Synod of Southern California and Hawaii
MAILING ADDRESS:
Synod of Southern California and Hawaii
8939 S Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 110 #250
Westchester, CA 90045
(It is necessary to include the Synod's name in the address )
Phone: 818-810-6137
Fatal Mass Shooting Incident at Geneva Presbyterian Church (Presbytery of Los Ranchos)
Parishioners subdue the alleged shooter
(May 15, 2022) The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California was subdued by parishioners before authorities could arrive at the church, officials said.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” an Orange County sheriff said. “I think it’s safe to say that had people not intervened, it could have been much worse.”
This Associated Press report is HERE; updates and reports from multiple sources are expected.
A Call to Prayer
Tom Cramer, Head of Staff and Executive for Vision & and Mission for the Presbytery of Los Ranchos writes:
"The Presbytery of Los Ranchos is deeply saddened by a fatal shooting that occurred at a lunch reception honoring the former pastor of the Taiwanese congregation that nests at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Lagua Woods. Initial reports indicate that one person was killed and several others were severely injured. Please keep the leadership of the Taiwanese congregation and Geneva in your prayers as they care for those traumatized by this shooting.
In your mercy, O Lord, we pray."
May 15, 2022
Chaplaincy Update
Spring, 2022
In this current update the Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs-Zhender, Chaplain at LAC+USC Medical Center describes how the ongoing impact that COVID-19 influences her ministry
Read or download the update HERE.
Public Service Announcement from Pacific Presbytery
The Synod has donated $50,000 to the PDA to aid with the Ukrainian refugee needs. Please work with your congregations and Presbyteries to lend your support.
Employment Opportunity
Designated General Presbyter (DGP) Search Information for the Presbytery of Santa Barbara
The Presbytery of Santa Barbara is seeking a DESIGNATED GENERAL PRESBYTER (3/4 time). The Presbytery consists of 20 churches, 7 New Worshiping Communities, and a vibrant university ministry on the central coast of California. We are looking for a candidate that can help us live out our mission and vision that the Presbytery has spent significant work in the past few years to establish healthier channels of communication and transparency to set up ministries to succeed.
Job Description
Please visit the Presbytery's Job Opportunities Page to learn more.
Interested candidates may apply to:
sbp.designatedgp.search@gmail.com
MIF # 59677.AB0
The Road to GA 225
The GA225 Website details in-person committee schedules and plenary (virtual) sessions
Contact Information
Update: The Rev. Paula Mann, former Synod Business Manager, has been called to serve as the Executive Associate Pastor at Westwood Presbyterian Church. Fried Wilson will be serving as the Business Manager on an interim basis. Please direct all business-related emails to businessmanager@synod.org.
Synod Staff
Phone: 818-810-6137
Synod Executive & Stated Clerk
MARK HONG ext. 1
Email markhong@synod.org
Business Manager
Interim manager: Fried Wilson ext. 2
Email businessmanager@synod.org
Full Charge Bookkeeper
JOANNE BORTFELD ext. 3
Email jbortfeld@synod.org
REPL Coordinator
NARCISSIS TUCKER BISHOP
Email ntucker@synod.org
Synod Officers 2022
Contact officers through Business Manager (ext. 2)
Email (businessmanager@synod.org)
Moderator RE Janine Tanahuvia..
Vice-Mod TE Michael Wallman
Stated Clerk: TE Mark Hong
Treas.—RE Susan Skoglund
CoA Moderator— TE Suzanne Malloy.
Presbyteries of the Synod
Synod Business Items; Synod Funding Update
Synod Documents
Synod Business Calendar. 2022
2022 Synod Assembly:
December 3 (Saturday)
2022 Commission of Assembly Meetings
March 5
June 4
October 1
December 10 (if necessary)
Synod Funding Opportunities
This section under revision. Please check with the Synod Business Manager, Fried Wilson, if you have a concern. Thank you for your patience.
Fried Wilson ext. 2
Email businessmanager@synod.org
Synod Organization
Please see the 2021 Synod By-laws for additional details
Commissions/Committees
The Commission/Committee Contact is Business Manager Fried Wilson• Commission of Assembly (CoA)
• Synod Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC)
• Committee on Representation and Nominations (CR&N)
• Polity & Records
Mission Partner(s)
Related Entities
The general contact at the Synod office is business manager Fried Wilson (Email)
Sister Synod Relationship
• Synod of the Nile
Related Entities
• Monte Vista Grove Homes, Inc.
• Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers, Inc.(PCCCI)
• Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conf. Inc.
Racial Ethnic Pastoral Leadership (REPL) Scholarship Program
INTRODUCTION
REPL provides needed spiritual and financial support for racial ethnic persons enrolled with presbytery within the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii as an inquirer / candidate for Teaching Elder (Minister of the Word and Sacrament), or with the presbytery and / or session for other professional ministry vocations.
• Priority for scholarships shall be given to persons pursuing the M.Div. degree or its equivalent, or other presbytery-approved programs, in preparation for meeting the requirements for various ministry vocations, including parish ministry:
INFORMATION SHEET (PDF)
APPLICATION FORMS:
HOW ?: See information sheet
DEADLINE: "Open." Apply at any time.
QUESTIONS? E-mail The Rev. Narcissis Tucker Bishop, Coordinator (E-mail)
APPLICATION FORMS
These forms should be completed online, using the forms (Microsoft Word format) that you will download from the links below. Submission should be by e-mail attachment.
Electronic (MS Word)
Parts I, II, III for applicant)
Part IV: (for recommendation)
Please note that applications are now accepted at any time.
Meet the REPL Committee!
A full-size version of this image is HERE.
Churchwide Resources
(Sources: pcusa.org , ga-pcusa.org, and pma.pcusa.org)
For your convenience, most of the links below will open in a new window.
Presbyterian Mission Website
The Presbyterian Mission website displays many new stories of mission and opportunities. Find it HERE.
PC (USA) Churchwide Anti-racism Policy
Facing Racism–Vision of the Intercultural Communigy: Website and Resources
PC (USA) Blogs: Other Voices
Presbyterian News Service
Mission Agency
Blogs Listing
More PC (USA) Resources
More resources, including items in the Spanish and Korean languages, are linked
Categories include:
Recent Popular Korean Spanish
GIVE * PRAY • ACT
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
PDA assistance is assisting in areas throughout California which have been devastated by the recent wildfires and mudslides.
General Assembly 224
GA224 CO-MODERATORS
Elona Street-Stewart, executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and the Rev. Gregory Bentley, pastor of Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama (Photo courtesy pcusa.org.