Author Archives: hoperiversideoffice

Precisely in our distress, in our dislocation, the Lord shows up. Emmanuel—God with us—makes his home in the very places we find foreign or isolating. The room was spare and dimly lit. We sat on folding chairs in a circle—young Honduran women and some of us from the ELCA. We had come to Honduras toContinue reading “Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s special Christmas message”

  Express your top COVID-19 priorities with a customized letter to Congress through the ELCA Action Center.Since the CARES Act was passed in March of this year, Congress has been unable to pass any new economic or emergency relief in response to the impacts of the coronavirus. But this week, Congress and White House leaders haveContinue reading “ELCA CARES ACT Action Alert”

We have received word of the death ofThe Rev.H.G. (Skip) McComason September 30, 2020Please keep his wife Elena; sons Scott, Tony, and Ryan; along with the entire family in your prayers. The Rev. H.G. “Skip” McComas was born on October 22, 1947. He was ordained on February 21, 1999 and began his first call at thatContinue reading “In Memoriam: The Rev. H.G. (Skip) McComas”

September 24, 2020​For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ― Ephesians 2:14In response to the grand jury decision in Louisville, Ky., we offer a word of prayer and healing following the decision not toContinue reading “From the Presiding Bishop: A Pastoral Word on the Grand Jury Decision in Louisville”

From the Pacifica SynodSeptember 7, 2020 Dear members and friends of the Pacifica Synod,It appears that once again, there are emails being sent from a person representing themselves as Bishop Andy. Religious organizations have become easy targets for these types of scams, which take advantage of people’s generosity.  Just a reminder, no one on the synod staff willContinue reading “Scam ALERT!”

September 1, 2020 Dear Rostered Ministers and Lay Leaders of the Pacifica Synod,New guidelines regarding the re-opening of businesses, including places of worship, have been distributed by the governors of both Hawai’i and California in the past couple of weeks. These guidelines have been developed in cooperation with public health officials, and are intended notContinue reading “From the Bishop: Updated Worship Guidelines for California and Hawai’i”

Lutheran World Relief recently learned that three 40-foot shipping containers filled with thousands of handmade mission quilts and school, personal and baby care kits were destroyed in the devastating August 4 explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon.The shipment was destined for refugees living in Lebanon, principally from Syria and the Palestinian territories. The containersContinue reading “Lutheran World Relief Responds to Beirut Explosions”

We have received word of the death ofThe Rev.Laura (Laurie) A. Lineon July 31, 2020Please keep her children Rachel and Brandon and the entire family in your prayers.Cards or notes of condolences may be sent to:Rachel Line and Brandon Line750 Murray DriveEl Cajon, CA 92020The Rev. Laura Line was born on November 5, 1956. She was ordainedContinue reading “In Memoriam of The Reverend Laura (Laurie) A. Lineon”

We have received word of the death ofThe Rev. Dr. Albert W. Stotton July 22, 2020Please keep his family in your prayers.Cards or notes of condolences may be sent to:The Family of the Rev. Dr. Albert Stott1321 East J StreetChula Vista, CA 91910The Rev. Dr. Albert Stott was born on January 3, 1939 and ordained on MayContinue reading “In Memoriam of The Rev. Dr. Albert W Stotton”