Sierra Pacific Synod News & Events

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Our first week of Chrism Mass Services brought Rostered Ministers and Lay Leaders together in Reno, NV, Sacramento, CA and Fresno, CA! Bishop Claire Burkat, Conference Deans, and hosting Pastors helped coordinate these services as individuals reaffirmed their vocation and prepared the anointing oils for the year. There are 2 Chrism Mass Services in the greater Bay Area this week - more details can be found below.

Around 200 people attended a Tanzanian Safari Dinner at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Granite Bay, CA last month, enjoying an authentic Tanzanian meal, listening to an outstanding Tanzanian gospel singer who flew to Sacramento especially for this event, and, of course, bidding on dozens of exciting silent and live auction prizes. The event and team raised over $66,000 to fund installing a well at a school in Tanzania where some of Resurrection’s members grew up. They’re planning to build and fill a library at the school in the next phase!

Gift of Grace Lutheran Church in Fernley, NV took their fellowship to a local restaurant! This small but mighty congregation continues to find unique ways to gather and be in community.

Last week, Rev. Manda Truchinski attended the Assistant to the Bishops Gathering with colleagues from across the ELCA. Here, Rev. Manda is pictured with fellow Region 2 colleagues! Pictured is Rev. Jennifer Schultz of the Pacifica Synod, Rev. Jacqueline Pagel of the Grand Canyon Synod, Tina Kvitek of the Rocky Mountain Synod, Rev. Toni Castañeda Carrera, Rev. Tracy Williams, and Rev. Chryll Crews of the Southwest California Synod, and Rev. Maria Paiva, Region 2 Candidacy Director.

30 woman aged 22-93 gathered at Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA for their annual Women's Retreat! The group explored the word "Passion" and spent time in deep discernment, creativity, and community.

Send your ministry pictures to catherine@spselca.org or (650) 302-0364 be featured in the Synod Newsletter!

2023 Rostered Ministers Retreat

Let the Healing Begin:

Reconnecting & Recreating

Sierra Pacific Synod

Rostered Ministers Retreat

All Rostered Ministers of the Sierra Pacific Synod are invited to the 2023 Rostered Ministers Retreat - Let the Healing Begin: Reconnecting & Recreating. This year’s Retreat will take place Tuesday, May 30 - Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Sacramento, CA. The Retreat will begin at 3:00pm Tuesday and conclude at 12:00pm Thursday.

This year’s Retreat will be led by Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care, Spirituality, and Political Theology at Pacific School of Religion (PSR), Leonard McMahon.

Retreat registration will cost $350 / person. All guests will stay overnight at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in a single-occupancy room, and be fed 5 meals during the retreat. Limited scholarships are available, please email revdiannelcoc@gmail.com to inquire more.

Registration for this year’s Rostered Ministers Retreat will open on Monday, April 10th.

More details coming soon here!

Announcements from the Office of the Bishop

Synod Office Closed for César Chávez Day - read more here.

Job Posting: Cross & Cross Lutheran Church and School - read more here.

Introducing Melanie Gordon: SPS Administrative Assistant - read more here.

The Report of the Investigation Team to the Sierra Pacific Synod Council - read more here.

Upcoming Synod-Wide Events

Chrism Mass Services

March 2023 throughout the synod

Rostered and lay leaders are invited to join Bishop Claire Burkat and the Conference Deans for our final two Chrism Mass Services of the year!

Wednesday, March 29 | 12:00pm Lunch, 1:00pm Service | at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, San Francisco - 1111 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA.

Thursday, March 30 | 9:30am Coffee Hour, 10:30am Service | at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont - 38801 Blacow Rd, Fremont, CA.

Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) High School Retreat: New Date!

April 21-23, 2023 at Mt. Cross Ministries

Due to extreme weather and power outages, the February SPSYC High School Retreat has been rescheduled to April 21-23, 2023. We’re excited to announce that registration for the High School Retreat has reopened!

This year’s SPSYC Retreat will gather around the theme “God’s Love: Inside Out”, with the centering scripture of 1 John 4:19. Guest Speaker Regina Banks, Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California, will be with us over the weekend.

Also at this retreat, eligible high school students will have the opportunity to join and serve on the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee! Learn more about serving on SPSYC here.

If you’d like to attend this year’s High School Retreat, you can register here.

Ordination and Installation Service of

Charbel Zgheib

Saturday, May 6th at 4:00pm

at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Sacramento, CA

All are invited to the Ordination and Installation Service of Charbel Zgheib on Saturday, May 6th at 4:00pm at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Sacramento, CA. All Pastors and Deacons are invited to process - the color of the day is red! A reception to celebrate Charbel will follow the service, and we ask that you kindly RSVP by April 15th to (916) 483-0451 or by clicking here.

California Lutheran Lobby Day: Registration Now Open!

Wednesday, May 17th All Day

in Sacramento, CA

All are invited to join the California Lutheran Office of Public Policy on Wednesday, May 17th in Sacramento, CA for Lutheran Lobby Day! Join Lutherans from throughout the state for a day of lobbying, a form of advocacy work that involves directly meeting with political decision-makers.

Learn more about Lutheran Lobby Day and register to attend here.

Spring Conference Gatherings

Throughout May & June 2023

This Spring, the Bishop’s Election Committee and Conference Deans will host our Spring Conference Gatherings at various locations throughout the synod. These Conference Gatherings will have two key focuses: discernment of our upcoming Bishop’s Election, and a Conference Assembly for business items.

Learn more about these Spring Conference Gatherings here.

Updates and Resources from ELCA Churchwide & Beyond

Study for Civic Life and Faith from ELCA

"The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith has released a six-session study about government, democracy and how Christians are called to participate in civic life. Each customizable session comes with a teaching video, prayers, hymn suggestions, Scriptures, group discussion questions, suggested resources and case studies. After each session, participants are asked to give feedback on the content to help the task force write a draft social statement. The study response period is open through Oct. 15."

Learn more by clicking here.

2023 ELCA Young Adult Ministry Transitions Retreat

May 11-14, 2023 at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI

ELCA Young Adults will be hosting a Transitions Retreat this May at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI! "Using the theme “So…Now What?”, the transitions retreat is a four day event designed for young adults experiencing a moment of transition and are seeking time for time, space, support, and community to help discover what their most faithful next step is."

Applications to attend this Retreat are open until March 30th, young adults ages 18-35 are invited to apply. Pricing varies and travel assistance is available. Learn more here!

Connect with Synod Staff & Your Conference Dean

Bishop Claire S. Burkat

Interim Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod

bishop@spselca.org

Deacon JJ Godwin

Director of Operations

jj@spselca.org

Debbie Cook

Finance Assistant Contractor

debbie@spselca.org

Melanie Gordon

Administrative Assistant