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| Winter Blessings | January 28, 2016 |
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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
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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
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A message from Reverend Carlton Monroe
Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop
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Beloved Children of God telling the story of your ministry is a proclamation of the Gospel of Christ! It is mission and ministry and in accordance to scripture it is truly a gospel imperative! In telling the story of your ministry I offer here another resource that I pray may be helpful for you. Story Matters: Claiming Our Biblical Identity for the Sake of the World is a ELCA resource designed by the good people involved with Faith Practices, The Book of Faith Initiative and Mission Development. The goal of Story Matters is to offer a resource to help congregations discover and articulate, in a deep and biblically based conversation, their unique identity and mission. The goal is that congregations might discern their congregational story, explore and live into their story, deepen their faith by living into their baptismal promises, engage together in missional planning and be challenged by the engagement to live out their mission.
Story Matters invites congregations to participate in a conversation that centers on the biblical story that they identify for themselves as their defining story. The defining biblical story could be any well-defined biblical passage, a parable, a psalm, a set of verses, a book, or narrated event. Members of the congregation discover and explore their story together. Through the process of naming and exploring their story the congregation will ask deeper questions about their own story as a congregation and a community. Extensive engagement with their chosen passage will help the congregation in continuing to form their identity as a missional community, to deepen their practice of faith and to live out their specific vocation as a called and sent community of disciples.
There are three defining invitations and questions provided to guide the congregation's conversation:
- Discover and name your biblical story...what biblical story best captures your own stories of who you are and who God is calling you to be? The goal is to discover a biblical story that both tells and informs your congregational commitments and calling.
- Explore and live into your biblical story...how might your biblical story gather you together and help you form as a community of disciples? Gathered together live deeply into your defining biblical story. Put and keep your story at the center of your ongoing conversation. Discover the grace of dwelling richly in your story over time; take extended time as much as a year. Live deeply into your defining story as a journey that allows your chosen story to seep into your community in a living way.
- Live out of your biblical story...how is God calling you through your biblical story into mission in God's world? Follow the call of your biblical story, letting your story inform how you listen and speak, as well as how you act with and for your community in mission and ministry near and far.
Resources for Story Matters: Claiming Our Biblical Identity for the Sake of the World can be obtained at: www.bookoffaith.org and the Faith Practices page at: http//www.elca.org http//www.elca.org
Reverend Carlton Monroe Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop
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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!
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ELCA members pray for those affected by cuts at Lutheran Social Service of Illinois
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offer prayers to those impacted by program and staff reductions at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). On Jan. 22 the nonprofit social service agency of the three ELCA Illinois synods announced the cuts due to the state's inability to pass a budget for the past seven months.
"Our hearts go out to those who lost their jobs and those they serve," said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive director, ELCA congregational and synodical mission. "They also go out to those who make hard decisions and try to keep serving with the remaining programs with excellence and compassion. I urge this church to pray for everyone affected." Click here to continue reading...
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Lutherans, Catholics plan joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Building on a path toward greater unity, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Catholic Church will participate in a joint ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on Oct. 31, 2016, in Lund, Sweden.
"Just as we are concluding the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we hear this hope-giving announcement about the October inauguration of the Reformation's 500th anniversary," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA. "This remarkable, visible witness emphasizes the steps we have taken on the way to the unity for which Christ prayed. And it strengthens our hope for continuing reconciliation. Thanks be to God." Click here to continue reading...
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Early bird registration for the 2016 Grace Gathering ends on Jan. 31, so reserve your spot today!
The Grace Gathering will be held in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans Aug. 10-13.
The gathering will bring people together from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 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 of the Reformation in 2017.
Learn more and register visit www.ELCA.org/GraceGathering. Stay up-to-date on gathering news by going to the 2016 Grace Gathering event on Facebook!
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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Workshop Proposal Application for the Synod Assembly now available
Please click here if you are interested in submitting a workshop proposal application for our upcoming Synod Assembly June 3-5, 2016 at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno
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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!
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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
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Interim Pastors Regional Gatherings
The Regional Gatherings of Interim pastors are a time when a Critical Incident is presented by one of the pastors. A critical incident is an incident which had significance for the person presenting the situation. It is often an event which raised questions for the participant about their response, belief, values, attitude or behavior and in some ways had a significant impact on the person's personal and professional learning.
A critical incident might include:
- an unusual condition
- a difficult situation
- a communication problem
- an interaction with someone which made a positive or negative impression
- an incident in which a feeling of inadequacy arose
- a time when a person felt confronted
These gatherings are a time for learning and support for those serving as Interim Pastors.
Tuesday, February 23
10:30 - 1:00 PM
Burlingame Office of the Bishop
Bring a Sack Lunch!
Thursday, February 25
10:30 - 1:00 PM
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
Bring a Sack Lunch!
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Stewardship Discipling Team Co-sponsor of
Workshop on
Unleashing the Soul of Money
with Lynne Twist
February 19, 2016
Starts at 9:30 AM
PLTS Berkeley Campus
2770 Marin Ave Berkeley, CA
Congregational leaders, stewardship teams & pastors are invited to a 1-day workshop on how to move from fear to love to unleash the church's potential, on February 19th at PLTS. Click on the link below to register through PLTS. Event is co-sponsored by our Stewardship Discipling Team and includes lunch & a copy of Lynne Twist's book, The Soul of Money, which she can sign at the event!
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Jr. High Weekend at Mt. Cross Ministries
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
We thankfully rejoice and give praise to God for another successful Jr. High Weekend. Our theme this year was #created, based on Psalm 139:14. Using social media as an example, each participant was asked to look at the narrow and limiting ways through which the world tries to define who they are as a person. We then turned the tables and engaged the participants in rich discussion about through scripture, God provides a way a deeper and more truthful way to define themselves. Along with these thought provoking sessions, the participants also enjoyed interactive small group discussions worship, fellowship and a healthily dose of fun camp activities. Consider joining us for the next Jr. High Weekend scheduled for April 29-May 1, 2016 or keep an eye out this summer for our 2017 winter and spring dates!
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Barbara Schaefer, spouse of Pr. Marty Schaefer (retired), for treatment and surgery of Stage 2 breast cancer.
Carla Willhoit (mother of Debbie Cook, Synod Finance Assistant), who suffered a major stroke this week.
Pr. Rebecca Swee, (Good Shepherd, Burlingame) as she mourns the death of her sister.Prayers for Shirley Ericson, spouse of Pr. Jack Ericson (retired), who is recovering from surgery for cancer. Prayers for Pr. Bill Knezovich (Our Saviour's, Fresno), who is hospitalized and undergoing tests.
Prayers for ongoing concerns regarding runoff and erosion in areas damaged by the Butte and Valley fires.
Those around the world who are fleeing terror and violence; that they find compassion and welcome as they seek refuge.
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Second Mile Giving
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January 2016
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Congregations in Transition
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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
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
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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
Early registration extends to Jan. 31. See valpo.edu/ils
for details and registration.
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California Lutheran University
Executive Skills for Pastors:
Lessons from the World of the MBA
When: Monday, July 18-22, 2016
Where: The campus of California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
Cost: $799 which includes classes, materials, room and board
The event begins at 9:30 am on Monday and concludes with lunch on Friday. For those who are traveling housing may be arranged for Sunday night the 17th or Friday night the 22nd.
For more information or to register contact the Office of the Congregational Relations by phone at (805) 493-3936 by e-mail: leblanc@callutheran.edu
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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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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. |
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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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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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