Southwest California Synod ELCA

10/08/2026

Please share with your congregations!

Join the Southwest California Synod and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity for a Lutheran Day of Service as we come together to support families in Altadena recovering from the Los Angeles wildfires.

On Saturday, October 24, spend the day working alongside San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity on home construction and rebuilding projects. Space is limited, and volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 14th!

Sign up to volunteer with Habitat: https://sgvhabitat.charityproud.org/VolunteerRegistration/Index/10265

09/30/2026

Today, September 30, we observe the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools and .

We remember the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and communities and sent to boarding schools designed to separate them from their languages, cultures and identities. We honor those who died, those who survived, and the families, descendants and Tribal communities who continue to carry the impact of this history.

As members of the ELCA, we are also called to acknowledge the role Christian churches, including Lutheran bodies, played in the Indian boarding school era, and to continue the work of truth-seeking, truth-telling, healing and repair.

Today we remember. We listen. We learn. And we commit ourselves to the ongoing work of truth and healing.

Learn more about the ELCA’s Truth Seeking & Truth Telling Initiative and find resources for continued learning: ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is grounded in ancient and timely teachings about a powerful and patient God.

09/25/2026

Celebrating 30 Years of Equal Exchange - and 25 Years at Ascension Lutheran!

For 30 years, the Equal Exchange Co-Op Interfaith Program has partnered with faith communities across the country to put fair trade values into action, and one of our own Southwest California Synod congregations has been part of that story for nearly as long!

Ascension Lutheran Church (Thousand Oaks, CA) is celebrating 25 years of Fair Trade Ministry, using fairly traded products and congregational engagement to support small-farmer cooperatives and sustainable, economically just trade.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Equal Exchange is hosting a special series of three webinars this fall exploring the history and future of its Interfaith Program. The series begins September 24, followed by a second webinar on October 1. Then, on October 16, Carol Bjelland of Ascension Lutheran will present “25 Years of Fair Trade at Ascension Lutheran,” sharing the congregation’s experience and the ministry they have built over the past quarter century.

Congratulations to Ascension Lutheran and Carol on this wonderful milestone, and to Equal Exchange on 30 years of partnership with faith communities! Learn more at the link below and register for the upcoming webinar series.

https://www.info.equalexchange.coop/fall

09/24/2026

Dear Women of the Southwest California Synod,

We’ve extended registration for Autumn Renewal through September 30.

Maybe you meant to register and the weeks simply got away from you. Maybe you weren’t sure you could commit to the entire weekend. Maybe cost, schedules or just life made it easier to say, “maybe next time.”

We hope this extension gives you another opportunity to say yes.

God does not renew us merely so that we can become more useful. **God renews us because we are beloved.**

We need places where women can receive, rest, pray and discern without being valued only for what they can produce. Autumn Renewal gives us space to ask what God is actually calling us to carry, what we may need to release and where we need the body of Christ to help us.

It is not an escape from the world. It is an opportunity to allow God to cleanse, steady and renew our voices before we return to it.

That is why we need this gathering, and why your presence matters.

We have talked about creating stronger connections among women of different ages, congregations and experiences. Those connections do not build themselves. They begin when we make the decision to show up.

Join us October 9–11 at the Holiday Inn Oxnard for a weekend of learning, healing, fellowship, relaxation, fun and making new connections.

Registration options:

* $400 Full Weekend: All three days, two hotel nights in a shared room, meals and programming

* $200 Retreat Only: All three days, no hotel stay, meals and programming included

* $110 Saturday Only: One day, no hotel stay, with Saturday meals and programming included

Registration is now open through September 30.

A limited number of partial scholarships are also available. If cost is keeping you from registering, please do not quietly count yourself out. Contact Julie Jensen at [email protected] or 805-218-8416 for scholarship information and an application.

