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A message from Carol Roberts, CEO - Lutheran Social Services of Northern California
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Nothing is stronger than the Power of Home, and as the holiday season approaches, many of us are reminded of home and family. Many low-income families today struggle with finding home. It is estimated that on any given night in America, 300,000 children are homeless. Families account for one-third of all homeless, and are the fastest growing group of homeless people. In California, which has the highest number of homeless in the nation, 360,000 homeless individuals sleep on the streets or in shelters on any given night. Through compassionate support services and guidance, Lutheran Social Services helps those in need find and maintain housing, and stabilize their lives. Having a home gives them a foundation and allows them to seek a better life by finding and keeping work, attending school, and stabilizing family relationships. Through our money management services, we keep 1800 individuals in housing by helping them get their rent and utilities paid on time. Through our services for transitional age foster care youth, we provide young people exiting the foster system a chance to create the lives they've always wanted, but never had. For survivors of natural disasters like the recent Butte and Valley fires, we provide long-term disaster relief support, and help victims rebuild their lives and homes, one day at a time. For more than 4,000 people every day, the services provided by LSS give them the power of home. Having a warm, clean space to live is something many of us take for granted. For many people, it is still a dream waiting to happen. The work of LSS is often daunting, but it is just as often filled with moments of grace and joy. Your support makes our programs and services possible. Please consider a second mile gift to Lutheran Social Services so we can continue our work serving the most "at-risk" children, youth, individuals and families in Northern California. Contributions from donors like you are key to our ability to give a "second chance" to the most vulnerable amongst us.
Carol Roberts, CEO Lutheran Social Services of Northern California
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Mt. Cross Ministries
Registration closes tonight at midnight!
November 13-15, 2015
SPSYC Middle School
Youth Retreat
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Lutherans, Catholics 'on the way' to greater unity
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Drawing on 50 years of national and international dialogue, Lutherans and Catholics have made available Oct. 30 Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist - a unique ecumenical document that marks a pathway toward greater unity between Catholics and Lutherans.
"Five hundred years ago wars were fought over the very issues about which Lutherans and Roman Catholics have now achieved consensus," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Church, ministry and Eucharist have been areas of disagreement and even separation between our two churches, and we still have work to do both theologically and pastorally as we examine the questions. The declaration is so exciting because it shows us 32 important points where already we can say there are not church-dividing issues between us, and it gives us both hope and direction for the future," she said. Click here to continue reading...
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ELCA invites all to attend the Grace Gathering in New Orleans - August 2016
Connect | Reflect | Discover
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we invite you to attend the Grace Gathering, in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This will be an opportunity to experience the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) when gathered as the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, prepare for further observances of the 500th anniversary and reflect on how the Reformation can continue to guide us today.
"The Grace Gathering will bring people together from all across the ELCA. Participants will see the church in action, worship with churchwide assembly voting members, engage in experiential learning and attend a variety of workshops that will equip congregations and synods with tools to prepare for the 500th anniversary observances. And, you know that when you get a couple of thousand Lutherans together, the singing will be great!" - Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
All are welcome! Click here for early registration details and more information
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
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Stewardship Monthly Devotional
Council/Meeting Devotion for November 2015
 Acts 2:44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. The book of Acts gives us an almost utopian view of what the church was like in the beginning. They were all together, sharing everything they had, and enjoying the favor of the people. Two thousand years later, it is hard to imagine practicing this kind of unity and sharing that occurred early on. We have our own houses, our own cars, our own possessions, and our own money. I have never met anyone who would gladly embrace this biblical image of congregational community. So we need to ask the question, "How does this text speak to us today?" Click here to continue reading...
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Warner Trust Application period now open!
The Warner Trust application period is now open until December 15, 2015. The Warner Trust grants are designed to help in the areas of youth or family ministries. A grant may be requested for youth projects, school and pre-schools and education ministries. Feel free to be creative. These grants will not be awarded to fund salaries, mission trips, national or synodical youth gathering or building maintenance.
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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Bullying in Congregations
Tuesday, November 17
Holy Cross Lutheran
1020 Mocho St, Livermore, CA
10 AM - 2:30 PM
Salad Potluck (Bring a salad, we provide drinks & rolls)
As interim pastors, we often have better chances of helping a congregation find freedom from a bully that has dominated the congregation for years. Yet dealing with a bully is never easy, even when you know you will not be with them for years. So how can we be more effective in working with bullies in congregations?
Kibbie Ruth, an expert in abuse prevention, will lead us in discussion over this issue on November 17, 2015.
For over two decades, Kibbie Ruth, MA, D.Min, has taught abuse prevention and intervention strategies, and consulted on cases throughout the country. Once a developer of effective community prevention programs, Dr. Ruth now concentrates on religious issues of abuse as the Founder and Senior Consultant of Kyros Ministry. She works with judicatories and congregations to establish safe relationships and faith communities, including prevention of child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual harassment, professional misconduct and other abuses of power. She holds a certificate in Risk Management from Cambridge.
This event, sponsored by the Interim Steering Committee, will also be open to permanent pastors. We expect a large turn out, so plan now to attend this special event.
We hope to see you November 17 in Livermore.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Cindy Beck
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"JAMBO!"
New Life Band Concert
November 24, 2015
All are invited to a free Concert and Tanzanian Dinner at Epiphany Lutheran Church located at 16248 Carolyn Street, San Leandro, CA
Dinner at 5:30 pm Concert Starts at 7:00 pm
Spread the Word and help "Pack the House" Donations are welcome - NLB is a non- profit ministry in Tanzania
For more information contact the church office (510) 278-5133 M-Th 10:00 to 3:00
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Sue Michaelsen (Synod Council, Rohnert Park) in the prayers as recovering from sinus surgery.
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) who is recovering from surgery.
Jack Pease (Synod Council), recovering from surgery.
Pr. Dani Fey (Trinity, Oakland) suffering from illness.
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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November 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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Nov 13-15, 2015 SPSYC November Middle School Youth Retreat
Click here to register nowNovember 17, 2015Bullying in Congregations Discussion 10 am to 2 pm Holy Cross, Livermore January 22-23, 2016Candidacy Committee Meeting Feb 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:April 8-9, 2016 August 26-27, 2016
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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