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William Horne II, elected last week to serve as Vice President of the ELCA
Comfort for all those who mourn the death of Pr Jim Heinemeier, retired, who died on August 14. Services are pending and details will be forthcoming.
Pr Mark Dunbar, Faith, Elko, who is recovering from surgery and preparing for ongoing treatment.
Comfort for all those who mourn the death of Pr Nicolas Brie, retired, who died on August 5. He had been in hospice care in Healdsburg. Services are pending and details will be forthcoming.
Comfort for all those who mourn the death of Pastor Roy Blumhorst, retired, who died July 29.
Continued comfort and healing for Revs. Grochau, Theiss and Fey.
For those affected by fire and weather this week:
People in the Lake County area who are affected by the Clayton fire and those continuing to deal with the Soberanes Fire near Monterey. We remember those fighting these fires and those providing care and services to those who have been evacuated and those who have lost homes and other property.
The thousands of people affected by flooding who live within a few miles of where the ELCA Churchwide Assembly was held last week in New Orleans. We pray for those who have lost their homes and those who are providing rescue and relief.
Places and people living in areas of violence and uncertainty, both locally and globally.
Those around the world who are fleeing terror and violence; that they find compassion and welcome as they seek refuge.
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Congregations in Transition
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August 25, 2016 September 15, 2016 Sacramento Area
Fall 2016 Winter 2017
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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These are not official Synod events, we hope you'll find this information useful as you plan for the 500th anniversary.
May 17-24, 2017
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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
Cross and Crown, Rohnert Park
September 23 - 24, 2016
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
October 14 - 16, 2106
SPSYC Elementary School Retreat
Mt. Cross
October 15, 2016
SPS Hunger Network Workshop
Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis
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
February 27-28, 2017
Annual Retired Pastors Retreat
San Damiano, CA
March 11, 2017 Rwanda Connections Meeting Lutheran Church of the Master, Sacramento
March 17 - 18, 2017
Candidacy Meeting
Hope, El Sobrante
May 3, 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Fresno
May 4 - 6, 2017
Synod Assembly
Fresno
June 23 - 24, 2017
Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
June 28 - July 2, 2017
Western States Youth Gathering
California Lutheran University
October 16-17, 2017
Deans & Women's Retreat
Monterey
October 18-20, 2017
Professional Leaders Conference
Monterey
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
Please submit any newsletter requests to
by Thursday at 5:00 pm
Thank you!
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Was this newsletter forwarded to you?
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A message from
Carlton Monroe, Assistant to the Bishop & DEM
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My granddaughter gave me her perspective concerning Jesus' words of "divisions and timing" the Gospel of Luke 12:49-56 highlights. Paraphrasing my granddaughter, she heard Jesus saying in Luke "we ought to take every minute of every day enjoying the blessing of life." She felt that "Jesus knows we will spend our time more being adults and less time being thankful to God for just being alive."
Her parents are doing a wonderfully tremendous job in raising my granddaughter, especially concerning the realities of the world. Still as granddad I wanted to go all adult at that point and tell her about life as an adult out in the real world. I wanted to tell her in a protective way about the economic difficulties of life and living. I wanted to tell her about the ongoing struggles of living Black in America. I wanted to intellectualize for her what Jesus had said to put into context for her Jesus' words relating to today.
Out of the mouths of babes children bring a truth oftentimes forgotten by adults...me in this case. She must have known that it was now "granddad preachin' time" because before I could respond she went on to say, "Jesus wants us to spend as much time trying to live together as we spend trying to live apart. Jesus wants us to focus on gratitude and giving thanks to God daily throughout the days of our lives."
It was then that I heard her words from her perspective respective of what I do daily. I do give God thanks. I am grateful for the blessings God bestows. Yet truthfully I spend more time thinking about and concerned about the "adult" part of life and living in the world. Hearing her words of reflection on Jesus I did not take advantage of my "granddad preachin' time". Instead I just loved her more and smiled at her. As she hugged me tightly around my neck I gave God thanks for her gentle soul of love. I was blessed and thankful to take time right then intentionally to give God thanks for the multitude of blessings God bestows upon my life and living and upon the world.
Following the wisdom of a child reflecting on the words of Jesus I am taking time intentionally to give God thanks for the blessing of today, and for the blessings of each and every one of you.
Peace.
Carlton Monroe, Assistant to the Bishop and DEM
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Reformation: Past, Present and Future
2016 Rostered Women's Retreat
Dean's Gathering
October 17 - 18, 2016
2016 Professional Leaders Conference
Tuesday evening: "In Luther's Footsteps: Theology
of Freedom and Freedom Fighters"
Wednesday morning: "Why and What Should
Lutherans Know of Reformation Mothers?
Wednesday evening: Stations of the
Reformation...
Thursday morning: "Reformation 2017
Challenges and Possibilities" With "Word
and Faith", Vol 2, Annotated Luther (Fortress
Press)
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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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Stewardship Discipling Team August Council Devotions
Generous People Living God's Love "by" Remembering who we are as God's People
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.3They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3
Several years ago, when my oldest son was still in High School, I was in the sacristy getting ready for Sunday worship. My son entered and informed me that he had not slept the night before and was scheduled to work the 1-10 shift at the local mini-mart. He was seeking permission to go home and nap before work.
