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The Sierra Pacific Synod
Weekly E-Newsletter
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Sierra Pacific Synod
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January 26, 2012
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Greetings!
When our son Sam got a job at the cart barn of the local golf course, he needed a car. He had some savings. He found a sweet deal on a used Hyundai. It was, to my way of thinking, quite basic: no moonroof or CD player or cruise control; just a simple four year old white four-door with 8400 miles. With a little help on the finances, this car became his first and well-loved car that has moved him reliably and safely from here to there for 7 years now. This past fall, graduate school took him to the East Coast. His car got left behind and now sits in front of our house, awaiting his occasional return visits.
As anyone who has ever owned one knows, a car needs to be driven in order to stay drive-able. However, here's the rub: that would require one of us to drive it. That makes me nervous. (Did I mention how well-loved this car is?) It's one thing to drive my own (well-loved) car. If I scrape the bumper in the parking lot at work (yes, I did), it isn't so bad. I did it to MY car. But what if something happens? What if there's a bad driver whose path I cross? What if I do something dumb? The thought really does just give me a knot in my stomach. (I feel almost as strongly about driving my husband's beloved Thunderbird convertible, by the way...) And yet, in order to take care of this (well-loved) vehicle the way it needs, someone must drive it occasionally. And occasionally, that someone is me.
I got to thinking about this the other day because I was reading some stuff about Stewardship. (True story .... That's just how my brain works.) I got to thinking about all the well-loved things in our lives that God has left for us to take care of. They're not ours because we own them. They're just ours for now. But the expectation is that while they're with us, we'll do what needs to be done to care for them: we'll use them, not just keep them out on the street, so to speak, where it seems no harm will come to them and no risk will be required of us.
So then I wondered about that for my life. I wondered about the gifts God has left in my care: my time, my various abilities and talents, and then, of course, my money - all well-loved, by both God and me. I wondered about the ways I was "driving" them (Occasionally? Often? Often enough? Too much?) I wondered about what ones I was leaving "parked out front," supposedly for safety's sake.
Because I know that I need to do a little "spiritual inventory" every now and then about how I'm using the gifts God has left in my care, I figured the same was probably true for you. So then, in terms of the gifts God has given you to take care of, what has been left "parked out front"? What needs to be driven in order to stay drive-able? What gifts have you chosen to try to "keep safe" instead of using them for the reason for which they were created? What risks have you avoided, perhaps because you've forgotten that these gifts aren't actually yours and that isn't what you were asked to do with them? Maybe some gifts you're driving too hard. Maybe others need to be taken out for more than a spin around the block. I don't know. Just wondering...
Peace,
The Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson
Bishop's Associate
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CONGRATULATIONS TO:
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland, which celebrated 125 years in ministry this past weekend! Thanks be to God for the faithful ministry of these sisters and brothers in Christ.
Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Citrus Heights, named "Best Church in Citrus Heights" by the Chamber of Commerce.
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Souper Bowl of Caring
is Sunday, February 5
The Super Bowl takes place on Sunday, Feb. 5, and approximately 100 million Americans are expected to tune in to watch. As those millions are enjoying abundant food and friendship while hosting or attending parties, approxi-mately 1 billion people will be hungry.
The Souper Bowl of Caring is an ecumenical, youth-led movement that promotes opportunities to fight hunger by raising funds, collecting canned goods and participating in service projects.
When your congregation participates, the money you raise can be donated to the hunger-related charity of your choice. This year, please consider making a difference both locally and globally. Select a local organization to receive half of what you raise, and send the other half to ELCA World Hunger. Gifts to World Hunger support the projects of this church that respond to hunger and poverty in over 50 countries - including hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries right here in the U.S. What an incredible way to make an impact!
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Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC)
Seeks New President
LVC is looking for someone to build upon their strategic planning and fundraising skills by leading the open and affirming national non-profit through significant growth while ensuring sustainability. LVC places full-time, stipended volunteers into non-profit organizations and ministries in 16 cities to work for peace with justice across the nation, living together in intentional household communities. Find a full position description and instructions for submission by clicking here.
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Lutheran Students Invited to
Help End Malaria
The ELCA Malaria Campaign has grants available to help Lutheran students engage in the global fight against malaria. The deadline for grant applications is March 1. In addition, a $125,000 matching grant is available so that money raised by Lutheran students will be matched, dollar-for- dollar. Click here for more information and application materials.
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Mexico: Immerse Yourself in
"Seeds of Transformation"
Partner with locally led Christ-centered organizations working in marginalized communities in Mexico City. Through stimulating site visits, lectures and cultural exchanges, explore Christ's model in addressing the roots of poverty of your local and global community and deepen discipleship within your team, small group, family or church. For upcoming trips and the latest immersion options click here.
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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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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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Germany: Sing Where Luther
Began the Reformation
Take your choir to the International Choir Forum in Wittenberg, Germany, between May and October 2012. There you can sing in the Castle Church, take advantage of the many musical offerings and see the sites of Luther. Click here for more information.
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Midwest Music Groups 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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Second Mile Giving
for January:
Companion Synods:
Rwanda, Taiwan
and El Salvador
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| SYNOD CALENDAR |
2012
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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TAKE THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT!!!
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Nomination Form Deadline
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 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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Asset Based Community
Development Training
January 27-28
9 a.m-4 p.m.
Asset Based Comm- unity Development 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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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
World Christianity and the Shifting Face
of Mission -- How shall we be the Church in today's World?
San Damiano Retreat Center,
Danville - 2/27-28
Click here for info
& registration form
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CONGREGATIONS IN TRANSITION
Key:
(1) Vacancy (5) Developing profile
(2) Pulpit supply (6) Preparing slate of candidates
(3) Interim work under way (7) Interviewing
(4) Forming Call Committee (8) Calling
Congregation Interim Pastor Alameda, Immanuel (8) Carol Been Carmichael, Gethsemane (5) Cindy Beck Clovis, Lord of Life (6) George Thune El Dorado Hills, St. Stephen (5) Ron Zielske Elko, Faith (5) Eric Dale Eureka, Calvary (4) Don Larson Fernley, Gift of Grace (1) Pulpit Supply Foresthill, New Hope (4) Russ Paulson Hilmar, Berea (5) Bob Linscheid Los Gatos, Faith (5) David Bowman Merced, Shepherd of the Valley (8) Jodi Golden-Lund Novato, All Saints (8) Ray Wade Novato, Good Shepherd (5) Marcus Hess Orinda, Holy Shepherd (Associate) (7) New Position Quincy, Our Savior (6) Don Legacie Reedley, Christ (4) Richard Kristoff Richmond, Grace (1) TBD Rio Linda, Calvary (5) Todd Eckblad Sacramento, Atonement (3) John Reil Sacramento, St. John's (4) David Mullen (Primary), Trudy Franzen (Spanish-speaking Congregation) San Francisco, Grace (3) Bill Embree San Francisco, St. Francis (3) Pamela Griffith Pond San Francisco, St. Mark (Associate) (4) Paul Brenner San Francisco, St. Matthew (7) Pulpit Supply San Francisco, Sts. Mary and Martha (7) Pulpit Supply South San Francisco, Redeemer (3) Lori Eickmann Stockton, Zion (6) Stan Niemi
Vallejo, Holy Trinity (3) Sandra Dager Visalia, Christ (Associate) (5) New Position Woodland, American (6) Dick Smith |
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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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