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Places and people living in areas of violence and uncertainty, both locally and globally. 
 
Pr. Russ Mueller (retired; father of Pr. Sylvia Mueller, Light of Christ, Turlock), recovering from hip surgery.   Pr. Wendell Brown (retired, former pastor of Good Shepherd, Salinas) and family on the death of his wife, Joyce, on December 24th.    The family and friends of Jane Okubo (former Synod Council Member), who died on December 24th in Alaska, where she had been living with her daughter.  The family and friends of Sandra Lee Poirier (Treasurer of the SPS WELCA), who died on December 25 in Reno where she had been hospitalized.
 
 Continued comfort and healing for Barbara Schaefer, Dennis Jones and Prs. Lapp, 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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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, 2017Memorial 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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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. | 
 | News from around the Synod and Beyond | 
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Installations: 
Pr Joshua 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. Casey Kloehn to serve at The Belfry at UC Davis - January 18th, 7:00 pm at Davis Lutheran Church, 317 E 8th St, Davis 95616.
 
 
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. ******************************************* 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 ."  | 
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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 lookingfor 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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