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Special Presentation by
 Out of the Waters -- Whether moving to a new community for a job, across the state to pursue an education, or in search of better opportunities across the world, we live in a world that is constantly "on the move." Join us as we explore how the biblical stories of migration can shape our engagement of a world on the move. This is an especially timely presentation given ongoing immigration issues in this country and the current situation with Syrian refugees seeking asylum throughout the world.
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A message from California Lutheran University
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What's new at Cal Lutheran? We are delighted to tell you!
- 4,126 students, representing 66 countries, bringing a diversity of faiths and cultures to our campuses.
- U.S. News & World Report ranks Cal Lutheran 3rd in the West in the Best Colleges for Veterans list. Cal Lutheran is now contributing 50 percent of the tuition and fees for qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are veterans. The GI Bill covers the remaining 50 percent.
- The CLU Religion and Vocational Life Scholarship provides support to PLTS students and pre-seminary students. In 2014, the median amount of debt (including undergraduate loans) per ELCA seminary student borrower was $46,386.
- Renovation of the old cafeteria into the Student Union will be completed this fall.
- We are the first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) school to offer Men's Volleyball as a varsity intercollegiate sport.
- Tuition only covers 85% of what it costs to educate a student; therefore, gifts from supporters bridge the 15% gap. 95% of Cal Lutheran students receive financial assistance.
- We welcome the Rev. Dr. Lisa Dahill to join the faculty in the department of Religion. Lisa comes from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where she served as an associate professor of worship and Christian spirituality for 10 years. Her areas of expertise include the theology and spirituality of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran spirituality, and ecological spirituality and liturgy.
Please keep us in your prayers as we labor to inspire the next generation of leaders to find their purpose and transform the world. We are proud to be your Lutheran university in the west.
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 Second Mile Giving
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October 2015
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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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Lutherans move into next phase of recovery in Nepal
CHICAGO (ELCA) - As the monsoon season comes to an end in Nepal, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will continue to work with partners there to resume earthquake reconstruction efforts and prepare for the winter season.
Six months ago two earthquakes struck Nepal within weeks of one another, leaving millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The earthquakes triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest and another in the Langtang valley. More than 8,500 people died as result of the earthquakes. Click here to continue reading...
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New edition of Administration Matters is now available
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
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Butte and Valley Fires Update
Volunteers are needed for the Butte and Valley Fires to help sort donations (they are overwhelmed). Folks working the Valley fire are requesting that you volunteer rather than donate goods. Cash donations are welcomed and needed. Those wishing to volunteer on the Valley fire are asked to register with North Coast Opportunities at www.ncoinc.org. Once registered NCO will contact individuals directly.
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by the fires, please click on the links below for resources that are available to you:
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HAPPENING THIS MONTH!
SPS High School Youth Retreat
$150
October 16-18, 2015
Mt. Cross
Santa Cruz, CA
Also happening next month
Nov 13-15, 2015
SPSYC
November Middle School
Youth Retreat
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Stewardship Monthly Devotional
Council/Meeting Devotion for October 2015
Local Community and Global Community
In Matthew 25:31-46, we read that when we feed a hungry person or offer a thirsty person something to drink or clothe a naked person or visit a person in prison or welcome a stranger or care for a sick person, we are doing the same for Jesus. At the same time, when we see persons in these conditions and do nothing, we are walking by Jesus, ignoring his need. It is a powerful reading. Click here to continue reading... |
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Portico Tax Guideline Resource
now available online
Tax season has started and we'd like to share with you online clergy tax guides: 2015 Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide and 2015 Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches.
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Strategic Thinking: Business Basics for Missional Congregations
Beth Lewis, President & CEO of Augsburg Fortress, the ministry of publishing of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will help congregational leaders learn to apply strategic thinking techniques to missional congregational planning.
