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| Easter Blessings | April 7, 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 Rev. Brian Stein-Webber, Interim Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Seminary Relations
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
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Dear ,
Thank you Sierra Pacific Synod and its congregations and individuals for supporting the work of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, some of you from the very beginning of the Berkeley campus in 1951! No matter where the future of Lutheran church lies, the church leaders who are being raised up now will have a lot to do with it! Here are some examples from the Class of 2014:
Rev. Nathaniel Allen is one of the pastors at Clairemont Lutheran Church in San Diego, where one of his responsibilities is organizing Spanish-speakers for worship and service.
Rev. Cary Bass-Deschenes now serves Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley, where he helps organize the congregations robust outreach to the young homeless of the city.
Rev. Mary-Alyce Burleigh serves Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland, Washington, where as a former city mayor, she leads congregants in Christian education, including a class that examines issues that have to do with local to international political and policy issues.
Rev. Ryan Chaddick is the pastor of the mission Bloom community in Santa Clarita, California, building an emergent group of young adults.
Rev. Andrea Doeden (TEEM graduate) serves a small congregation of Zion Lutheran Church in Trinidad, Colorado while simultaneously serving as an obstetrician in her rural community.
Rev. Kirsten Moore is the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Linda, California, a congregation that serves meals to the community three times a month from its own facility.
Space requires that I don't tell you about all of the recent graduates who have undertaken calls to ministry in Maine, Texas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Louisiana, Connecticut and beyond. We are proud of them for answering God's invitation to professional ministry, and are happy to have been a place where they assembled their holy skills with spiritual insight. And much of the reason they could to this is because of people like you.
Tuition provides less than 15% of the income of the seminary. The rest comes from people like you! Please continue in your generous habits, for the sake of Christ's gospel and Christ's church.
Rev. Brian Stein-Webber
Interim Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Seminary Relations
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
P.S. Congregations who send in new or increased gifts before December 2016 will have those gifts matched dollar for dollar by other generous donors up to $1,000!!!
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SYNOD ASSEMBLY
"We Are Church Together"
June 3 - 5, 2016
(Friday - Sunday)
Grand Sierra Resort, Reno
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Synod Assembly Registration is Open!
The deadline for early bird registration is May 3rd and room reservations (while supplies last) is May 20!
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In Kind Gifts
The 2016 Sierra Pacific Synod Assemblywill be collecting gifts for the following organizations. Please share this information with your congregation in order that many will be able to participate.
 In Kind Gifts will be NEW packages of WHITE underwear and socks for men, women and children to support the ministry of the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet.
GSCC is a community based, non-profit organization founded 20 years ago in Reno, Nevada that provides free clothing and personal care items to a large homeless and working poor population. Each year, the Clothes Closet serves over 30,000 people from its location in downtown Reno. The GSCC has recently extended its outreach to low income elementary schools and the Women's and Children Center. Since socks and underwear are the most needed, but least donated items, our in-kind gifts will be very welcomed. While Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a "sponsor", the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet is not affiliated with the ELCA. More information about this ministry is available at http://www.gsccreno.org/
Financial gifts will be divided evenly between:
1/3 to Lutheran Social Services of Nevada
1/3 to ELCA 25th Anniversary Campaign - World Hunger
1/3 to Sierra Pacific Synod Candidacy scholarships
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Applications for Display Space now available
Please click here if you are interested in submitting a request for display space for Synod Assembly
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Our PO Box is no longer active.
Please send all correspondence to the Sacramento Office of the Bishop at:
Sierra Pacific Synod
9985 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95827
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ELCA awards 11 Rossing Physics Scholarships
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has awarded the 2016-2017 Rossing Physics Scholarships to 11 ELCA college and university students. The annual scholarships are made possible through gifts from Dr. Thomas D. Rossing, who created the fund through the ELCA Foundation. There are 26 ELCA colleges and universities.
Three students received Rossing Physics Scholars awards in the amount of $10,000 each. Eight students received Rossing Physics Scholars Honorable Mention awards in the amount of $5,000 each.
