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Places and people living in areas of violence and uncertainty, both locally and globally.
Pr. Sharon Lubkeman (retired) in anticipation of knee replacement surgery.
The family and friends of Pr. Jack Kahle (retired, served most of his ministry in Iowa.) on his death.
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. 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 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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March 15 - May 31, 2017
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.
Opportunity to Travel to Germany to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation August 30-September 6, 2017
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The Resource Center Website is currently under construction. Please call them at 559-345-2725 x120.
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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 the Global Missions Advocacy Team about Companion Synods
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 Did you know the Sierra Pacific Synod has Global Mission connections? There are several: The Lutheran Church of Rwanda, Lutheran Church of El Salvador, Taiwan Lutheran Church and missionaries in five countries around the world.
In ELCA terminology, our connections in El Salvador, Rwanda and Taiwan are called companion synods. With companion synods, the governing principle is accompaniment. By practicing accompaniment, the people of the Sierra Pacific Synod walk together (figuratively or literally) with people from the companion synods in a solidarity resulting in interdependence and mutual respect. The ELCA Companion Synod Program recognizes that we are all gifted by God to do God's work. Through companionship in the global Lutheran community, we exchange gifts of time, hospitality, patience and understanding that are vital for God's mission. As we practice discerning and appreciating one another's gifts, we come to understand our mutuality and interdependence. All of our gifts are necessary to build our mutual capacity to engage in God's mission.
The purpose of GMAT is to facilitate and encourage the companion synod relationships as well as congregation-to-congregation relationships. It is also the liaison to the ELCA Global Mission organization.In that liaison role, Joe Haletky and Kent Madsen traveled to Lima, Peru last November to participate in the International Consultation of Lutheran Church Leadership in the Americas for Renewed Relationships in Mission. The theme of the consultation was "Ambassadors of Reconciliation: Walking Together Toward Interculturality." The participants were from ELCA and ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) synods and the corresponding Latin American companion churches. Joe and Kent participated in large group sessions as well as the El Salvador small group session. The main teaching topic for the consultation was "interculturality", also known as "intercultural competence". Intercultural competence may be defined as the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural difference and commonality. The group learned about overall cultural competence as well as gained some insight into our personal cultural competence. There is a long development process from having a monocultural mindset to full adaptation of an intercultural mindset. Participants were encouraged to pursue personal intercultural development.
In the El Salvador small group session, participants from four  synods and the Salvadoran Lutheran Church agreed on these guiding principles: ● Be sincere about our understanding of our own cultural mindset and limitations, e.g. cultural iceberg analogy - we might only be aware of a small part ("above the water") of the full cultural picture. ● Engage in a symmetrical relationship, one where power is balanced between the participating churches. ● Mutual accountability to the goals and tasks set forth in the Encuentro 2015 Carta Declatoria accomplished by frequent communication. The group also set forth the following priorities: ● Form and develop new leadership. ● Facilitate more congregation companion relationships. ● Implement AMMPARO strategy. ● Improve communication strategies. The consultation was a stimulating time of learning about other companion synods and meeting people from other synods and countries with a passion for global mission. It is now GMAT's task to make sure its El Salvador activities line up with the priorities established in Lima. The Second Mile financial contributions made during January will be divided among the companion synods. If you are interested in a particular relationship, please contact: Cindy Tuisku for Rwanda, Ruth Cruddas or Mary Ritter for El Salvador, Bp. Mark Holmerud for Taiwan, and Sue Hutchins for missionaries.
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ELCA Mobility System and Candidacy Portal Closure
We have been informed that the ELCA will be shutting down the Mobility System and the Candidacy Portal on the ELCA website from December 15, 2016 through January 17, 2017 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.
If you are working on a document, PLEASE make sure that you have saved a copy to your computer.
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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Become a Welcoming Congregation as part of AMMPARO
From California to Texas to Illinois to the District of Columbia, ELCA congregations are stepping forward as Welcoming Congregations as part of the newly adopted AMMPARO, the ELCA's strategy to Accompany Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities.
The latest congregation to join is Christ Lutheran in Aptos, CA. Ruth Cruddas, a member of the congregation, said, "Christ Lutheran is a very loving community who has welcomed and embraced our Salvadoran family, Karla, Ronal and their daughter, Nathalia. Please continue to pray for all of us."
This is the first congregation in the Sierra Pacific Synod to become a Welcoming Congregation. Bishop Mark W. Holmerud said, "What a blessing for the people of Christ Lutheran and the people with whom they have chosen to stand in solidarity. Thank you for your work and witness in helping this ministry of accompaniment become a reality!"
At the Church wide Assembly in August, voting members overwhelmingly adopted the AMMPARO strategy. This holistic, whole church response offers opportunities to make a difference in the lives of migrant children and families in their communities. A Welcoming Congregation provides spiritual and pastoral accompaniment in the critical stages of transition to life in a new place.
Welcoming Congregations make a commitment to:
- Welcome and minister to migrant guests and identify contacts with language skills to assist with communication
- Attend occasional meetings of the Welcoming Congregation Network in their synod for mutual support, fellowship and training
- Participate in AMMPARO conference calls for updates on the situation of migration of children and families
- Advocate for just public policies that positively impact the current immigration crisis
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ELCA Regional Gift Planner
The ELCA seeks a Regional Gift Planner that will support the Sierra Pacific Synod. This individual is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing new and ongoing gifts from individuals in support of churchwide ministries, congregations, synods and related ELCA ministries. Each Gift Planner lives and works within their assigned territory (home office). The posting closing date is February 28, 2017.
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DUE FEBRUARY 27thPlease thoughtfully consider the material you would like to present during the 2017 Synod Assembly (Thursday, May 4 - Saturday, May 6). Workshops will be held Friday, May 5th in the late afternoon (subject to change). Presenters will be notified if the workshop has been chosen by April 7th.
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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.
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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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Drought and Equity Summit
Register now for the Drought and Equity Summit. Your registration will be your ticket for lunch! Register by clicking on the links below:
Sacramento Summit: Tuesday, January 10, 10am-4pm
The summits include presentations, breakout and feedback sessions, networking, and discussion about the findings of the "Drought and Equity in California Report", in the areas of:
- Drought and Domestic Water Shortages
- Drought Charges and Water Affordability
- Drought and Salmon Fishing Communities
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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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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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