This week we have witnessed history in the making as our
44th President was sworn into office. His oath ended
with the words: "So help me God" and we moved into a new
chapter in the life of our country. We pray God's
blessing and help for all who are involved in this
transition. It is an exciting time. It is
an exciting time for us here in the Sierra Pacific Synod, as
well, as we count on God's blessing and help in this time of
transition. I'd like to call special attention
to two things: First, our new website: SPS Website
It is a work in progress, so check it often.
Second, please take some time to read the
Transition Documents that are attached to the
newsletter. Included are a letter from me explaining the
process, a description of the transition teams and their
tasks, and a nomination/application form.
TWO THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1) We expect and hope these
transition teams will include a number of talented lay
people. Please don't be shy.
2) Only names coming to us via the
form will be considered for service on the
teams.
Thank you for your interest in our synod, your
support and willingness to serve! Basking in the
light, Pr. Nancy Feniuk Nelson Transition
Documents .Link
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We remember in prayer . . .
Bishop Holmerud and the people of the Lutheran
Church in Rwanda. Bp. Holmerud is in Rwanda this week to
celebrate the dedication of the first wing of the Rwanda
Lutheran School, a joint ministry of the Sierra Pacific Synod
and the Lutheran Church of Rwanda.
President
Obama, his family, cabinet, and advisers as
they begin to serve our country in this new chapter of our
life together.
President Bush and his family as they, too, begin a new
chapter in their lives.
For all the members of the Sierrra Pacific Synod as they
consider the possibility of serving on the transition
team.
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EVANGELISM
CONFERENCEHitchhikers Guide to
Evangelism
Sponsored by
Easum, Bandy & Tenny-Brittian Net
Results Dates: February 6-7, 2009 First
Lutheran Church 1300 East Colorado Street Glendale,
CA
Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittian
will explore how to share the Good News in a postmodern world
in understandable, practical and effective ways.
The
conference will help participants discover their own answer to
the question "Why do evangelism?" as well as giving them
practical tools for sharing their faith. The final
sessions include practical tools for pastors and lay leaders
to develop a congregtion full of evangelists.
Registration:
$95 Includes workbook,
breaks, and 2 CEUs.
Pastors
who bring four people attend free. Ways
to register: On line at:
www.easumbandy.com
Fax:
361-749-5800
Phone: 361-749-5364
Mail: EBT,
Box 780, Port Aransas, TX 78373
. Link
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DEADLINE REMINDERS Attention: All
Rostered Leaders and Congregation Presidents
The following
reports are due on the dates indicated:
February
1
2009 "Our Congregation's Plan for
Mission Support" (State of Intent). This form was
sent to your congregation's treasurer in December 2008.
Contact the Synod office if you need another
copy.
February
15
2009 Rostered Leader Forms to the
Bishop.
Here
is a link to this form, which is on the ELCA website.
Choose the appropriate form for your status. Rostered Leader's
Report to Bishop
February
15
2008 Congregational Parochial
Report (Forms A, B and C). These forms should be
filed electronically by going to 2008 Parochial
Reports
March
29
Rostered Leaders take the ELCA Board of Pensions health
assessment. Our synod will earn an approximate
savings of $39,000 if we achieve 75% participation by March
29th.
Link
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China
Service Opportunities
China Service Ventures (CSV), a
501(c)3 non-profit organization and an affirmed partner with
the ELCA, offers the following service opportunities in
2009:
1) Teaching ESL in
China
Who: Adults and mature
college students (you don't need to be a certified
teacher)
What:
Teaching oral English to Chinese English teachers
When: July 5 - August
3, 2009
Where:
Xinyang City and surrounding countryside, Henan
Province
How:
Via China Service Ventures and the Education Department of
Xinyang City
Cost: Approximatey
$900
2) Youth Service Project in Henan
Province
Every year CSV brings Lutheran Youth Groups to
China to serve the people of rural Henan Province. We do
this through the painting of schools not able to afford
it. Other projects include cleaning nursing homes,
repairing roads, and city beautification.
