Greetings! 

Advent is my favorite season of the liturgical year.  I love the colors, the lights, the anticipation of Jesus' arrival.  I love how many congregations get together mid-week, or change an existing mid-week service to mark the difference of the season.  My favorite hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - in fact, Emmanuel is my favorite scriptural name for Jesus - God with us.

Every Advent I am awed and humbled anew by the enormity of God's love for me.  Think of it - God became human - an infant human at that - and lived a life with all of its joys and sorrows.  Jesus lived through the petty inconveniences many of us experience; he felt the full range of human emotion - happiness, anger, boredom, along with the rest that you can fill in.  God loves you that much.

But Advent is not just about the birth of Jesus, two millennia ago.  Advent challenges us to look to the future when the reign of God will become the norm for all people.  Advent also places us firmly in the present - how are you preparing for the reign of God?  Where do you encounter Jesus in the world around you?  How are you caring for God's creation - those in need, yourself, the earth, and animals?

It is so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the pre-Christmas season - the shopping, the parties, and the travel.  If we let it, the season of Advent can help us to be present in the moment.  Certainly our eyes and hearts are also looking to the past and to the present, but remember to be alert for Emmanuel, God with us, today.

Advent Blessings to you all!

The Rev. Katy Grindberg

Assistant to the Bishop

We remember in prayer:         

Pastor Eugene Jewell (retired), grieving the death of his mother, Anita 

A note from Bishop Mark:

Thank you for the many assurances of prayer you have offered  on my behalf following my diagnosis of prostate cancer.  I am feeling well, and my surgery, which I was originally told would be in mid-November, has now been scheduled for February 9th.  My doctor tells me to expect a recuperation of 6 weeks before I should return to work full-time; which means I will return to service in the latter part of March.  Pr. Nancy Feniuk Nelson, Bishop's Associate, will serve during that time as Acting Bishop.  Please note: during the six weeks I am recuperating, all e-mails addressed to me will be forwarded to Pr. Feniuk Nelson.  

Your continuing prayers for me and for my family, as well as for the synod staff and Pr. Feniuk Nelson, are much appreciated.  At some point closer to the time of the surgery, a website address will be published where updates on my condition will be shared.  God's richest blessings to you for Advent and Christmas, and as we enter into the new year.

Peace,

Bp. Mark

You're Invited!  Lutheran College Fair Coming to California

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

For more information, please click here.

Multi-Ethnic Worship Conference

The Cultural Competence/Multicultural Ministries Team of the Sierra Pacific Synod presents this two-day workshop January 20-21, 2012.  This conference has three elements that are meant to encourage and enable you to more effectively address issues of multi-ethnic worship in your congregation.  Speakers and musicians will include Dr. Clayton J. Schmit, Nikki Lerner and Josh Davis.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Walnut Creek, will host.  There will be a nominal fee to cover the cost of meals, speaker, and materials.  For more information or to register please click here.

Rostered Leaders and Spouses/Partners Retreat Registration Deadline Extended

Redwood Glen, Santa Cruz Mountains

February 19-21, 2012 

The cost of the retreat is $500 and covers room and board.  Registration is extended to January 6, 2012; after this date the cost will be $525 (subject to space availability).  Attendance is limited to 21 couples. 

Please make your check payable to Santa Clara Valley Lutheran Parish and mail to: 

ELCA Rostered Leaders & Partners

c/o Jim & Peggy White,

3744 Cadwallader Ave., San Jose 95121

??? - call Todd Bertani at 707-688-6411.

Synod Staff Wellness Log

SPS staff members have reported wellness progress for the month of November...

Pounds Lost:

November - 1  

To Date - 63  

Exercise Hours:

November - 51 

To Date - 325.5  

Spiritual Development Hours:

November - 63  

To Date - 437.5 

Order the New 2012 Global Mission Map Brochure Now!

+ Filled with a panorama of photos and

   stories from across the globe, an

   overview of mission rooted in

   relationship (see a sample).

+ Learn how your gifts and offerings are

   turned into effective ministry around

   the world.

Perfect for Epiphany, for annual meetings, and more.

To order 10 or fewer copies, call 800/638-3522 or send an email. To order more than 10, please click here.

Contact Information

Cindi Eckert, Newsletter Administrator                            Pr. Jim Goldsmith, Synod Communicator