Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center

 
June 14, 2016
Hello and thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at the Synod Assembly! 
We really enjoyed connecting with each of you! 

A HUGE Congratulations to Malik H. who won our Chromebook raffle! 
Malik is an awesome young boy who is growing up in a digital age unlike anything most of us have ever imagined! He is now 'resourced" to succeed! As we handed him his new ASUS Chromebook Flip, all that I could think about was 
we need to be sure our pastors, parents, grandparents and caring adults have the best information available on Internet Security! 

I want to share with you what I believe is 'the best of the best' in terms of Internet Security information for all. Netsmartz.org is a website with amazing information. There is literally education for everyone in your congregation and family. Please pass it on.

NetSmartz Workshop

NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline. The program is designed for children ages 5-17, parents and guardians, educators, and law enforcement. With resources such as videos, games, activity cards, and presentations, NetSmartz entertains while it educates.

Much of the information for kids comes in the form of games where kids practice making good internet choices. Teens and Tweens are taught about cyberbullying and how to stay smart and safe. Parents can find so much information, they may just take a day off for education! Seriously! You can find information on the following relevant and critical topics: cellphones, children as victims, cyberbullying, email/IM and chat rooms, file sharing, gaming, identity theft, inappropriate content, internet safety, predators, revealing too much, sexting, and social networking.

Lest you think this is not necessary, ask your kids about any of these topics, and listen to their responses. The digital world is incredible and you can do so much, yet as adults, as pastors, as parents, grandparents and caring others, we are responsible to be in the know. Here is your chance! 
Share what you learn, learn what you share! 
Be digital responsible! Change the world with your care!
You can sign up via their website (click here) 
for monthly email updates that keep you current on issues 'out there.'
Thank you for being a difference maker!
     
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What is new and thought provoking at the Resource Center??

While at our Synod Assembly we had some great conversations with several others who offered table displays. I would like to introduce you to some new materials by a relatively new organization called altSpirit. altSpirit was started in 2014 to help bring materials that they had successfully used in small groups to a larger population. There mission is to create conversations, materials, and experiences that: guide individuals in the discovery of their core values, lead individuals in aligning their lives with these values, and cultivate communities to sustain this work. They may be found at www.altSpirit.org.
 
Most of their resources are available online, although we have paper copies available to share within our Synod. The titles we currently have are: 
"Intentional Economics: Guides for Exploring My Intention with Money"
"Intentional Spirituality: A Labyrinth of Meaning""
"Intentional Spirituality: A Celebration of Life and Death"
"Intentional Spirituality: Exploring My Growing Edge"

If you are interested in exploring one of these short studies, send me an email. Or check out their website, www.altSpirit.org.

  

We can offer you some great summer reads that will awaken your Lutheran theological heart?

Volumes 1 and 2 of the new Annotated Luther, published by Fortress Press. This is a new 6 volume series, only the first 2 volumes are in print at this point, and we have them! Don't miss out on reading these amazing collections of writings! To read them, contact Janet and request The Annotated Luther. 

Volume 1: "The Roots of Freedom" contains many of the writings that defined the roots of reform set in motion by Martin Luther, from the Ninety-Five Theses through The Freedom of a Christian. Included are a variety of compositions produced between 1517 and 1520 that reveal Luther's pastoral and theological commitments, his earliest confrontations with Rome, and his defense of views that led to his excommunication.

Volume 2: "Word and Faith" contains a number of the writings categorized under the theme Word and Faith. Luther was particularly focused on what the word "does" in order to create and sustain faith. In the treatises in this volume we hear Luther's understanding of Scripture and theology as he continues his growth as teaching theologian, pastor, Biblical exegete and apologist for the faith.
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The 3-volume biography on Martin Luther, by Martin Brecht.

These books are returning with great accolades! If you are interested in learning more about the life and development of Martin Luther, you will LOVE this series!

Volume 1: His Road to Reformation, 1483-1521
Volume 2: Shaping and Defining the Reformation, 1521-1532
Volume 3: The PReservation of the Church, 1532-1546

Click here to Email Janet your request. Get your name on our waiting list. Reading this series is a great way to get excited about Reformation 500!!!! It's coming, ready or not! Here's your chance to really dig in to Luther's theology and the time in history that he lived.
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Here is a downloadable guide to "Common Prayer: From conflict to communion" encouraging Lutherans and Catholics to join hearts and voices in intercession. 
  
Luther's Small Catechism pamphlets are still available for you.
  
We purchase these for you and your congregations. 
As Lutherans, it is aways a great time to have a class on Luther's Small Catechism. 
We'll supply you with Luther's words! 
Just ask, via email at rspsecla@pacbell.net
  
To date we have passed out over 1,500 Small Catechism pamphlets. 
Join the excitement, as our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton suggested by 
"dusting off the catechism and taking another look at the basics of our faith."

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Please note that the Synod Resource Center of the Sierra Pacific Synod is eligible to receive 
your Choice Dollars from Thrivent Financial. 
We are sincerely grateful to Thrivent Financial and those individuals who designate their Choice Dollars and Local Chapter Funds to support the Synod Resource Center.
THANK YOU Thrivent for this wonderful opportunity! 
For more information email Janet or contact your Thrivent Representative.
 
We appreciate your calls and e-mails about resources!
The Resource Center is your lending library!  
You are helping us do a better job when you recommend the specific resources you are looking for.
 Please, keep telling us what you want, at rspselca@pacbell.net    
This is how we know what to purchase.
Resource Center office hours for June and July: 

Mondays - 3pm-5pm
Tuesdays - 8:30am-10:30, and by appointment.
Thursdays - Hours and dates vary, please email me in advance if you plan to come in on a Thursday.
Fridays - 8:30am-11:00am, (Closed June 17)

Other hours are available by appointment, you can reach me by email: rspselca@pacbell.net
To order materials through our website, please visit us at:  www.resourcecenterspselca.org. 
Click "Resources" and then click "Request Manager for the SPS Resource Center." You will then be on our online catalog page! Let me know if you have any questions or problems. Blessings! 
 
  
Janet Lane, Synod Resource Center Director
           Call 559-345-2725, (please leave a message)
           or send an Email rspselca@pacbell.net
 
           This is your Synod Resource Center; 
               I am happy to serve you. 

  
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