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Barbara Schaefer (wife of Pr. Marty Schaefer, ret.), having breast cancer surgery on Oct. 17.
The family and friends of Pr. Bob Grochau (retired) who died last month. The memorial service will be Saturday, October 15, at noon, at St Timothy's Lutheran Church, Monterey.
Pr. Anita Warner (Morgan Hill) on the death of her mother-in-law.
Pr. Rebecca Swee (Good Shepherd, Burlingame)
Continued comfort and healing for Prs. Dunbar, Theiss and Fey.
For those affected by fire and flooding. We especially remember firefighters, rescue workers, and those providing care and services.
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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Synod Calendar
Events and Meetings
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October 14 - 16, 2106
SPSYC Elementary School Retreat
Mt. Cross
October 14-15, 2016
Candidacy Committee
PLTS
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 10, 2016
Intentional Interim Synod-Wide Event
Trinity Lutheran Church, Pleasanton
November 11 - 13, 2016
SPSYC Middle School Retreat
Mt. Cross
December 10, 2016 Synod Council Meeting
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
January 20 - 21, 2017
Candidacy Committee
PLTS
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 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
August 25 - 26, 2017
Candidacy Committee
TBD
October 16-17, 2017
Deans & Women's Retreat
Monterey
October 18-20, 2017
Professional Leaders Conference
Monterey
CANDIDACY COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
October 14-15, 2016
January 20-21, 2017
Hope Lutheran Church, El Sobrante
March 17-18, 2017
Location TBD
August 25-26, 2017
Please take note of our office schedule:
All Synod offices are open Monday-Thursday and closed every Friday.
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Fall 2016
Winter 2017
October 17 - 20, 2016
Pneuma 2016
October 22, 2016 Lutheran School of Theology October 22, 2016 Church Divinity School of the Pacific
November 4 - 5, 2016
Good Shepherd, Salinas
November 10, 2016 Christ Lutheran, Long Beach
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.
Opportunity to Travel to Germany to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
August 30-September 6, 2017
Join Pastor Dan Smith and members and friends of the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis, California, for an important celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. We will visit sites associated with the life, times and events of Martin Luther to explore the visionary call for reform he made in the 16th century. We will be joining people from around the world marking this important event. Our program is being offered as a land-only program (you will make your own flight arrangements to and from Germany) which allows you to go early, stay longer, and shop for special airfares. We have created a program that includes several nights in the beautiful medieval town of Erfurt and several in Wittenberg - Luther's town. We conclude our visit with an overnight in the exciting cosmopolitan city of Berlin. Join us to learn more about this visionary man and explore the people, places, and events of the 16th century. Space is limited and registrations are being accepted this summer. For program information and registration visit: www.travelillume.com/trc/vks or call: 800-368-6757 ex 128 at the Illume organization in Boston.
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Newsletter Submissions
Please submit any newsletter requests to
by Thursday at 5:00 pm
Thank you!
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A message from Katy Grindberg, Assistant to the Bishop
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One of my least favorite things is coming up with a topic for newsletter articles. It can be tricky to figure out what people care about, and then balance that with what is going on in the church and the world, as many of you know.
I had the usual struggle this week. Clearly, there's a lot going on in the world that I could address, but as I was thinking about all of that, I had the thought - "I don't know if I have the bandwidth or energy to step into the space of talking about racism and misogyny and all that's in the air right now"...and then I realized what I thought and was smacked upside the head with my own privilege - because it is a choice for me to speak about many of these things. I can choose to, or not to, speak out against racism, homophobia, and the many other ways that people are diminished and are 'other-ized'. Misogyny is another matter - that I do deal with on a regular basis, but being a white, middle-class woman also means that my experiences are different from my sisters of color and those who live in poverty. And I get a choice about whether to 'go there' in what I say, write and post about - and even what I choose to actually see.
As I was having this moment of self-awareness and self-incrimination and self-confession, the #decolonizelutheranism movement came to mind. This is a movement seeking to claim Lutheranism as a faith for all people, and de-link it from ethnic identity, specific foods (lefse or lutefisk, anyone?), and the largely Northern European heritage that North American Lutheranism was birthed from. It's a movement to talk about theology and practice in ways that include all people - not just Germans and Scandinavians, but all beloved children of God. It's a movement that says a Lutheran doesn't look a certain way, or talk a certain way, or appreciate specific foods, or get certain jokes.
