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| Summer Blessings |
July 6, 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Our PO Box is no longer active.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 Lyle Beckman, San Francisco Night Ministry
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Dear ,
The Churches' Night Shift
"I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves; on the town garbage heap; at a crossroad so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek ....at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, and soldiers gamble, because that is where he died, and that is what he died about, and that is where {the Church} ought to be."
George MacLeod
We often refer to Night Ministry as the Churches' Night Shift. We want people to know that the Church; as active and effective as it is during daytime and evening hours, does not sleep; and that everyone who needs a word of prayer or blessing, comfort or care, accompaniment or intervention, can receive it no matter the reason or the hour of the night. And, because it is nighttime, we often find ourselves with the cynics, the thieves and gamblers George MacLeod talks about (see above) and others in places like neighborhood bars, coffee shops and on street corners. As difficult as it might be to believe if you are one that follows the "early to bed, early to rise" style of living, the streets are teeming with people drawn to the nighttime; and our crisis telephone line is rarely silent as callers seek ways to cope with their grief, fear, anxiety, loneliness, depression, danger, or one of countless other reasons that keep them awake at night.
And so the night shift begins. We want to bring hope and healing into lives that are hurting. We want to be a listening presence for those who feel invisible. We want to support, affirm and encourage those who are down; and challenge and inspire others to change and grow. We want to share God's love and forgiveness to those who feel unloved or shamed, and reconnect others with the joy and peace of a life lived in Jesus Christ. With your continued help no one needs to face a time of the day or night without a place to turn, or without people who are there for them.
Night Ministry has been richly blessed in our partnership with the Sierra Pacific Synod. Your prayers, financial contributions and donations of items to be shared have enabled us to continue to minister to and meet the needs of those most vulnerable among us. We are a stronger and more effective ministry because of your support. Please share Night Ministry's Crisis Line number with anyone who needs it (415-441-0123), visit our website for more information (www.sfnightministry.org), and know that we are grateful to be the recipients of July's Second Mile giving offerings and for your partnership with us as the "Churches' Night Shift"
Lyle J Beckman, San Francisco Night Ministry
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Stewardship Discipling Team July Council Devotions
Generous People Living God's Love "by" Trusting God
Trusting God allows us to live in abundance. When we trust God, we are able to relinquish control of our lives to Her. When we are trusting God, we don't have to be afraid. We can make mistakes. We can fail and know that we are forgiven and loved. We can take risks. We can be attuned to the needs of those around us.
Trusting that God forgives us, we more easily forgive each other and are freed from the tyranny of resentment. Trusting that God loves us, we more blessedly love each other, delighting in the joy of sharing our lives with each other. Trusting that God provides for us, we more generously care for each other, helping each of us meet our daily needs.
And yet some days, we struggle to allow God to love us. To find that courage, we pray:
Dear Loving God,
We yearn for the abundance you offer us, and still we sometimes resist trusting you. Give us the courage to trust you and your love so that we might obey your great commandment to love one another with gratitude and joy. Amen.
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In her July column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes that the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 may have the media knocking on our doors, asking us to explain ourselves. What will we say? She reminds us that our understanding of the gospel is what makes us distinctive.
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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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ROSTERED LEADER CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to Pr. Susan Strouse (1st United, SF), whose book The INTRAfaith Conversation: How Do Christians Talk Among Ourselves About INTERfaith Matters? was recently published.
Pastor Susan is also available to facilitate workshops, retreats, and other discussion groups. You can contact her through her website.
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Do you have other Celebrations (installations, ordinations, book publishings, etc.) that you'd like listed in this column? Feel free to submit them to our enewsletter editor, Kathye Hamm.
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"God's Work. Our Hands."
September 11, 2016
Plan now to enter the contest!
It is time to start planning your congregation's projects for "God's Work. Our Hands." Day . 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. 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. Deadline: December 15, 2016. 3. We tally the votes and announce a winner, sometime in early 2017.
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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.
Pr. Lyn Crase (Emanuel, Modesto) on the death of her husband, Robert.
Rev. Nicholas Brie recovering from a major stroke.
Pr. Bob Grochau,retired, who has entered hospice care at Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove. Cards are welcome.
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.
The safety of those who are affected by and helping to put out the wild fires.
Places and people living in areas of violence and uncertainty. We remember especially Iraq, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Turkey, Saudi Arabia which have experienced bombings in recent weeks.
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.
For all those who face the threat of violence on a daily basis as a result only of where they happen to live. For all those whose hearts are broken by the loss of loved ones as a result of that same violence.
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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July 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
July 28, 2016
August 25, 2016
September 15, 2016
Sacramento Area
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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July 18, 2016
Professional Leaders Conference
Registration Opens
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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