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| Lenten Blessings | February 25, 2016 |
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The 2016 Plan for Mission Support is now available in a fillable PDF
Please submit your plan as soon as possible.
Click here for a fillable PDF of the 2016 Plan for Mission Support
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A message from Katy Grindberg, Assistant to the Bishop
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Dear ( ),
What are you grateful for? In the past day? In the past week? In your life in general?
These are questions that I've been asking and living into lately. And I'm not alone - there are other people in our synod who are asking these questions in their ministries, families, and of themselves. I've been asking call committees, councils, and groups that I meet with to reflect on this question as we begin our time together. People's reactions have been fun to watch. Generally, faces light up and people sit up a little straighter as they think of the many things for which they are grateful. It truly is a gift to be able to hear the variety of things that people lift up - family, friends, ministry, opportunities to be in community, and many more. Sometimes (maybe often...?) it's easy to live in the negative spaces and to focus our attention on the things with which we struggle - or maybe that's just me. I'm living in one of those times, right now, where things just keep happening that challenge my patience, my balance, my peace of mind, and it's easy to focus solely on those things. Then, Sunday, I was in a meeting and I answered the question that I asked, and I was overwhelmed again by the number of things that I can be thankful for, and I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to name them in community. So, community, what are you grateful for? I'll start - I'm grateful for the great cloud of witnesses, friends, colleagues and fellow travelers that are part of my life. In particular, the two wise friends who talked to me on Saturday and helped me to recenter after I was knocked off balance. If you're so inclined - come to the synod's FB page and share your gratitude. I'll start a thread and pin it to the top of the page. I look forward to our conversation!
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 SYNOD ASSEMBLYJune 3 - 5, 2016
Grand Sierra Resort, Reno
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 Don't Miss This!
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, is coming to the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly as our guest and Keynote speaker! Assembly is June 3 - 5 (Friday - Sunday) at the Grand Sierra Resort Hotel in Reno, NV, and this year the assembly planning team is focusing on an agenda that provides numerous opportunities to hear from Bishop Eaton, while we celebrate mission and ministry as "church together".
Please watch for more details on how you can shape the conversation with Bishop Eaton during the assembly!
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Applications for Workshop Proposals and Display Space now available
Please click here if you are interested in submitting a workshop proposal application for Synod Assembly
Please click here if you are interested in submitting a request for display space for Synod Assembly
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Join the ELCA at Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), April 15-18 in Washington, D.C. as we gather as a denomination to engage around voting rights and racial justice.
Come to "Lift Every Voice," the 14th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering, on April 15-18, 2016 where people of faith will speak truth to power concerning the suppression of political and economic rights, and the corporate undermining of the local voice of ordinary people in the U.S. and around the world. Through prayer, worship, advocacy training, networking and mobilization with other Christians, we will face the reality of racism, class and power impacting politics and policies and advocate for the liberty of "Every Voice!" - all culminating with EAD's Congressional Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.
The ELCA has limited financial support available, so if you know anyone who might be interested, but would need support, please encourage them to visit http://bit.ly/ELCAvotes to let ELCA Advocacy know.
The ELCA's participation and engagement in Ecumenical Advocacy Days is part of our ELCAvotes! initiative.
With the 2016 elections right around the corner, we are called to conversation and prayer around our role as U.S. residents and as people of faith in ensuring our election systems promote dignity and respect for all. We are also called to act by speaking out as advocates and engaging in local efforts to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
AND BEYOND
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Rwanda Connections Meeting
Have you ever wondered about the Sierra Pacific Synod's relationship with our companion, the Lutheran Church of Rwanda? If you'd like to learn the latest developments in this growing church, please join us at the annual meeting of the Sierra Pacific Synod Rwanda Connections on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:00 - 4:00 PM at Lutheran Church of the Master, at 1900 Potrero Way, Sacramento 95822. Please RSVP tooffice@lcmsacramento.org or (916) 452-5536. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pat Baker at pmbaker3@gmail.com or Cindy Tuisku at cindytuisku@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!
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SPS Resource Center 
What is new and thought provoking at the Resource Center??:
Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of Minnesota has developed an amazing study called
"My Neighbor is Muslim: Exploring the Muslim Faith."