I grew up with these things, and they are not unimportant to my life...they are just not what defines my faith - a faith that Martin Luther called "a living daring confidence in God's grace." I was born into this faith, and I grew up with this theology and the knowledge of God's deep and abiding love for me and for all of God's people and creation. Having lived this this gift for my whole life, I want to make sure that all people are welcome in this church. That means listening to the experiences of others, and sometimes being smacked upside the head with my own privilege and my own assumptions.
If you'd like to learn more about #decolonizelutheranism here are some suggestions:
God's peace on the journey,
Pr. Katy Grindberg
PS: My deep thanks to Pr. Tuhina Rasche (Grace, Palo Alto) and Pr. Tita Valeriano (Interim, St. Mark's, San Francisco) for their leadership in the #decolonizelutheranism movement, and their wisdom and encouragement to me. God bless you both!
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Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
An email was sent Tuesday, October 11 from Synod Secretary, Jeff Pennington, about changes to the congregational constitutions following the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. If you did not receive the email you may find his letter here.
You can find the amendments and the new model constitution on the Resources page of the synod website under " For Congregations." |
Stewardship Discipling Team October Council Devotions
Generous People Living God's Love by Being Energized and Energizing
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
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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
The cost is only $10 for the day, including lunch; no charge for congregational hunger contacts, college students or seminarians. If you take AMTRAK California, rides to the workshop will be provided. Questions? Contact Edie Lott at thelotts@gmail.com or (530) 582-5362 or Pastor Elieen Smith Le Van at pastoreileen@peacelutherangv.org or 530-802-0925. Send email registrations to thelotts@gmail.com.
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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 endorses presidential debates standards
The ELCA has joined faith-based groups and other organizations in endorsing standards of conduct for the upcoming U.S. presidential debates. The standards are proposed by the National Institute for Civil Discourse.
The institute created standards for the presidential candidates, audience members and moderators. The standards for the candidates expect that they be respectful of others in speech and behavior, and make ideas and feelings known without intentionally disrespecting others. Standards for the audience include when faced with incivility, speak against it by reminding candidates it is not acceptable. Moderators are expected to hold candidates accountable by challenging each candidate to speak the truth and act with integrity. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton addressed civic discourse in her May 2016 column for Living Lutheran magazine. "I understand that the world is a dangerous place; I understand that many in our country feel left behind and left out," Eaton wrote. "There are legitimate security, foreign policy and domestic policy concerns. Candidates and political parties have the duty to speak to these concerns and make the case for their platform." Eaton emphasized, though, that "political speech that doesn't ensure that the 'other' is treated with the same respect and care that we would wish for our own brother or sister or father or mother is not what God intends for God's beloved community." The ELCA has long been concerned that public discourse be conducted with civility and fairness. The ELCA's social statement (1991) "The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective," reads that "Christians need to be concerned for the methods and the content of public deliberation." More recently, the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod, expressed this concern by approving a resolution titled, "Current American Political Discourse." In the resolution, the synod "rejects the public expressions of hatred, fear and bigotry being made during current political campaigns and encourages national and local leaders to boldly, unequivocally and responsibly embrace the values of compassion, honor, respect, cooperation and compromise that are the heart and soul of America." The ELCA's social statement "Church in Society" is available at bit.ly/2d5YJ9H.More information about the Standards of Conduct for Debates is available at bit.ly/2d2mrR4.
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ELCA webcast, "Ecumenical and Interreligious Witness on the Eve of the Reformation Anniversary"
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Please mark your calendars for the next live webcast, "Ecumenical and Interreligious Witness on the Eve of the Reformation Anniversary," on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. CDT. As Lutherans, we have 499 years of history, but on this day we will explore:
- What was the Reformation, and what does it mean for Lutherans and ecumenical partners?
- What is "Declaration on the Way," and why is it significant for Lutheran-Catholic relations?
- What might ecumenical and interreligious relationships look like in the future, and what does this mean for our faith community?
Tune in to the live webcast on Oct. 27 by visiting ELCA.org/webcast, where a link to the recorded video will be made available after the broadcast. A live stream also will be available at Facebook.com/Lutherans. If you would like to submit a question to be considered during the live webcast, please send it to livinglutheran@elca.org and provide your name and your congregation's name, city and state.
Check our website for future information concerning our participants and selected resources. We also invite you to participate and join the conversation by using #ELCAwebcast on social media.
God's peace,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Top 5 Tips to Prepare Your Faith  Community for a Disaster
September was National Preparedness Month. Just because the month is over, it doesn't mean the work of being prepared for disaster ends. With this in mind, we want to take the time to highlight 5 tips that can be useful to congregations.
