Discussion Forum

Immigration Resources
February 19, 2025 Dear Pastors, Clerks, and NWC Pioneer Leaders of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, May the grace and peace of Christ be with you. We stand with you in spirit and truth that Jesus came for all people, together in a tradition of welcome, grace and...

Alternatively Meaningful
By Tom Cramer Who said that Presbyterians can’t pivot on a dime? In support of our neighboring presbyteries who were affected by the Southern California wildfires, the Pastors’ Retreat at the Serra Retreat Center was cancelled this year (Serra is located within the...

Meet the Moderator
At its February 22nd Gathering the Presbytery of Los Ranchos will install our 2025 Moderator, Ruling Elder, Lori Ruff-Schmalenberger. Lori, a life-long Presbyterian, is the Director of Children’s Ministry at Tustin Presbyterian Church (TPC). She sat down with us to...

Confessions Study Group to Begin Studying The Theological Declaration of Barmen
Beginning Saturday, March 1st, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. the Confessions Study Group, led by Rev. David Beary, PhD, will meet via Zoom to discuss The Theological Declaration of Barmen, a bold statement from 1930’s Germany regarding the relationship of the Church to the...

An Interview with Charity Ngaruiya, Chaplain at LA General Hospital
Transcribed and edited for length by Courtney Ellis. Charity Ngaruiya is connected to the Presbyteries of San Gabriel, San Fernando, Pacific, and Los Ranchos through her work as a chaplain. Currently serving at LA General Hospital, Charity began her work there on...

In Christ Is Life and Life Abundant
By Tom Cramer Big or small, young or old, faith communities of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos seek to be as vital as we can be. “Vitality” is personal and communal, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. This year, our Presbytery Gatherings will focus on the theme of...

Regarding the Pastors’ Retreat and the Palisades Fire
Dear colleagues in ministry, Due to the Palisades fire the PLR Pastor’s Retreat Planning Team has decided to cancel our plans for Serra Retreat on Feb 10-12, 2025. This decision was not made lightly. Serra communicated how even though their grounds were unaffected,...

The Church Reformed and Always Reforming: Proposed Amendments to the Book of Order
By Rev. Sandra Kim At the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Commissioners approved sending 12 proposed amendments to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes. These amendments require the approval of a...

Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT) Registration Begins Soon!
As If We Were Dreaming… (Psalm 126)July 28-31, 2025Louisville, Kentucky Visit the Triennium site here This every-three-year event is open to all students entering or having just graduated from High School. PYT is opening registration in early February. We will need to...

Wild Fires: Presbyterians Respond
A letter from Executive Presbyter, Tom Cramer Dear Friends in Christ, Many of you have been wondering how the congregations and members of our Presbytery can assist those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Our presbytery leadership has been attentive to...