|
|
Winter Blessings January 14, 2016
| |
The 2016 Plan for Mission Support is now available in a fillable PDF
Please visit our website at www.spselca.org The due date for returning it is January 22.
Click here for a fillable PDF of the 2016 Plan for Mission Support
|
|
2016 Rostered Leader and Congregational Reports
Due February 15, 2016
- Parochial Reports Forms A & C for congregations are also due. Please make every effort to work with your leadership to complete the report and submit it by the date requested. You should have received information, including your congregation's ID number and password, from the Churchwide Offices of the ELCA. If you have not, please contact the Sacramento Office of the Bishop at info@spselca.org for assistance. You and your leadership can complete this report at: https://webapps.elca.org/FormAAndC/Login.aspx
|
|
A message from Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee President - Catherine Slabaugh
|
My name is Catherine Slabaugh and I currently serve as President of the Sierra Pacific  Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC). I entered the group as a district representative, bursting with excitement and eager to learn, and worked my way up to Vice President and now, President. It is the mix of my proudest moments, my times of personal destruction, and my instances of utter confusion that have made me the person I am today, a practiced leader and proud representative of SPSYC. What happened in between? Years of trial and error, years of laughter and late nights, years of tears and stress, and most importantly, years of encouragement and uplifting moments from those who surrounded me. The confident, gracious, and strong person I have become through serving as President of the committee surpasses the person I was when I began three years ago. SPSYC has taught me more about myself, more about others, and more about life than anything I have e ver set out to do. While SPSYC has made a lasting impact on me, the impacts we have made on the campers who attend are the greatest of all. Through my time at our retreats, I have witnessed campers walk in overjoyed to be in attendance, extremely shy and unsure of the situation, and people who felt the furthest from God upon arrival. I have also witnessed campers leave with lifelong friendships, campers cry from the weekend being over, and campers blossoming into confident and loving individuals. Throughout our retreats, SPSYC's priority remains to be the comfortability and happiness of our campers and each year, we strive for excellence in our retreats. All three retreats serve as safe spaces for campers to learn about themselves, explore their relationship with God, and connect with fellow young Lutherans in their area. SPSYC manages to leave a lasting impact on every person it meets, and I am confident that the youth in this synod will only grow stronger and happier with the continuation and support of this committee. The first time I experienced a personal relationship with God was at Mt. Cross Shalom Camp, where I saw God through the love and care the counselors showed us campers. Seeing this, I instantly knew that I wanted to grow to be that leader, to emulate God's love for me to those around me. SPSYC served as the perfect opportunity to carry out that call, as I now work alongside peers and campers and am constantly faced with the challenge of showing God's grace and love in the most challenging moments. Through these challenging moments, I have developed a stronger relationship with God and I face instances where I see God's love in my everyday life. I hope to continue to grow my relationship with God and I finish my time on SPSYC, especially when working alongside campers. Catherine Slabaugh President, Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee DaVinci Charter Academy, Davis, CA, Class of 2016
|
Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee
February 26-28, 2016
Registration is now open
Don't miss SPSYC's incredible elementary retreat this year with key speaker Pr. Abby
The elementary retreat theme Love is a Verb: Creation, as we dive into the creation story of Genesis. In order to guarantee a spot for the retreat, you MUST register now! Early registration allows aspiring youth to better prepare for activities and events to guarantee a wonderful retreat. Please, register today and come join us at Mt. Cross in February!
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and ponder God's unconditional love for us, may the new year bring you peace and renewed ways to listen and learn from one another.
I hope you will join me for another live webcast "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" - Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. CST. This conversation will offer a variety of perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, we will work from two commitments. One is this church's proclamation of Christ and the confidence that this good news brings to set us all free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church's enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination.
If your congregation and members of the wider community plan to view the webcast together, consider these questions for conversation:
- How has the criminal justice system intersected with your life?
- What are some injustices that need to change in the criminal justice system?
- There are many voices crying out. What story would you like to share that involve people in the criminal justice system - police officer, judge, family or others?
- How is God's justice wondrously richer and deeper than ours?
While many of you have held conversations about racism in your congregations and communities, view this video to see what our sisters and brothers in the ELCA South Carolina Synod are doing as an example of ways we can build new relationships, listen and learn from one another.
Again, join me for this important conversation.
God's peace,
Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop
|
|
ELCA's benefit provider launches wellness reformation
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has launched what it calls the ELCA wellness reformation and is inviting ELCA pastors and church leaders to pursue healthier lifestyles in 2016 through its annual wellness program, the GO! Challenge. Portico provides benefits and services to enhance the well-being of ELCA rostered leaders and lay employees.
In an email to ELCA pastors introducing this year's GO! Challenge, the Rev. Jeffrey Thiemann, Portico president and CEO, said, "We're not as healthy as we need to be, and it's compromising our ministry."
Citing an article from Leadership Journal, Thiemann said clergy from across denominations "suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension at such alarming rates that it's become a mark of the profession." Click here to continue reading...
|
|
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
|
2016 is World Hunger year!
 In 2016, ELCA World Hunger is extending an invitation to our congregations: Lift up the life-changing work of ELCA World Hunger through new levels of giving - spiritually, intellectually and financially - starting with Lent.
Beginning Sunday, Feb. 7, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. This support will enable crucial work to get underway and help us kick-start our year-of-emphasis.
We hope your congregation will join us!
|
|
RISE UP Together - The Tour
Rachel Kurtz and Agape* (David Scherer) in Concert
Saturday, February 20 at 7:00pm
St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento
Tickets are just $10 and ALL proceeds will go to ELCA World Hunger's Walk for Water project
|
|
2016 Retired Clergy/AIMs/Spouses/Widows & Widowers Retreat
San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA
February 22-23, 2016
"Exploring Lutheran Spirituality"
Presenter: Professor Kirsi Stjerna, Professor Lutheran History and Theology
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Berkeley, CA
Click here to register now, or please send a check and copy of registration form, payable to Sierra Pacific Synod, and registration form by February 10 to: Rod/Sandy Seeger, 3 Glen Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941
|
|
Epiphany greetings from Valparaiso University!
Please plan to attend this year's Institute of Liturgical Studies on Valparaiso University's campus
April 4-6, 2016 1650 Chapel Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Plenary speakers include Delores Dufner, OSB, Rafael Malpica-Padilla, Donald Saliers and Paul Westermeyer. The Christus Rex award will be presented to liturgical theologian Paul Westermeyer.
Click here to view event flyer for more details
Early registration extends to Jan. 31. See valpo.edu/ils
for details and registration.
Lorraine Brugh, Ph.D. Director, Institute of Liturgical Studies
|
|
Mt. Cross Programs
for Jr. High & Confirmation Groups
Jr. High Spring Weekend
April 29-May 1, 2016
Shalom Camp
July 10-15, 2016
Mt. Cross Ministries offers amazing programs specifically tailored for your Jr. High and Confirmation aged youth. Our Jr. High Spring Weekend is a 3 day, 2 night retreat that provides a chance for youth to explore their faith through engaging worship, thought provoking sessions, small group discussions, groups activities and fellowship youth from other churches. SHALOM Camp is a dynamic, week long confirmation camp made possible by a partnership between pastors, youth workers and the Mt. Cross Staff. Campers spend their mornings in learning groups where Pastors lead them through our specially designed SHALOM curriculum, their afternoons enjoying traditional camp activities like archery or high ropes and their evenings are filled with special all camp games and worship opportunities. Mt. Cross Ministries receives program support for all three programs from synod churches and church workers, so you can rest easy know that we are providing a theologically sound and safe program.
For more information on these programs, please click on the link below or contact the Director of Programs at program@mtcross.org.
2016 Jr. High Winter & Spring Weekends
2016 Shalom Camp
|
|
Not on our mailing list?