Register here:
https://form.jotform.com/262518777160160 For checks/money orders and guest speakers to register.

https://form.jotform.com/261795485489176 For online payments through PayPal / Venmo checkout. (Original Link)

If you have been waiting for a reason to come, consider this your invitation. There is still room for you at Autumn Renewal.

09/24/2026

Are You El Niño Ready?

As we look ahead to the winter months, the Southwest California Synod Disaster Relief Ministry is encouraging congregations and households to take steps now to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and other severe winter weather.

We encourage congregations to download and print this flyer and share it with members of your congregation and community. Consider posting it on a bulletin board, including it with other church communications, or having copies available for members to take home.

A little preparation now can make a meaningful difference when severe weather arrives.

09/23/2026

A Night at Dodger Stadium!

Lutherans and Episcopalians from across Southern California came together for a fun evening of baseball and fellowship at Lutheran & Episcopal Night at Dodger Stadium on September 3!

We loved seeing members of our Southwest California Synod enjoying the game, connecting with friends, and representing their congregations throughout the stadium. A special thank you to Carolyn Foster and ADLA Los Angeles for helping organize and bring this wonderful gathering together, and to everyone who shared their photos with us! Take a look at some of the smiling faces from the evening below!

09/11/2026

A message from Bishop Bos:

A prayer for the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks:

God of all peace and all wisdom, we come to you as a nation of grievers and a nation of healers. We come to you as people whose lives have been shattered by violence, in wars, in terrorism, in shootings, in domestic settings. We come to you as people who seek peace and understanding. We come to you as people who need your forgiveness as we forgive others.

This week our nation remembers the awful attacks on September 11, 2001 and the ways in which our lives were changed. Bless those for whom this anniversary brings up painful, life-changing memories and loss. Soothe those who seek revenge, or harm others in their unprocessed trauma. Heal the seemingly insurmountable rifts between peoples and nations. Guide us away from blame, distrust and violence. Inspire us to peace and understanding. Remind us of your unsurpassable love, your everlasting hope and your unchanging peace.

You alone are God, you alone are holy, you alone bring wholeness. We bless you O God, now, in our past and in our future. Amen.

09/10/2026

Author Talk: John Fugelsang

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church invites you to a special evening with John Fugelsang, comedian, commentator, and author of the New York Times bestseller Separation of Church and Hate. Join us on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation exploring faith, Scripture, and what it means to reclaim Christianity from those who use it to divide.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
4191 Cochran Street, Simi Valley
RSVP: (805) 526-7577 or [email protected]

09/04/2026

Yesterday some of the Synod staff had the pleasure of attending a Rejoicing Spirits service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pasadena.

Rejoicing Spirits was founded on the belief that all people should have the opportunity to explore faith and spirituality.

Unfortunately people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to inclusion and leadership in our faith communities.

This innovative ministry works with congregations to provide a meaningful, inclusive worship service in a loving and supportive community for people with intellectual disabilities and the people who love and support them. People are free to be themselves while actively participating as contributing members in an inclusive faith community.

We had so much fun singing, playing instruments, ringing the bell, passing the prayer pillow, taking communion and worshiping with our beautiful new friends. Thank you for having us Pastor Sharon and Father Dylan!

09/03/2026

Fall Learning Opportunities from the Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice

The Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice (AWL4RJ) is offering several opportunities this fall to deepen our understanding of racial justice, courageous conversation and authentic relationship in our congregations and communities.

Sept. 14 & 21 | Interrupting Harmful Patterns
Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy leads a two-part series exploring white supremacy culture and how we can stay present, navigate difficult conversations with humility, and build healthier relationships in predominantly White congregational spaces. $40 per session.

Sept. 15 | Making It Plain: A Conversation with Author Ronald Bonner
In partnership with ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, join author Ronald Bonner for a conversation about his book Making It Plain: Deconstructing a Fictitious and Vicious Story About Racism. Free; donations welcome.

All events are offered online. Learn more and register for one or more of these upcoming opportunities.

SEPTEMBER 14
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SEPTEMBER 15
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SEPTEMBER 21
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