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The Sierra Pacific Synod
Weekly E-Newsletter
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Sierra Pacific Synod
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February 9, 2012
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Greetings!
Decisions...
I was back in the eye doctor's chair for a checkup the other day.
As many of you have experienced, they swing a large contraption in front of your eyes, with a place to rest your chin and forehead. One eye is covered while they work to find the best correction for the other eye. "Look at the letters on the wall," she said. OK, I can do that. Some minor adjustments, click, click, and then she says, "Is this better or (now turning the gauge) this?" "Number one or number two?" I answer. "Number two or number three?" I answer. "Better number two or number one?" This goes on for several minutes, and sometimes there is very little difference between the options.
I always get anxious when I have this particular eye exam. My hands get clammy, my responses seem to get confused. I want so very much to answer correctly, but often there is no "good" answer. Sometimes I would like to say "yes" to both options. But even more, I know my choices will ultimately determine my eyeglass prescription. I want to be correct, accurate, because I know I will have to live with the results for months, maybe years.
That reminds me of a plumber I had to our house several years ago. I wanted some re-piping done in the house and when I asked him if he could do this thing or that, he finally said, with some frustration, "I specialize in everything!" Many congre-gations want to "specialize in everything" and by so doing, specialize in nothing.
How much better it would be, I believe, if a congregation were to be very specific about the vision God has for them and not only decide what to do, but honestly, perhaps courageously, decide what they are not going to do. And then live with that freedom. I do not believe that every congregation must have a youth program, a seniors program, a quilting group, a bowling team, a softball league, run a shelter, a drama club, on and on. I think you get the picture.
Instead, congregations I think, in deciding on program, should return to their vision, mission, and values and let programs emerge from those basic fundamentals.
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On a personal note, I recently made a decision. At the Synod Council meeting last month I announced my retirement effective March 31, 2012.
I have been richly blessed by the congregations in the two synods I have served; the lay leaders, the pastors, the five bishops and their staff members. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had to be engaged in mission and look forward with great anticipation to the mission accomplishments that are in store for this synod. This Call has been unique, rewarding, sometimes challenging, but always enriching.
Thank you,
Harvey Blomberg
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A Surgery Update and a Message from Bishop Mark Holmerud Bishop Mark's surgery went quite well and he will likely return home on Friday. Ongoing prayers for Bishop Mark and his family are welcome and appreciated. You may leave messages for him on his CaringBridge website (see below). If you would like to send a card or a note, please send your mail to the Office of the Bishop, PO Box 276648, Sacramento, CA 95827-6648. * * * * * From Bishop Mark: Dear Friends in Christ, This morning I had a long-awaited surgery for prostate cancer, beginning six weeks of medical leave to recover and recuperate, as well as to learn from my doctors if any follow up treatments for cancer will be needed following surgery. My family will be with me throughout this journey, and we are thankful for the prayers, letters, cards and support you have been offering since I shared my diagnosis with you in October. During my absence, Bishop's Associate Nancy Feniuk Nelson will be serving as Acting Bishop. Please remember Pr. Feniuk Nelson in your prayers, along with the rest of the synod staff and our synod's ministry. During my convalescence, all e-mails sent to my synod email address (bpmark@ spselca.org) will be forwarded to Pr. Feniuk Nelson. If you have any needs for assistance from the Office of the Bishop, you should contact her or Karen Idler, Associate in Ministry, directly. A "CaringBridge" website has been set up to keep you posted about my surgery/ recovery. It can be accessed by clicking here. Thank you again for all of your prayers and support - it is very helpful, and a good reminder of how God walks with us in and through times of blessings and challenges. I hope to be back in the office on March 22nd. My prayers will be with you until and beyond then. God's Peace, Bp. Mark |
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We remember in prayer: Bishop Mark and his family for successful surgery today, and Bishop's Associate Nancy Feniuk Nelson and synod staff as they continue the synod's mission work during his recuperation Pastor Mike Murphy (Ascension, Citrus Heights), doing well after a successful surgery; please keep him in prayer for a complete recovery |
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Synod Assembly Registration
and Resolutions
Registration materials for this year's Synod Assembly, May 18-20 in San Jose, will be sent to congregations and rostered leaders in early March. All Resolutions to be considered at the 2012 Synod Assembly are due in the Sierra Pacific Synod Office of the Bishop, PO Box 276648, Sacramento, CA 95827-6648 no later than March 18, 2012.
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Call for Assembly Workshop Proposals
The Synod Assembly Planning Committee invites workshop proposals for the 2012 Synod Assembly in San José, May 18-20. The theme for this year is "For the Love of God: Caring for Creation." The workshops will be held on Saturday, May 19th, in the early afternoon. Please click here for the application.
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Swedish Bishop to Speak
in San Francisco
The Rev. Dr. Antje Jackelén, Bishop of Lund, Church of Sweden, will present the XXXII Paul Wattson Lecture at the University of San Francisco's McLaren Hall on Monday, February 27. A brief Q&A period will follow her lecture on The Interface Between Religion and Technology. The lecture is free to the public; a reception and dinner for Bishop Jackelén will be held afterward. For more information please click here.
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Stephen Ministry Workshop
Coming to San José
Lutheran churches are all about caring. One way to care for people going through tough times is to provide for them one-to-one, distinctively Christian care - Stephen Ministry. You are invited to an introductory half-day Stephen Ministry workshop on March 3 in San José.
Stephen Ministry is a program involving over 11,000 congregations in more than 150 denominations which reaches out to hurting people in a very effective way. This workshop offers you a "taster" of what Stephen Ministry does and what it can mean to the vitality of a congregation. For more information or registration please click here.
