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FREE PORTICO FINANCIAL WORKSHOP
REGISTER BEFORE AUGUST 4th TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
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
Meal charge of $35 per person or $70 for a couple will be invoiced to you for this workshop. Meals include lunch, continental breakfast, and snacks.
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A message from Reverend Nancy Fenuik Nelson, Bishop's Associate
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Somehow, writing an article for the newsletter this week feels a bit like those Sundays when there is a terribly challenging Gospel text. There is always the temptation to conclude with: "This is the Gospel of the Lord" as a question instead of an imperative.
In northern California, there are fires burning, putting lives, dwellings, and natural beauty at risk. Drought factors into so many aspects of our lives together, from fires, to what crops can (or can't) be grown, to our economy and general state of mind. Santa Cruz mourns the death of a little girl. Hayward mourns the death of a police officer. And what about the other, less publicized, but still important issue of people dying in our cities and in our fields weekly, if not daily.
These few lines above focus only on topics occurring within our synod territory. What about the state of the nation today? Just as a tiny example: We're nowhere near the presidential election - yet incivility has ramped up to new highs with candidates seemingly saying things simply for a "bump up" in their poll ratings because the media has screeched about it.
Yikes! Where, oh where, is there good news?
I cannot wax poetic about it. I cannot provide a lofty, articulate and theologically thick response. You'd stop reading. Or, to make the point more appropriately, I would. (Gotta stick with those "I" statements, right?) Lofty doesn't really cut it these days.
Where is there good news?
Jesus. That's where there is good news. Jesus.
There is good news in Jesus when he feeds the 5000 (was that counting women and children or not?) with 5 loaves and 2 fishes and it is enough and more than enough. Abundance from scarcity.
There is good news in Jesus when he helps us (for many Sundays) understand that the Bread of Life is ours for the taking, bringing meaning and joy in a life that may seem devoid of both.
There is good news in Jesus when we welcome the stranger. And when we are the stranger that is welcomed.
There is good news in Jesus who continues, often in spite of his disciples, to welcome the children, the lepers, and the Pharisees - a level of tolerance we cannot find even among the tolerant who cannot tolerate intolerance.
There is good news in Jesus who touches individual hearts and frees them to tell their own stories. There is good news in being the teller .... In being the hearer.
All of what we are told on the news and see on Facebook, or Twitter, has the potential of being perceived as negative, or frightening, or just plain sad. No question about that. It's just that it's not ALL there is.
We live in both a community and world. And there is Jesus. In our neighbor. In our churches. In our homes. In the stranger. In our mirror. In our hearts. Living water for a thirsty world.
I am, for the moment, quenched. I pray the same for you this summer day.
Peace,
Reverend Nancy Fenuik Nelson
Bishop's Associate
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Time is running out!
Attention Young Adults (ages 21-31) Interested in a LEVN opportunity
LEVN is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit work and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2015 to the end of July 2016, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. There's also a $1000 re-entry grant at the end of the program for moving expenses.
The work placement sites include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, camp, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. We meet each week for worship, dinner, and discussion. The corps members live in intentional community in a 4-bedroom apartment. We're an ecumenical program, and applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply--interest in Christian spirituality is the only "requirement".
Click here for application.
For more information contact::
Casey Kloehn, MDiv
Program Director, The Belfry
LEVN: Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network
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 NEWS FROM THE ELCA |
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ELCA presiding bishop to hold live webcast on confronting racism
CHICAGO (ELCA) - In an effort to continue understanding the complexity and implications of racism, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invites the 3.8 million member church to participate in a live webcast Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. (CDT).
William B. Horne II, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Fla., and a member of the ELCA Church Council, will serve as host. Eaton and Horne will have an on-camera conversation about the church's efforts in defining and confronting racism, advancing racial justice and more.
"Talking about race and racism is hard work for most of us," said Horne. "Our Christian witness compels us to confront our sinfulness in all forms from within and outside of ourselves. It is more beneficial if we do it together."
Eaton said the webcast conversation serves in part as "a call to action" to guide members' efforts to address "the sin of racism." Click here to read more... |
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500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Oct. 31, 2017, will mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany - an act that sparked the Lutheran Reformation. A little more than a year before the anniversary, on Aug. 10-13, 2016, we will be hosting the Grace Gathering in conjunction with the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans. Please save these dates now and make plans to attend the Grace Gathering .
This special event will give Grace Gathering attendees and Churchwide Assembly voting members an opportunity to come together in kicking off the 500th anniversary! There will be fruitful workshops and keynotes to inspire planning for local observances, time to worship and participate in experiential learning activities, as well as opportunities to gather with voting members of the ELCA throughout the Churchwide Assembly.
