Lutheran Church Welcomes Viv Vega as Transitional Pastor

Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) will welcome Viv Vega to the pulpit on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. She will be serving as a transitional pastor for the church during a time of change. LCIF’s former Pastor Rick Hall accepted a new position in late August, which has caused a vacancy in the church’s pastoral leadership. LCIF will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, Oct. 5 following worship, to authorize the formation of a call committee, the formal procedure to recruit a new permanent pastor. The call process for pastors in the California Southwest Synod of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is mediated by the synod but involves direct input from the parish.

The selection of a new leader, by means of interviews with candidates presented by the synod, is a process that often requires several months or more to complete.

In the meantime as a transitional pastor Viv Vega will fill the important role of helping the church bridge the gap to finding new permanent leadership. Vega, as a second-career pastor, brings a wealth of life experience to her ministry. She is currently attending Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, headquartered in Berkeley. According the LCIF, Vega is “synodically-authorized” to minister to the congregation during her seminary education and as part of her training. In addition, the church is pleased to have Rev. Tim Singleton, pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in La Crescenta, to provide pastoral care, such as calling and visiting members who are ill or homebound, during this transition time.

Visit lcifoothills.org for event details. For more information or to request/offer help, email office@lcifoothills.org or call (818) 790-1951. The church is located at 1700 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Movies in the Park at Memorial Park

On Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Movies in the Park features “Paddington 2.” This free event includes a craft station where children can decorate Chef Paddington’s wooden spoons and try marmalade sandwiches. The International Institute of Los Angeles will share information about its work with refugees and immigrants. 

Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy Lomos on Wheels’ Peruvian Food and the Cozy Cookie Company!  

This event is sponsored by La Cañada Congregational Church and is open to all.

Memorial Park, 1301 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge 

www.lacanadachurch.org 

Women’s Nondenominational Bible Study

 Seasons of Life Bible study offers two classes to choose from:

* Joy of Living studying The Gospel of Mark and the Book of Esther 

* Women of Faith studying living a purposeful life

Classes are on Thursday mornings from 10 – 11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 25 through April 9 at Highlands Church, 4441 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta.

If interested, please contact the church at (818) 405-0763 or Lynda Hessick at (818) 640-6022 or email lyndahessick@gmail.com. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 7 to have the book selected to be ordered.  

Holy Craft 

The community is invited on Sundays at 11 a.m. starting Oct. 21 in the sanctuary foyer of La Cañada Congregational Church. Bring a craft project and supplies along with a snack to share. Attendees will find seasoned knitters, procrastinating gift makers and curious learners coming together to make something beautiful (even if it’s just conversation). It’s a great way to share a skill, learn a new one (supplies provided) and find new friendships.

La Cañada Congregational Church, 1200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

CSL Offers Gentle Movement Class

The Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta is offering a gentle stretch and relax chair movement with Mikki. It takes place every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is a $10 donation.

The class is at Chaffee Hall in the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta.

The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, call (818) 249-1045.

Mt. Olive Offers Bible Studies

Mt. Olive invites the Crescenta Valley community to its monthly breakfast Bible study at Panera Bread Restaurant, 990 Town Center Drive, Suite A in La Cañada on the third Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. They are currently in the Book of Second Corinthians. Also, a weekly Bible study is held at the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

Walk and Word 

Walk and Word participants will meet in the parking lot of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, 3429 Markridge Road in La Crescenta/Glendale at 8 a.m. on Oct. 12, 19 & 26. Participants will walk for the first hour and then gather to read a selection of Scripture. About a half hour will be spent journaling about what was read and then there will be conversation, sharing thoughts.

Participants are asked to bring something to write with, anything wanted to eat or drink, and a chair to use for the writing part of the morning. Because people will be outdoors and social distancing will be practiced, masks will be optional. 

Those with questions can email Jeanne at jnlavieri@earthlink.net. 

All are welcome. If the hike is too strenuous, there are level paths at the park. There are ramps from the parking lot to the field where the group gathers after the hike.