|
Happy Advent Sierra Pacific Synod! As we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, we share exciting updates, save-the-dates, and other helpful information surrounding Children, Youth and Family Ministry in our synod. We wish you a joyful December and a blessed Christmas!
If you are receiving this email and are not involved in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry in your congregation, you are welcome to respond directly to this email and share the proper contact information for the individual involved. If your congregation does not have a Children, Youth, and Family Ministry staff liaison, volunteer, or interested individual, you are welcome to respond directly to this email and ask to be removed from the list.
| |
|
On November 18 - 20, 2022, the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) held their annual Elementary and Middle School Retreat at Mt. Cross Ministries. They gathered under the theme, “God’s Love: Inside Out” and centered their time together in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”
Read more about the Retreat and see pictures from the weekend here.
And be sure to save-the-date for the SPSYC High School Retreat - happening February 24-26, 2023 at Mt. Cross Ministries! Registration for the retreat will open in January.
| | |
|
|
"Kids face so many challenges in the world today. How can we equip our children with the tools they need to navigate the complexities life has to offer? Books offer us a unique opportunity to teach important lessons to kids in an age-appropriate way while making complex topics fun and digestible and opening up their worldview to new experiences. This holiday season, give the gift of books designed to help kids thrive in every aspect of their lives and grow into their best and truest selves. Below are many great options to choose from for the young readers in your life! From now until Christmas, take 25% off your purchase with the code BBHOLIDAY25 at check-out."
Check out the books recommended by Beaming Books publishing company for this holiday season here.
| |
|
Please save-the-date for our synod’s first Children, Youth, and Family Ministry zoom meeting! Join us on Tuesday, January 10th at 7:00pm via zoom. This meeting will provide an opportunity for folks to introduce themselves, share ideas about children and youth ministry throughout the synod, ask questions about the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering, WSYG, and SPSYC Retreats, connect with leaders in your area, and so much more.
This meeting is open to any staff member, volunteer or individual who supports Children, Youth, and Family Ministry in their congregation! Zoom link coming soon.
| |
|
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network has launched registration for the 2023 Extravaganza, happening February 3-6 in Anaheim, CA and online from home. Registration prices increase December 16th - be sure to register today!
“The Extravaganza is the annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA. It is so much more than a conference: it’s space to be stretched, it’s worship, it’s inspiring speakers, it’s learning from colleagues across the country, it’s sharing your insights with others, it’s informative and transformative. The Extravaganza is renewing, educational and connects you with others…then sends you home strengthened for the ministry to which you have been called.”
| |
|
The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) registration prices increase January 4, 2023! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023, the Western States Youth Gathering is open to high school aged youth in Regions 1-4 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Are you planning to bring high schoolers to WSYG and/or WYLE? Learn more and register here today!
| |
Connect with Synod Staff & Your Conference Dean | |
|
Rev. Ben Colahan
Dean, Redwood Mountain Conference 1
[email protected]
Rev. Dave Miller
Dean, Bridges Conference 2
[email protected]
Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder
Dean, Capitol Valley Conference 3
[email protected]
Rev. Charlane Lines
Dean, Sierra Nevada Foothills Conference 4
[email protected]
Rev. John Kuehner
Dean, San Francisco Peninsula Conference 5
[email protected]
| |
|
Rev. Cristina Beauchemin
Dean, El Camino Real Conference 6
[email protected]
Rev. Dr. John Valentine
Dean, Mt. Diablo Conference 7
[email protected]
Rev. Mark Price
Dean, Sierra Central Valley Conference 8
[email protected]
Rev. Jodi Golden-Lund
Dean, Central San Joaquin Conference 9
[email protected]
Rev. Cindy Beck
Dean, Interim Ministry
[email protected]
| | |
|
The Sierra Pacific Synod Office resides on the unceded land of the Ramaytush Ohlone People.
To learn more about their tribal history, we encourage you to click here.
| | | | | |