I also invite and encourage you to become involved even now in the ELCA's observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by visiting and bookmarking ELCA500.org, a growing hub of resources, events and news surrounding preparation for the observance. You also can follow current developments on Facebook at ELCA Reformation 500.
Please look for more information on the Grace Gathering in the coming months! Early bird registration will open on Oct. 31, 2015. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans in August 2016!
Grace and peace to you,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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World Hunger July 2015 Go and Do News
If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the topics covered in this month's Go and Do News, please write email hunger@elca.org or call 773-380-2616.
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ELCA Global Links - July 2015
The July 2015 issue of Global Links is now available for your review.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
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This year, Professional Leaders Conference will be held at Unscripted Monterey Bay (formerly known to us as Monterey Beach Resort Hotel). During our time together, The Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan will speak to the topic of 'Proclaimers of God's Good News.'
Deans' Meeting 
Oct 19 starting at 3 PM
Women's Retreat
Oct 19 starting at 3PM
Professional Leaders' Conference
Oct 20 starting with dinner -
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The Synod Resource Center has a new Director
Please welcome Janet Lane who is the new Director of the Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center. She looks forward to helping our congregations, pastors, staff and members, to have access to current Lutheran Resources. Not only do we have many resources, we invite you to use Janet as a resource and as someone who can help you find materials that will be a good fit for you and your church.
We are quickly approaching the beginning of a new school year and many congregations have already been looking at a variety of materials to use in their fall and winter programming. If you have not yet had the chance to look at what is new and were planning to do that over the summer, send Janet an email, rspsecla@pacbell.net, and let her know what you are looking for. The Resource Center may have materials for you to try, before investing money in a program that you end up not liking. We send the materials to you at no cost. We just ask you to return them at your cost.
One reason The Synod Resource Center is here is to help you plan and research for your fall programs so that you can enjoy the remainder of your summer.
We are here to help you! Please visit our website at resourcecenterspselca.org.
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Free E-Book
 As a thank you, we would like to offer you a free e-book. This PDF will cover a wide variety of church topics including recent developments, charitable gift reporting, employer reporting requirements and information reporting requirement. To receive the "Reporting Procedures for Congregations" just follow these two steps:
2- Send us a Private Message and request the book
Private messages can be sent by clicking on the "Message" link on our cover photo. We will attach the book in our response.
To learn more about Clergy Financial resources visit their website at: https://www.clergytaxnet.com/
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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We Remember in Prayer...
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For the family and friends of Pr. Rudy Ramseth (RT), former pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Sacramento, who died July 29. Funeral services are pending.
Pr. Sara Pearson and Pr. Nate Winterhof (Prince of Peace, Saratoga) on the birth of their daughter, Pfeifer Louise.
Pr. Sandi Olson Decker (Good Shepherd, Salinas), recovering from emergency gall bladder surgery.
Steve Wright, member of the Candidacy committee and spouse of Pr. Lori Eickmann, interim, as he recovers from a mild stroke.
Dr. Paul Brosy (President, LC of the Good Shepherd, Reno) and his wife Dr. Lynn Brosy as they deal with her diagnosis of and treatment for cancer.
Pr. Rebekah Davis: prayers for healing as she continues treatment.
Pr. Gail Cromack, (Retired), who was recently hospitalized and released.
Pr. Matt Smuts, (Grace, Palo Alto), whose son, Eli, will be having heart surgery on August 7th. Also for his nephew, Daniel, who recently suffered a spinal stroke causing partial paralysis.
Pr. Vern Holmes (Gethsemane, Sacramento) who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
For the places in our country that are experiencing violence against black churches
Those who are battling wildfires, and for 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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| St. John's Sacramento invites you to view Bishop Eaton's webcast on racism,
Thursday evening, August 6
You are invited to participate in the webcast conversation with ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and ELCA Church Council member William Horne II on the complexity and implications of racism, scheduled for 6 pm PDT on Wednesday, August 6, the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon Johnson.
St. John's Lutheran will host the viewing and hold a discussion afterward in its sanctuary. For more information about the webcast click here. For more information about the St. John's viewing and discussion, please contact Mark Carlson, LOPP Director, at director@loppca.org
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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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God's Work. Our Hands.
October 9-11, 2015
SPS WELCA Retreat
Evergreen Conference Center
Oakhurst, CA
Oct 16-18, 2015
SPSYC
October High School
Youth Retreat
October 19-20, 2015
October 20-22, 2015 Professional Leaders Conference Monterey, CA Click here to register nowOctober 24, 20159:30 am-4:30 pm I was Hungry, I was Thirsty, I was in Prison and... Incarnation, Davis Nov 13-15, 2015SPSYC November Middle School Youth Retreat Feb 26-28, 2015SPSYC February Elementary Youth Retreat Please take note of our new office schedule: All Synod offices are open Monday-Thursday and closed every Friday.
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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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