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Rostered Leaders and Spouses/ Partners Retreat
Santa Cruz Mtns. -- February 19-21, 2012
Call Todd Bertani at 707-688-6411
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SPSYC Elementary Event 2012
Mission: Possible
"God's Not-So-Secret Agents"
Feb. 24-26, Mount Cross, Felton, CA
Bring your 3-6 graders and join us for another great Elementary Retreat at Mt. Cross! Click here to see the promotional video and for registration information.
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2012 Retired Clergy/AIMs/ Spouses/Widows & Widowers Retreat
San Damiano Retreat Center,
Danville - February 27-28
Click here for info & registration form
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Russia: A New Era of Service
Bradn Burkle and his spouse, Natasha, served parishes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States and its Novosaratovka Seminary in St. Petersburg from 2002-2011. He now begins a joint appointment between the ELCA and the Hermannsburg Mission (Germany) to serve in Siberia. Watch a short video here.
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Seeking Agricultural Volunteers
Various volunteer opportunities from two months to one year in duration are available with the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. Click here and do a keyword search for "Japan" for more information.
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Second Mile Giving
for February:
Lutheran Social Services
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| SYNOD CALENDAR |
2012
February 19-21 Clergy/AIMs/Diaconal
Ministers and Spouses/Partners
Retreat, Redwood Glen
February 24-26 Elementary Retreat,
Mt. Cross
February 27-28 Retired Clergy/AiMs/
Spouses/Widows/Widowers
Retreat, San Damiano Retreat
Center, Danville, CA
March 1-6 Conference of Bishops,
Eaglewood Resort, Itasca, IL
March 10 Rwanda Connections
Committee Annual Meeting,
Sacramento
March 15 Synod Assembly Planning
Committee, San Jose Marriott
March 29 Chrism Mass, St. Paul, Lodi
March 30 Chrism Mass,
St. Andrew's, San Mateo
April 17-19 First Call Theological Education
April 19 Synod Assembly Planning
Committee, Sacramento Office
of the Bishop
April 28 Mutual Ministry Workshop,
Location TBD; Speaker: Carolyn
Foster
May 17 Synod Assembly Planning
Committee, San Jose Marriott
May 18-20 Synod Assembly,
San Jose Marriott Hotel, San Jose
July 18-22 ELCA Youth Gathering, New Orleans, LA October 4-9 Conference of Bishops, Lutheran Center, Chicago
October 8-9 Council of Deans,
Granlibakken Resort
October 8-9 Rostered Women's
Retreat, Granlibakken Resort
October 9-11 Professional Leaders
Conference, Granlibakken Resort 2013
January 2-7 Bishops' Academy
January 11-12 Candidacy
Committee, PLTS
January 16-17 Council of Deans
Retreat, Christ the King Retreat Center, Citrus Heights
February 28 - March 5 Conference of Bishops
August 12-18 Churchwide Assembly
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 3-8 Conference of Bishops,
Lutheran Center, Chicago
2014
January 2-7 Bishops' Academy
February 27 - March 4 Conference
of Bishops
October 2-7 Conference of Bishops,
Lutheran Center, Chicago
2015
March 5-10 Conference of Bishops
October 1-6 Conference of Bishops, Lutheran Center, Chicago
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TAKE THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT!!!
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Nomination Forms
Nomination forms are now overdue! If you have been nominated for an election at this year's Synod Assembly, please send it NOW to the Office of the Bishop in Sacra-mento. Click to download a form for Synod Council Member or for Churchwide Assembly Voting Member; have it signed by your Conference Dean before submission.
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2012 BUDGET ADOPTED?
Please make sure that your congre-gation submits its 2012 Statement of Intent form as soon as possible! 1) click here for a .pdf version which can be printed, or here for a "fillable" version; 2) email Cindi Eckert and she will mail one to you; or 3) call Cindi at 559-345-2725 x120 and she will mail one to you. If you have already submitted your 2012 estimate, THANK YOU!
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Midwest Music Groups on Tour
Augustana Symphonic Band - Rock Island, Illinois
For more information, please click here.
Palo Alto * Sun., Feb. 19 * 4:00 p.m.
Redding * Mon., Feb. 20 * 7:00 p.m.
Concordia Choir - Moorhead, Minnesota
Click for tickets: Fresno, San Francisco
Fresno Area * Thu., March 8 * 8:00 p.m.
San Francisco * Fri., March 9 * 8:00 p.m.
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Upcoming Events - Dates to Hold Ministry Training Opportunity The Alexander Technique Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley -- February 10 Interim Ministry Training Opportunities
Catechumenate Regional Training
Carefree, AZ --
Feb. 24-26
Baltimore -- Apr. 13-15
Minneapolis --
May 18-20
Southern California Senior Fest
California Lutheran University -- Feb. 28
Concordia University, Irvine -- Feb. 29
Resurrection, Granite Bay -- March 2
An Adventure in Differentiation: Bowen, Friedmen, Congregations & Clergy
Wesley Seminary, Washington, DC -- March 9 -- Brochure
Bishop Hanson Speaks on "Vocation and Reflection"
California Lutheran University -- Mar. 9
Sabeel Conferences
Well-known speakers from Palestine, Jerusalem and the United States
Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive
Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, Austin, TX
May 27--June 1
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claimed . . . gathered . . . sent
The Sierra Pacific Synod
PO Box 276648, Sacramento, CA 95827-6648 916-756-1665 ˇ 800-275-3522
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