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Dismantling Racism: An Introductory Workshop
Join us on Saturday, July 25th at Bethlehem Lutheran in Auburn. To register, please visit www.spselca.org or Click here to register (FYI - payment by credit card only!)
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A message from Rev. Lyle J. Beckman, SF Night Ministry
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San Francisco Night Ministry: The Church's Night Shift Lord Jesus, stay with us for evening is at hand and the day is past. Be our companion on the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you revealed yourself in scripture and in the breaking of the bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. (Pastoral Care, Augsburg Fortress) Our holy scriptures provide many examples of light in the darkness, watching and waiting, healing and hope, restoration to community, transformation and resurrection. These concepts are real to us. We understand them and incorporate them into our daily lives. We expect them to be the marks of our communities of faith. But this is not necessarily true for those have drifted from the church, who have never come to faith in Jesus Christ, or who are so consumed by their fear and anxiety that they forget who they are in Christ. For thousands of people each year, our ministry of presence, listening and simple conversation about faith and life can be transformational. Night Ministry provides pastoral care, counseling, referrals and crisis intervention every night from 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM. Our Crisis Line receives calls from around the country and Night Ministers faithfully walk the Streets of San Francisco meeting people where they are, and addressing their most immediate needs. Night Ministry also sponsors two outdoor worship service and food programs (Open Cathedrals), a wellness program, small groups, and several educational opportunities. For more information please visit our website at www.sfnightministry.org. Thank you for your faithful support of Night Ministry through the Second Mile Giving program and at other times of the year. Please remember us in your prayers, especially if you wake in the middle of the night; and please share our story with those who might need a friendly voice when evening is at hand and the day is past. Lyle J Beckman, Night Minister
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 NEWS FROM THE ELCA |
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ELCA presiding bishop offers letter on Supreme Court marriage ruling
CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), offered a pastoral letter June 30 to the 3.8 million members of the denomination in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples may now exercise the right to marry. The full text of the statement follows:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of the crucified and risen Christ.
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court rendered its decision announcing the right of same-gender couples to have equal access to marriage. For many members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this decision is a welcome sign of hope and a time for celebration. Other members of this church do not agree with the court's decision and remain deeply concerned because of their understanding of Scripture.
This decision affects each of us, some profoundly, and we are not of one mind. Let us continue to accompany one another with prayer, love and mutual respect as we reflect on this new reality and remember Paul's words in 1 Corinthians about the enduring power of God's love. Click here to read more...
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ELCA Malaria Campaign reaches $14.5 million toward $15 million goal
CHICAGO (ELCA) - In their commitment to help end malaria-related deaths in Africa, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed $14.5 million to the ELCA Malaria Campaign, $500,000 shy of the campaign goal of $15 million by the end of 2015. Through the campaign, ELCA members and others have joined with companion Lutheran churches and partners in 13 African countries to prevent and treat malaria and educate communities about the disease.
"The greatest difference made by the ELCA Malaria Campaign has been in saving the lives of children and preventing a disease that robs families of their livelihood," said the Rev. Daniel Rift, director for ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. "We have long known that by reducing the number of times that a child contracts malaria, it is possible to change the trajectory of their future for the rest of their lives." Click here to read more...
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
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July Devotion 
Stewardship Devotion for
Leaders: "Randall and the Widow"
A tall, thin man, missing his front teeth and in torn jeans, "Randall," would walk up to the church door and hand me all of his cash. Literally, he would empty his bare, torn wallet and cajole me into taking all of his dollar bills "for the church." At first, I protested, with varying strains of "you'll need money for food" and "a tithe is just 10%," all to no avail. Clearly, Randall wanted the church to have all his money, and it was quickly adding up. When I invited him to worship, he asked if we could just pray together, and we did.
After consulting with other pastors, I decided to hold some of Randall's cash for a day when he might need it back. While, in general, Randall continued to give all he had, one day he did ask for $2. I tried to give him back ten of his own crumpled bills, and he accepted two. Click here to read more of this month's devotional
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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.
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Health Care Law Changes Effective July 1 | Clergy Tax Journal
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance (DOL technical release 2013-03 and IRS Notice 2013-54) that may impact how your church funds medical coverage for some employees.
The guidance states that, effective July 1, 2015, organizations may no longer directly pay premiums for an individual health insurance policy [a health insurance policy for an individual or family purchased directly from an insurance company (an "issuer") or through the Affordable Care Act's Marketplaces (also called exchanges)] for an employee, nor reimburse an employee who purchases an individual health insurance policy with dollars that are excluded from the employee's taxable income. These arrangements are sometimes called "Employer Payment Plans" [EPPs] or stand-alone health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).
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Malaria Campaign Special Bulletin
We're Almost There...
The time has nearly come!! For so long, we have worked together to help the ELCA Malaria Campaign succeed, to support the work of our Lutheran sisters and brothers in Africa and to help realize the dream of a world free from malaria.
We have almost made it to our ELCA fundraising goal! As of June 22nd, the unofficial fundraising total is $14,567,224... leaving us just $432,776 to go (less than 3% of our $15 million goal!). We are in such an exciting space right now.
We have created a new video to help congregations get the word out. Here's the link to watch it. And if you want to download it to your computer, click here.
We'd love to invite you to do the following:
1.) Would you consider an additional personal gift to the ELCA Malaria Campaign?
2.) Would you ask your home congregation to join us by watching the video and taking a final offering one of the coming Sundays?
3.) Would you continue to pray for those affected by malaria, and those working to end the disease?
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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 Johnnie.Thompson@elca.org or go to the website. http://www.elca.org/domestichungergrants
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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 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 |
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We Remember in Prayer...
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For the places in our country that are experiencing violence against black churches Those who are battling wildfires and the families and wildlife that are affected by the fires.
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.
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Congregations in Transition
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Second Mile Giving
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Second Mile Giving
July 2015
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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
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Save the Date for Synod Youth Committee Retreats
 October High School Youth Retreat Oct 16-18, 2015
November Middle School
Youth Retreat
Nov 13-15, 2015
February Elementary
Youth Retreat
Feb 26-28, 2015
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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.
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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.
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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 |
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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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May 1-July 10Open application period for ELCA World Hunger Grants July 25Dismantling Racism: An Introductory Workshop Bethlehem, Auburn August 25Portico 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
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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| For more information click here
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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
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Office of the Bishop, Sacramento
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Office of the Bishop, Bay Area
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Office of the Bishop, Fresno
Synod Resource Center
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9985 Folsom Blvd.
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500 Airport Blvd. Suite 442
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2311 E. Shaw Avenue
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Sacramento, CA 95827-1405
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Burlingame, CA 94010-1938
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Fresno, CA 93710-8204
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916-756-1665 (Direct)
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650-590-0980 (Direct)
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559-345-2725 (Direct)
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