Synod & Congregational News | |
Special Synod Assembly Meeting | |
|
On September 28 at 9 AM, the Synod will convene via Zoom to discuss and vote on a budget. Normally, the voting members from the June assembly will also be voting members at the September meeting. All voting members must register for the meeting to receive a link to join the Zoom meeting.
In order to vote at the Special Assembly meeting each voting member of the assembly will need to have a unique email address AND their own device for attending and voting.
Before September 28th, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the budget and discern as a community. The hearing will occur on September 17 at 6:30 PM, and voting members can ask questions regarding the proposed Synod Budget. The hearing scheduled for September 10 will not be happening, and we apologize for any inconvenience this causes. The Zoom link will be available the week prior to the meeting.
| |
Resources from Synod Assembly Speaker | | |
|
Are you still thinking about Synod Assembly Speaker Rebecca Anderson? Want to implement what you learned in your life? Check out her resources! | |
|
The Sierra Pacific Synod and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California want to update you on the Park Fire, which has significantly impacted Butte and Tehama counties and triggered immediate evacuation notices in Plumas and Shasta Counties. The fire has burned approximately 429,000 acres and is 57% contained, causing extensive damage and displacing many individuals and families.
The fire remains active and continues to threaten communities.
Lutheran Social Services of Northern California is working in collaboration with the Sierra Pacific Synod and the California, Nevada, and Hawaii District LCMS to provide relief resources and services to those affected, and are all accepting donations. Your donations can make a significant difference in providing immediate relief and long-term support. Needs will range from the need for housing (immediate or longer term), food assistance, transportation assistance, and essentials for daily living.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps restore hope and rebuild lives.
Click here donate to the Lutheran Social Services of Northern California Wildfire Relief Funds via PayPal.
| |
|
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:15
With joy and thanksgiving, you are invited to witness and celebrate the ordination of Anand Darla to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Saturday, August 24, 2024
11:00 AM PT
Trinity Lutheran Church
1225 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Reception to follow.
"My grace is sufficient for you."
2 Corinthians 12:9
| |
Rev. Daniel Buringrud's Instillation | |
With praise to God, you are invited to witness and celebrate Rev. Daniel Buringurd's installation at St. Mark's San Francisco.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
2 PM PT
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
| |
Accompaniment Trip To Texas/New Mexico | |
 | Are you seeking an opportunity to participate in an immersion experience on the US/Mexico border? Learn more about a trip hosted by the Border Servant Corps based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Pasto, Texas. This trip is open to congregations and individuals in the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, interested in increating an expanded vision for outreach with our siblings who live both along the border and in our local communities. The dates are June 1-7, 2025. Border Servant Corps partners with local churches and community groups to support those entering the US as immigrants. Our group will meet people, visit local organizations, learn about immigration laws and be offered the opportunity to build an understanding of economic policy and realities affecting people on the border. We will meet before the trip to get to know each other, share readings, practice spiritual formation and make a covenant of how we wish to travel together. We also will consider how to share what we learn when we return. If you would like more information please get in touch with Pastor Jill Ross at revjilliross@gmail.com or call 360-270-0295. | |
Listening on the Way Discernment Group | |
|
Registration for Queer Confirmation is open for Fall 2024-Spring 2025! Youth, accompanied by a safe adult can be in the 1st cohort of this remarkable curriculum—written for youth and deep engagement.
Sign up on our website or by filling out these 3 forms:
Confirmand Signup | Safe Adult Signup | Parent Guardian Consent
What is Queer Confirmation?
The Queer Confirmation curriculum (QC) is a 1-year (24 sessions), synchronous, online curriculum for LGBTQIA+ teens accompanied by a safe adult (parents/religious leader). It aims to deepen relationships with God, peers, and facilitators through curated topics, questions explored in mentored small groups, skills that build resilience amidst specific challenges in the lives of Queer Christian youth, and rituals that buoy young people up in the affirming love of God.
| |
"Love One Another...
Cultivating A Heart Like Ruth's"
| |
Thriving Leadership Formation Cohort Groups | |
|
We are excited to share that our 2024-25 Thriving Leadership Formation Cohort Groups are now forming. Cohorts come together with the intent of creating nurturing and empowering times, spaces, and relationships. They are intended to foster spiritual and contemplative practices in order to enrich life and ministry, and help the church and its leaders thrive. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices. Membership is open to rostered and non-rostered leaders in ELCA Regions 1 and 2. We ask those interested to fill out the interest form.
