WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Summer Blessings
                        June 18, 2015

If you attended the 2015 Synod Assembly, we would like to hear from you. Please click here to take our survey 

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Click here to read the highlights of the 2015 Synod Assembly   

In This Issue
A message from Rev. Katy Grindberg, Assistant to the Bishop 
  

 



As part of my seminary education I spent a summer working and learning as a hospital chaplain. One night when I was on call, and staying at the hospital, I was called to the maternity floor at 3am to baptize an infant who died shortly after my visit. When I went home later that day, I found myself weeping and railing at God, 'how can something that you created to be good be filled with so much pain?'

 

Today, I'm in much the same mindset. As I read the news stories about the shooting and murder of 9 people at Emanuel AME church in Charleston, I throw my hands up to God and demand answers and some change, already. I find that I don't have any words of great wisdom or insight, and so I turned to the Psalms, as I often do when I'm at a loss for words.

Psalm 90

13 Turn, O Lord! How long?

Have compassion on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,

and as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be manifest to your servants,

and your glorious power to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

and prosper for us the work of our hands-

O prosper the work of our hands

 

And, I was reminded that God is doing something - through me, through us. The change in the world needs to come through our hands. So, for me, today, I realize that I need to recommit myself to the work of anti-racism. This work is, in fact, God's work - the reconciliation of all people and the equality of all people and the recognition that all people are beloved children of God. I need to continue to put myself in places where I can learn and where I can challenge the sin of racism, and sexism, and homophobia, and ....and the list goes on, as we are constantly finding ways to mark people as "other". What is your commitment? Where and how is God calling you into the work of reconciliation in the world?

 

If you're interested in the anti-racism work of the synod, there is an upcoming training. Click here to learn more and register for the July 25 Dismantling Racism Workshop.

 

Reverend Katy Grindberg
Assistant to the Bishop 
A Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in response to recent shootings at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church 
in South Carolina

It has been a long season of disquiet in our country. From Ferguson to Baltimore, simmering racial tensions have boiled over into violence. But this ... the fatal shooting of nine African Americans in a church is a stark, raw manifestation of the sin that is racism. The church was desecrated. The people of that congregation were desecrated. The aspiration voiced in the Pledge of Allegiance that we are "one nation under God" was desecrated.

Mother Emanuel AME's pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, as was the Rev. Daniel Simmons, associate pastor at Mother Emanuel. The suspected shooter is a member of an ELCA congregation. All of a sudden and for all of us, this is an intensely personal tragedy. One of our own is alleged to have shot and killed two who adopted us as their own. Click here to read the entire message

Click here to read Bishop Mark W. Holmerud's response to the Shootings at "Mother Emanuel" African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina

Dismantling Racism: An Introductory Workshop

  

Join us on Saturday, July 25th at Bethlehem Lutheran in Auburn for register visit www.spselca.org or Click here to register (FYI - payment by credit card only!)

Pacific School of Religion offers Theologies of Race & Racism  
with Dr. Sharon Fennema


June 23-30, 2015  

 

Schedule
This is a course.
Opening live seminar: 6:00 - 8:00pm PDT
Closing live seminar: 6:00 - 8:00pm PDT

The interim section of the course will be self-paced.

Cost: $120 CTEL certificate students and PSR students / $200 general public.

 


Click here to register and read the course details
NEWS FROM THE ELCA 
ELCA issues statement on Pope Francis' encyclical on climate changeELCA issues statement on Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change

CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), released a statement June 18 on behalf of this church in response to Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change and the deteriorating global environment. The full text of the statement follows:

As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we share a deep concern with our Catholic brothers and sisters for the well-being of our neighbors and of God's good creation. "Humans, in service to God, have special roles on behalf of the whole of creation. Made in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth" (ELCA social statement, "Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice") Click here to read more.


Lutheran, Episcopal leaders ask for modernization of Columbia River Treaty

CHICAGO (ELCA) - In a June 11 letter to President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other religious leaders, asked that action be taken to modernize the Columbia River Treaty - a 1964 agreement between the United States and Canada to govern together water resources to promote economic growth, wealth and happiness for citizens of the two nations.

"This earth, all of creation and that beautiful part of it known as the Columbia River, are a gift entrusted to us by God. And this gift is entrusted not just to particular countries or a particular generation, but to all countries and to all of humanity," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, in an interview. "When we seek to make faithful decisions about the tending of the Columbia River or any natural resource, we must remember that it is not, nor can it ever be, just about us or just about now," she said. Click here to read more.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
Please take note:  In consultation with the Executive Committee of the Synod Council, as a result of budget reductions it has been decided that all Sierra Pacific Synod Offices will be closed on Fridays, beginning July 1, 2015.  Any voicemail or emails received after 4 p.m. on Thursdays will be answered the next week.  In the case of an emergency, please leave a voicemail or send an email to Bp. Mark, Pr. Nancy, Pr. Katy or Pr. Carlton, who will monitor these venues.