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World Food Day is October 16
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News from around the Synod and Beyond
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Celebrations
Installation: Prs Erik and Amy Allen - October 30th 2016, 2:00 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Reno Awards: St Stephen's Lutheran Church, Santa Cruz received two awards for low income housing on church land: "Best Structure" and "Community Assessment Project Community Heroes Award" ******************************************* 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. |
God's Work, Our Hands Day Contest Entry Due by October 15!
The official "God's Work. Our Hands." Day of service was September 11, 2016. Congregations choosing to serve on another day, are also invited to submit entries to the contest.
There are two categories: narrative and video. The winning entry in each category will have the honor of having a $100.00 gift made to ELCA Good Gifts in their name.
The deadline for submitting an entry will be October 15, 2016.
To submit a video entry, please post it on YouTube and submit the entry form with the YouTube link to mic@spselca.org. Any information that will not fit on the entry form should be included in the entry email.
Everyone, including your children, your extended family members, school teachers, your grumpy neighbor, everyone, is invited to vote in this contest. The entries will be posted and open for voting on October 18, 2016. Voting will be open until December 15, 2016. We will include more directions for voting before voting begins. We will tally and announce the winning congregations in early 2017.
Thanks for entering the contest. We are looking forward to reading and watching your stories.
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Register for the SPSYC Junior High Retreat!
 There's still time! Early Bird price ($140) ends October 18 Registration Closes October 25 We'd love to help your congregation participate, contact us for more info.
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Livestream CLU Lecture - Love and Justice in an Age of Empire: Islam, America and the Unfinished Dream of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Omid Safi, a renowned scholar in Islamic studies, will raise awareness about what Muslims in the US experience and how they can and do draw upon American teaching of non-violence in their battle about Islamophobia.
This event will be live streamed and available On Demand for those that are unable to attend onsite. You can watch here anytime.
What does the legacy of Dr. King have to say to us today, in an age of wars, ISIS, and Black Lives Matter? Much of the interfaith conversation between Muslims and Christians takes place at a theological level. This talk is going to direct us to a different plane, that of the prophetic tradition of being concerned with "the least" of God's children.
The conversation, led by Omid Safi, a leading scholar of Islam, taps into the legacy of the teachings of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights era, and applies the Riverside Church teachings of Dr. King to contemporary America and America's involvement with the Middle East and Muslim majority world.
Omid is a professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University and specializes in contemporary Islamic thought and Islamic spirituality.
For information, contact: Dr. Rose Aslan, (805) 493- 3236, raslan@CalLutheran.edu.
Facebook event and details
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Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I and II
Seminary of the Southwest, Austin
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Intentional Interim Synod-Wide Event
Thursday November 10, 2016 at Trinity, Pleasanton, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Led by the Interim Steering Committee. Guest speaker, Bp. Mark W. Holmerud. Lunch provided. Cash donations welcome. All pastors serving as interims (or hoping to!) are expected. Contact person: Pr. Lori Eickmann
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 November Ballot Proposition Recommendations from LOPP
More information, such as Support and Opposition lists and Advocacy Sunday resources, will be available later at www.loppca.org.
Congregations, pastors, and members are encouraged to schedule an Advocacy Sunday on October 16th or another Sunday prior to the election and are encouraged to utilize the ELCAvotes! resources found here, as the countdown to Election Day continues.
Is your congregation celebrating the Feast of St. Francis and blessing of the animals? Consider lifting up a blessing for our wildlife neighbors who are harmed by plastic bags, and the opportunity to do better by supporting Prop.67. Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis will be hosting a huge inflatable turtle and the "bag monster" on Oct. 9 for its Blessing of the Animals.
Questions or concerns: Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California, 916-447-6666, director@loppca.org.
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Western States Youth Gathering
June 28 - July 2, 2017
California Lutheran University is again hosting the Western States Youth Gathering.
Information about the event itself can be found at: www.WSYG.com and you can follow and add to our hashtag: #wsyg17.
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Over 600 adults who work with children, youth and families (CYF) in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will gather at The Galt House Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky for Extravaganza 2017. The "E" is the premier training event for adults who work in faith formation.
Held January 20-24, the Extravaganza will focus on the theme "500," with an emphasis on the ongoing re-forming work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the world and the church. Dynamic spiritual renewal, transformational continuing education and supportive networking are critical elements of Extravaganza. For more information on the Extravaganza, and to register, please visit www.ext17.org. Our local contact for information about the Extravaganza or the Youth Ministry Network is Lisa Herlocker.
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