Click Here
|
|
 |
We Remember in Prayer...
|
For the family and friends of Mr. Jack Pease, member of the Synod Council, the Synod Council Executive Committee, and an active member of Holy Shepherd Lutheran in Orinda. Jack died from complications following a surgery on his aorta. A Memorial Service will be held for Jack on Saturday, January 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Shepherd Lutheran, 433 Moraga Way, Orinda, CA. Congratulations and Blessings to Pr Tim Kellgren, retired, who is receiving a "Faithfulness in Ministry Cross" Award next month from Luther Seminary. This award is given to alumni of Luther who have offered exemplary ministries. Thanksgivings for Pr Paul Theiss being declared in remission from multiple myeloma. He'll continue in chemotherapy awhile longer to drive the remission deeper. Praise the Almighty! Pr Deborah Butler, Hope El Cerrito, in recovery from hip replacement surgery.
Pr John Kuehner, Unity Lutheran Church in South San Francisco, recuperating at home after a brief hospitalization this last week.
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 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:
|
|
Second Mile Giving
|

January 2016
|
Congregations in Transition
|
|
Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
|
January 22-23, 2016Candidacy Committee Meeting PLTS Berkeley, CA January 29-30, 2016 Synod Council Meeting Sacramento, CA
February 2-3, 2015 Dean's Retreat
February 4, 2016 Interim Steering Committee Bay Area Office of the Bishop Burlingame, CA February 22-23, 2016 Retired Clergy/AIMs/Spouses/Widows & Widowers Retreat San Damiano Retreat Center Danville, CA Click here to register now
February 23, 2016 Regional Interim pastor gathering Bay Area Office of the Bishop Burlingame, CA
February 25, 2016 Regional Interim pastor gathering Sacramento Office of the Bishop Sacramento, CA February 26-28, 2016SPSYC February Elementary Youth Retreat Click here to registerMarch 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.
|
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 |
|
We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
|
| For more information click here
|
|
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
|

Office of the Bishop, Sacramento
|
Office of the Bishop, Bay Area
|
Office of the Bishop, Fresno
Synod Resource Center
|
9985 Folsom Blvd.
|
500 Airport Blvd. Suite 442
|
2311 E. Shaw Avenue
|
Sacramento, CA 95827-1405
|
Burlingame, CA 94010-1938
|
Fresno, CA 93710-8204
|
916-756-1665 (Direct)
|
650-590-0980 (Direct)
|
559-345-2725 (Direct)
|
|
|
|
|