I was sympathetic with his predicament but I wanted him to make the choice of which path to follow. He obviously knew he was expected in worship and yet he also wanted to sleep. I did not say no but I also did not say yes. My son did not want me to choose for him but I was to choose the option he wanted. So we bantered back and forth until he stated that if I made him stay in church he would sleep through the service. I responded by saying that if he did stay God would honor him. He stayed.
My son took a seat in the front row of the balcony where he knew I would see him but the congregation would not. He did stay awake throughout the whole service. After all was done at the church I drove him to work (his car was in need of repair). At 10 pm I went to pick him up and asked if God had kept the promise. He responded that God did in fact come through...
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ELCA presiding bishop reflects on work of the church and looks to future priorities
In her report to the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reflected on the ELCA's work over the past three years and lifted up future priorities for the church. Eaton said much of her focus the past three years has been on the "how and why we do this work," reminding the assembly of her four emphases for this church: We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world. "I think it's important when we organize our work together that we understand that we are church first," Eaton said. "And we need to be clear that our lives are formed by word and sacrament, that we gather as the beloved children of God around the means of grace, that our lives are in Christ." Emphasizing the Lutheran identity and the distinctive Lutheran voice, Eaton said she hoped the church is beginning to understand that "God is calling us to be a diverse, inclusive, multicultural church." "What does that look like? What does Lutheran look like?" asked Eaton. "We have to be very, very careful that we don't define ourselves by culture or by cuisine. There are more Lutherans of color throughout the world and throughout the Lutheran federation than there are European descent Lutherans," said Eaton. ... In closing Eaton told the assembly, "We have work to do. God will give us energy and the courage and the will to do it. Let's go, church."
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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.
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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Is Campus Ministry for You? 
If you are a young adult, or if you know of a young adult who is looking for a community of friends and a way to express faith, consider campus ministry. Campus Ministry seeks to strengthen and support young adults as they learn and grow.
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News from around the Synod and Beyond
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ROSTERED LEADER CELEBRATIONS
Installation: Pr. Patrick Torbit - August 20th, 2016, 4:00 pm at Elim Lutheran Church in Petaluma Appointment: Pr. Casey Kloehn (The Belfry / LEVN, UC Davis) was recently appointed to serve as one of 30 ELCA young adult members of the Lutheran World Federation Global Young Reformers. Congratulations Pr. Kloehn! ******************************************* 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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Registration is open for the SPSYC Elementary Retreat
 The Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee is excited to invite your children in grades 3-6 to the upcoming Elementary Retreat at Mt. Cross on October 14-16, 2016.
Our registration is open and ready. Registration for each person is $140.00 but that price rises to $175.00 on September 27th, so register early! Scholarships are also available. All registration and payment can be done online as a group or as an individual, or can be done by mail.
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I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me??
Hunger, the Refugee and The Immigrant
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis, CA
9:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network
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Changes coming to Portico Benefits in 2017
Plan members should have received an email directly from Portico recently outlining some changes for 2017. The email included this link for further information.
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HOLY COMMUNICATION:
SACRED LINKS IN A DIGITAL AGE
OCTOBER 17-20TH
If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don't have love, I'm a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal.
The more methods we have to communicate the less we seem to know. The cacophony of demands can both enable and disturb our proclamation of Christ's deep love for the whole creation.
The 2016 PNEUMA Conference is excited to welcome Bruce Reyes-Chow as our keynote speaker as we gather to explore the intersection of technology, Christian faith, diversity and modern families. PNEUMA offers ecumenical enrichment and retreat for all leaders, volunteer and professional, lay and ordained; come feel the spirit of lifelong Christian formation at PNEUMA 2016.
Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of California
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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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Many Voices, One Song: A Conference on Music and Liturgy
September 23 & 24, 2016
St. John's Lutheran Church
1701 L Street, Sacramento
The event begins Friday evening and continues all day Saturday. Registration form and payment are due by
Wednesday, September 14, 2016, to ensure your lunch and registration.
The conference is designed to encourage our Episcopal and ELCA congregations to employ more of the wonderful diversity of musical possibilities for worship. Workshops will range from choir development to the use of percussion in worship to musical options for congregations without musical staff or choir.
The featured keynote speaker is noted ELCA composer and church musician Dr. David Cherwien
Co-sponsored by the Worship for Baptismal Living Discipling Team and the Diocese of Northern California, of the Episcopal Church
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Grace in the Public Square: Area Ministry Strategies
Members of congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod interested in expanding ministry in their community are invited to attend a day of renewal with Pastor Stephen Bouman, Executive Director, Domestic Mission Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Dr. Bouman will be sharing his insights , and engaging conversation about, "Grace in the Public Square: Area Ministry Strategies", Saturday, September 10, from 10-3 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1650 Morse Ave at Arden Way, Sacramento. In addition to his work with the ELCA, he previously served as Bishop of the Metro New York Synod during the events on 9-11, 15 years ago. He has written several books including one on those experiences as well as his latest, "The Mission Table: Renewing Congregation and Community".
The event is sponsored by The Small Congregation Study Group , a consortium of 7 congregations in greater Sacramento seeking renewal in their community and congregation which has spent over a year in seeking new ways of being the church together.
Registration is necessary to attend. A $10 charge will include a box lunch.
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November Ballot Recommendations from the Lutheran Office of Public
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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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