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A message from Reverend Carlton Monroe
Director for Evangelical Mission & Assistant to the Bishop
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My Beloved Sisters and Brothers, our Professional Leaders Conference here in Monterey, California is drawing to a close. What a tremendous blessing it is for me to gather during this time with so many of our spiritually gifted leaders of the Sierra Pacific Synod. Most poignant for me throughout the Professional Leaders Conference was the blessing of sitting in the presence of the spiritually gifted wonderful women called by God as pastors in God's church. My heart is forever and deeply touched by these leaders of our church and congregations as they shared their joys and their struggles in the challenging, intense and demanding vocation of ministry that God has called them into. I call upon you to support these leaders in their calls in any and every way that you can. As Director for Evangelical Ministry, I was also blessed to speak to the assembly about our stewardship. I am thankful that as God continues to stretch and unpack me in this very necessary stewardship ministry of God's church, I am gaining a passion for stewardship learning and also how needed this ministry is. I was blessed that many of you approached me to inquire, "What exactly is stewardship?" Some may be surprised that would be a question. I am not. Especially considering that even now, I find myself asking the exact same thing. There is much to learn and know about this remarkable ministry for us all. The greatest thing about stewardship I have learned is this: We do not give TO the synod and we do not give TO the church. Instead...we give THROUGH the synod and we give THROUGH the church. This is a huge and dramatic understanding of what stewardship really is. This is the true authentic and genuine stewardship to which God calls us all! Beloved, as members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Stewardship is how we respond to God's call to us to serve and love our neighbors. We faithfully steward the gifts God has abundantly given to us, so that through us those same gifts are bestowed to help others. Some of us still consider stewardship as solely a financial response to God's love, yet stewardship encompasses so much more than money. It is about how we use all that God has entrusted to our care. You've heard it before, and it is true, stewardship encompasses our time, our talents and our treasures...totally, fully, completely...to love God and our neighbors, both inside and outside of the church walls and our homes. Again as you focus on personal and household stewardship or your congregation's stewardship ministry, I submit for your perusal resources available on the ELCA.org website that may be of assistance. There are several themed materials to guide a stewardship ministry in your congregation. Rediscover Macedonia and "Make it Simple" resources bring together a variety of elements to assist congregations in moving toward year-round stewardship, and carrying out an effective annual response. Also consider "Stewards of God's Love," an ELCA guide to year-round stewardship that challenges congregations to reimagine the ways in which they steward God's gifts in response to God's commandment to love God and our neighbors. There is valuable information concerning Legacy Giving listed. Please check out information for the "Always Being Made New" ELCA Capital Campaign. You can also connect with an ELCA stewardship leader's network. These networks include Mission Interpreters, Stewardship Key Leaders, stewardship coaching and Ventures Steward Leaders. These networks provide opportunities to grow well-formed steward leaders and can serve as a resource for our congregations and our church. As we consider our participation in God's work, a critical component is financial gifts to the ELCA through Mission Support. These offerings provide for mission and ministry within communities and throughout the world. Together, we achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do otherwise. For tools that grow giving and Mission Support, visit the downloadable resources pages at ELCA.org...and please feel free to contact me and let's discern together this remarkable, valuable needed ministry of stewardship to which God calls us all. Reverend Carlton Monroe
Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop
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ELCA members offer support for those impacted by California wildfires
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Some members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affected by wildfires in Northern California said that their faith, family and friends sustained them during a difficult time.
"God and my faith and my family and friends got me through," said Craig Waters, a member of Galilee Lutheran Church in Kelseyville, Calif., who lost his home in Anderson Springs, a community near Middletown. He said about 180 of the 200 homes in his neighborhood were destroyed.
"The neighborhood is wiped out but the spirit is still there. There is definitely a resurrection feeling. All of our stuff is gone, everything is wiped out, but it hasn't killed the spirit," said Waters, whose family has been in the community for several generations. Click here to read more... |
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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Congregations and organization are now selecting one ELCA-Primary health benefit option to provide in 2016.
The deadline is October 30th. As of today, only about 1/3 of congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod have made their selection.
Do it today - don't delay and risk getting bogged down by all the other procrastinators online at the last minute.
Information and the link can be found on the Portico EmployerLink, look for the 2016 Annual Enrollment link under the sign in box.
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Warner Trust Application period now open!
The Warner Trust application period is now open until December 15, 2015.
A decision will be made at the Synod Council's January meeting and recipients will be notified by February 14th.
Click here to apply!
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Mt. Cross Ministries
Happening next month...
November 13-15, 2015
SPSYC Middle School
Youth Retreat
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Mt. Cross Fall Work Weekend: Campground Improvements Completed!
Mt. Cross Ministries is happy to announce that we have completed improvements to our campgrounds. The improvements are intended to make our campsites more welcoming and convenient for our guests and include: larger sites, cedar split-rail fencing, new sturdy food boxes and fire rings and restroom repairs. These improvements were made possible through generous donations from Thrivent and Nancy Clarke and by hours of service from our faithful volunteers.
Please click on the links below to view pictures of campgrounds or to book a weekend at Mt. Cross.
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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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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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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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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.
Prayers for Pr Tom Gable (Marin Lutheran, Corte Madera) in anticipation of surgery at the end of the month.
Jack Pease (Synod Council), recovering from surgery.
The Rostered Leaders of the Sierra Pacific Synod, as the Professional Leadership Conference in Monterey comes to a close today and they make their way home.
Pr. Brian Malison (Christ, Visalia) upon the death of his brother, Keith Malison.
Pr. Dani Fey (Trinity, Oakland) suffering from illness.
Prayers of healing for Pr. Mert Johnson (RT) recovering from a fractured hip.
For those who are being affected by fire, flood and other natural disasters.
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 24, 2015
9:30 am-4:30 pm
I was Hungry, I was Thirsty, I was in Prison and...
Incarnation, Davis
October 31, 2015
Anti-Racism Working Group
1 to 4 pm
Hope Lutheran
2830 May Road
El Sobrante 94803
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: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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