Pacifica Synod

Sent Out with Good News

John 20:20-21

2021 Synod Assembly ≈ May 1, 2021 ≈ Online via Zoom

After the postponement of our 2020 Pacifica Synod Assembly, our 2021 Assembly was held in a brand-

new format, a format very familiar to our congregations over the past year—a virtual, online gathering.

Through the gift of technology, 299 voting members and assembly leaders gathered on Zoom from

throughout our synod to experience this year’s Synod Assembly. Bethlehem Lutheran in Encinitas was

our “Mission Control” host site (thank you, Lori Herman, for that description) where a small group gath-

ered safely to host the livestreamed portion of the assembly.

Our theme, “Sent Out with Good News” based on John 20:20-21 couldn’t be more relevant in this time

in our world. This text shaped our time together as we look ahead and discern the ways we are sent out

into this “new” world in ministry together.

We were joined by our ELCA Churchwide Representative and Secretary, Deacon Sue Rothmeyer. Our

ministry partners still shared updates and our Synod Council officers provided reports both live and by

video. Resolutions were voted on and elections held in new ways that didn’t involve red and green

cards and printed ballots, but in our homes through the use of our own electronic devices. While agen-

da items during the Assembly may have been done differently than prior years, the work we did togeth-

er as a synod was just as meaningful and important as ever and we remain committed as a synod in

being sent out to share the Good News of Christ in our world together.

We give thanks to all who were with us for this assembly, both voting members and those who watched

the livestream. Your willingness to explore new ways of gathering to do this work together is appreciat-

ed. Your participation and dedication to the ministries of and through this synod are a gift to us and the

wider church. We also are grateful for those who held the Assembly in prayer. We especially give thanks

for the village it takes to hold a synod assembly - our Assembly Planning Team, Synod Council, many

gifted volunteers and the staff and members of Bethlehem Lutheran in Encinitas. You are all amazing

partners in this ministry!

Pacifica Synod Assembly

Final Review

2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly Final Review - page 2

BIBLE STUDIES, REPORTS & CELEBRATIONS

Above: We were blessed to hear powerful Bible studies led by women

leaders in our synod (from left to right) - Deacon Mindy Bugaj

(Incarnation, Poway), Alicia Saenz, Synodically Authorized Minister &

TEEM Candidate (Iglesia Luterana San Marcos, Chula Vista) and the

Rev. Bekki Lohrmann (St. Peter’s by the Sea, San Diego). Thank you all!

Below: Bishop Andy shared in his report

the similarities between the disciples

and us as we are sent out to share the

Good News. He lifted up our new Mis-

sion Statement and the Mission Result

Areas and objectives from the Synod’s

2020 Strategic Plan, along with the min-

istries currently being done in each ar-

ea and plans for the future.

Above: We are grateful for

Lori Herman’s “bonus year” with us

as Vice President. She shared her

thanks to the Synod Council, staff,

and congregations as we walk to-

gether in this work. She closed with

the quote from Winnie the Pooh,

“How lucky am I to have something

that makes saying goodbye so

hard”. We will miss you, Lori!

Above: Assistants to the Bishop the Rev.

Terry Tuvey Allen and the Rev. Tom

Goellrich, Director for Evangelical Mis-

sion shared updates on the areas un-

der their leadership in the synod.

To right: ELCA Secretary, Deacon Sue

Rothmeyer joined us from Chicago to

share ELCA updates and gratitude for

the many ways our synod supports

Churchwide and global ministries.

Thank you, Deacon Sue!

(Photo credit: Andrea Arey, Portico).

To left: We are grateful to the Rev.

Laura Ziehl (upper photo), Resolutions

Committee Chair, for always making

resolutions fun and to the Rev. Jennifer

Schutlz (lower photo) for serving as our

2021 Assembly Planning Team Chair.

Thanks to both of you!

To right, above: To honor the 2020 Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of

the ordination of women, the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of the first

woman of color, and the 10th anniversary of the ELCA’s decision to officially

ordain those in same-gender committed relationships, a video montage of

ordained women in our synod was shared, along with words and music writ-

ten and sung by Rachel Line in memory of her mother, the Rev. Laurie Line.


SYNOD GRANT RECOGNITIONS

During the assembly, we had the opportunity to recognize congregations and organizations who received synod

and ELCA grants in 2020-2021 through video montages of how their grant funds were used. These videos may be

found on the 2021 Assembly page of our Pacifica Synod website at www.pacificasynod.org. Recipients of the fol-

lowing grant awards were recognized:

• COVID-19 Response Funds Grants—These grants were funded in equal parts ($20,000 each) by the ELCA and

Pacifica Synod to offer direct, operational ministry support. In 2020, 33 congregations/ministries received grants

totaling $38,010.

• Matthew 25 Grants—These grants help the hungry, homeless and others in need, as well as helping congrega-

tions/ministries develop and expand their community outreach ministries. In 2020, 33 congregations/ministries

received grants totaling $30,100.

