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The
Sierra Pacific Synod
Weekly
E-Newsletter
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Sierra Pacific Synod,
ELCA Jan.
27, 2011
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Greetings from Thailand! As
part of my study leave, I am currently attending the Sixth Asia Lutheran
International Conference in Pattaya.
When I mentioned to some that I
would be attending this meeting with Lutherans from all over Asia, many
were surprised that there WERE Lutherans in Asia.
Yet, we are a global church and we must not forget that. Attending
the meeting are representatives from India, Thailand, Singapore, Laos,
Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. As I have attended these events
over the years, I come away with an increased understanding of God's
wonderful encouragement to spread the Gospel.
This is a time of learning for all attendees of this
conference. The theme this year is "Reading the Bible in
Asian Contexts" with four main emphases. Rev. Dr.
Paul Rajashekar from our seminary in Philadelphia is speaking on
"Reading the Bible in Asian Contexts." Rev.
Dr. Martin Sinaga from the Lutheran World Federation is focusing on "Reading
the Bible in the Contexts of Religions and Cultures."
Prof. Monica Melanchthon from Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in
India will present "Practicing the Bible in the Contexts of
Poverty, Injustice and Exploitation." The closing
keynote will be by Bishop Nicholas Tai of the Lutheran Church of Hong
Kong with the theme, "Teaching the Bible in the Contexts of
Ministry."
This is also a time of
networking. Over the years I have met and become friends with
Lutheran leaders who live all over Asia. I not only cherish these
friendships, but have learned from these leaders. Hopefully, I have
grown in my understanding and admiration of the variety of cultures, languages,
and world views that comprise the Kingdom of God.
Why is that important?
Because right here in our own synod we live in neighbor-hoods rich in
diversity. If we are to truly be a church in mission we must
continue, and indeed, increase our awareness of our neighbors,
acknowledging and welcoming the gifts they have to share with the church
of Jesus Christ. Who knows, we may be changed and if so, it will be
for the better!
Diversity is one of the greatest
assets we have in this synod. Did you know that of the seventeen
ministries in our synod that are supported financially either as a new
start or ministry renewal, eleven are specifically reaching out to the
diverse populations in their areas? They welcome and include Asian,
Hispanic, Ethiopian, African American, South Asian, Arab, and Tanzanian
people.
I am looking forward to returning
with a broader perspective of mission, some greater appreciation of the
Lutheran slice of the Kingdom of God, and increased sensitivity to the
gifts that others bring to the mission of our Church.
Blessings, Harvey Blomberg
Director for Evangelical Mission
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We remember
in prayer...
Pastor Steve Blair (St. James, Hanford), family and
friends, following the death of his mother
Pastor Marty Schaefer (retired), recovering from
hip surgery
We invite you to lift up these ministry partners in
prayer:
Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church, Novato; First Lutheran
Church, Orland; St. John's Lutheran Church,
Oakland; University Lutheran Church, Palo Alto; Shepherd of the
Valley Lutheran Church, Merced
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Vote
for $1 to support the LCF Creation Care Environmental Initiative through
Facebook!
In 2010-2011, the Lutheran
Community Foundation (LCF) pledged nearly $100,000 to Lutheran
environmental projects through its Creation Care initiative. Now,
you can help add to this support by voting for the LCF's Creation Care
Environmental Initiative on Facebook.
Visit the LCF on Facebook to support projects like Lutherans Restoring Creation
and Engaging Lutheran Congregations through Sense of Place. To find
out more about the LCF, visit them on the web.
Thank you for helping to spread
joy and change lives!
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ANNUAL
MEETING "IN THE BOOKS"?
A friendly reminder: Please
make sure that your congregation submits its 2011 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 2011 estimate of giving, THANK YOU!
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JOURNEY
WITH CHRIST:
LIVING
OUR MISSION
A brochure and registration form are available here, or contact
Clark Brown for more information and registration materials at
831-375-2042 or by email.
When: February 11-13, 2011
Where: San Damiano Retreat Ctr., 710 Highland Dr., Danville -
925-837-9141
Cost: Free
to first 25 Sierra Pacific Synod Registrants. Single occupancy $218; double occupancy $188,
per person; for 2 nights, 6 meals
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The Re-Emerging Multicultural Church
In his book, "Building A Healthy
Multi-Ethnic Church," Mark DeYmaz reflects on being told
by an African American pastor not to seek diverse individuals
for the sake of diversity, but rather men or women of sound integrity,
theological unity, and shared vision. He says never presume
that integration has been achieved simply because people of color were
involved. If these inividuals are involved in leading worship, that
might suggest to some that they are accepted as entertainers.