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Mt. Cross Thanks those who attended
Fall Women's Retreat
Mt. Cross Ministries would like thank all of the women who attended our 2015 Fall Women's Retreat. We had a great time exploring the story of Esther, learning more about one another and experiencing renewal in God's great outdoor playground. We would love to see all of you ladies and mor  e at the 2016 retreat, it is sure to be another memorable experience!
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St. Olaf Orchestra performs in San Francisco Bay Area 
The internationally known St. Olaf Orchestra from St. Olaf
College in Northfield, Minn., will perform three concerts around the Bay Area:
Transfiguration Episcopal Church
Saturday, October 10, 2015, 8 p.m.
San Mateo, California
McAfee Center
Saratoga High School
Sunday, October 11, 2015, 2 p.m.
Saratoga, California
Dougherty Valley High School
Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 7 p.m.
San Ramon, California
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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.
Presented by the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network
Don't miss this exciting workshop! 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. "The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries", our ELCA Social Statement adopted in 2013, calls us to reflection and action on poverty, racism, and crime.
We are very excited to have Laura Magnani, Director of American Friends Service Committee's Bay Area Healing Justice Program in California as a keynote speaker. 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." Also featured are Dr. Ryan Cumming, Hunger Education Director of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, sharing the lifesaving work of the ELCA Hunger Appeal around the globe, and Rev. Tita Valeriano as worship and Bible Study leader. Asante Fair-Trade Products will be available for early Christmas shopping!
The cost is only $10 for the day, including lunch; no charge for congregational hunger contacts, college students or seminarians. If you take AMTRAK California, rides to the workshop will be provided. Questions? Contact Edie Lott at thelotts@gmail.com or (530) 582-5362.
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Prayers for the family of Lisa Price, wife of Pr. Mark Price (St. Paul's, Lodi), who died on September 27. Services will be held Friday, October 2, 11 am, St. Paul, Lodi. Please keep Pr. Mark, their four children, and their extended families in your prayers.
Families and friends of those killed and injured, and others who are affected by the recent shootings at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, OR.
Pastor David Bringman (Trinity, Alameda), who was diagnosed with Melanoma with liver metastasis and is under hospice care.
Prayers of healing for Pr. Mert Johnson (RT) recovering from a fractured hip.
Pr. Rebekah Davis: prayers for healing as she continues treatment.
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.
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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Response to Butte and Valley Fires
The recent wildfires have affected many who live within the Sierra Pacific Synod territory. On September 17, 2015, Bishop Mark issued a response with information about the activity taking place at the wildfire sites and information on how to donate to both Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Social Services. Please read the link below for more information.
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Congregations in Transition
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The Boys and Girls choirs of Stavanger Cathedral (Lutheran) in Stavanger Norway, along with cathedral organist Ivan Sarajishvili, will perform on Friday, October 9 at 7:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 3149 Waverley Street in Palo Alto. A free-will offering will be taken. Stavanger Cathedral is the seat of the Norwegian State Church in the Diocese of Stavanger. It is the oldest cathedral in Scandinavia and has been in continuous use since its construction in the early 12th century. Click here for more information
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Check our Classifieds!
One new job posting has been added this week!
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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October 9-11, 2015
SPS WELCA Retreat
Evergreen Conference Center
Oakhurst, CA
October 16, 2015
Candidacy Committee Meeting
October 17, 20152015 Fall Online Synod Gathering Click here for detailsOct 16-18, 2015SPSYC 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 Click here to register nowFeb 22-23, 2016 Retired Clergy/AIMs/Spouses/Widows & Widowers Retreat San Damiano Retreat Center Danville, CA Feb 26-28, 2016SPSYC February Elementary Youth Retreat June 3-5, 20162016 Synod Assembly Grand Sierra Resort Reno, NV CANDIDACY COMMITTEE MEETINGS:October 16, 2015 January 22-23, 2016 April 8-9, 2016 August 26-27, 2016 (awaiting confirmation from PLTS) Please take note of our office schedule: All Synod offices are open Monday-Thursday and closed every Friday.
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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| For more information click here
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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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