• Warner Trust Fund Grants—These grants are offered to synod congregations/ministries to be used for construc-

tion of Sunday School facilities and to further youth Christian education. In 2020, 12 congregations/ministries

received grants totaling $10,898.

• Murray & Rhoda Finck Global Engagement Mission Fund Grants—These grants are offered to assist with global

mission efforts, to initiate and/or continue direct support of present or future Companion Synods of the Pacifica

Synod, and to share in ministry with God’s people as we strive together for lasting world peace. In 2020, 7 con-

gregations received grants totaling $7,000.

• Catherine Wright Stephen Ministry Scholarship Awards for Stephen Ministry Lay Leaders—In February 2020, one

congregation received a scholarship totaling $800 to attend a local Stephen Ministry training event.

• Latino Ministry Endowment Fund Partnership Support Grants—These grants provide assistance and support to

congregations with existing Latino ministries or who intend to develop new Latino Ministries. In 2020, 4 congre-

gations received grants totaling $29,250.

We give thanks for the varied ministries of the congregations in the Pacifica Synod and for the opportunity to con-

tribute funding grants and scholarships through the synod to help congregations establish and maintain ministries

in their communities.

SYNOD MINISTRY PARTNER REPORTS

While our ministry partners couldn’t be with us in person and all of us missed conversations with them at their dis-

play tables, many joined us by video, sharing updates in creative ways. These videos may be found on the 2021

Assembly page of our Pacifica Synod website at www.pacificasynod.org.

We are grateful for our ministry partners who joined us by video during the Assembly as follows:

Andrea Arey, Portico Benefit Services

ELCA Domestic & Global Disaster Response

ELCA “Peace Not Walls” (Justice and peace work in Israel and Palestine)

Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences

Agape San Diego—Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry

Lisa Higginbotham, ELCA Foundation

LaSharnda Beckwith, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS)

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)

Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA

http://www.pacificasynod.org



VOTED to approve the role of voting members for the 2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly as presented in the Cre-

dentials Report.

VOTED to approve the rules and agenda for the 2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly.

Synod Council Recommendations:

Baseline Salary Increase for Rostered Leaders

VOTED to accept the recommendation of Pacifica Synod Council for a 1% increase in the Baseline Salary for

Rostered Ministers (Ministers of Word and Sacrament & Ministers of Word and Service) of the Pacifica Synod

for the year 2022.

2019 Recommended Amendments to Constitutions for Synods

VOTED to approve the recommended amendments to the Constitution for Synods as approved by the 2019

Churchwide Assembly.

Bylaw Amendments to Pacifica Synod Constitution

VOTED to approve the recommended Bylaw amendments to the Pacifica Synod Constitution.

Resolutions:

Resolution 21-01:

VOTED to pass Resolution 21-01, calling on congregations of the Pacifica Synod to fully support the ministry of

Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences over the next few years, as it recovers from the impact of the

COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the HELP Camp-aign.

VOTED to approve the Pacifica Synod budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year as presented.

VOTED to approve the Pacifica Synod budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year as presented.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY ACTIONS

ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITIONS

During the assembly, we recognized rostered ministers who celebrated 25 and 50 years of ordained ministry in

BOTH 2020 and 2021 through a video montage which may be found on our 2021 Synod Assembly page on our

Pacifica Synod website at www.pacificasynod.org.

Those celebrating 50 years of Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2020

The Rev. George Falk and the Rev. David H. Miller


The Rev. Phyllis Hormann


The Rev. David Barber, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Johnson, the Rev. William Radatz, and the Rev. Dr. Lee Rozen

Those celebrating 50 years of Word and Service Ministry in 2021

Deacon Randall K. Sensmeier


The Rev. Marina Kings, the Rev. Keith Miller, the Rev. Jennifer Schultz, the Rev. Michael Schneider,

the Rev. Andreas Walker-Thode, and the Rev. Kathy Waltz

Those celebrating 25 years of Word and Service Ministry in 2021

Deacon Phillip Ross Deming and Deacon Margaret (Margy) Schmitt Ajer


SYNOD COUNCIL MEMBER ELECTION RESULTS

Synod Council Vice President

Nicolette Rohr: 156 (elected)

Sarah Tees: 89

Synod Council Secretary

Angela Jackson: 268 (elected)

At Lg (Person of Color/Primary Lang other than English)

The Rev. Jayaprakash Sabbithi: 268 (elected)

Synod Council At Large (Youth)

Analiese Christenson: 132 (elected)

Freya Hendrickson: 124

San Diego Area Representative (Lay, Any Gender)

James Lovell: 61 (elected)

Curt Spiller: 31

San Diego Area Representative (Clergy, Female)

The Rev. Karla Halvorson: 49 (elected)

The Rev. Maria Santa Cruz: 48

San Diego Area Representative (Clergy, Male)

