Sierra Pacific Synod - ELCA

Join us and our ecumenical family as we focus on creation for a month!

Experience the beauty and diversity of religious rituals across the United States! For American Prayer, photographer Lucas Foglia traveled throughout the United States to photograph people participating in religious and spiritual rituals in nature. This exhibit is a collaboration between Foglia, the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS , and the Center for Art and Religion at the Graduate Theological Union. Visitors to the gallery will have opportunities to participate in local climate advocacy, register to vote, and get involved with Bay Area organizations addressing the climate crisis.

The opening reception is from 5-7 pm on Thursday, September 5th, at the Doug Adams Gallery, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA. Please RSVP here: https://events.gtu.edu/event/638250

Gracious God, on this Labor Day, we thank You for the blessing of work. We ask for strength to complete each day. We ask for rest when we are weary. We ask Your guidance for everyone seeking employment, and we ask that You be with those whose faces we might never see but who work tirelessly each day for the good of us all. Amen.

Last Sunday, Christ Lutheran Church, Hope Lutheran Church El Sobrante California, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Berkeley CA, and University Lutheran Chapel of Berkeley worshipped together outdoors. They were led by youth who attended the ELCA Youth Gathering!

Is the Holy Spirit calling you to rostered ministry? Are you looking to join a group to help discern? Spaces are still available for our first meeting on Monday, September 2nd!

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 [email protected].

Calling all evangelists! 👀

With praise to God, you are invited to witness and celebrate Rev. Daniel Buringurd's installation at St. Mark's San Francisco on August 31 at 2 pm.

Statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

The Lutheran Church of Arcata just held their fourth annual Family Camp Weekend. They enjoyed three days of worship, campfires, games, shared meals, and fun on the Mattole River in Humboldt County.

If your faith community would like to be featured on our social media, either send us a FB message or email [email protected].

Registration for Q***r Confirmation is open for Fall 2024-Spring 2025! Youth, accompanied by a safe adult are invited to take part in this remarkable curriculum—written for youth and deep engagement.

Sign up: https://queerconfirmation.org

What is Q***r Confirmation?
The Q***r 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 Q***r Christian youth, and rituals that buoy young people up in the affirming love of God.

Community Lutheran Church has been creatively working with West Sac Mercy Coalition and the Center for Land-Based Learning to create an urban farm on their land! How might your faith community envision the future?

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 (Reception to follow)

Trinity Lutheran Church
1225 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Congratulations, soon-to-be-Rev. Anand!

Last call to register for the Sierra Pacific Women of the ELCA's retreat September 6-8 in Sonona, CA. How do we cultivate a heart like Ruth's? Find out with your sisters in Christ!

Regsiter at:https://files.constantcontact.com/9d110f6a001/e97db939-2027-4459-b1f6-4d72a6ada2f3.pdf

🎵My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.🎶

Last Sunday, Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in Stockton, CA celebrated the festivity of Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Even though the day for this celebration is August 15th, given their name and history, they celebrated her day on August 18th. They had a Baptism, Aztec Dancers who danced in Mary’s honor, and a beautiful solo interpretation of the Magnificat in Spanish. Members of the community also placed flowers near their image of Mary. Their faith community is committed to decolonize the Lutheran Church and uplift the traditions from indigenous groups.

We unite our voices with Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in honoring Mary's courage!

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.

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.

Go to the website below to donate to the Lutheran Social Services of Northern California Wildfire Relief Funds via PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/D877KCAFC9JU6

Are you interested in what you can do as a non-partisan influence in this election cycle? Take your energy to the network with ELCA Advocacy - an opportunity for individuals and our congregations to share in our communities love in action.

ELCA Election Activators from various parts of our ELCA faith community are invited to a call once-a-month to for updates and to hear from each other about local initiatives. Because the ELCA does not endorse a particular candidate, party or form of government or strive for a Christian one, participation requires sign-up and a non-partisan pledge. "Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life" (from ELCA social message "Government & Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy").

Our next virtual meeting is Friday, Aug. 27. Learn more today! https://blogs.elca.org/.../elca-election-activator-network/

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. 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 form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOpsHfaQY5VMJvUbdJlp3vl-MEP0CXW9FsPetpgN14WWOZfg/viewform?pli=1

The Sierra Pacific Synod is ecstatic to welcome its new Communications Coordinator, Pr. Courtney Geibert from Redwood City! Let's all give her a warm welcome! 💖

Pastor Courtney serves at Messiah Lutheran Redwood City. She was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Before attending seminary, she served as a Youth & Family Ministries Director at First Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska. She received her MDiv from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. Her hobbies include weightlifting, reading domestic thriller novels, watching reality television, and searching for the best garlic fries in the Bay area. She also has a rambunctious cat named Stella. Pastor Courtney is excited to serve as a digital storyteller, sharing what God is up to in the Sierra Pacific Synod.

And now to crack the fourth wall - -

I, Michael, your interim comms guy since March, am so glad to have Pr. Courtney on board! This means that my time on synod staff is over, but I am still working at Faith Lutheran Church of Chico, California (ELCA). Don't be a stranger!

Working with the synod has been awesome. I'm continually blown away by the staff's drive to heal, as well as their reverence for all of God's great creation. The staff, and you all -with your stories and pictures of congregational life- have filled my cup. I'm so glad Pr. Courtney gets to share this experience. Thank you for having me, and until we meet again~

Michael N-D, Outgoing Communications Coordinator, still Office Manager at Faith Lutheran in Chico.

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 [email protected] for more information.

