Dear , 

Last month, while traveling to Washington D.C. to visit our son, I encountered several people I continue to think about.

As we waited to check our bags at SFO, I watched a simple little event.  One of the skycaps came over to the kiosk holding a bag of Bic pens.  When the two other skycaps working that station saw him, he was greeted as if he was carrying something far more valuable.  Apparently it was a supply and demand situation.  Without hesitation, he ripped open and held the bag for each to take what was needed.  As he did that, he looked over at us and said, "You know, back when I was a kid at our house, we just shared.  If somebody had something someone else needed, we just shared it.  I'm guess I'm still that way."

One afternoon while we were in D.C., we had wandered far from our hotel.  Suddenly we realized that walking back would make us late for an appointment.  As we got into a taxi, we received a surprising greeting ... almost as if we'd arrived in someone's home.  "Welcome!  Welcome to my city and welcome to my taxi!"  Not exactly what we expected!  And it didn't stop there. He asked where we were from.  What had we seen already?  What were our plans?  He was so engaging, I almost forgot where I was.  I started asking him about his story, as he was obviously not born in the U.S.  It turns out he was from Niger.  He was from a big family in a poor region.  And again, like the skycap, he just started talking about what life was like, how little they had, how much they shared and how good life was for them.  He told us about all the places he'd lived since and he talked (without prodding of any sort!) about how he carried his childhood into his adulthood, as he welcomed strangers, offered help well beyond a mere ride from here to there, and smiled.  His smile was amazing.  I can still see it in my mind's eye and then I smile too.

This month you're probably talking about stewardship in your church.  Chances are it's about budgets and need, pledge cards and percentages, opportunities and challenges.  All of that is good and important information to know.  Perhaps you've even heard about the ministries provided on your behalf by the ELCA, World Hunger, Lutheran World Relief, and even our own Sierra Pacific Synod.  Again, good stuff.  But as I remember these two chance meetings in my life, I'd like to add something to the mix:  In addition to all that, I invite you to think about your life from the perspective of the skycap and/or the cab driver.  What did you learn as a child about sharing?  What have you been given all through your life?  When has the stranger touched your life with unexpected kindness?  As you answer these questions, I invite you to allow some of those answers to help determine your answer when you're asked what you will be sharing this next year.

God's peace,

The Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson

Bishop's Associate 

We remember in prayer:  

Bishop Mark, his family and medical team as they continue planning treatment of his prostate cancer

The family and friends of Mrs. Alma Petersen, widow of the Rev. Spener Petersen, who died in her San Francisco home on Oct. 11 at the age of 110 years 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (TIME SENSITIVE - RESPONSE NEEDED)

Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation - Class Action Settlement

TO: All Eligible ELCA Congregations and Synods having held liability and/or property insurance coverage through Charity First for the period August 26, 1994 through September 1, 2005, or any portion thereof

FROM: ELCA - Office of the Treasurer and Office of the Secretary

DATE: October 1, 2011

The ELCA was awarded a net amount of $57,648.97 in settlement of a class-action suit involving Charity First, former administrator of the ELCA-endorsed synodical and congregational insurance program during the period August 26, 1994 through September 1, 2005.

On behalf of participating ELCA congregations and synods, the ELCA Churchwide Organization received the settlement amount.  In accordance with action of the ELCA Church Council, the ELCA Office of the Treasurer and Office of the Secretary are to distribute settlement proceeds to eligible congregations and synods.  Eligible congregations and synods are defined as those holding liability and/or property insurance coverage through Charity First during the period August 26, 1994 through September 1, 2005, or any portion thereof.

Each eligible congregation and synod must complete the attached Claim Form in order to receive a portion of the proceeds.  Please submit the completed, signed Claim Form to the ELCA - Office of the Treasurer via U.S. mail or e-mail on or before February 20, 2012.  Claim Forms postmarked or sent electronically after February 20, 2012 will be ineligible for the distribution.  If you have any questions you may contact the ELCA Office of the Treasurer at 773-380-2892 or via e-mail.

Click to download a copy of this Announcement and the Claim Form.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Clergy/AIMs/Diaconal Ministers and

Spouses/Partners Retreat 

The 2012 SPS Clergy/AIMs/Diaconal Ministers and Spouses/Partners Retreat is happening Feb. 19-21, 2012 at Redwood Glen, in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Our speakers will be Pastors Peg and Reg Schultz-Akerson, of Faith Lutheran Church in Chico.  The theme will be "Ready to Get Wet?  Swimming Together in God's Ocean of Grace as Couples."  The cost of the retreat is $500 and covers room and board.  We are asking for $250 by Nov. 30th to reserve your spot.  Space is limited to the first 21 couples. 

Please make your check payable to Santa Clara Valley Lutheran Parish and mail to: 

ELCA Rostered Leaders & Partners

c/o Jim & Peggy White,

3744 Cadwallader Ave., San Jose 95121

We hope to see all of you there.  If you have any questions please call Todd Bertani at 707-688-6411.

Board of Pensions Webinar Available

What drives the price of ELCA benefits?  Watch  or download a recording of the recent BOP webinar by clicking here.

Senegal:  "A Light in Linguere" 

"It is exciting and uplifting to see the people of the Linguere parish reaching out and living as witnesses to their Muslim neighbors," writes Dirk Stadtlander, ELCA missionary in Senegal, as he describes the faith journey of Fatimata, a young Senegalese woman.  Read the entire story by clicking here.

FALL DISTRICT / CONFERENCE GATHERING SCHEDULE

DISTRICT D -- Peninsula Conference; Santa Clara Valley Parish; Monterey Bay Conference -Sat., Oct. 22, 10am- 3pm, Christ the Good Shepherd, San José 

DISTRICT E --

Sierra San Joaquin (electing a Dean) and Central Valley Conferences - Sat., Oct. 29, 10am-2pm, Emanuel, Modesto

Central San Joaquin Conference -  Tues.,  Oct. 25, 5:30-7pm,

Hope, Fresno

Visions of Hope:

An Exodus From Hunger!

Featuring: Rev. Arthur Simon,

Founder of Bread for the World

Nov. 4-6 at Mount Cross Retreat Center, Felton, CA - Sponsored by the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network

Click here for registration brochure.  Total cost for the weekend is $150.  Partial scholarships are available for seminarians and college students.  Contact Edie Lott by email for more information.

Cultural Competency Workshop - November 12

If you have not registered, please do so now to get the discounted price.  We are happy to announce that there will be child care AND there will be English to Spanish translation for the workshop.  If you would like child care and/or you would like English to Spanish translation, contact the Registrar, Linda Vogelgesang, immediately! 

Anti-Racism Workshop in Walnut Creek November 17-19

The next Anti-Racism Workshop will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek on Nov. 17-19.  Register soon, as registration closes Nov. 1; click here for more info or to register.

 The Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee presents the 2011 Junior High Retreat Nov. 11-13 at Mt. Hermon
Cost: $155 per person; includes Friday dinner and Sunday lunch.
Bible Verse will be: 1 Corinthians 15:1
To learn more and to register online click here.
(Registration will close Oct. 28th)

For more information on Mt. Hermon, click here.