The Rev. Marcus Lohrmann: 95 (elected)

Orange County Area Representative (Lay, Female)

First Vote Run Off Vote

Daneen Pysz: 27 Kathy Hartl: 35

Kathy Hartl: 22 Daneen Pysz: 37 (elected)

Kay Fielder: 18

Orange County Area Representative (Clergy, Male)

The Rev. Jay Egenes: 70 (elected)

Orange County Area Rep (Clergy, Any Gender)

The Rev. Kinndlee Lund: 46 (elected)

The Rev. Jennifer Zahnow: 23

Orange County Area Rep (Lay, Male)

Christian Bakken: 43 (elected)

Chris Erickson: 24

Inland Empire Area Rep (Clergy, Any Gender)

The Rev. Glen Egertson: 39 (elected)

The Rev. Darryl Kozak: 21


SYNOD ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

Inland Empire Area Rep (Clergy, Female)

The Rev. Jennifer Shaw: 63 (elected)

Hawai’i Area Rep (Lay, Any Gender)

Andreas Jans: 11

Dana Westphalen: 19 (elected)

SYNOD COMMITTEES ELECTION RESULTS

Discipline Committee (Lay, Male)

Gerry Marecek: 208 (elected)

Discipline Committee (Lay, Female)

Kathy Little: 56

Michele Matsuda: 177 (elected)

Discipline Committee (Clergy, Male)

The Rev. John Lunn: 106 (elected)

The Rev. Kent Tuohino: 95

CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBER

ELECTION RESULTS

CWA VM—Person of Color/First Lang other than English)

The Rev. Maria Santa Cruz: 264 (elected)

CWA VM—Youth/Young Adult

Maurizio Zarate: 263 (elected)

CWA VM—San Diego Area (Lay, Female)

Angela Jackson: 90 (elected)

Meri Jo Petrivelli: 76

Esmeralda Vences: 72

CWA VM—Inland Empire Area (Lay, Female)

Melanie Hendrickson: 112 (elected)

Michele Sharik: 101

CWA VM—Orange County Area (Clergy, Male)

The Rev. James Pike: 249 (elected)

CWA VM—Hawai’i Area (Lay, Male)

Lloyd Puckett: 245 (elected)

SYNOD COUNCIL THANKS & RECOGNITIONS

In addition to welcoming and installing the newly-elected Synod Council members, the following outgoing Synod

Council members were recognized and thanked for their faithful service:

Lori Herman, Vice President

Maura Beland, San Diego Area Rep

Gerry Marecek, Orange County Area Rep

Mark Fornwall, Hawai’i Area Rep

Dámaris Allen, Ethnic Lay at Large Rep

The Rev. Linda Brown, Inland Empire Area Rep

The Rev. Pongtep Chutimapongrat, OC Area Rep

The Rev. Brian Taylor, Orange County Area Rep

The Rev. Maria Santa Cruz, San Diego County Area Rep

Freya Hendrickson, Youth Rep

Eunice Hanson, Pacifica Women of the ELCA President

We invite you to use this resource to help report back to your congregation on the business of the Pacifica Synod

Assembly. The livestream recording of the Assembly may be found on the Pacifica Synod YouTube channel.

Videos shared during the Assembly, reports and this publication may be found on our Synod website at

www.pacificasynod.org.

Special thanks to Lori Herman, Synod Council Vice President; Angela Jackson, Synod Council Secretary; Pastor

Jennifer Schultz (Bethlehem, Los Alamitos); Pastor Laura Ziehl (Bethlehem, Encinitas); Pauline Getz, Assembly Parlia-

mentarian, and Jeff Cours (St. Peter’s by the Sea, San Diego) for their help onsite during the Assembly.

We are especially grateful to Tom Hoegel and Chris Larsen from Big Dog Sound, for all their work and expertise to

make sure our Assembly audio/visual/online productions ran smoothly.

For questions, feedback or more information, please contact Terri Robertson, Pacifica Synod Executive Assistant for

Communications & Accounting at [email protected].


ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBER SWAG PACKS

As a way to connect our voting members to the Assembly as well as

to our ministry partners when we couldn’t be together in person,

congregations were sent a “Swag Pack” of fun items to share with

their voting members. In addition to logo stickers, cookies and color-

ing sheets, they received pens, screen wipes, post-its, nail files and a

cell phone stand. Our thanks to these ministry partners for their do-

nations to our “Swag Pack”:

• California Lutheran University

• Lutheran Social Services of Southern California

• Mission Investment Fund

• Nate Maxwell-Doherty

• Portico Benefit Services

WITH OUR GRATITUDE AND THANKS!

The two Assembly

theme coloring pag-

es on the far right

were decorated by

Linda Dewald from

Trinity, Victorville.

The page on the left

was decorated by

Deacon Shirley Lee

of Hope, Temecula!

Beautiful!


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Pacifica Synod