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| Summer Blessings |
June 29, 2016
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The Offices of the Bishop will be closed on
Monday in celebration of the July 4th holiday.
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Our PO Box is no longer active.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 ,
As I write this, I find myself in a bit of the doldrums. Fueled by the heat wave, by the ever multiplying list of things on the ToDo List, and by my introvert self crying out for a little tending to, I'm in a bit of a funk. I stopped and looked at my calendar and realized that it's been a little while since I've made a Sabbath day - since I've carved out time for refreshment and renewal, since I've prayed deeply or sat with scripture in a devotional sense.
I'm not great at keeping Sabbath, I admit. That ToDo list - for work and home - is always on my mind, and my mind is always jumping about from one thing to another, and while I might be good at stilling my body, stilling my mind is another matter and just as important for real Sabbath time. We know that rest for our bodies, spirits and minds is important, but often we do not make that a priority and then we feel like I do today - in a bit of a funk and cranky with myself for not being more on top of things, and then the cycle continues. So, today I will make some time - away from the computer and the TV and iPhone and I will rest in scripture and prayer. I will ask for God's guidance and I will listen carefully for what God is calling me toward...and then I will rest a while longer, giving thanks for all that God has given to me - both the bane and the blessing. Will you join me?
Katy Grindberg
Assistant to the Bishop
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Clergy Training on Domestic Violence 
Sacramento Area
Four opportunities:
June 28; July 30; August 25; September 15
9:00am - 3:00pm
$10 registration fee to cover the cost of lunch
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The Rev. Paul D. Erickson, West St. Paul, Minn., was elected June 4 to a six-year term as bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the synod assembly June 2-4 at the Tarble Arena at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.
The Rev. William O. Gafkjen, Indianapolis, was re-elected June 9 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the synod assembly June 9-11 at the Century Center in South Bend, Ind.
The Rev. H. Jeffrey Clements, Rockford, was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly June 16-18 at Centennial Hall at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.
The Rev. Barbara Jeanne Collins, Selinsgrove, Pa., was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly June 17-18 at Weber Chapel at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove.
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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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Interested in mission development? Would you like to get a handle on the practical nuts and bolts of church planting? Would you like to get extensive hands-on training in urban church planting? If so, then check out these two new opportunities from the Lutheran Church Planters Network:
The first opportunity is to participate in a 5-day church planters boot camp, to be held at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago from July 18-22. Rub shoulders with experienced church planters and get equipped with the tools you need to take the next step in planting a church. The cost for the program is $500 per participant.
The second opportunity is to apply for a new one-year stipended church planter residency program in Chicago, starting this fall. Potential residents may be ordained clergy, seminarians, youth ministers or non-ordained evangelists.
Fred Nelson is an ELCA pastor in the Chicago area. Over the past few years he was among those who started something called the Lutheran Church Planters Network (www.lutheranchurchplanters.net). This new 3-year pilot program is being done in partnership with the Metro Chicago Synod and Ruben Duran of Domestic Mission at churchwide, offering this 5-day boot camp, follow-up coaching, and a 11-month stipended church planting residency at our congregation's third site in Chicago.
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Dear ELCA World Hunger Leaders and Friends,
Blessings to you all as we journey into the summer season filled with VBS, picnics and many other joyous gatherings. We are excited to bring to you the June edition of the Go and Do News.
In this edition, we are pleased to begin introducing you to the ELCA World Hunger 2016 summer interns, bring you information on AMMPARO, ELCA World Hunger Toolkits, how ELCA World Hunger will be a part of both the Grace Gathering and 2016 Churchwide Assembly and more.
Peace, The ELCA World Hunger Team
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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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Assembly Thank You
The Director of Good Shepherd Clothes Closet (the recipient organization of the underwear and socks donation at Synod Assembly) wants you all to know the tremendous impact your donations will make.
He could not say enough about how grateful the clothes closet was for the donations. He said it was, by far, one of the largest donations they've ever received. I believe the word "fantastic" was also used!
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"God's Work. Our Hands."
September 11, 2016
Plan now to enter the contest!
"God's Work. Our Hands." Day is our opportunity to celebrate a day of service across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Congregations throughout the Sierra Pacific Synod and the nation will be preparing food for hungry people, painting houses, planting gardens, visiting isolated people and performing thousands of other acts of joy and mercy. It is time to start planning your congregation's projects for that day. For a bulletin insert and more information on planning your day CLICK HERE. Sharing your projects and ideas with other congregations will give them ideas for next year. To encourage you to do just that, we're having a contest! There are two categories: video and narrative. The winning congregation in each category will have the honor of having a $100.00 gift made to ELCA Good Gifts in their name. How cool is that? Here is how it works, along with the pertinent deadlines: 1.Your congregation submits either a written narrative or a video of its "God's Work. Our Hands." Project, along with an entry form, which will be available in late August, as well as instructions for submitting your video. Each congregation is limited to one submission, either a video or a narrative. Deadline: October 15, 2016. 2. The narratives and videos are posted on the Sierra Pacific Synod website, where you will vote for your favorite. Everyone can vote-your grumpy uncle, your best friend, the sweet auntie who bakes the best ginger cookies. Deadline: December 15, 2016. 3. We tally the votes and announce a winner, sometime in early 2017. 4.The checks go to ELCA Good Gifts. Those of us at Church Together can hardly wait to see what wonderful projects you are doing.
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News from the Synod Resource Center
What is new and thought provoking ???
While at our Synod Assembly we had some great conversations with several others who offered table displays. I would like to introduce you to some new materials by a relatively new organization called altSpirit. altSpirit was started in 2014 to help bring materials that they had successfully used in small groups to a larger population. There mission is to create conversations, materials, and experiences that: guide individuals in the discovery of their core values, lead individuals in aligning their lives with these values, and cultivate communities to sustain this work. They may be found at www.altSpirit.org.
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2016 Professional Leaders Conference
October 18 - 20, 2016
Reformation Past, Present and Future
The Village at Squaw Valley, Olympic Village
Registration Opens July 18!
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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!
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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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Bishop Mark Holmerud as he is on sabbatical.
For Barbara Schaefer, wife of Pr. Marty Schaefer (ret.), El Cerrito, as she moves from hormone therapy to chemotherapy before breast cancer surgery in the fall.
Pr. Paul Theiss, as he undergoes a stem cell transplant to extend his remission from multiple myeloma, and his wife Nancy Satterford as she cares for him.
Pr. Dani Fey for ongoing illness.
Those who lost their lives in Orlando FL, those who are recovering from their injuries, for the families and loved ones, for the people of Orlando as they struggle to make sense of violence in their midst.
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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June 26 - July 24, 2016
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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August 26-27, 2016
Candidacy Committee Meeting
PLTS, Berkeley
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 - 18, 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
January 27 - 28, 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
January 31 - February 1, 2017
Dean's Retreat
Christ the King Center, Citrus Heights
February 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
February 24 - 26, 2107
SPSYC High School Retreat
Mt. Cross
May 3, 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Fresno
May 4 - 6, 2017
Synod Assembly
Fresno
March 11, 2017
Rwanda Connections Meeting
Lutheran Church of the Master, Sacramento
June 23 - 24, 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
June 28 - July 2, 2017
Western States Youth Gathering
California Lutheran University
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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