for a time of prayer and reflection as we pray for our nation, for those seeking office, for God’s beloved community, and for our rostered ministers as they seek to lead in their specific contexts during these conflicted times.

These livestream gatherings will be on the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Facebook page, facebook.com/rmselca at 7 pm MST, 6 pm PST, 4 pm HST on Sunday, November 1 and Thursday, November 5.

Faith community and parish nurses invited to a Zoom meet & greet

All Faith Community Nurses/Parish Nurses are invited to a Zoom Meet & Greet hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association (ELPNA). View PDF flyer.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 4:00pm PT & MST, Happy Hour! RSVP for an email Zoom link to glusenkamp@augustanadenver.org.

Situation Report: California Wildfires 2020

Lutheran Disaster Response is actively engaged with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California and three California synods (Pacifica, Sierra Pacific, and Southwest California) to assess the situation and need of affected communities. We expect immediate needs to be food and other supplies, as well as emotional and spiritual care for those impacted by the wildfires.

Interim Bishop Murray D. Finck: California Wildfires

We share a letter written by Interim Bishop Murray D. Finck of the Southwest California Synod, addressing the series of fires spreading through California.

“I have worn the shirt pictured above a number of times in the past years…on the island of Kawai; in San Diego; Fallbrook; New Orleans. I want to put this shirt on now and go somewhere where I can be helpful, but today I do not believe that is possible. Instead I have gone to elca.org and made a contribution.”

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