Interest Form | Learn More
| |
Aspects of Fire" Organ Recital
at St. John's Sacramento, CA
| |
|
The final Organ Recital of a four-part series, "Aspects of Fire," will be held on Sunday, September 22 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sacramento, featuring renowned organist Dr. Ryan Enright.
This Recital will include the following works and more:
- Mars, the Bringer of War (from The Planets) - Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
- Prière ("Prayer," from Four Pieces for Organ, Op. 37, no. 3) - Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)
- Elegia - Polibio Fumagalli (1830-1900)
- Golden Gates (2010) - Pamela Decker (b. 1955)
- Fantasia über den choral "Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" - Max Reger (1873-1916)
Tickets are available for purchase - $20 general admission, $15 students, seniors, and AGO members, and children 12 and under free. A reception will follow the recital in Oehler Hall at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Purchase your tickets online here!
| |
|
Do you have an idea for growing a ministry or ministry partnership? The Endowment Fund of St. Mark's San Francisco is now accepting grant applications for its 2024 grant application cycle until August 25.
Funding may be available for projects of organizations whose work expands and enhances the mission and ministries of St. Mark's and for projects of St. Mark's own ministries that are new initiatives and beyond the annual budget.
Please visit the Endowment Fund’s web page at stmarks-sf.org/endowment to learn more about the Endowment Fund and the application process or contact the Endowment Committee at endowment@stmarks-sf.org for more information.
| |
|
A new organization has been founded to continue supporting liturgical thinking in the ELCA, especially the formation of future clergy. The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy also features a new blog, “Procession,” with preaching help for pastors and deacons for each Sunday of the year.
This month, the blog kicks off with Pr. Kirsten Fryer of the St. Paul Area Synod, who offers commentary for each Sunday in September. You can learn much more about the Seminar by visiting its website as it prepares for its inaugural session in August 2025.
| |
|
Is your faith community participating in "God's Work. Our Hands." on September 8? Then check out the ELCA Event Website, packed with worship resources, advocacy projects, and promotional items!
Remember to take photos and share them with our Communications Coordinator so they can be featured on our social media!
| |
|
Are you looking for something new? We have amazing congregations looking for someone like you! Check out our job posting page for open positions throughout our Synod.
If your congregation has a position posted that has been filled, please be sure to let our Synod Communications Coordinator know, so we can keep the page updated.
| |
|
-
Pianist/Organist, Faith Lutheran Church (Marysville, CA) Please contact faith100d@gmail.com or (530) 743-1539 office
| |
Synod Staff & Conference Deans | |
|
*** SPS STAFF ***
Bishop Jeff R. Johnson,
Sierra Pacific Synod
bishopjeff@spselca.org
Debbie Cook,
Finance Assistant Contractor
debbie@spselca.org
Rev. Brandon Peck,
Administrative Director
brandon@spselca.org
Rev. Courtney Geibert, Communications Coordinator
communications@spselca.org
Megan Macpherson, M. Div., Assistant to the Bishop
megan@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines,
Assistant to the Bishop
charlane@spselca.org
Rev. Amy Keinzle, Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)
amy@spselca.org
| |
|
*** CONFERENCE DEANS ***
Rev. Dr. Janet Blair, Redwood Mountain Conference 1
conference1@spselca.org
Rev. Jill Ross,
Bridges Conference 2
conference2@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder,
Capitol Valley Conference 3
conference3@spselca.org
Rev. Christian Schweter, Sierra Nevada Foothills Conference 4
conference4@spselca.org
Rev. John Kuehner,
S.F. Peninsula Conference 5
conference5@spselca.org
Rev. Cristina Beauchemin,
El Camino Real Conference 6
conference6@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. John Valentine,
Mt. Diablo Conference 7
conference7@spselca.org
Rev. Karen Johnson,
Sierra Central Valley Conference 8
conference8@spselca.org
Rev. Jodi Golden-Lund,
Central San Joaquin Conference 9
conference9@spselca.org
Rev. Cindy Beck, Interim Ministry
interims@spselca.org
| | | | |
