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Thanksgiving Blessings November 26, 2015
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A message from staff of Sierra Pacific Synod
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From the staff at Sierra Pacific Synod
Bishop Mark W. Holmerud
The Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson
The Rev. Katy Grindberg
The Rev. Carlton Monroe
Laurie Gaumer
Diana Suruki
Debbie Cook
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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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ELCA presiding bishop encourages the support of refugee resettlement
CHICAGO (ELCA) - In response to the terrorism around the world and people displaced from their homes and seeking refuge, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), issued a statement Nov. 18 to the 3.7 million member church. Click here for the full text of her statement. |
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
invites you to
Continuing our conversation on January 14
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Racism remains an enduring crisis in the United States. As Lutheran Christians, we must continue our involvement in and commitment to the important work of naming racism as a sin - a violation of God's intention for humanity.
Please join me for another live webcast on "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" - Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. (CST). This conversation will focus on offering a variety of perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, we will continue to ground the webcast by two commitments. One is this church's proclamation of Christ and the confidence that this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church's enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination.
You may read more about this webcast at www.ELCA.org/webcast, where a link to the live webcast will be provided. A live stream also will be available at www.Facebook.com/Lutherans. If you would like to submit a question to be considered during the live webcast, please send it to livinglutheran@elca.org and provide your name and your congregation's name, city and state.
Join me for this important conversation.
God's peace,
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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A message from your SPS Resource Center
Please click here to read the recent email news blast from the SPS Resource Director Janet Lane.
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29th Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly
June 3-5, 2016
Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV
Did you know...?
- The planning team chose the Grand Sierra Resort because: 1) it is in the Reno area; 2) conference rooms are big enough for us; 3) reasonable room rates; and, 4) ability to be in smoke-free areas (conference level, guest rooms, and even walkways are smoke-free).
- The hotel is honoring a limited special room rate (basic rate of $99/night!) for early arrivals and those wishing to stay after the Assembly. Come early, or stay late, and enjoy Reno!
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Summary from Pastor Elizabeth Ekdale: Serving on the ELCA Church Council
I was elected to a six year (non-renewable) term at the Churchwide Assembly meeting in August of 2011. It has taken me several meetings to only begin to understand the complexities and workings of our church and all our varied ministries!
The Church Council meets twice a year at the Lutheran Center in Chicago and is the board of directors of the ELCA. We engage in conversation, deliberation and prayerful consideration as we together discern God's direction for this church. We recently met, Nov. 12 - 15, and centered our work around daily worship, frequent prayer and personal reflections on faith. Click here to continuing reading...
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PLTS announces opportunities for learning and continuing education
Week of Renewal- "Worship: Beyond Style"
January 11-14, 2016
Join us after Christmas at PLTS for a time of learning and renewal. This year's theme is "Worship: Beyond Style." Susan Briehl will lead a workshop on stewarding the words we use for worship, and the three aspects of this stewardship: Cherishing, Curating, and Crafting. Songleader/composer Jonathan Rundman will lead an interactive discussion about worship and congregational participation. In the mornings, Kyle Schiefelbein facilitates a conversation among the two workshop leaders and participants about connecting liturgical language and participation with the larger Lutheran traditions that we do and will encounter. Click here for more information.
Praxis: Lifelong Education for Faith and Practice - Online Continuing and Community Education
Praxis is fully online and taught by well-known faculty and practitioners in a variety of fields. The spring term begins January 18 and includes the following two courses:
- Responding to God's Call: Racism, Injustice, and the Church with Prof. Jeremy Rehwaldt
- The Good News According to Luke Today with Prof. Eric Barreto
Visit http://www.plts.edu/praxis for more information and to register.
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Solaris, Parliament of World Religions' musicians, in Northern California
Solaris, a folk music group from the Pacific Northwest that performed at the October Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, will be in the Bay Area and Sacramento in late November and early December. Their mission is "To inspire, educate and connect those striving to live rightly and in harmony with all life on planet earth." The Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California has arranged for them to open the State Capitol Rotunda holiday music series on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 11:00 a.m.
The series runs daily, including weekends, through Dec. 23. At 7 pm Monday evening, Nov. 30, a concert is scheduled for St. John's Lutheran Church, 1701 L St., Sacramento.
Bay Area dates include Nov. 27, 7 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek, and 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at St. Cyprian's Church in San Francisco.
For a full schedule see www.solarismusic.org
For more information:
Mark Carlson, director@loppca.org, 916-548-3056 cell. 
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Pr. David Olson (retired) undergoing surgery and treatment for kidney cancer
Pr. Peter Krey (Christ, El Cerrito) recovering from hip replacement surgery
Sue Michaelsen (Synod Council, Rohnert Park) recovering from sinus surgery.
Those around the world who are affected by terrorist actions; that they find compassion and welcoming as they flee from danger to a safe place.
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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Wildfires have affected many who live within the Sierra Pacific Synod territory. Folks working the Valley fire request 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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On September 17, 2015, Bishop Mark issued a response with information about 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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Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Northern California invites you to participate in #GivingTuesday on December 1st
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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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January 22-23, 2016Candidacy Committee Meeting PLTS Berkeley, CA
January 29-30, 2016
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento, CA
February 22-23, 2016
Retired Clergy/AIMs/Spouses/Widows & Widowers Retreat San Damiano Retreat Center Danville, CA Feb 26-28, 2016SPSYC February Elementary Youth Retreat March 12, 2016Synod Council Meeting Sacramento, CA 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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Not on our mailing list?
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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| For more information 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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