"The scholarship program endowed by Dr. Tom Rossing highlights the excellent quality of the physics programs in the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities and celebrates the superb work being done by students majoring in physics at ELCA schools," said the Rev. Mark Wilhelm, ELCA program director for colleges and universities.
Click here for the scholarship recipients and more information.
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Dear colleagues in ministry,
I have exciting news to share. Beginning with its April issue, The Lutheran magazine will be called Living Lutheran. A new accompanying website - LivingLutheran.org - will make its debut March 31.
As the flagship publication of the ELCA, Living Lutheran will continue to belong  to the members of the ELCA in all of our diversity. We will continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ through feature stories and theological reflections, and provide other news and information. The magazine's departments will continue the "Deeper understandings" series, reflections, the presiding bishop's column and more. New departments will include a youth and family page, and a page devoted to social media and resources.
LivingLutheran.org will also offer original content and breaking news, stories and blogs from various voices across this church, photo and video galleries and more. There will be an enhanced "letters" section and a place to submit your story ideas and photos.
Through this new venture, we hope you'll discover more opportunities to connect and share your faith stories with members across this church and beyond.
Please know that we are committed to providing a consistent editorial voice and high journalistic standards and will continue to generate content with integrity and fairness.
A special thanks to many of you who took part in research and surveys, offering feedback that has influenced our changes.
Please plan to visit LivingLutheran.org for its debut and bookmark the site. Invite your colleagues and constituents to consider a subscription to the print magazine and sign up for a new e-digest on the site. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter - look for social media icons at LivingLutheran.org.
Thanks for your partnership in sharing the story of this church and God's amazing love through Christ Jesus.
Sincerely,
Christina Jackson-Skelton
Executive Director, Mission Advancement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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2016
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we invite you to attend the Grace Gathering, in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This will be an opportunity to experience the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) when gathered as the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, prepare for further observances of the 500th anniversary and reflect on how the Reformation can continue to guide us today.
Click here to view a video invitation from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton.
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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Region 2's Invitation to Service & Youth Ministry Training Event is coming up August 4 - 6th!
Who: For youth (participants must have completed the 9th grade)
and young adults (through college-aged) who want to discern God's invitation for their lives, discover how to be disciples, and find their vocation at the intersection of their passions and the world's needs.
What:
Invitation to Service - Perfect for youth groups or individual attendees!
One of the things that makes ITS unique is that participants are divided into small groups, so everyone has a group, even if they came alone. On top of that, small groups are supervised for the entire event by our fantastic small group leaders and members of the ITS planning team.
What does this mean for you? If you are interested in attending ITS, you should absolutely sign up! Whether you're coming with your whole youth group or by yourself, you will have an amazing experience.
And parents, pastors, and youth ministers: you do not need to attend ITS or provide chaperones (although youth ministers are encouraged to check out our sister event, YMTE). Your youth are well taken care of throughout the event.
Invitation to Service invites you to discover how God is calling YOU! For youth and young adults (participants must have completed the 9th grade) who want to discern God's invitation for their lives, discover how to be disciples, and find their vocation at the intersection of their passions and the world's needs.
Where: California Lutheran University
Cost: Registration is $150, which includes meals and lodging at California Lutheran University. After June 1st, the late registration fee will be $165.
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United Religions Initiative Annual Gala
Saturday, 16 April 2016
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Reception: 6:00 pm | Dinner: 7:00 pm
Cocktail or festive attire
During the reception, guests will enjoy a gallery-like setting, featuring sculptures, paintings, music, photography, and dance, and showcasing additional Cooperation Circles such as Aflaiai (Eterno), Heartbeat: Jerusalem, Umbiyozo Cultural Diversity, and The Voices of Peace CC. For more information, please consult URI's website at uri.org or call Diana Conan at (415) 762-2723 or send an email to events@uri.org.
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Attention: Portico members over 50
You're invited to participate in a new opportunity for plan members age 50+ or within 15 years of retirement. We converted our popular day-long pre-retirement seminar into a convenient online webinar series. We're offering this series for the second time nationwide this spring.