California Lutheran University is offering a week of continuing education  

California Lutheran University is offering a week of continuing education with faculty from the School of Management. In the complex environment of congregational management, we all can use new tools for ministry. This continuing education event for pastors will explore how concepts from a MBA program can be applied to the arena of congregational life. Each day, we will explore a different theme:

  • Stewardship
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Technology for Ministry
  • Strategic Direction

This dynamic continuing education event will be limited to 20 registrants. Participants will be invited to bring a particular project or issue that they will focus on during the week. Through lectures, group work, and one-on-one learning participants will gain valuable and needed skills for their work as pastors in congregational settings. The participants will live, learn, worship, and work together throughout the week.

 

Location: The Cal Lutheran Campus in Thousand Oaks, CA

Cost: $799.00 (includes classes, materials, room and board)

  

When: July 20-24, 2015

  

Click here to learn more about this educational event 

Interested In Granting Hope in Your Community?

ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants Are Available To Congregations In This Synod!

 

The ELCA World Hunger-funded Domestic Hunger Grants support ministries that offer hope and assistance to many thousands of people who experience poverty and hunger in the United States. These grants do more than just give food to people who are hungry - in addition to immediate relief programs, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants fund projects in community development and community-based organizing and advocacy that strengthen the foundations of communities impacted by hunger and poverty.

 

The domestic hunger grants process follows this cycle:

 

Please note these are deadlines for 2016-2017 Grants.

 

May 1, 2015: Grant applications are available online, go to http://www.elca.org/domestichungergrants

 

July 10, 2015: Completed applications must be back in the ELCA Domestic Hunger office to be considered for funding.

 

The application is for a two-year funding period

  • Applicants will not be required to complete an application for 2017 funding considerations.
  • Second year funding will be contingent upon the completion of an Organizational Information Update and Evaluation form.
  • The Organizational Information Update and Evaluation form will become available November 01, 2016 for submission on or before December 16, 2016.
  • Applicants that received a Domestic Hunger Grant in 2014-2015 are ineligible for a 2016-2017 grant.

For more information contact: Ms. Johnnie Thompson at   [email protected] or go to the website. http://www.elca.org/domestichungergrants

 

Minimize Debt, Optimize Assets, and Strategize for Retirement

Monday, August 24
 
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 
1615 Morse Avenue 
Sacramento, California 95864

Join us for a day-long seminar on the fundamentals of personal finance. An Ernst & Young certified financial planner will be there to share information on financial topics, including:

Reducing debt 
How much to save for retirement 
Choosing investment fund options in the ELCA Retirement Plan 
Buying life insurance
 
The seminar is most relevant to you if you're participating in the ELCA Retirement Plan, are under age 50, and have more than 15 years of service remaining before retirement.

Time: Financial wellness seminars are day-long events. 
Cost: Free to ELCA benefits plan members and their spouses.

Lunch will be provided.

Register (by August 3) Click here for registration information

Thinking about retirement? 

Then think about attending the Pre-Retirement Seminar made available through Portico Benefits. 

The next event scheduled in our Synod is in Sacramento... take a look!
Pre-Retirement Event - Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Register By - Tuesday, August 4, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1615 Morse Avenue
Sacramento, California 95864

Register (by August 4!) Click here for registration information
I Was Hungry, I was Thirsty, I was in Prison and ...

Saturday, October 24, 2015 

Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis, CA

9:30 to 4:30 p.m.

 

Learn how faith and justice are intertwined in a hungry world!  This educational workshop by the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network explores both the life-saving work of the ELCA Hunger Appeal, and how reforming mass incarceration policies and practices is crucial to ending hunger and poverty in this country.If there is an interest, a parallel children's program will be offered.

 

Keynote speaker: Dr. Ryan Cumming, Hunger Education Director of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. 

 

Keynote speaker: Laura Magnani, Director of American Friends Service Committee's Bay Area Healing Justice Program in California .  She has worked on criminal justice issues for over 35 years. She co-authored the AFSC publication, "Beyond Prisons: A New Interfaith Paradigm for Our Failed Prison System."

 

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Stay connected with us:

We Remember in Prayer...
Pr. Bill Ruth (retired) recovering from Gall Bladder surgery.

Doris Haugen, the spouse of Doug Haugen, AIM, who is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer near their home in Chicago.  Mr. Haugen is the Executive Director for Lutheran Men in Mission, and formerly served Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Auburn, CA. 