Join us as we
bring American youth and Chinese youth together to serve the
poor of Henan Province. Youth will learn about the rich
Lutheran Church mission history in China and what the Chinese
Church is doing today. Dates for the 2009 Youth Service
Project are July 15-30, 2009. Estimated cost is $800,
not including airfare.
For information and a teaching
application, contact Rev. Steven Ray, Developer, DXV Relation
at 253-851-7643 or 877-408-7056, or e-mail at Steven
Ray.
Website: China Service
Ventures
Link
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Upcoming Events
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January 15-22 - Bishop Holmerud
in
Rwanda
January 21 - Care for Returning Veterans Workshop
Pacific Lutheran
Theological
Seminary
January 23-24 -- Synod Council
January 29 -- Interim Pastors
Gathering
January 30 - Clergy-only AA
Meeting - 12:00 noon
United Lutheran Church
649 Northgate Drive
Manteca, CA
January 31 - LSS Tools for Change
Conference - Our Savior
Lutheran Church, Livermore
February 10-11 - First Call Event
San Juan
Capistrano
February 13 - Professional
Leadership Conference
Planning Committee
February 15-17 - Clergy/AIMS
& Spouses Retreat,
Asilomar
Conference Center
March 2-3 - Retired Pastors,
Spouses, AIMs Retreat - San
Damiano
Retreat Center,
Danville, CA
March 19-22 ELCA Bishops'
Assistants Gathering in
SF
March 27-28 Racial & Ethnic
Ministries Task Force
April 21-22 Mobility Conference
April 16-18 - Gathering for Women
of Color in Ministry
Eaglewood Resort and
Spa,
Itasca (Chicago) IL
May 27-28 Synod Council
May 28-30 Synod Assembly
Fresno,
CA
August 17-23 - Churchwide Assembly, Minneapolis, MN
September 22 - LSS Garrison
Keillor - Live in Concert
Memorial Auditorium
Sacramento
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REMINDER TO
RETIRED CLERGY, AIMS,
WIDOWS
The retreat for retired clergy, AIMs, spouses and
widows/widowers is fast approaching on March 2-3. Be
sure to get in your registration along with your check made
payable to Sierra Pacific Synod. Registrar is Pastor
Glenn Johnson. You can contact him at (831) 476-9559 or
by e-mail at:
glenn.e.johnson@sbcglobal.net
The
retreat will be held at the San Damiano Retreat Center in
Danville, CA, and features Herb Brokering and Bishop Mark
Holmerud as presenters.
Link
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PLTS YOUTH RETREAT
PLTS
is sponsoring a Spring Youth Retreat on the PLTS campus March
13-15, 2009. The theme is "Connect 4?".
For
information contact Dr. Carol Jacobson, Assistant Professor of
Practical Theology, PLTS, by e-mail at: Dr. Carol
Jacobson
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ST. OLAF BAND
IN
CALIFORNIA
Dates and locations in our area for the St. Olaf
College Touring Band are:
Palo Alto, CA
Sunday,
February 1 - 3:30 pm
Gunn High School - Spangenberg
Theater
780 Arastradero Road
(650) 354-8200
$18
Adults, $10 Students
San Francisco, CA
Monday,
February 2 - 7:30 pm
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111
O'Farrell St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415)
928-7770
$18 Adults, $10 Students
Fresno, CA
Tuesday,
February 3 - 7:30 pm
Clovis North High School
Paul
Shaghoian Concert Hall
2770 E. International Ave.
$10
Adults, $5 Students
Link
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Transition at Resource
Center
Dee Wright, who has been Director of the Synod
Resource Center, was honored at a luncheon hosted by the
new Director, Cindi Eckert. January 15th was Dee's
last 'official' day.
Dee has applied for a
short-term mission post in Slovakia through ELCA Global
Missions.
Godspeed, Dee . . . you leave
with our deep gratitude, fond affection and warm
memories.
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Sierra
Pacific Synod 