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| Spring Blessings |
June 8, 2016
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Our PO Box is no longer active.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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A message from Katy Grindberg, Assistant to the Bishop
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Dear ,
This past weekend was the 29th Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly. Someone told me that they described the Assembly as part business meeting, part family reunion, and I think that's an accurate melding of what happens. We are doing the business of the synod, but we are also gathered around prayer, worship, fellowship, conversation, and learning. There were tears and laughter and disagreement and passion and conversation and singing - a lot like the family reunions of my past.
We were very blessed by the presence of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton, as well as many others from around our synod and church who led us in worship, conversation and learning. All of the sessions and worship services are on our YouTube Channel - I encourage you to check it out! On Sunday morning, Bp Eaton led us in conversation about what we thought the top 3 priorities of the ELCA should be moving forward (a question in the Called Forward Together in Christ conversations happening around the ELCA now). People had conversations at their tables and then shared at the microphones. We heard responses that talked about youth, hunger, anti-racism, welcome, grace and so much more. People were engaged and passionate and enthusiastic and hopeful - and in the midst of the conversation it was striking to me that Jesus wasn't mentioned. Maybe we assume that because we are a church, everyone knows we do these things and care about these things because of Jesus. But they won't unless we tell them that. I will say that I think the #1 priority of the ELCA and of every congregation, ministry, and person in the Sierra Pacific Synod should be the Proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. That we tell people that it is because Jesus has changed us and oriented us, that we care about things like justice, peace, and care for all of God's people and all of God's creation.
The Rev. Katy Grindberg
Assistant to the Bishop
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These glasses were found at Assembly.
Pr Harry Carlson wants everyone to know he is doing well and that words cannot express his gratitude and appreciation for the care, concern and prayers he received during his "episode" at Synod Assembly! He is particularly grateful to Marcelle Schaefer (Acres of Hope), Lay Rostered Leader of our Synod, who offered chaplaincy support during Assembly and accompanied Pr Carlson during his time at the hospital. Pr Carlson is thankful for the body of Christ and grateful for the community of believers!
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Dismantling Racism Workshop
Sponsored by the Racial and Ethnic Mission Strategies Discipling Team
Saturday, June 25, 2016
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Christ Lutheran Church
780 Ashbury Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Registration Fee: $20
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STEWARDSHIP DISCIPLING TEAM
JUNE COUNCIL DEVOTIONS
Generous People Living God's Love
by Working Together
One's life tells a story. The telling of one's life as a story more times than not is an offering of many experiences lived and the subsequent lessons learned. This is particularly true in the story of "The Good Samaritan." The story of "The Good Samaritan" told through scripture teaches us that the Samaritan gives himself, his time and his possessions. Let's not perceive a false comparison of the Samaritan's gifts as though one gift is more important or more readily given than the other. The Samaritan does not hesitate in his giving with sentiments of "I have time to give, but no money", or "Here take my stuff, but don't bother me."
The Samaritan gives of himself in a very personal way. Cleaning wounds, bearing another's beaten body, tending to that person's recovery is about as personal a gift as one could give. The Samaritan does not begrudge the giving of his time - time of at least a day, but more than likely it was several days. The Samaritan does not grumble while sharing the precious possessions that he has - they too are freely given; wine, oil, bandages, transport and money.
Have you ever found it easier to give your time than money? Is it easier to your give money than time? Life and the world happening all about us, our busy schedules and/or our financial situations often times influence our decision processes in either giving. Yet Jesus asks us to give both time and treasure...and more! Jesus invites you and I to share a portion of all that we have received! How are you sharing your time, your talents and your treasures? Prayerfully, our lives tell a story very similar to "The Good Samaritan! Prayerfully, the lessons our lives will teach ourselves and others is that we are generous people, living God's love by working together simply because "We are Church Together"!
