Twenty-Eight youth and adults joined together in July to go on a houseboat adventure on Lake Shasta, led by Janet Renick of Christ Lutheran Church of West Covina, along with four adult leaders. 12 different congregations were represented, some of which are part of the “Area-Wide Event” Ministry of the
Continue readingUnless you’ve been on a deserted island all of July, you’re probably aware of Pokémon GO, an Augmented Reality game application that allows players to use their smartphones to hunt, capture, and train virtual versions of the fantastical “pocket monsters” that became popular
Continue readingAn important part of the 2016 Southwest California Synod Assembly, which featured the theme “Welcoming the Stranger,” were the “Witnesses to Welcome” who presented their testimonies of the welcome and support they received from the Lutheran community when they immigrated to the United States or, in one case, while they remain
Continue readingIn 2013, former Bishop Dean Nelson ordained Pastor Marcos “Mark” Panahon at St. Matthew’s Church in Glendale. In September of that year, St. Matthew’s Filipino outreach community became an official ministry. St. Matthew’s senior pastor, Rev. Keith Barnwart, Jr., and the English Congregation of St. Matthew’s have accepted the Filipino
Continue readingSt. Francis of Assisi was called the “Second Christ.” Forsaking the wealth he was born into, he chose a life of poverty with the common people, and was so at home in the creation that he called the sun his brother and the moon his sister. Birds lighted on his
Continue readingThere is a new and growing community, lead by Pastor Ryan Chaddick, gathering in the Santa Clarita Valley. When we gather, things happen. Things and people, Bloom. This past year, one person in particular who Bloomed is Kathi. Kathi Giddens experienced tremendous change in 2015 — arthroscopic knee surgery, months recuperating
Continue readingIglesia Luterana Santa Cruz is a unique tri-lingual community in Santa Maria, primarily supported by the Central Coast Conference of the Southwest California Synod. This year, Iglesia Santa Cruz is facing a major transition as founding pastor Patricia Muran retires, with Interim Pastor Ron Gieko leading the community while a
Continue readingGlory Lutheran Church is an Evangelical Lutheran body, practicing in the full belief of God’s unconditional love and grace through Martin Luther’s theology of Cross and other teachings. Glory is a Purpose Driven church, motivated by Worship, Ministry, Evangelism/Mission, Fellowship and Discipleship, as well as a Natural Church Development community,
Continue readingHollywood Lutheran Church Thai Fellowship When Pastor Pongtep “Golf” Chutimapongrat, who pastors a Thai congregation at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Whittier, began receiving calls from members of the Thai community in North Hollywood and Burbank, he knew that he was being called by God to meet the
Continue readingTogether with other community religious leaders, Bishop Guy Erwin participated in a public demonstration on March 23, Wednesday of Holy Week, protesting the deportation of Central American mothers and children who have sought refuge in the United States from the criminal gangs that threaten them at home. Rooted in the
Continue reading