2016 Bulletin of Reports Agencies - Southwest California Synod€¦ · 2016 Bulletin of Reports Agencies - Page 65 Southwest California Synod CalLutheran.edu ... Dentist and staff,

2016 Bulletin of Reports Agencies - Page 63 Southwest California Synod



CalLutheran.eduOffice (805) 493-3589

Mission and Identity60 West Olsen Road #7700Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

It is a delight to update you about the work of California Lutheran University as we continue to raise globalleaders who discover their purpose and transform their community and the world. Indeed, this is theprimary way that we serve this church and embody our mission as a university of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America.

History was made when the Regals Volleyball team swept to a National Division III championship andbecame the first Cal Lutheran team to win a NCAA title. We celebrate that three of the four finalist teamswere universities of the ELCA--Carthage, Wittenberg, and Cal Lutheran.

The beautiful Student Union opened this fall and is a gathering place for students, faculty and staff alike.The Union is home to a new Veterans Resource Center. Following Commencement in May, we will breakground on the Rolland Art Center that will house the Art and Multimedia departments.

We have celebrated rapid growth in the diversity of our undergraduate, professional, and graduatestudent bodies that increasingly reflects the socioeconomic and ethnic diversity of southern California.The U.S. Department of Education has recently designated Cal Lutheran as an Eligible Institution underTitle III and Title V programs, thus meeting the federal definition of a Hispanic Serving Institution. Thedesignation offers a pathway to significant grant funding and positions the university to support Hispanicstudents in vibrant ways.

To strategically connect the work of Campus Ministry, Congregational Relations, Seminary Relations,Theology and Christian Leadership, and the university’s interfaith effort, the new Division of Mission andIdentity has been created. Together we seek to tell the Cal Lutheran story to an ever-widening audienceand steward conversations about the university’s mission, identity, and values in this time and place.

Founders Day included the announcement of the Carlson Endowed Chair in Youth and Family Ministry, agenerous gift that makes permanent the commitment to offer academic coursework in Children, Youthand Family Ministry. A new initiative fueled by the chair is “The Vine: Cultivating Leadership in YouthMinistry”, three sessions of professional development for students and church leaders in asset-basedcommunity development, relational ministry, and social media as a tool for ministry.www.callutheran.edu/thevine

Cal Lutheran will be the summer 2017 site of the Western States Youth Gathering, welcoming high schoolstudents and adults from Regions One, Two, Three, and Four. Plan now to bring students from yourcongregations. www.wsyg.com

The university continues to provide the “Executive Skills for Pastors: Learning from the world of the MBA”at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, and Cal Lutheran. Shortlearning videos for congregations on a variety of timely topics are now available linking the resources ofthe university to the needs of congregations.

You can learn about all these things and more by visiting the Cal Lutheran and Pacific LutheranTheological Seminary tables or by visiting us online at www.callutheran.edu and www.plts.edu. We areyour Lutheran university in the west. Your commitment to and involvement in the university makes all thedifference as we seek to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment,confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.

Rev. Melissa Maxwell-DohertyVice President, Mission and Identity


FirstServe Community Services of the South Bay, Inc.“Inspiring People, Changing Lives”1725 Flower Avenue Torrance, California 90503 Tax ID # 32-0187458310-320-3818 www.first-serve.org [email protected] Rev. Dr. William L. Hurst, Jr., Executive Director [email protected]

Report to the 2016 Southwest California Synod Assembly

In the past year FirstServe has continued our mission of inspiring people and changinglives. In cooperation with First Lutheran Church and School, Torrance, and other community partners, we haveresponded to a range of human community needs to inspire people and change lives.

One of these programs is a faith-based bereavement support group. The monthly meetings include Biblicaldiscussion, medical information, and time for sharing. New participants are welcome at all sessions. Weappreciate a 2009 Synod Mission and Ministry Endowment to help begin this program.