LSS of Minnesota President and CEO says, ""My Neighbor is Muslim" is a very special gift to the church and local communities. Join us in conversation and learning about our new neighbors. Keep refugees in your prayers. and join in our shared work of welcome." These materials were developed in response to the 60 million people in our world who are displaced from their homes- nearly 20 million have crossed international borders seeking safety and are considered refugees. With this resource you will gain a better understanding about the Muslim faith through these chapters:
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2016 Chrism Mass Schedule
March 17, 2016
10:30 am
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1279 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603
March 18, 2016
10:30 am
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
38801 Blacow Rd, Fremont, CA 94536
All rostered leaders are invited to attend for worship, fellowship and distribution of oils. Lunch will follow the worship.
You must RSVP to debbie@spselca.org by March 10!
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California Lutheran University Choir
2016 Concert Tour
 Palo Alto
Sacramento
Fresno
Visalia
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California Lutheran University, in partnership with the Center for Equality and Justice, the SEEd Project (Sustainable Edible Education), and the Segerhammar Center for Faith and Culture invite you to tune into a live stream presentation of "Cultivating the Sky: How the Ethics of Food Matters to the Politics of Climate Change" by esteemed speaker, Willis Jenkins.
Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
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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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Clergy Tax Info 
Reporting Health Care Coverage
This year, for the first time, you'll need to report health coverage when you file your federal income tax return, or potentially pay a financial penalty (unless you had Medicare as your primary coverage). This new requirement is part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); you may have heard it called the "individual mandate."
Portico is here to help. We're mailing you a tax form that serves as proof of health coverage. Here's what to do:
Watch the mail for Internal Revenue Service Form 1095-B, Health Coverage. It shows the months that you and any covered family members had ELCA-Primary health benefits in 2015.
Keep Form 1095-B for your records. You don't need to submit it with your 2015 tax return.
Check a box on your 2015 tax return to indicate you had coverage.
If you have any questions, call Portico at 800.352.2876. They are there to help you navigate an ever-changing health care landscape, so you can stay focused on your ministry.
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Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process
December 5-7, 2016
March 13-15, 2017
May 22-24, 2017
Hope United Methodist Church San Diego, CA
Clergy Clinic is designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as self-differentiated leaders in their ministry setting. It can be taken as a follow-up to MSTI, or, on its own. The clinic meets three times during the year for three days each time, providing a total of nine days of training. The training is presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.
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We Remember in Prayer...
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Ginger Chiu, mother of Pr. Joseph Chiu (Good Shepherd Christian Community, Cupertino) who is hospitalized in Taiwan after suffering a stroke.
Barbara Schaefer, spouse of Pr. Marty Schaefer (retired), for treatment and surgery of Stage 2 breast cancer.
Shirley Ericson, spouse of Pr. Jack Ericson (retired), who is recovering from surgery for cancer.
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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The Rev. Alexia Salvatierra founded the Faith-Rooted Organizing UnNetwork and was the executive director of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) for over 11 years. In addition, she has coordinated the Welcoming Congregations/Guardian Angels Network for the Southwest Synod of the ELCA and currently serves as a consultant in training, facilitating, organizing, and leading strategic planning for a variety of national and international organizations. To name a few: World Vision USA/World Vision International/Women of Vision, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the Christian Community Development Association. The Rev. Alexia Salvatierra has been a national leader in the areas of working poverty and immigration for over 20 years.
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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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2016 Grace Gathering
The Grace Gathering will be held in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans Aug. 10-13.
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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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February 26-28, 2016SPSYC February Elementary Youth Retreat March 12, 2016Synod Council Meeting Sacramento, CA March 17, 2016
Chrism Mass
Bethlehem, Auburn
March 18, 2016
Chrism Mass
Holy Trinity, Fremont
April 8 - 9, 2016 Candidacy Committee PLTS, Berkeley
June 3-5, 2016
2016 Synod Assembly
Grand Sierra Resort
Reno, NV
CANDIDACY COMMITTEE MEETINGS: PLTS, Berkeley
August 26-27, 2016 October 14-15, 2016 January 20-21, 2017
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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Newsletter Submissions
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Please submit any newsletter requests to kathye@spselca.org
by Tuesday at 3:30 pm
Thank You!
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Not on our mailing list?
Click Here
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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
9985 Folsom Blvd, 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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