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The Sierra Pacific Synod
Weekly E-Newsletter
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Sierra Pacific Synod
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January 19, 2012
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Greetings!
Mission: Proclamation, Service and Advocacy for Justice
The Lutheran World Federation Consultation on Churches in Mission was held in Nairobi in 1998, and underlined a holistic understanding and practice of mission as part of the Lutheran identity.
"Mission encompasses proclamation, service and advocacy for justice. Mission, as proclamation, is an attempt by every Christian to interpret and proclaim the gospel story in his/her own context as a way to discover God's saving action and meaningful presence in the world. Mission as service highlights the diaconal dimension of a faith active in love, and working for empowerment and liberation of those in need. Mission as advocacy and justice denotes the church's praxis in the public arena as affirmation and reaffirmation of the dignity of human life, both as individual land as community. It also widens a sense of justice, encompassing the economic, social, and ecological spheres."
I see in this statement a very important contribution of the global Lutheran community to the universal church. Proclamation, Service and Advocacy for Justice are three fundamental elements that should always be present in the ministry of the Lutheran church, especially in these times marked by global economic turmoil, ecological crisis, war, famine, discrimination and poverty.
In our Synod we should celebrate the opportunity to Proclaim, Serve and Advocate for Justice. Our Churches are called to be centers of Mission, of sharing the Gospel, of serving people in need, and also being prophetic voices that denounce any structure of oppression and injustice, both locally and globally. We are called to speak on behalf of all those whom theologian and martyr Ignacio Ellacurķa called "the crucified peoples of history."
During my visit to the congregations in Nevada, I could appreciate the importance of the Advocacy ministry in the service that the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Nevada (LAMN) accomplishes, and also the importance of keeping our support to this ministry and to the Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPP) in California. Both ministries are bringing to our attention to remember that Advocacy for justice is part of our mission as a Synod and a very important component of the local congregation's testimony of God's Kingdom. I think we need to dedicate a Sunday focused on celebrating this ministry in a special manner.
We should pray always for a faithful Proclamation of the Kingdom, service to the poor, Advocacy for justice, and we need to be always involved in the development of this holistic understanding of mission as Jesus showed us in the Gospels. I invite you to celebrate the opportunity of being a prophetic voice today.
Rev. Jose Luis La Torre-Cuadros
Assistant to the Bishop
Sacramento Area Office of the Bishop
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We remember in prayer:
Pastor Mike Murphy (Ascension, Citrus Heights), having surgery February 8th
Pastor David Peters (retired), having knee surgery today, January 19th Pastor Art Sorensen (retired), recently hospitalized and now recovering in rehab
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Sabeel Conferences Scheduled
Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots Palestinian Liberation Theology organization which seeks to make the Gospel contextually relevant. Organized by Canon Naim Ateek of Jerusalem in 2004, one of its more well-known proponents is Bishop Desmond Tutu.
The two-day conferences will feature well-known speakers from Palestine, Jerusalem and the United States, on the latest thinking and developments on the situation in the Middle East. Topics of discussion will range from the ordinary - life on a daily basis, the economy, high tech businesses - to the philosophical - ideological differences, theological interpretations, influence of the media.
The first conference will be held March 16-17 in Sacramento and the second March 23-24 in Sunnyvale; click the city name for more information. Jesus calls us to take care of our neighbors, love one another, and live in peace. The conferences will be an extraordinary opportunity for opening hearts and minds to learn how.
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2012 Retired Clergy/AIMs/Spouses/ Widows & Widowers Retreat
World Christianity and the Shifting Face
of Mission -- How shall we be the
Church in today's World?
San Damiano Retreat Center
710 Highland Drive
Danville, CA 94526
February 27-28, 2012
Click here for more information and a registration form
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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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Senior Fest in SoCal
Gathering Lutheran adults for learning, devotions, and fellowship with the intent to enhance their physical, spiritual, social and intellectual lives - Tues., Feb. 28 at California Lutheran University and Wed., Feb. 29 at Concordia University, Irvine. Keynote speaker is Marva Dawn; for more information, please click here.
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson to Speak at California Lutheran University
Bishop Hanson will be addressing the topic of Vocation and Reflection; this event is free and open to the public. Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel; for more information contact the Church Relations Office at 805-493-3936 or email Linda LeBlanc.
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MINISTRY STAFF SEMINARS
These seminars are jointly sponsored by the ELCA Vocation and Education unit and Augsburg College. Visit the Leadership Support Events website where you will find additional information about the events and links to a detailed schedule and registration. The seminars traditionally fill up very quickly; call to check availability.
The Ministry Staff Seminar (Jan. 28-31) is designed for those who serve in staff settings: associate pastors, music directors, youth and family ministers, parish nurses, volunteer coordinators, parish administrators, etc. The focus of this event is to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of serving on a ministry staff.
The Transition Seminar (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) is for those who have recently moved from one ministry setting to another.
The Head of Staff Seminar (Feb. 2-5) focuses on the role that the senior/ head of staff pastor plays in visionary leadership of a congregation and guiding the development of a congregational staff team.
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Midwest Music Groups
Coming Here on Tour
St. Olaf Band - Northfield, Minnesota
Click here for tickets
Fresno Area * Mon., Jan. 30 * 7:00 p.m.
Salinas * Wed., Feb. 1 * 7:00 p.m.
Saratoga * Thu., Feb. 2 * 7:30 p.m.
Palo Alto * Fri., Feb. 3 * 7:30 p.m.
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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Multi-Ethnic Worship Conference
January 20-21, 2012
St. Matthew, Walnut Creek
For more information or to register please click here
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Asset Based Community
Development Training
January 27-28 -- 9 a.m-4 p.m.
Explore the background and principles of Asset Based Community Development as taught by Ron Dwyer-Voss, a graduate of Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, during this 2-day training at PLTS. The training will contrast the ABCD approach with traditional approaches to community development and social services, giving participants techniques to use in their communities; ABCD is a valuable tool for ordained and lay leaders. $80 registration - includes lunch both days. Email Kirsten Dumke for more info or to register.
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Second Mile Giving
for January:
Companion Synods:
Rwanda, Taiwan
and El Salvador
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| SYNOD CALENDAR |
2012
January 20-21 Multi-Ethnic Worship
Conference, St. Matthew's,
Walnut Creek
January 26 Synod Assembly
Planning Committee, Sacramento
Office of the Bishop
January 27-28 Synod Council,
Sacramento Office of the Bishop
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
March 10 Rwanda Connections
Committee Annual Meeting,
Sacramento
March 15 Synod Assembly Planning
Committee, San Jose Marriott
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 2013
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
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ANNUAL MEETING COMPLETED?
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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TAKE THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT!!!
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Nominated for an Election at the 2012 Synod Assembly?
Nomination forms are due at the Office of the Bishop in Sacra- mento by Feb. 1! 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 Positions at Mt. Cross
Online application here; for ??? email Mariel Spengler
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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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Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive
This highly recom-mended continuing education oppor-tunity runs from Sun. evening, May 27, until Fri. noon, June 1, at the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, Austin, TX. Attendees will be immersed in the language, including conversational Spanish and prac- ticing the liturgy, and join lectures on Latino cultural events, indigenous spirituality, theology and practical ministry. Free time will provide a chance to explore historic Austin. Discounted fees available before Feb. 28; click here for more info.
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claimed . . . gathered . . . sent
The Sierra Pacific Synod
PO Box 276648, Sacramento, CA 95827-6648 916-756-1665 · 800-275-3522
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