Pacifica Synod is investing in coaching and spiritual direction as one means of supporting faithful, resilient leaders in the church and the world. This pilot program allows for up to $400 per individual to subsidize sessions with a certified coach or spiritual director while funds last. We anticipate this will provide participants with 3-6 sessions with the coach or spiritual director, depending on their rate. This opportunity is open to both rostered and lay (non-rostered) leaders, such as administrative staff and congregational officers within the Pacifica Synod.
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Background:
This grant was given to the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by Cathryn Wright in 2003. Ms. Wright intended the grant to be used for “caring lay ministry.” The original task force recommended that the mission statement specify that these monies entrusted to the Pacifica Synod of the ELCA be used in the identification, recruitment, and equipping of persons for caring lay ministry.
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The original mission statement of Cathryn Wright Trust Fund Task Force (01/27/2003):
The task force recommends that the mission statement indicate that these monies entrusted to the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America be used in the identification, recruitment, and equipping of persons for caring lay persons ministry…

‍Purpose: We invite Pacifica Synod ministries and congregations and lay (non-rostered) individuals to explore opportunities for “caring lay ministry.” Examples include but are not limited to:
● Stephen Ministry Training – www.stephenministries.org
‍● Excellence in Leadership – https://www.rmselca.org/excellence-in-leadership
‍● Growing in Faith – The Diakonia Program – https://www.diakoniausa.org/
‍● Parish Nursing Program – https://www.elpna.org/
‍● Thriving Leadership Formation – https://thrivingleadershipformation.org/
‍● ELCA Coach Training – https://www.elcacoaching.org
‍● Training to become a Spiritual Director
● Synod workshops and events
● Other training opportunities around anti-racism, the Enneagram…your ideas!

‍Process:
● Complete the application.
● Attach a one-page summary of your proposal.
● Submit written approval of a rostered leader (Pastor or Deacon) in Pacifica Synod, or an explanation of why this is not attainable.
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Applications will be reviewed by the Wright Fund Committee as received. The committee will then make recommendations to the Mission Funds Committee and Executive Committee for review and final approval. This process may take 8-12 weeks. Approval process may be expedited for synod and ELCA events and programs and Stephen Ministries.
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Approved funding may involve reimbursement to the participant by check or direct payment to the program by check. Recipients of these grants agree to use the funds only as stated in their proposal and agree to submit a written report to the Pacifica Synod within one year of the grant disbursement, sharing how the grant was used and what impact was made.
A fillable reporting form for this purpose may be found HERE.

‍Pacifica Synod is investing in coaching and spiritual direction as one means of supporting faithful, resilient leaders in the church and the world. This pilot program allows for up to $400 per individual to subsidize sessions with a certified coach or spiritual director while funds last. We anticipate this will provide participants with 3-6 sessions with the coach or spiritual director, depending on their rate. This opportunity is open to both rostered and lay (non-rostered) leaders, such as administrative staff and congregational officers within the Pacifica Synod.
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The Rev. Robert L. Miller served for ten years as the first bishop of the Pacifica Synod. This Scholarship Fund was created through congregational and individual gifts shared upon Bishop Miller’s retirement in 1998 and upon his death in 2016. Additional funds came from the distribution of the proceeds from the sales of Prince of Peace Lutheran, Ontario and Hope Lutheran, Riverside.

‍Guidelines for applying are as follows:
Applicant must be an active member of a Pacifica Synod congregation.
Applicant must be officially entranced by the Pacifica Synod Candidacy Committee.
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As approved by the Pacifica Synod Candidacy Committee, applicants must be enrolled in an approved degree or TEEM program, leading to becoming a rostered leader in the ELCA (Word and Sacrament/Word and Service.)Funds may only be used for books, tuition, or costs directly related to seminary education. Scholarship funds awarded will be sent to the seminary and deposited directly in the student’s seminary account.

For more information, please download the application, CLICK HERE
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The Rev. Laurie Line was ordained in 2001 and spent her entire ordained ministry in the Pacifica Synod. She served several congregations as an interim and others as settled pastor. Pastor Laurie retired in 2016. She died in 2020 from complications of a rare form of dementia.

This new scholarship, created by a generous donation in Pastor Laurie’s name, is intended for women seeking ordination as a Rostered Minister of Word and Sacrament. Pastor Laurie knew firsthand of the struggles that women encounter in leadership and was always very encouraging and proud of women who went through seminary. She always cried tears of joy when she saw Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton because she was so proud to have a woman serving as the national leader of the ELCA.
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Donations to the Rev. Laurie Line Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made by making checks payable to Pacifica Synod with “Laurie Line Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. You may also donate directly to the scholarship here. Scholarship applicants must be a member of a congregation in the Pacifica Synod and attending an ELCA seminary. Again, this scholarship is only for those who identify as women. Full guidelines, along with the application, can be found here. The deadline for applications in 2026 is June 15.