Another recent program is basic dental care, offered in partnership with an area dental practice. A skilledDentist and staff, serving as volunteers, offer free basic dental services one Friday a month. FirstServe is the firstpoint of contact for those inquiring about this program.

FirstKids, a creative arts program offered in partnership with First Lutheran, offers dance, theatre and othercreative arts training for elementary and middle school age children. Through these classes, children developself-esteem and confidence, and get in touch with their creative energies.

First Friends is a growing group of adults with special needs. They gather monthly to visit with friends, sharein craft projects, play games, go on field trips, share dinner, and participate in worship. Harbor Regional Center,which operates a housing program within walking distance of our site, has helped us identify needs and offeringsfor this important and growing program.

Monday Night Meals, First Lutheran’s long time meal program in partnership with St. John’s Lutheran inGardena, is linked with FirstServe. Each week, our volunteer cooks and servers provide nutritious and tastydinners and desserts for 80-125 hungry neighbors. On behalf of this program, FirstServe has applied for and beenawarded generous grants from various agencies.

Ministry with elders is an expanding emphasis for FirstServe. We cooperate with local services for the elderly,helping to guide individuals and families to agencies and sources of important information. Monthly “PrimeTimers” luncheons offer nutritious lunches, community speakers and good companionship. Our newest initiativeis the Community Wellness Center, offering health care advocacy and advisement to South Bay area seniors,and training for caring companions to accompany seniors to medical appointments and emergency care.

Grants and donations assist FirstServe in providing these important programs without charge to participants. Wewould be happy to share our experience if you are interested in developing similar programs in your community.For more information contact us at at www.first-serve.org.

Sincerely,

Dr. William L. Hurst, Jr.Executive Director


Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team (I-LERT) February 2015 - January 2016

Do you have an emergency plan at home? Does your congregation have an emergencyplan? Has your congregation thought about how you could serve the community in caseof an emergency? I-LERT may be able to help you plan.

Southern California I-LERT includes participants from both ELCA and LC-MS, primarilyfrom Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Team members also participate in their countyVOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). This makes it possible for us to getacquainted with representatives of major responders such as the Red Cross andSalvation Army as well as small, specialized organizations. County VOADs may alsoprovide training opportunities, information about upcoming events, and warnings relatedto emergencies. During 2015, ENLA (Emergency Network Los Angeles), the LosAngeles County VOAD lost funding for staff. This resulted in a reduction in theinformation available to share with those who signed up to receive emails from I-LERT.

Are you ready to make or update a plan? Start by evaluating the risks in your area. Earthquake preparedness is needed by all of us. Most of us are not in areas wherewildland fires or tsunamis are risks. Resources are available in your community oronline to help with planning. Local Red Cross volunteers will provide training forindividual preparedness. Your local fire service provider is the source for CERT(Community Emergency Response Team) training.

Check the Lutheran Disaster Response website (www.ldr.org) for information. FEMA(www.fema.gov/protecting-houses-of-worship) offers a variety of resources includingwebinars and other training options. A very good planning template, developed by theLos Angeles County Dept. of Public Health, can be downloaded fromwww.lapublichealth.org/eprp/plans. Don’t be put off by the length. It will give you ideasto consider. You may already have done some of the work. Use what ever formatworks for your congregation.

What about active shooter situations? A training session offered recently for faith-basedorganizations said: Run, Hide, Fight - in that order. The video may be available on line. Also check the FEMA website for information.

Mary Stewart, Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response [email protected]

A Ministry of Preparedness Education and Caring Response of the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaSouthwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

http://www.ldr.org)

http://www.lapublichealth.org/eprp/plans.

mailto:[email protected]


Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences

Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences (LRCC) has been serving the greater Southern California area for nearly 60 years, providing opportunities and space for people of all ages to connect with God, Christian community, and God’s creation. Our two camps, El Camino Pines in Frazier Park, CA, and Luther Glen in Oak Glen, CA, serve the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the ELCA while also working with ecumenical and public partners, including churches, schools and other organizations. We are your local Lutheran Bible camps. MISSION to serve: LRCC provides sanctuaries in time and space where Christ can be encountered, faith renewed and the joy of community discovered. Our Lutheran outdoor ministry supplements congregational recreational outdoor ministry and camping for all ages and offers refreshing, faith-enriching retreat experiences by creating dynamic Christian community, rewarding educational opportunities and outdoor relaxation from the routine and hectic pace of life. FAITH EMBODIED in Our Work: 2015 was quite the year for Luther Glen. When the new year started, the area of Luther Glen that would become the farm looked a lot like it did ten years ago, but 2015 brought a new vision and new life. And for that, we give thanks to all our donors who worked on the farm and gave us gifts to start the many projects. From planting and harvesting our first crops to building our herd and their newfound home on the property of Luther Glen, it was truly a groundbreaking year for the development of our sustainable farm. 2015 boded well for both the Luther Glen Camp and Conference Center and El Camino Pines. Many improvements were made to our sites, including bathroom and cabin upgrades, which have brought us to a more energy-efficient, comfortable, welcoming, and aesthetically pleasing place. Besides the growth we saw at each site, we saw great growth come in our programming with people of all ages, but especially with our youngest people of faith. Hundreds of campers graced our buildings, mountains, and forests to encounter God in new ways and to be supported by communities that value and thrive in the grace and love of God. Children’s lives were changed and we are forever grateful for the opportunities we have had and continue to have to serve God and God’s people in this place. Luther Glen Farm taking shape


El Camino Pines’ newly upgraded Cabin 1

Highlights:

• Spring 2015, another cabin upgrade was finished at El Camino Pines. Winter 2015, our next cabin was begun. For us, this is a labor of love and we are so excited to see over half of our cabins have been improved for our guests.

• Summer 2015, we harvested our first crops from the garden and took a step towards providing sustainably grown veggies for our retreat guests. Since then, we have also been able to add farm fresh eggs to our menu thanks to our growing brood of chickens.

• Throughout the year, we’ve seen countless building projects come to fruition at Luther Glen. From climbing structures for goats and sheep, a chicken coop, and renovated barn space, to an outdoor campfire worship space in the works and a permanent office space, the needs are great, but the fruits are plentiful.

• Summer Camp and Outdoor School drew hundreds of campers to El Camino Pines and Luther Glen. We are constantly expanding and adapting our programming to meet the needs of the young people who attend our camps. This year, our Lutheran based mission program, Connections, hosted groups from California, Arizona, and even North Dakota, and we began a specialty week of Surf Camp offered at Christ Lutheran in Pacific Beach.

STORY of Faith: Four years ago, LRCC was blessed with a new donor, Dr. Charles Kokaska. Charles was raised a Lutheran, but had no affiliation with LRCC, had never been to camp and knew nothing about El Camino Pines other than what his good friend, Paul Perencevic, shared with him. Paul is a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Long Beach and has attended the Men’s Advance at El Camino Pines for 26 years. On one such event, Executive Director Lauri Egertson mentioned to Paul that the cabins needed an upgrade. Paul suggested calling his good friend, Charles, who might be able to help fund the project. A phone call was made, a friendship was formed and work on the cabins soon got underway. Charles wanted others to feel part of the project so he agreed to match their gifts thus allowing many to share in the joy of giving and seeing their dollars accomplish something. To date, five cabins have been renovated and the sixth is in the works. We are grateful to all who share the vision and value of the camp experience and we are grateful to Dr. Kokaska for starting the cabin fund and inviting others to participate in the vision.

