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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 Reverend Nancy Feniuk Nelson, Bishop's Associate
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A recent Facebook post from the ELCA states: "October is Pastor Appreciation Month! We are grateful for all of the pastors in our midst who answered God's call to serve this church. Be sure to let your pastor know that they are appreciated, this month and always."
Usually, things like this post kind of slide by for me, but not so this time. Maybe it was because I had just spent a week on congregations in conflict, often focused on the pastor. Maybe it was because I'd just had the happy surprise of being "tagged" as one of the pastors one person was appreciating. Or maybe, since I'm not presently serving in a parish, I can call attention to this month and not seem self-serving!
Whatever the reason, here I am, ruminating on Pastor Appreciation Month. (And yes, I DO know that there should be a Nurse Appreciation Month, a Teacher Appreciation Month, a Plumbers Appreciation Month, a ___(fill in your fav)__Appreciation Month; but for now, let's focus, okay?) Being a pastor can regularly be seriously hard stuff. It can call on one to be plumber, teacher, nurse, public speaker, professional pray-er, mind reader and junior psychologist, sometimes all in one day. It involves birth, life, growing, dying and death, sometimes all in one family. It requires an ability to be gracious, wise, theologically correct, and contextually appropriate, sometimes all in one sentence. Being a pastor offers both the privilege and the responsibility of the font, the pulpit, and the altar. For better or worse, a pastor sometimes has to be God's voice to her people and the people's voice to their God. Not exactly the "what do you do the other six days of the week" job we hear joked about (WAY too often)!
I get that not every single pastor does all that stuff I just listed. And I am even more clear that none of us does all the time. But then, we are not called to be perfect or even successful. We're called to be faithful. And the overwhelming majority of pastors I know work mightily to make that a priority every day of their ministry. I bet you know that too.
So thank a pastor today -- maybe for a good sermon (but tell them WHY it was good, okay?) or a well-worded prayer or a well-timed visit or call or card or smile. Thank a pastor for saying yes to God's call to serve and saying yes to your call to serve there. Thank a pastor with a gift card for coffee or dinner or a movie or a plant or a weekend away with free babysitting included. Thank a pastor today. You'll all be better for it. Trust me. Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain pastors and bishops, that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people. Grant that together they may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW, p. 73)
Reverend Nancy Feniuk Nelson
Bishop's Associate
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It has come to our attention that there are two people who are looking to share space (a room) at PLC - one male and one female. If anyone is interested in sharing space at PLC contact Laurie Gaumer by email at Laurie@spselca.org
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ELCA Campus Ministry programs address racism
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Striving in its mission to engage academic populations in the principles of discipleship and relationship-building according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Campus Ministry programs are working to help campus communities address racism.
"Lutheran Campus Ministry has a long and rich history of addressing important social issues," said the Rev. Don Romsa, program director for ELCA Campus Ministry. "This same tradition lives on today as Lutheran Campus Ministry staff work with students, faculty, staff, administrators and ecumenical partners to tackle the reality of racism at every level of our society." Click here to continue reading...
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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HIGHLIGHTS
SIERRA PACIFIC SYNOD, E.L.C.A.
SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING
September 25-26, 2015
Please click here to read the highlights from the Synod Council meeting September 25-26, 2015. The full minutes of this meeting will be considered for approval at the next meeting of the Council on January 29, 2016.
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You're Invited to the SF Night Ministry Fall Gala
The members of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Night Ministry invite you to attend their Fall Gala -- "Back to the Future." Proceeds will support the ministry and outreach of Night Ministry, which offers pastoral care, counseling, and crisis intervention every night of the year between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco CA 94109
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. -- Reception with Silent Auction
7:00 to 8:30 p.m. -- Dinner with Live Auction
$75.00 General Seating at
$150 Preferred Seating and Table Sponsorships available upon request by contacting Night Ministry atoffice@sfnightministry.orgor by calling 415-935-7862
Thanks for what all of you do for the Night Ministry.
Our mailing address is:
San Francisco Night Ministry
1031 Franklin St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
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Mt. Cross Ministries
Happening next month...
November 13-15, 2015
SPSYC Middle School
Youth Retreat
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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
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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News from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California
Not Your Mother's Church Supper - Celebrating Women in Climate Change and Energy
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:15 pm, St. John's Lutheran Church, Sacramento; $20.
With Karen Ross, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture; Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Amercian Lung Association; Betsy Reifsnider, Catholic Climate Ambassador, and other women leaders. Catered by Plates, St. John's Program for Real Change.
Hosted by Dr. Kristin Heinemeier, UC Davis, a member of Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, and LOPP-CA, in conjunction with the biennial Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Conference.
The Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California encourages you to send a Thank You to Gov. Brown for signing AB 953, which seeks to reduce racial and identity profiling by law enforcement through increased training, better data gathering, and a statewide advisory group. The ELCA's criminal justice social statement, Hearing the Cries, includes a strong call for an end to racial profiling. The Honorable Jerry Brown, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, www.gov.ca.gov
Read other ELCA social statements at www.elca.org/socialstatements
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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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We Remember in Prayer...
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Pr. Mike Murphy, Ascension, Citrus Heights, recovering from an injury to his leg and facing possible surgery.
Pr. Dani Fey (Trinity, Oakland) suffering from illness.
Pr. Eileen Smith LeVan (Peace, Grass Valley), her husband Brian, and daughter Rebecca, on the death of her son, Will.
Prayers of healing for Pr. Mert Johnson (RT) recovering from a fractured hip.
Shield those who have been affected by wildfires and protect those working to contain the fires and comfort those who are experiencing loss.
Those who are affected by the ongoing drought, including those whose wells have now gone dry, ranch and farm workers, and farmers and ranchers.
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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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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.
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Congregations in Transition
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Second Mile Giving
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October 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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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
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
Nov 13-15, 2015
SPSYC
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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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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