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For congregational pastors, staff, and lay leaders in this busy worship season. For all who make worship, fellowship, and service events happen, we give thanks. We ask for an extra measure of endurance, inspiration, and peace as they do their work.
Places and people living in areas of violence and uncertainty, both locally and globally, especially this week the victims of violence in Berlin and Turkey.
The friends and families of those who died in the Ghost Ship, Oakland fire.
The family, friends and colleagues of Pr. Larry Koger, who was serving as Interim Pastor at First Lutheran Church in San Diego. Pr. Koger previously served as the Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Porterville. He died unexpectedly while working at church. He is survived by his wife, Sharan, and a daughter, Janae.
Pr. Jim Lapp (St Stephens, Santa Cruz) recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Joyce Brown, the spouse of Pr. Wendell Brown (retired) who is on hospice care.
Continued comfort and healing for Barbara Schaefer, Dennis Jones and Prs. Ajer, Swee, Scott, Dunbar and Fey.
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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December 26, 2016
Synod Offices Closed
January 2, 2017
Synod Offices Closed
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
Thursday - Saturday
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
November 3-4, 2017
Candidacy Committee
TBD
CANDIDACY COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
January 20-21, 2017
PLTS
March 17-18, 2017
Hope Lutheran Church, El Sobrante
August 25-26, 2017
Location TBD
November 3-4, 2017
Location TBD
Please take note of our office schedule:
All Synod offices are open Monday-Thursday and closed every Friday.
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DON'T FORGET: Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday is January 29th, 2017
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May 8 - 12, 2017
Memorial Presbyterian Church, Phoenix
May 28 - June 2, 2017
Seminary of the Southwest, Austin
June 11 - 16, 2017
Seminary of the Southwest, Austin
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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.
Student Multimedia Contest: Reconciliation: "The Love of Christ Compels Us"
The North State Ecumenical Conference is sponsoring an ecumenical multimedia contest for 9th - 12th grade students.
The deadline is December 31, 2016.
Mail submissions to: John Berger, Secretary, North State Ecumenical Conference, 3736 Laguna Way, Sacramento, CA 95864-2923
For more information please call 916-482-6976.
Opportunity to Travel to Germany to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
August 30-September 6, 2017
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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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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Delivers Her Christmas Message
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ELCA Mobility System and Candidacy Portal Closure
The ELCA has shut down the Mobility System and the Candidacy Portal on the ELCA website until January 18, 2017
in order to implement updates related to the new Word and Service roster.
No Mobility forms (RLPs, MSPs, references, etc.) can be completed, submitted, or edited during this time.
No Candidacy forms (applications, decisions forms) can be completed or submitted during this time.
Contact Pr. Katy Grindberg in the Sacramento Office of the Bishop if you have questions about mobility forms during this time; and Laurie Gaumer in the Bay Area Office of the Bishop if you have questions related to candidacy.
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 ELCA Good Gifts are a meaningful way to honor loved ones with gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.
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News from around the Synod and Beyond
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Installations:
Pr Jeremy Serrano - Saturday, January 7, 2017, 4:00 pm at
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 149 Manzanita Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070.
Pr Ryan Eikenbary - January 8, 2017, 2:00 at Zion Lutheran Church, 808 Porter Ave, Stockton, CA 95207.
Pr Rebekah Davis - February 19, 2017 at St Marks Lutheran Church, 3051 Putnam Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.
12:00 Potluck, 1:30 Installation service.
Clergy please vest - color of the day is green.
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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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2017 Mileage Rates 
The IRS has released the 2017 mileage rates. Business and ministry rates have lowered to 53.5 cents / mile. To see the entire list go here:
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Letter from Synod Secretary Regarding Bylaws
An email was sent Tuesday, November 15 from Synod Secretary, Jeff Pennington, about changes to the synod bylaws. If you did not receive the email you may find his letter here.
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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." |
Extravaganza 2017, the premier training event for adults who work with children, youth and families in congregations of the ELCA, will be held from January 20-24, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Gathering around the theme "500," volunteers and professionals will experience spiritual renewal, continuing education and networking and connections.
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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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.
WYLE: One Day Pre-Event Multicultural Youth Leadership Event
June 27 - 28, 2017
The theme for the Western State Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is also "Dream Big!"
Cost: $100 Speakers: Rev. Yeheil Curry, Rev. Leila Ortiz Workshops: Social Justice Issues (Police Brutality, Dream Act, Lack of Resources), Racism, Breaking out of your Box, The Gospel According to Hip Hop Register at WSYG site and click the WYLE as an Add-on!
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Director of Children and Teen Ministries
Mt Carmel Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo, is looking for a full time Director of Children and Teen Ministries. The Director of Children and Teen Ministries has the primary responsibility for continuing and expanding programs for children and teens from birth through 18 years of age (nursery through high school) with the assistance of the CAT Ministry Team and lay leaders.
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St John's Lutheran Church, Sacramento is looking for a full time youth coordinator. This position directs and leads children and youth programming and faith development for Preschool through middle school/high school age youth. This person shall seek to foster Christian community through building relationships with young people and their families that strengthen their commitment to the church and their growth in faith in Jesus Christ.
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Director of Teen Ministries
We are seeking YOU: a dynamic, fun-loving, team player passionate about teens and leading teen ministry who also wants to bring your other gifts and talents to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, located in Granite Bay, CA.
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Messiah Lutheran Church provides a ten to twelve-week immersion experience designed for current full-time college students. The experience will provide the opportunity to deliberately and intentionally engage in one's own discernment process with respect to vocational call and more!
All application materials and reference letters must be returned by January 15, 2017.
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