Funds for Mission

Funds for Mission

Synod Funding for Coaching & Spiritual Direction

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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Download Application Here

Cathryn Wright Fund Grants for Lay Training

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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Robert L. Miller Scholarship Grants

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 Memorial ScholarshipRobert L. Miller Scholarship Grants

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 by going online to PacificaSynod.org and clicking “Donate Online” and selecting the “Rev. Laurie Line Mem Scholarship” from the list. 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 2023 is June 15.

Matthew 25 Fund

35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’The purpose of The Matthew 25 Fund is to honor Christ as he spoke in Matthew 25:35-40. Jerry and Lynda Engelhardt established the fund through a strong desire to help people as in the verse. The primary criteria for making awards shall be Matthew 25:35-40. A secondary criterion shall be to evaluate if the proposed project will help establish or maintain congregational outreach and unity as in the spirit of the verse.

‍We want to prioritize new partnerships so that we can expand the reach of these funds. Congregations that have never applied for these grants are strongly encouraged to do so.

The fund is intended for ELCA Pacifica Synod congregations. However, awards may be given to other well-managed organizations not in the Pacifica Synod that meet the spirit of the verse. The annual application period is August 15 to October 15. Funds are distributed by the end of December.

‍The application period for the 2025 grants will open on August 15, 2025. A fillable application will be posted here when the application period opens. You are reminded to ensure your congregation has met ALL of the requirements prior to submitting your application.

If you are a 2024 grant recipient and wish to submit the required report, you may download a fillable report form HERE. Please note: you will not be considered for future grants unless this report is filed by October 15, 2025.HERE. Questions about this fund may be directed to Terri Robertson at 714-692-2791 (Ext. 732) or at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.

Murray & Rhoda Finck Global Engagement Mission Fund (GEM Fund)

In 2016, “The Murray and Rhoda Finck Global Engagement Mission Fund” (GEM Fund) was established. It is named in honor of Bishop Emeritus Murray Finck and his wife Rhoda, in recognition and appreciation of their service and accomplishments during the 18 years that Bishop Murray served as Bishop of the Pacifica Synod (from 1998 through 2016.)

The goals of the fund are:
To assist congregations of the Pacifica Synod in their Global Mission efforts.
To initiate and/or continue direct support of present and future Companion Synods of the Pacifica Synod.
To share in ministry with God’s people as we together strive for a lasting world peace.
Distribution of funds may be given to increase awareness of global mission work, to fund domestic and/or foreign projects related to Pacifica Companion Synods and Lutheran partners and to provide assistance in travel expenses related to the fund’s stated goals.

Requirements of the grant may be found on the application linked below. The application period is August 15 to October 15 each year. Funds are distributed by the end of December. The 2025 application period will OPEN on August 15, 2025. A fillable application form will be posted here when available. Please note: if you received a grant award in a prior year, you must submit the required report (as detailed in the application) about the use of your award PRIOR to submitting an application in 2025. If you have questions about this process, please contact Terri Robertson at 714.692.2791, Ext. 732 or by email at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.

Latino Ministry Endowment Fund Partnership Support Grants

The application period for the 2026 Pacifica Synod Latino Ministry Endowment Fund Partnership Support Grants is now open through January 15, 2026. Use this link to download this year's application and follow the instructions contained in the application.
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‍The Pacifica Synod Latino Ministry Endowment Fund, formed from a merger of the St. Mary’s and Santa Ana Accounts by action of the Synod Council on March 12, 2005, provides assistance and support to congregations with existing Latino ministries and/or congregations intending to develop new Latino ministries. Grants may not be used for seminary education or TEEM program costs (please visit www.pacificasynod.org/congregations/funds-for-mission/ for other grant opportunities available for these purposes.)

Congregational grants must have a defined plan for an outreach, worship or other specific ministry. These funds are not intended to cover staff positions. Our committee views these grants as a partnership with financial support from the Pacifica Synod, Latino Ministry Endowment Fund, and additional resources of the Latino Area Ministry Committee as appropriate for both congregations and individuals.

REQUIREMENTS
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To be considered for a grant, the congregation must:
Have a well thought out plan for outreach with clearly stated goals, objectives, and timelines.
Prove the potential capacity for achieving the state objectives.
Have congregational approval and support.
Agree to provide follow-up reporting and accounting on the use of the grant funds received.

PROCESS
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When completed, the application will be reviewed by the Pacifica Synod Latino Ministry Endowment Fund Task Force with approval of the grant by the Latino/Hispanic Ministry Team. Final approval is granted by the Pacifica Synod Council. The availability of partnership support grants from this fund will vary from year to year based on a fixed percentage of the principle plus interest of the monies available in the PS-LMEF (Pacifica Synod Latino Ministry Endowment Fund).

‍If a congregation received a 2025 Latino Ministry Endowment Fund Grant, a report on the use and accounting of these funds MUST be provided before a 2026 grant will be considered. The completed report must be returned to the Pacifica Synod, 1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA 92701 or by email to terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.‍

Warner Trust Fund Grant

Charles and Mable Warner were members of First Lutheran Church, Los Angeles. They had no children and loved their church as evidenced by the following quote from their will:“…The entire remainder of the trust estate shall go and be distributed to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Southwest, Los Angeles, California, with the request that such estate be used in the construction of Sunday School facilities and to further youth Christian education.”

‍As legal successors to the Southwest Synod, the principal was divided among the five ELCA synods in Region 2. The principal from the fund has been placed in the ELCA Mission Investment Fund and the interest is made available annually in March, as grants. Depending on interest rates we anticipate receiving about $20,000 on our investment and other sources this year that will then be distributed as grants. The Warner Trust Fund Committee, appointed by the Pacifica Synod Council, is empowered to review all grant applications and recommend grant awards. The recommendations are reviewed by the Pacifica Synod Mission Funds Committee and Synod Council Executive Committee provides final approval of all grant awards. Any prior year grant recipient will not be eligible the next year but may apply again in the third year. Funds may be used for the construction of Sunday School facilities and/or to further youth Christian Education, including curriculum and technology needs.

Please note that any recipient of a previous Warner Trust Fund Grant award MUST have filed the required follow-up report to be considered for any future awards.

The 2026 Warner Trust Fund Grant application period is now open through January 15, 2026. Please click HERE to download the application, which should be submitted along with a one-page description as detailed in the application. Please ensure that ALL criteria are met prior to submitting your forms. NO late submissions will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Terri Robertson at 714.629.2791, ext. 732 or by email at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org.