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FREE PORTICO FINANCIAL WORKSHOP
REGISTER NOW 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
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1615 Morse Avenue
Sacramento, California 95864
Registration: 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 Lutheran-Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN)
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LUTHERAN-EPISCOPAL ADVOCACY IN NEVADA (LEAN)
GOES THE SECOND MILE DURING THE INTERIM
The Nevada Legislature has adjourned until February, 2017. That doesn't mean that nothing is going on with regard to state government, however. Likewise, LEAN is not taking the next 18 months off.
State employees continue to do their jobs and legislative and money decisions are taken care of by the Legislative Commission and the Interim Finance Committee. These two groups are appointed by the members of the Senate and Assembly and are authorized to carry on business as needed on behalf of the whole legislature. The Legislature assigns other work for the interim as well. Several committees have been established by statute to examine policy issues on particular topics. Each committee reports back to the full Legislature the results of their analysis and recommendations for changes to the law. Although their personnel change from session to session, these "standing" committees are part of the legislative process.
The Legislature also appoints special committees to study "hot topics" as they come up. There is a Subcommittee on the Medical Use of Marijuana, for example. (Some committees include members of the general public. There's a place on the legislative website where you can complete an application.)
All this effort while the Legislature is "not in session" represents a wise recognition that our state's "citizen legislators" can't be experts in all policy areas, but there's a lot they need to know. So they delegate to smaller work groups.
Lutheran-Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada likewise recognizes that there's a lot parishioners want to know and need to know about policy issues. It's really daunting to try to keep up with it all, especially during the interim when media coverage dies down. That's why there's LEAN.
LEAN will continue over the next 18 months to monitor the interim committees and dialog with parishioners about issues. We will continue to tell you about the ELCA Social Statements, and invite you to look with us at the issues in light of the Social Statements. Economic justice continues high on LEAN's agenda, in the same way it is dominating the presidential race. The oldest of the ELCA Social Statements, "Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All" is at least as relevant today as it was in 1991. LEAN's years-long commitment to criminal justice reform continues, and we have "The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries" (2013) to guide us.
Our Advocate, Rev. Mike Patterson, hopes to recruit some student interns to help monitor the interim committees. We have an obligation to at least provide supplies, if not office space to them. In spite of some health issues, Rev. Patterson has worked without any clerical help, and minimal pay. Scarce travel funds have made it virtually impossible for the LEAN Board members from north and south to meet face-to -face.
August is Second Mile Giving month for LEAN. A donation to LEAN will help us bring your Parish Communicators together so they can tell us your concerns and report back to you what is happening during the interim. We will strive to go the second mile on your behalf, and we hope you will walk with us.
Lutheran-Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada, PO Box 737, Sparks NV 89432 mp4675@att.net
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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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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
The date for the 2015 dedicated day of service is Sunday, September 13. Mark your congregation's calendar today! In speaking about his congregation's 2014 experience, a 10-year-old member from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Whittier, Calif., puts it best: "It feels good to give."
According to Terri Roberston, youth and family minister at St. Andrew, "God's work. Our hands." Sunday offers his congregation a unique way to "see the face of God." Click here to learn 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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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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Are you looking for Racial Justice resources?
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Council/Meeting Devotion for August 2015
Stewardship Devotion:
On our Stuff
"Moses said to the Israelites: 'Gather as much manna as each of you needs, an omer to a person.' The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. Moses said to them, 'Let no one leave any manna over until morning.' But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul." Exodus 16:15-20
I was having dinner at Shalom Camp, Mt.Cross, recently, and a few of us got on the subject of "Tiny Houses". (They are small homes ranging from 200 - 500 square feet!) I'm so intrigued by them and amazed that people can actually live in them! Whenever I see a show on them, I always watch it - completely fascinated. I usually wonder, "So where do they put all of their stuff? You know - their stuff!" Do they have a garage behind their tiny house that the camera people aren't filming?
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
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Portico Benefits Services
Why Are Our Health Care Costs Going Up?
Join us for a webinar, Aug. 28, 10:30 - 11 a.m. (Central Time), to see what drives ELCA health contribution rates, such as market trends and our collective use of care.
Invite other decision-makers to attend too!
Duration:30 minutes
Description: Join Portico Benefit Services for a look at what drives ELCA health contribution rates, such as market trends and our faith community's use of care. This live, 30-minute webinar will include an opportunity to ask questions. Organizational decision-makers are invited to attend, such as congregation presidents, treasurers, senior pastors, or others who help shape their ministry's budget.
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Prayers for Bp. Mark, who will be undergoing surgery on Friday to improve his hearing and will require a week for recovery.
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 will take place on August 8, 2015, Northfield Retirement Center Worship Center 900 Cannon Valley Dr., Northfield, Minnesota
For all of those affected by wildfires. Shield those who are in harm's way, protect those working to contain the fires and comfort those who are experiencing loss. We especially pray for Holden Village retreat center, a Lutheran ministry in the Wenatchee National Forest of Washington, which has been evacuated due to the threat of nearby wildfires. We pray that Holden Village will continue to be a place of welcome in the wilderness for years to come.
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 September 8th. 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 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
August 2015
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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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Not on our mailing list?
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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