Our Mission

As disciples of Jesus Christ, instructed by the Scriptures and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called by God to be a community of faith to carry out the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A,) in accordance with the Constitution of the denomination.

We are a middle council of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which encompasses the following Presbyteries:

Los Ranchos
Riverside
Pacific
San Fernando
San Gabriel
San Diego
Santa Barbara

Synod Assembly

Meets annually.

Equal number of Teaching Elder Commissioners and Ruling Elder Commissioners elected from and by each presbytery, plus officers with voice / no vote.

The Commission of Assembly – 19 MEMBERS

An elected body with nineteen members, representing seven Presbyteries, Assembly Commissioners, BIPOC community, and two committees (Polity & Records, Committee on Representation & Nominations) who makes various decisions between Assemblies. It typically meets three times a year (March, June, October)

The Permanent Judicial Commission – 11 MEMBERS

  • Handles all Judiciary matters. Conduct Trials when necessary.

Polity and Records - 7 members.

  • Work on amendments to the Bylaws and other policies.

  • Creates and presents policies to Assembly/COA.

  • Oversees Annual Presbytery Minute Reviews.

  • Processes overtures.

Committee on Representation and Nominations – 9 members

  • Identifies and invites volunteers to fill committee slates; advises them of term parameters.

  • Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA, including Chairs of committees and on the vice-moderator.

Partnering Grants - 7 members

  • Accepts applications from the Presbytery partners on dedicated funding for congregation developments.

  • Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA

  • Reviews and determines grant needs of the Presbyteries and makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA.

Restricted and Special Funds - 7 members

  • Receives grant applications from Presbytery partners relating to designated funds and Matthew 25 grants

  • Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation - 9 members

  • Maintains its own designated funds.

  • Makes recommendations relating to various issues.

  • Provides funds for related projects.

The Rev. Dr. Leon Fanniel Racial Ethnic Pastoral Leadership - 7 members

  • Has its own coordinator (paid staff).

  • Manages own funding.

  • Carries annual grant budget of $8,000.

  • Makes decisions on scholarship grants ($3,000 max per) to seminarians on the ordination tract.

  • Follows up on grant recipients’ progress and reports to the Synod annually.

Finance Committee - 7 members

  • Oversees all finance-related matters to ensure Synod practices good stewardship Oversee investments to ensure proper returns.

  • Creates a budget and presents it to the Commission of Assembly.

  • Synod treasurer is an ex officio member.

Address

8939 S Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 110; #250 Westchester, CA 90045

Contact

businessmanager@synod.org

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Synod of Southern California and Hawaii

Serving our Presbyterian communities with faith, fellowship, and compassionate leadership.

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