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Daniel Beaudoin elected bishop of ELCA Northwestern Ohio Synod and William Gohl elected bishop of ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod
The Rev. Daniel G. Beaudoin, Stony Ridge, Ohio, was elected May 21 to a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly May 19-21 at the Bowen Thompson Student Union at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Beaudoin was elected on the fourth ballot with 273 votes to 108 votes for the Rev. Anita Marshall, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Norwalk, Ohio.
"Upon my call through the people of God to serve as the bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, I was deeply moved by the great outpouring of love and the promise of sustaining prayer from the gathered assembly," said Beaudoin. "I look forward to serving God through the ELCA and the Northwestern Ohio Synod."
The Rev. William J. Gohl Jr., Baltimore, was elected June 4 to a six-year term as bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly June 2-4 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Md.
Gohl was elected on the fifth ballot with 227 votes to 225 votes for the Rev. Wolfgang Herz-Lane, current bishop of the synod. Herz-Lane, who was elected in 2010, served one term as bishop.
"I am grateful and humbled to be invited by the Delaware-Maryland Synod to bring my pastoral heart, shaped the last 17 years by my service with congregations of this synod, to this new work," said Gohl. "What a sense of possibility lays before us as we take up the glad work of sharing the good news together."
Information about the Delaware-Maryland Synod is available at demdsynod.org/.
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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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The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ is preparing a comprehensive study for use in congregations and across the church. The task force invites individuals, adult forums and other study groups to join a churchwide conversation about issues related to women and justice in church and society and then to share responses.
Each session in the study will include scripture reflection, activities, discussion points, devotions and additional resources. The study will be available in early July, both in print and for download. All participant responses will be reviewed by the task force as it works toward bringing out a first draft of a social statement in late 2017. Study response forms will be available in the printed version and online.
The response period runs through August 2017.
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 NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNODAND BEYOND
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Fire Season Preparedness
The Coleman Fire, near King City, has placed parts of that area in evacuation. Grace Lutheran Church in King City is an evacuation site.
We urge you, as a congregation, and individually to plan ahead, work on defensible space and disaster preparedness, and care for your fellow members and your neighbors, particularly retirees/elderly.
About 21% of California is still in exceptional drought, mostly in Central CA, but natural disasters come in many forms, and it is good and prudent to be prepared.
We pray those affected by the current fires across the Western US and Canada.
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San Francisco Pride Parade
It's June!!! Time is flying by. Please mark your calendars and schedules for Sunday, June 26th for the 2016 San Francisco Pride Parade Celebration. This year's theme is Pride for Racial and Economic Justice.
We had a great group last year and would love to have an even larger group this year from congregations and ministries in the synod walking in the San Francisco Pride Parade Sunday, June 26th with our local ReconcilingWorks chapter, the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod Acting Bishop Nancy Feniuk Nelson, as well as other RIC churches, and inclusive groups. Our group contingent "ReconcilingWorks" has requested to move up closer to the middle of the parade this year. Each time we march it's an opportunity to touch hearts and this year to join in support of racial and economic justice. It's rewarding all around for the contingent participants and the parade viewers from the sidelines as seen by their smiles and willingness to stay and watch till the very end. Please, consider joining us to make an even larger impact. Come walk the talk of welcome!!
Parade participants can meet with ReconcilingWorks in the Parade lineup on Sunday morning. **Specific information will be provided when we receive our placement in the parade, a few days prior. We'll make our way down Market Street spreading welcome and inclusion for everyone!
*Dress comfortably for the parade, you will be walking 10 blocks
*Wear sunscreen, a hat, and have water
*There is no parking, take public transportation
Let us know if you can make it so we can keep you updated on the gathering time and place.
Hope to see you on Sunday, June 26th!
For more information on the SF Pride Parade go to:
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SAVE THE DATE!
2016 Professional Leaders Conference
October 18 - 20, 2016
The Village at Squaw Valley, Olympic Village
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News from Mt. Cross Ministries
Summer camp registration is now open! Check out all of the life-changing summer camp programs we have to offer this year!