FORWARD to Serve God’s People in 2016: We have big dreams at LRCC and with God and the support of our churches and communities, we know that all things are possible. In 2016, we are geared up for another memorable season of retreat hosting, outdoor education, summer camp and outdoor programming for folks of all ages. We are excited for the vision of the


Luther Glen Farm to continue to take shape in the form of expanding our livestock and the facilities necessary to support them, continuing to work to provide sustainably grown, farm-fresh goods for our guests and our local community, and envisioning the start of a environmental education program in 2017. It is our hope to continue to expand the partnerships we share with area schools, congregations, and organizations in order to enhance our ministry and to meet the needs of God’s people in this place. ABUNDANT Opportunity: If you’d like to share in the work that God is accomplishing through LRCC and its staff, we invite you to come visit our sites, learn about the new things happening at LRCC, and serve as an ambassador for this ministry in your own congregation. Please connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LRCCSoCal and follow along on our Farm blog at www.lutherglenfarm.wordpress.com.


Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

I have been on board as President/CEO for three months, learning a lot about LSS and the extraordinary needs ofpoor families that live throughout Southern California. Together we have an enormous job to fulfil our mission tobreak the cycle of poverty through progressive social services.

On a typical day of service, LSS helps over 5,000 impoverished individuals through our 40+ programs at over 20locations in six different counties. This array of services is only possible with the assistance of over 1000volunteers, the majority of who come from our local Lutheran congregations and youth groups. Last year volunteersgave over 85,000 hours to service. Thank you for serving alongside us, we couldn’t do it without you! We needyour continued support – through prayer, benevolent gifts and your physical involvement & manpower.

LSS celebrates our Seventieth (70th) Anniversary this year. Please join in the celebration of that milestone as werededicate to the work that needs to be accomplished! I love to visit congregations, visiting, saying thank you andlearning about what is happening with your local outreach ministries.

Service Highlights:

Homeless Services: Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM) merged into LSS in July. This action strengthens theministry and extends the outreach of both organizations. Located in San Bernardino, CCLM houses 70 residentseach night and also operates living quarters for several at-risk male populations. At a grass-root level CCLM offersmuch needed help for an impoverished and under-served community with many programs such as after schoolprograms, hot meals for anyone who is hungry, a thrift store with inexpensive clothing and other supplies.

Community Care Centers: Over 75,000 individuals are served every year, through the 7 care centers throughoutSouthern California that provide grass-root emergency services, food pantry, clothes closets and daily basic needs.

Family Support Services: LSS provides a full array of effective, high quality community based social services toover 5,000 people every year in programs reducing suicide rates, therapeutic counseling for abused children,teaching parenting skills to young parents, vocational counseling, tutoring high schoolers, senior companionshipsand community support groups, individual counseling and case management, low income and supportive housing,and community outreach opportunities to engage developmentally disabled adults.

LSS Foundation: The purpose is threefold: a.) educate Lutheran constituencies/general public about the LSSministries; b.) encourage/solicit financial support for LSS; and c.) receive/hold/ manage endowed gifts and bequests

A Deputy Sheriff, the Department of Parks & Recreation, and Lutheran Social Services: What does this group have in common?God used all three to restore a person’s life. The officer issued a citation to a homeless man sleeping in a public park, and then toldhim about LSS. Over a period of time our staff gave the man food, hot showers and the love of Jesus Christ. Eventually he got backon his feet, found a place to live and a car to drive and is now employed as a Case Worker at one of our Community Care Centers.

For 70 years LSS has interacted with the civic arena to help further the Kingdom of God.

Thank you all for the warm welcome I have received so far, it is truly a joy to be here and involved in the LSSMinistry. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers & sisters of mine, you did forme.” Matthew 25:40. I look forward to working together with you to strengthen our joint ministry and expand thenumber lives we can touch together in the name of Jesus Christ.

In His Service,

Ronald Drews, President/CEO

“Lutheran Social Services of Southern California celebrates thelove of Christ for all people through acts of service.”

Change of Address: 2101 E. 4th Street, Unit 240A, Santa Ana, CA 92705 LSSCommunityCare.org


Greetings and blessings in your ministries and 2016 Assembly!

2015 has been a transitional time for this ministry. The support of the Synod and many of itscongregations has enabled it to continue to minister to the seafarers on the ships in our ports, as well aswith our colleagues in the Seafarer's Center in Long Beach.