Endowment — St. Mark's Lutheran Church San Francisco St Marks: an active Christian community rooted in tradition, open to new expressions, reaching out in service, responding to God's love, welcoming all

Gooooood morning! ☀️ It's hard to believe July has come and gone. The Sierra Pacific Synod invites you to comment here with pictures and stories from your congregations ~ share your ministry highlights of July, 2024!

🚨 Park Fire Update 🚨

The Park Fire has severely impacted Butte and Tehama counties, while triggering immediate evacuation orders in Shasta and Plumas Counties. Over 370,000 acres burned and many families are displaced. We're here to help. Please donate to support those affected. Every contribution makes a difference. Let's bring hope and healing to our neighbors together. ❤️

Thank you to LSS of Northern California for working with the Sierra Pacific Synod to organize relief efforts.

🔗 Donate now: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/D877KCAFC9JU6

During the Bishop's tour, Bishop Jeff visited Grace Good Shepherd (an ELCA & PCUSA church) in Humboldt county. They had a fantastic visit with Bishop Jeff and his entourage --Simon & Janet--with good food, live music, and ending with a service of evening prayer! The congregation says, "Thanks to all who made this possible, we are truly Blessed!"

(From Bishop Jeff Johnson)

Political violence is not acceptable. As the news begins to come out of Butler, Pennsylvania, our prayers are with each of those at the Trump Campaign rally who were shot, wounded, or killed and their families. We pray for the former president and his family and for all of those in attendance and their loved ones.

As followers of Jesus, during this season of difficult decisions we commit to finding non-violent ways to struggle through our political differences. And we affirm our unwavering commitment to ending the unacceptable scourge of gun violence in our nation.

"O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance….Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination….All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.” (ELW, p. 76. A prayer adapted for this moment of crisis).

Happy Saturday from the Sierra Pacific Synod and Portico Benefit Services! Portico would like to share the following health and finance resources with the ELCA:

💛 Benefits reExamined Survey

Through an initiative called Benefits reExamined, Portico seeks input as we discern and design potential benefit changes to continue to meet the evolving needs of this church. Portico plan members and registered EmployerLink users, if you received an email invitation to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes before the survey closes July 12 and add your voice to the conversation.

💛 Time for a Mid-Year Checkup?

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get regular checkups, vaccinations, and screenings. Preventive care is not only essential for maintaining overall health, it’s also one of the best ways to catch unknown health issues early. An annual preventive exam is part of your ELCA-Primary health coverage and this video can help you maximize the time with your doctor so you can live, work, and serve well: https://vimeo.com/903722824/7c853259fc

💛 Staying On Track with Retirement Planning

The idea of retirement can bring up many questions and emotions. Portico offers a series of 30-minute, prerecorded, online workshops called the Retirement Readiness Series to help ELCA Retirement Plan members feel confident about discerning their next steps. Workshops are easily accessible on myPortico. There’s no need to preregister — just sign in and watch. What to go deeper? Schedule a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner to understand more about where you are now and how to ensure you’ll reach your retirement goals: [email protected]/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office365.com/book/[email protected]/

✝️ The people of Davis Lutheran Church invite you to a celebration of Holy Communion with the Rite of Installation for the Reverend Christian GN Holleck as their congregation’s new pastor. This will take place Saturday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. at Davis Lutheran Church, 319 8th Street East Davis, CA 95616.

Rostered Leaders are invited to wear stoles (robes not necessary) and process. The color of the day is green.

Visiting clergy are invited to share one way their community has been blessed and strives to be a blessing (in about 30 seconds). Clergy may bring an object that symbolizes this, and gift it to Davis Lutheran Church for continued inspiration, e.g. a can of food symbolizing a food ministry, or a postcard prayer sent to the homebound. Or, clergy may simply share their ministry/story.

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 [email protected] for more information.

Endowment — St. Mark's Lutheran Church San Francisco St Marks: an active Christian community rooted in tradition, open to new expressions, reaching out in service, responding to God's love, welcoming all

In order to foster a kind and healing space, we have added a set of community guidelines to our page. These guidelines will remained pinned to the top of the page.

#1. SPEAK WITH LOVE - Church and Facebook may feel like polar opposites, but they are both places in which we gather as siblings in Christ. The way you treat people on social media is a reflection of Christ’s name.

#2. KEEP COMMENTS FOCUSED ON FAITH AND HEALING - Meaning kindness, love, support, celebration, congratulations, and so on.

#3. COMMENT TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS, NOT TO CHANGE THEM - Social media is not an effective place to change people, and is best used to inspire and connect. Please do not use this platform to single out or criticize others publicly. If you want to address a disagreement or concern regarding an individual, invite them to talk directly, one-on-one.

#4. RESPECT PEOPLE'S PRIVACY - Do not share content from another person’s personal page (public or private) without their direct consent.

Thank you for fostering a healing space. If you see behavior that violates these guidelines, please report it to the page administrators rather than engaging publicly. You may reach out to our Synod Communications Coordinator directly at: [email protected]

🎼 Lutheran Summer Music invites you to livestream over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services throughout the entire month of July. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 to explore the schedule and access the livestream and video archive. You won't want to miss this!

2024 Academy & Festival — Lutheran Summer Music LSM 2024 June 30-July 28, Valparaiso University Welcome to LSM 2024! With great joy, we welcome you to LSM 2024! For over 40 years, the transformational LSM experience has guided the lives of thousands of young musicians. We are excited to welcome new and returning students for a fantastic summer of...