pacifica synod
TRANSCRIPT
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.
2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly Final Review - page 3
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
2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly Final Review - page 4
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
Those celebrating 25 years of Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2020
The Rev. Phyllis Hormann
Those celebrating 50 years of Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2021
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
Those celebrating 25 years of Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2021
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
2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly Final Review - page 5
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].
2021 Pacifica Synod Assembly Final Review - page 6
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!