The ports are being expanded, the ships are getting bigger, the Gerald Desmond Bridge (over our headsand under our vans) is being replaced with major construction all around us. There has been somefinancial difficulties within the fiscal affairs of the seafarers' center that required our Chaplain Chim to takea leadership role on their board. In addition, Chim has had a leave of absence to manage his family'sbusinesses, including responding to a devastating fire in their hotel in Wilmington (Los Angeles). Wehave replaced our "old" van with a "new" one that is working well. Our Chaplain Samson has been ableto continue the ministry in the midst of all this! Ships are being visited in Long Beach, San Pedro,Terminal Island and Wilmington. Seafarers are being driven to many local communities to find theresources they need.

We were able to visit many congregations with this story of our mission in Christ. We could not do itwithout the support of our Synod and its congregations.

In 2016, LMM is working as hard as ever! Seafarers are being served, cared for, experiencing the love ofChrist and hearing God's word. Chim has been around to help out on occasion. Again this year, Samsonis available to visit congregations with the stories of our shared mission here in our Synod.

We look forward to visiting your churches and seeing you all at the Annual Assembly in June.Contact Samson @ 562/209-1577Also, we continue in our search to find new board members. Is this your interest? Do you have apassion for reaching out with the love of God? Contact us!

Lutheran Maritime MinistryRon Nelson, Board of Directors(562/430-1224 [email protected])


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Spring 2016

Dear Partners in Ministry, It’s an interesting — and challenging — time to be the church. Ministry leaders are learning to navigate the changing culture by holding on to the best of the past while finding ways to be creative, nimble, and resilient. This is just as true for Portico. As we navigate the changing landscape, we are guided by two core values: stewardship and collaboration. For us, that means caring wisely for all we are entrusted to manage — time, money, our employees, and the well-being of those we serve — so leaders can access important benefits and resources, today and in retirement. Here are a few ways we’re putting those values into practice: We spend and invest with care. In these times of rising health care costs and tight church budgets, we work hard to follow a lean, carefully managed spending plan with a goal of keeping costs low. As 2015 investment markets dramatically rose and fell, our active investment management strategy and strategic asset allocations helped improve retirement fund returns in an otherwise disappointing year. We seek opportunities to provide the best health care value. The past two years brought, in some instances, double-digit percentage increases for those employers sponsoring members in the ELCA Health Plan. Although this was in line with nationwide averages, we realize for congregations this is an unsustainable trend. We are committed to keeping administrative expenses below 12% of our health care budget, and are aggressively working with our vendor partners to find new savings opportunities. We tap technology to reach our leaders more efficiently. By converting our popular pre-retirement seminar into a series of three webinars, we were able to complement the rich educational experience of our in-person seminars with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of online learning. We are also developing new webinars designed to help younger leaders establish a strong financial foundation. We’ve raised the bar on top-notch customer service. Our members receive more than just a friendly voice when they call Portico’s Customer Care Center. As a BenchmarkPortal-certified 2015 “Center of Excellence,” we were recognized as one of the top call centers in the nation in both cost- and quality-related metrics. We invest in our leaders. Because the future health of our church depends on the health of its leaders, we are leading the ELCA in calling for a wellness reformation — a renewed commitment to well-being that comes from healthy lifestyle choices, reduced health risks, and lower health care costs — for members, congregations, and the ELCA Health Plan. We are encouraging our congregations and church organizations to put the ‘we’ in wellness by joining in conversation with their pastors and professional staff about creating a culture that supports healthy lifestyles. Portico is committed to providing a cost-effective, comprehensive benefit program that helps our church’s leaders stay nimble, resilient, and confident in these interesting, challenging times. In Christ,

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Thiemann President and CEO


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Documents

2016 Bulletin of Reports Agencies - Southwest California Synod€¦ · 2016 Bulletin of Reports Agencies - Page 65 Southwest California Synod CalLutheran.edu ... Dentist and staff,