Since the Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis this past summer, there have been many and varied responses across the ELCA and across the Sierra Pacific Synod to the votes on the Social Statement on Human Sexuality and the implementing resolutions regarding ministry policies.  While some congregations and members have celebrated this change in the ELCA's policies for which they have long advocated, others have registered strong objections and taken action, including members who are moving their membership to other congregations and congregations which are voting to separate from the ELCA.  And somewhere in between, there are many congregations and members for whom this has neither been a cause for celebration nor a source of concern.  There have also been reports from some congregations which are welcoming new members who have come to find out more about the churches of the ELCA in the wake of the Churchwide Assembly.

 

I ask for your prayers for all of the people and congregations and ministries of the Sierra Pacific Synod as we move through this time.  I especially ask your prayers for the leaders and congregational members of the 11 congregations who have decided to enter into a two vote, 90 day consultation process which would end their interdependent relationship with the conference, synodical and churchwide expressions of the ELCA. 

 

Please remember in prayer . . . 

• these congregations as they seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this important decision for their mission and ministry, especially as the date for their vote approaches.

• the pastors of these congregations who do not wish to leave the ELCA, whose calls will officially terminate if the process to leave the ELCA is approved. 

• the members of these congregations who do not wish to see their congregation leave the ELCA, as they consider their options for the future should the vote succeed. 

• the pastors and members of these congregations who do wish to leave the ELCA, that they may know it is our desire that other options might be considered. 

• the lay leaders, staff and bishops of the synods of the ELCA, and Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and the staff of the churchwide offices, as they seek to lead our church in this time.

The congregations and the dates for their 1st or 2nd votes are listed below:

 

   Concordia, Kingsburg - 2nd vote 1/31

   Emanuel, Lodi - 1st vote 1/31

   Mt. Zion, Yreka - 1st vote 2/14

   Sierra, Auberry - 2nd vote 2/28

   Gloria Dei, San Jose - 2nd vote 3/21

   Life, Richmond - 2nd vote 4/11

   Chinese, San Francisco - 2nd vote 4/11

   St. John's, Los Banos - 2nd vote 4/18

   Shepherd of the Valley, Galt - 2nd vote

      4/18

 

In addition to these congregations, Grace, Redway, voted 19-5 to finalize leaving the ELCA on January 3rd, and St. Stephen's, El Dorado Hills, voted but did not reach the required 2/3 majority when they held their first vote last fall.

 

The Office of the Bishop, partnering with members of the Synod Council and Conference Deans, is currently in a consultation process with all of these congregations as they move through this process.  Thank you for your prayerful support of these and all the ministries of our synod. 

 

Lastly, I would ask for your prayers for my ministry as bishop.  It is a difficult and challenging task to meet with lay and ordained leaders of our congregations, some whom I have known and worked with for many years and whom I have valued as friends and colleagues, as we find ourselves in very different positions with regard to the actions of the Churchwide Assembly.  I am saddened that some of our congregations and pastors may choose to leave the ELCA, but do not feel it is my "job" to talk them out of their intentions, only to reflect Christ as I walk with them through this process, and ensure they will be making a fully informed decision when that time comes.  I pray that I have and will continue to do so on behalf of all of you - the sisters and brothers of the Sierra Pacific Synod who are answering the call to share Christ each day in the places where the Spirit leads us. 

 

God's Peace,

Bp. Mark

 

 

 

   

 

February 14-16  Clergy/AiMs

    & Spouses Retreat

    Asilomar

 

February 26-28   SPSYC

    Elementary Retreat - Mt. Cross

 

March 1-2  Retired Clergy/

    AIMs/Widows-Widowers/

    Spouse  Retreat - San

    Damiano Retreat Center,

    Danville, CA

 

March 4-9    Conference of

    Bishops

 

March 6   Synod Rwanda

    Connection Committee

    1:00-4:00 - 708 Lake Front

    Drive, Sacramento

 

March 10   Honoring our

    Foremothers - PLTS

 

March 12-14  Spring Youth

    Retreat at PLTS

 

March 11-13  Anti-Racism

    Workshop - Mt. Cross

 

March 22-23   Pre-Retirement

    Seminar - San Damiano

    Retreat Center, Danville

 

April 16-18   SPSYC Elementary

    Retreat - Sly Park, Sacramento

 

 

May 6-8   Synod Assembly

     Silver Legacy Hotel

     Reno, NV

 

May 27  Council of Deans Meeting

    Trinity, Pleasanton

 

June 25-26  Synod Council

 

 

September 30 - October 5

    Conference of Bishops  

 

October 16  District E Fall

    Assembly  10:00 - 3:00

    Shepherd of the Valley, Merced

 

October 17  District C Fall

    Assembly  2:00 - 5:00 pm

    St. Mark's, San Francisco

 

October 23   District A Fall

    Assembly  10:00 - 3:00

    Our Savior's, Lafayette

 

November 6   District D Fall

    Assembly  10:00 - 3:00

    Advent, Morgan Hill

 

 

 

January 5-9   Bishop's

    Academy

 

January 19-20   Council of

 

March 3-8   Conference of

    Bishops

 

May 12   Synod Council

 

May 13-15   Synod Assembly

    Hyatt Regency Airport

    Burlingame, CA

  

August 14-20   Churchwide

    Assembly - Orlando, FL

 

September 29   October 4

    Conference of Bishops

 

 

 

January 5-9   Bishop's

    Academy