The three webinar sessions will cover a variety of retirement topics, from health care options to Social Security. Sessions will feature live presenters from Portico and Ernst & Young, as well as live Q & A - all at no cost to you! Sign up for the series and join us for as many sessions as you can. As this is a series, you will receive the most benefit from participating in all three sessions.
Session 1: Retirement Planning and Health Care, April 12, 2 - 3 p.m. (Central)
Explore these retirement planning questions and more:
- What might my budget look like in retirement?
- Will I be eligible for housing allowance in retirement?
- What health care options do I have in retirement?
Session 2: Investments and Accumulations, April 19, 2 - 3 p.m. (Central)
Explore these investment questions and more:
- How can I manage my investment risks?
- What investment options are available in the ELCA Retirement Plan?
- What resources are available to help me determine which investments are right for me?
Session 3: Income in Retirement, April 26, 2 - 3 p.m. (Central)
Explore these retirement income questions and more:
- What distribution options do I have from my ELCA retirement account?
- What strategies should I know so that I can maximize my Social Security payment?
- How might I use different sources of retirement income to fund my retirement?
Can't participate in one or more of the sessions? We'll post the session recordings on the Portico Events page in mid-May. We also plan to offer this series again this fall.
We hope you can join us!
Your partner in retirement planning,
Grace Pomroy
Financial Education Specialist
Portico Benefit Services
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JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE:
Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions at the crossroads of Campus, Church and Community
April 29 & 30
Peace United Church, Santa Cruz California
Sponsored by Friends of Sabeel and co-sponsored by the ELCA Monterey Conference and others.
SPEAKERS include IIan Pappe, Omar Barghouti, Mark Braverman, Joel Beinin, and many others.
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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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We Remember in Prayer...
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Pr. Jon and Jaime Yurk following the birth of Ramona Rose Yurk.
Pr. Doris Nolan, Christ,Reedley, as she prepares for full knee replacement surgery on April 13.
Pr. John Kushner and his family after the death of his father.
Pr. Dani Fey for ongoing illness.
The family and friends of Pr. George Spindt who died at his home in Thousand Oaks. We thank God for this good and faithful servant of Christ and his service.
The family, friends and colleagues of Pr. Joan Randall (All Saints Lutheran and Sunnyveiw Lutheran Home, Cupertino), who died after a short illness. We thank God for this good and faithful servant of Christ and her ministry. The memorial service will be held Saturday, April 16, 11:00 a.m., in the Community Room at Sunnyview Retirement Community.
Our world, torn apart by violence and war, and especially for the people of Belgium and Turkey, and those who were injured in the bombings this past week as they recover from the latest act of bloodshed perpetrated upon innocent victims.
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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April 2016
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Congregations in Transition
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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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"God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday"
Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 11, for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday.
The deadline for ordering personalized t-shirts is Aug. 19
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Healthy Congregations Workshop
November 4 - 5, 2016
Good Shepherd, Salinas
The workshop will be led by Richard Blackburn, Executive Director of Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC). The event is most helpful when attended by a group of lay and Pastoral leaders from the same church, group discounts are available!
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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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STEWARDSHIP DISCIPLING TEAM
APRIL COUNCIL DEVOTIONS
Generous People Living God's Love by Practicing Dreaming Together
"The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." Proverbs 16:9
Haiku Prayer: You created us To come together and dream To join You in hope. |
REFORMATION 500
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Bibliodrama Workshop
From Reformation to Transformation
Friday, May 20, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church,
3281 16th Street/Dolores, San Francisco
To read more about the event and Dr Erlenwein click here.
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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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April 8 - 9, 2016 Candidacy Committee PLTS, Berkeley
April 12, 2016 Boundaries Workshop Lutheran Church of the Master
Sacramento
April 14, 2016 Boundaries Workshop
Trinity Lutheran Pleasanton
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. |
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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We Are a Reconciling in Christ Synod
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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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