 

We pray for our brothers and sisters at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., as they mourn the tragic deaths of nine of their community members, including the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a graduate of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C. We pray for all those who grieve and that our houses of worship be places of peace and refuge. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 


Pr. Rebekah Davis (St. Mark's, San Francisco) as she begins medical treatments.


Pr Ron Glusenkamp, who recently served as the ELCA Churchwide representative at our Synod Assembly, and his family. Pr. Ron's adult son, Noah, had surgery on a brain tumor shortly after our Assembly.  They are awaiting test results to determine if the tumor was cancerous or benign.

 

Sue Irwin, spouse of Pr. Jeff Irwin, Davis Lutheran, who is recovering from surgery.   

 

Please hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:

 

 

Bishop Robert Schaefer, Florida-Bahamas Synod, 06/18/15 - 06/20/15

 

Bishop Felipe Lozada-Montanez, Caribbean Synod, 06/18/15 - 06/20/15

 

Bishop Gary Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod, 06/19/15 - 06/20/15

 

Bishop Robert Driesen, Upper Susquehanna Synod, 06/19/15 - 06/20/15

 

Bishop Richard Graham, Metropolitan Washington, DC Synod, 06/19/15 - 06/20/15

  

Those who are affected by the ongoing drought, including those whose wells have now gone dry, ranch and farm workers, and farmers and ranchers. 

 

For all those who work with communities that continue to face challenges of poverty, race relations, unemployment and sub-standard housing who are left feeling powerless.  Pray we all find ways to address the root causes and help bring necessary changes to eliminate these challenges.

  

Congregations in Transition

Second Mile Giving

Second Mile Giving

June 2015
Upcoming Events
UN anniversary events

June 26-Peace Lutheran, Danville, 7 pm - with The Coelis Vocal Ensemble, Pacific Choir, Sycamore Chamber Orchestra and Sax Vobiscum.
 

June 27
- Grace Cathedral in San Francisco at 3:00 pm with the same choirs/musicians above.

Saturday's Concert is free but you must go to this website to register for Tickets (am/pm or both):  www.un70charter.org

 
If you wish to attend Mayor Lee's Noon Reception for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at City Hall on Friday, June 26 Click here to read more

To learn more about these events on the UN click here to visit their website.
Have you made plans for Continuing Education yet for 2015?

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Rostered Leaders will be presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center on July 6-10, 2015, at the Southwest California Synod Offices (ELCA), Glendale, CA. Space is limited.


 

A combination of lectures, discussion and guided practice in role plays, the training will look at the nature of conflict, guide participants in understanding their own style of response to conflict, and develop an understanding of mediation skills in the context of family systems theory.


 

For more details on the Mediation Skills Training Institute 


 

Mediation Training Brochure and Registration brochure (including registration form)


 

For questions, please contact Desta Goehner at Desta at www.SoCalSynod.org or 818-507-9591, ext. 109.

 

Check our Classifieds!

 Check the Classifieds section of the SPS website for congregational employment opportunities and donated items that your congregation may find useful.

Click here to view employment opportunities in our Synod

Synod Calendar

Events and Meetings

  
 
Synod Council Meeting
June 26-27
Sacramento, CA

May 1-July 10
Open application period for
ELCA World Hunger Grants

July 25
Dismantling Racism: An Introductory Workshop
Bethlehem, Auburn

August 25
Portico Pre-Retirement Seminar
Good Shepherd, Sacramento

September 13, 2015
God's Work. Our Hands.

October 9-11, 2015
SPS WELCA Retreat
Evergreen Conference Center
Oakhurst, CA

October 19-20, 2015
Rostered Professional Women's Retreat and Dean's Gathering

October 20-22, 2015
Professional Leaders Conference
Monterey, CA

October 24, 2015
9:30 am-4:30 pm
I was Hungry, I was Thirsty, I was in Prison and...
Incarnation, Davis


Staff Listing
Mark W. Holmerud, Bishop
Nancy Feniuk Nelson, Bishop's Associate

Committed to being re-formed...
The Sierra Pacific Synod

PO BOX 276648, Sacramento, CA  95827-6628

 916-756-1665  �  800-275-3522  �  888-789-6434 (Fax)

Click here to visit our website www.spselca.org


                       
Office of the Bishop, Sacramento
Office of the Bishop, Bay Area

Office of the Bishop, Fresno
   Synod Resource Center
   9985 Folsom Blvd.
   500 Airport Blvd. Suite 442
   2311 E. Shaw Avenue
   Sacramento, CA 95827-1405
   Burlingame, CA 94010-1938
   Fresno, CA 93710-8204
   916-756-1665 (Direct)
   650-590-0980 (Direct)
   559-345-2725 (Direct)