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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LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit work and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2016 to the end of July 2017, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. There's also a $1000 re-entry grant at the end of the program for moving expenses.
The work placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. We meet each week for worship, dinner, and discussion. The corps members live in intentional community in a 4-bedroom apartment in Davis, CA. We're an ecumenical program, and applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation.
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We Remember in Prayer...
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The following Bishops and synods as they gather in Assembly:
Bishop Mark Narum, Western North Dakota Synod, 06/09/16 - 06/11/16
Bishop William Gafkjen, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, 06/09/16 - 06/11/16
Bishop Herman Yoos, South Carolina Synod, 06/09/16 - 06/11/16
Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/11/16
Bishop Wayne Miller, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/11/16
Bishop Rodger Prois, Western Iowa Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop Steven Ullestad, Northeastern Iowa Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop James Arends, La Crosse Area Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop James Hazelwood, New England Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop James Mauney, Virginia Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop Robert Schaefer, Florida-Bahamas Synod, 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Bishop Steven Talmage, Grand Canyon Synod, 06/16/16 - 06/17/16
Bishop Gary Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod, 06/16/16 - 06/18/16
Bishop Ralph Jones, Northwestern Pennsylvania synod, 06/16/16 - 06/18/16
Bishop Samuel Zeiser, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, 06/17/16 - 06/18/16
Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, 06/17/16 - 06/18/16
Bishop Robert Driesen, Upper Susquehanna Synod, 06/17/16 - 06/18/16
Bishop Richard Graham, Metropolitan Washington, DC Synod, 06/18/16 - 06/18/16
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod, the Northern Illinois Synod and the Upper Susquehanna Synod as they hold bishop elections.
Bishop Mark Holmerud as he is on sabbatical.
Pr. Tuhina Rashe (Grace, Palo Alto) and husband Karl, at the death of Karl's father.
Pr David Schick (Immanuel, Los Altos) for medical tests.
Pr. Harry Carlson (RT)
Pr. Stan Niemi (Interim Ministry) following a stroke.
Pr. Nicolas Brie (RT) following a stroke
Ruth Niemi (spouse of Pr. Jack Niemi, Hope, Rossmoor) hospitalized.
Pr. David Peters (RT) for recovery following knee replacement surgery.
Pr. Dani Fey for ongoing illness.
All involved in the Coleman Fire near King City, and a prayer of thanksgiving for the service of Grace Lutheran as an evacuation center.
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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June 2016
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Congregations in Transition
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"God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday"
Sunday, Sept. 11,2016 is
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday.
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Friday, June 17, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
CLU
November 4 - 5, 2016
Good Shepherd, Salinas
December 5-7, 2016
March 13-15, 2017
May 22-24, 2017
Hope United Methodist Church
San Diego, CA
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REFORMATION 500
These are not official Synod events, we hope you'll find this information useful as you plan for the 500th anniversary.
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May 17-24, 2017
May 20 - 21, 2016
St. Matthew's, San Francisco
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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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June 24 - 25, 2016
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
June 25, 2016
Dismantling Racism Workshop
September 17, 2016
Fall Online Synod and Conference Gatherings
Ascension Lutheran, Citrus Heights
Our Savior's Lutheran, Lafayette
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Merced
Grace Lutheran, Palo Alto
September 23 - 24, 2016
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
October 14 - 16, 2106
SPSYC Elementary School Retreat
Mt. Cross
October 17, 2016
Rostered Women's Retreat
Dean's Gathering
October 18 - 20
Professional Leaders Conference
The Village at Squaw Valley
November 11 - 13, 2016
SPSYC Middle School Retreat
Mt. Cross
February 24 - 26, 2107
SPSYC High School Retreat
Mt. Cross
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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Newsletter Submissions
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Please submit any newsletter requests to kathye@spselca.org
by Thursday at 5:00 pm
Thank You!
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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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