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| Winter Blessings | February 4, 2016 |
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The 2016 Plan for Mission Support is now available in a fillable PDF
IF YOU HAVE NOT SUBMITTED YOUR PLAN YOU ARE OVERDUE!
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PLAN TODAY!
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 Julianne Carroll
Communications Manager: Lutheran Social Services of Northern California
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Every day, LSS makes a difference in the lives of our clients who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. We witness stories of transformation and healing as our clients benefit daily from stable housing, access to health care, and a path to self-sufficiency.
Matthew* has been through years of suffering. Before Matthew was referred to LSS's Forensic Housing Program at the Kinney Hotel in San Francisco, he had a lengthy history of incarceration and homelessness, and a history of major substance abuse. Matthew has AIDS. When he was first admitted into the program, he was suffering from the effects of years of drug use. He had opportunistic infections from AIDS, including Cryptococcus Meningitis that affects the brain. Due to his erratic life style and behaviors, he had been banned from many medical clinics, thus he had been out medical care for a long while. Matthew also wasn't taking his AIDS medication, which caused his t-cell count to plummet, and his viral load to skyrocket.
Matthew was in crisis.
After many months of being in LSS's programs, Matthew has transformed his life.
Matthew is now living in permanent independent living housing. He has his own studio apartment. He was able to get in-home healthcare support, has started seeing his doctor every week, and is getting the medical attention that he needs to stay alive and healthy. He was reunited with his family after many years of being estranged. With the help of LSS, Matthew went from the brink of death, to stability.
The program saved his life.
Matthew is one of hundreds of clients at LSS with stories of transformation. Through compassionate support services and guidance, LSS 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, improving their health, attending school, and stabilizing relationships.
Your support makes our programs and services possible. Please consider a second mile gift to Lutheran Social Services so we can continue our work with youth, individuals and families in Northern California. Contributions from donors like you are key to our ability to give a "second chance" to those who need it most.
*Names have been changed to protect identity.
Julianne Carroll, MA
Lutheran Social Services of Northern California
Communications and External Relations Manager
(925) 825-1060 ext. 20
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Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee
February 26-28, 2016
Registration closes February 16!
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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Council/Meeting Devotion - February 2016
Generous People Living God's Love 
Through Fearlessness
Read 1 Kings 17:8-16
Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid..." (v. 13)
The widow of Zarephath had truly meager resources - "a handful of meal... a little oil... a couple of sticks" - so little that she was expecting that she and her young son would soon die. What a desperate and frightening situation for a young mother!
When Elijah asked her for food, she could have said no, and who would have blamed her? Instead, she pours out her fears of scarcity and death to this messenger of the Lord God, and in return receives the promises of daily bread, life, and salvation. She need not fear anymore!
The widow's response to God's promises is hospitality, sharing what could be her last meal with this stranger who has even less than she does. In her fearless trust and bold generosity, she experiences abundance and new life day by day.
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ELCA Members Support Those
Impacted by the Flint Water Crisis
In response to the water crisis in Flint, Mich., members from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Livonia, Mich., delivered more than 3,000 gallons of donated water Jan. 31 to the congregation of Salem Lutheran Church in Flint.
"I thought it was a tremendous outpouring of love," said the Rev. Monica Villarreal, pastor of Salem. "It was a wonderful expression of love that came to Flint."
"We've got a little heart for Salem and what they're doing in Flint," said Kathy Weinberg, a member of Holy Trinity. "We know how important it is that they stay in their community and reach out to the people."
Villarreal said including the donations from Holy Trinity, Salem has received water from 25 Michigan congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Villarreal, who was born and raised in Flint, said the city's water crisis has affected her "personally as well as professionally."
"This situation has changed how I view ministry. It's changed how I view my work and role as a pastor," she said. "The church must be a place of the community. The church is, in fact, the people. And when you're serving in a community that has been afflicted upon in the ways that Flint, Michigan, has, there is no boundary. The church walls explode and we become the body of Christ, the wounded body of Christ in the world."
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Looking for a Lenten discipline?
Beginning Sunday, February 7, congregations across the ELCA are encouraged to join ELCA World Hunger in a Lenten journey to support and engage in this life-changing work at a new and exciting level.
New resources for Lent, including an exclusive 40-day devotional, and special Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, Leap Day and other initiatives are now available.
We hope your congregation will join us!
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Early bird registration extended!
Registration now ends on Feb. 9,
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.
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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BRONCOS CHALLENGE THE PANTHERS!
Join our ELCA Region 2 colleagues in the Rocky Mountain Synod and support the ELCA World Hunger Challenge.
The challenge is to see which group of fans can raise the most money to support ELCA World Hunger!
The Broncos and Panthers are neck-and-neck in the ELCA World Hunger "Big Game Challenge!" The challenge has a total goal of $50,000 in honor of the 50th Super Bowl. The current stats are:
Team Carolina $7,412
Team Denver $7,525
As a synod here in the American West, we are rallying behind the Rocky Mountain Synod and TEAM DENVER! Give generously by the end of game time on Sunday.
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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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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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News from Kate Warn, ELCA YAGM County Coordinator, Rwanda
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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
Tuesday, February 23, Burlingame
Thursday, February 25, Sacramento
These gatherings are a time for learning and support for those serving as Interim Pastors.
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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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| For more information click here
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Pr. Cary Bass-Dechenes (Berkely, Church of the Cross) hospitalized for a heart procedure.
Barbara Schaefer, spouse of Pr. Marty Schaefer (retired), for treatment and surgery of Stage 2 breast cancer.
Debbie Cook, Synod Finance Assistant, and family upon the death of Debbie's mom, Carla.
Shirley Ericson, spouse of Pr. Jack Ericson (retired), who is recovering from surgery for cancer. Pr. Bill Knezovich (Our Saviour's, Fresno), who is hospitalized and undergoing tests.
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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February 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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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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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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News from Mt. Cross Ministries
Jr. High Spring Weekend registration is now open!
Summer camp registration is now open! Check out all of the life-changing summer camp programs we have to offer this year! 2016 Summer Camp Programs
Do you know a young adult who is looking for summer employment? Mt. Cross Ministries is looking for enthusiastic young adults with a passion for working with youth of all ages, families and church congregations in outdoor settings.
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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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Not on our mailing list?
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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