Regarding those that work with children, they may be seen as
"nannys to our kids," and those that are employed as
janitors may be expected to "clean up after
us." It is only when they are allowed to share the pulpit,
serve on the elder board or have say in the apportionment of the
money, will they feel as one with you in the church.
Hear Pr. Mark DeYmaz at
the Re-Emerging Multicultural Church conference April 1 & 2.
Learn more and register at www.saintmatthew.org/conference.
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2011
Retired Clergy/AiMs/Spouses/Widows and Widowers Retreat
February
28 - March 1
San
Damiano Retreat Center, Danville
Click
here for more
information or to register, or contact Mike and Linda Rogers at 559-435-7739, or by email.
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SYNOD
CALENDAR
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January 28-29 Synod Council
February 11-13 "Journey with
Christ" Catechumenate Workshop,
February 15 Assembly Planning
Committee, Hyatt, Burlingame
February
20-22 Rostered Leaders,
February
25-27 Elementary
Retreat #1, Mt. Cross
February 28 - March 1
Retired Clergy/Spouse/Lay
Rostered//Widows/Widowers
Retreat, San Damiano, Danville
March 3-8 Conference of Bishops
March 11-13 Elementary
Retreat #2, Sly Park
March 12 Rwanda Connections
Committee Annual Mtg., 1-4 p.m.,
708 Lake Front Dr., Sacramento
March 17 Assembly Planning
Committee, Office of the Bishop,
April 1-2 Multicultural Ministry
April 8-9 Candidacy Committee
April 12 Assembly Planning
Committee, Office of the Bishop,
May
12 Synod Council, Hyatt
Regency, Burlingame
May 12 Assembly Planning
Committee, Hyatt Regency,
May 13-15 Synod Assembly,
Hyatt Regency, Burlingame
June 9 Council of Deans, Office
Office of the Bishop, Sacramento
June 24-25 Synod Council
July 1-5 Western States Youth
Gathering, California Lutheran
University, Thousand Oaks
Assembly, Orlando, FL
August 26-27 Candidacy Committee
September 23-24 Synod Council
September 29 - October 4
Conference of Bishops,
Lutheran Center, Chicago
October 11-13 Professional
Leaders' Conference, Asilomar
October 21-22 Candidacy Committee
November 4-6 Hunger Education
Retreat, Mt. Cross
2012
January 5-9 Bishops' Academy
January 18-19 Council of Deans
Retreat, Christ the King
Retreat
Center, Citrus Heights
March 1-6 Conference of Bishops
July 18-22 ELCA Youth Gathering,
New Orleans, LA
October 4-9 Conference of Bishops,
Lutheran Center, Chicago
2013
January 16-17 Council of Deans
Retreat, Christ the King
Retreat
Center, Citrus Heights
February 28 - March 5 Conference
of Bishops
October 3-8 Conference of Bishops,
Lutheran Center, Chicago
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TAKE
THE 2011 HEALTH ASSESSMENT!
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2011
IRS MILEAGE RATES
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2011
optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of
operating an auto-mobile for business, charitable, medical or moving
pur-poses. Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for
the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is:
- 51
cents per mile for business miles
- 19
cents per mile for medi-cal or moving purposes
- 14 cents per
mile in service of charitable organizations
For additional information please refer to this IRS webpage.
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Sierra
Pacific Synod Youth Committee
Elementary
Retreat
Bring your 3rd-6th graders and join us for a
great retreat in Feb. or Mar. at one of two loca-tions. This
weekend will be filled with lots of activities and an amazing speaker -
Aaron Tidwell! For more information, costs and registration visit our
website.
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Shane
Claiborne, Christian Activist, Speaking in Sacramento and
Davis
Join Christian activist, Shane Claiborne, in
Sacra-mento or Davis as he speaks on issues of faith, social justice, peace-making and Jesus - inviting the comm-unity to
engage in passionate acts of discipleship.
Appearances: the Faith Community Rally at the State Capital,
Tues., Feb. 1, 12 n; St. John's, Sacramento, Tues. at 7
p.m. (info); The Belfry,
the Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at Davis, Wed., Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. (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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