WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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
 


In This Issue
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!
NEWS FROM THE ELCA
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 you cannot tune in for the live broadcast, a recording will be available at www.ELCA.org/webcast.

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?
For deeper conversation and learning, download "Called to Hear" - the new ELCA study guide for this church's social statement "The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries." You can access these resources and many others at  www.ELCA.org/webcast. A guide for leading a conversation on race, ethnicity and culture is available there.

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.

A live stream of the webcast will be available at www.ELCA.org/webcast and at www.Facebook.com/Lutherans. The hashtag is #ELCAConfrontRacism. If you would like to submit a question to be considered during the webcast, please send it to livinglutheran@elca.org and provide your name and your congregation's name, city and state.

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!
Upcoming Events
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

More info or online ticket sales at stjohnslc.org/rise-up or contact Lisa Herlocker by email at lherlocker@starstream.net 

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

Scholarships available: Contact David Baker at (530)432-8935 or dngbaker@comcast.net 

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

 

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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.
 

Butte and Valley Fires  

Wildfires have affected many who live within the Sierra Pacific Synod territory. Click here to read September 17, 2015. Response from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud

Cash donations are still welcomed and needed.

Click here to give to Lutheran Social Services of Northern California

Click here to give to Lutheran Disaster Response.

Click here to read an update on how NCO cash donations are being used to help the victims of the Valley Fire. 
 
Those wishing to volunteer on the Valley fire are asked to register with North Coast Opportunities at www.ncoinc.orgOnce 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, 2016

Candidacy 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, 2016
SPSYC
February Elementary
Youth Retreat
Click here to register

March 12, 2016
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento, CA

June 3-5, 2016
2016 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

Quick Links
We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
  
For more information click here

Stay connected with us:

Staff Listing
Mark W. Holmerud, Bishop
Nancy Feniuk Nelson, Bishop's Associate

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)