Happy New Year!

The Staff of

the Sierra Pacific Synod

The Rev. Mark W. Holmerud, Bishop

The Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson,

Bishop's Associate

The Rev. Jose Luis La Torre-Cuadros,

Assistant to the Bishop

The Rev. Katy Grindberg,

Assistant to the Bishop

The Rev. James L. Goldsmith, Assistant to

the Bishop and Dir. of Finance and Admin.

The Rev. Harvey E. Blomberg,

Director for Evangelical Mission

Karen Idler, Associate in Ministry

Cindi Eckert, Administrative Assistant and Resource Center Director

Laurie Gaumer, Administrative Assistant

Debbie Cook, Finance Assistant

The Office of the Bishop, all locations,

We remember in prayer:  

Pastor Duane Woida (Salem Lutheran Home, Oakland), in cardiopulmonary intensive care following two heart attacks.  His family asks for prayers of comfort, peace, and healing (no visitors or phone calls at this time, please).

Chinese Christmas:

An Opportunity for Evangelism 

The Rev. Dorcas Wang, ELCA missionary in China, reflects on the secular nature of Chinese society.  She observes how Chinese congregations use Christmas as an opportunity to reach out to non-believers.  Read the entire story here; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the  Winter 2011-12 issue of "Hand in Hand."

National Advocacy Priorities Survey

Your opinion matters!  Take ten minutes and tell us about advocacy priorities...  Click here to take the 2012 National Advocacy Priorities Survey.  Let's stand together with hope and purpose next year.

Multi-Ethnic Worship Conference

January 20-21, 2012

St. Matthew, Walnut Creek 

This conference has three elements that will 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.  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 Coming

Santa Cruz Mtns. -- February 19-21, 2012 

Cost is $500 (room and board) until January 6; after that the cost will be $525 (subject to space availability; limited to 21 couples).  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.

"Every time the bold men rose up, they rose up with guns," says Liberian Lutheran Leymah Roberta Gbowee, winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.  Read Leymah's story by visiting "Living Lutheran."

Resources for Epiphany or

Annual Congregational Meetings 

Stories of Faith in Action is a free resource full of dynamic stories of how God is changing lives around the world through the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  To order a free copy, call 800-638-3522 or order online; ask for ELCAMA1008.  The resource is free; you pay for shipping.

The Global Mission Map Brochure is filled with a panorama of photos and stories from across the globe, an overview of mission rooted in relationship (see a sample).  To order 10 or fewer copies, call 800-638-3522 or send an email.  To order more than 10, please click here.

Lutheran College Fair

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 - 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Thousand Oaks, CA -- More info

2012 IRS MILEAGE RATE:

55.5¢ / mile -- More info here

Contact Information