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1 Week left to Register for Synod Assembly 2022! |
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1 Week Left to Register for Synod Assembly!
Registration closes May 1, 2022
This week is the final week to register to attend the 34th Annual Assembly of the Sierra Pacific Synod. Registration closes May 1st for the Assembly and all related special events.
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Hotel Room Block Available until May 8th
We have a block of hotel rooms at a significantly reduced rate at The Nugget Hotel in Sparks, NV. This room block is only available at the reduced rate until May 8th, so we encourage you to book your room today.
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Pre-Assembly Hearings & Trainings
As we gather in a hybrid fashion for Assembly, we'll host a series of zoom hearings and trainings to help prepare for our time together in June. Please save-the-date for the following zoom conversations, links to be sent out in May:
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Budget Hearings: May 15th 4:00-6:00pm and May 16th 6:00-8:00pm
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Using the Guidebook App Tutorial & Voting: May 19th 5:00-6:00pm
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"How to Engage in Business Sessions" Orientation: May 21st 12:00-1:00pm
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Resolutions Hearings: May 25th 6:00-8:00pm and May 26th 6:00-8:00pm
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Tech Orientation for Online Participants: May 30th 6:00-7:00pm
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Assembly Workshops Announced!
This year's Synod Assembly will feature a series of workshops that will help inspire, educate and guide your ministry, and we're excited to share a few today!
Workshops will include:
- Military Chaplaincy
- What I Wish I Had Known: the Mechanics of Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Bloom Where You're Planted: Congregational Vitality from the Empire State to the Golden State
- Clergy Support Groups
- Serving on Church Council: How to Run your Council Meeting & Other Duties
- What do Young People want at Church?
- Who's My Neighbor?
- Climate Change - Making Wholeness through Art
- Blending the Physical and Digital: Church Online in a Post-Covid World
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Synod Snapshots from this Week! |
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Rev. Tita Valeriano worshipped with Iglesia El Buen Pastor in Salinas, CA this past weekend. Thank you to Rev. Eduardo Trejo and the entire community for a beautiful Sunday morning! |
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Bishop Megan Rohrer joined Atonement Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA for a joy-filled worship service yesterday. Thanks to Rev. Holly Feather and the community of Atonement for the warm welcome. |
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Both Rev. Manda Truchinski and Bishop Megan Rohrer joined the SPSYC Retreat at Mt. Cross Ministries this weekend. Check out more pictures from the incredible weekend below! |
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Rev. Susan Birkelo of Lutheran Community Church in Watsonville, CA led her final service this past Sunday. Rev. Susan served in Watsonville for 18 years! Rev. Tita Valeriano and Rev. Manda Truchinski were honored to join Rev. Susan and the community for this celebratory Sunday. |
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Rev. Tita Valeriano and Rev. Dawn Roginski, Chair of the Witness Discipling Team, gathered with Conference Dean Rev. Jodi Golden-Lund and a local volunteer, Carole, to explore the Hanford area for a new SAWC exploration. |
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After worship, the community gathered for a celebratory meal to honor Rev. Susan Birkelo. Here, she is pictured with her family. Blessings on your retirement, Rev. Susan!
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Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) Retreat Recap! |
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Thanks to Lisa Herlocker and Elizabeth Hood for the pictures. |
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Upcoming Synod Wide Events/Livestreams |
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Check out our upcoming Synod-Wide Events here.
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Being a Reconciling Synod
A Conversation with LGBTQ+ Theologian in Residence Pam Rocker
Tuesday, April 26th 6:30-8:00pm
Conversation via Zoom
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Chrism Mass Services
Wednesday, April 27th at 1:00pm
Faith Lutheran Church in Meadow Vista
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May Bishop's Book Club
Tuesday, May 3rd at 5:00pm PT
Live on Facebook & YouTube
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Quarterly Congregational Officers Meeting
Saturday, May 7th 10:30am PT
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Synod Assembly Trainings & Hearings
Happening throughout May
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Pentecost Pre-Recorded Sermon
Recorded Sermon for Sunday, June 5th
Available for download May 23rd
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Grief & Trauma in the Season of COVID-19: Livestream with
Rev. Dale Poland
Last week, longtime ELCA Ordained Pastor, Hospice Chaplain, and Bereavement Counselor Rev. Dale Poland sat down to share his insight and experience with grief and loss, especially in this season of COVID-19.
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Updates and Resources from ELCA Churchwide & Beyond |
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Virtual Lutheran Lobby Day with the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California
Our friends at the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California just launched registration for the Virtual Lutheran Lobby Day! Happening on Wednesday, May 18th from 9:00am-4:00pm, this Lobby Day will feature a Keynote Speaker, Workshops, and more.
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Lutheran Volunteer Corps Accepting Applications
Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) applications are open - know any adults 21 or older who may be interested in a year of service?
"Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is a full-time service and leadership program operating in many cities across the United States. Volunteers are placed in full-time positions at social justice organizations for one year, or for a semester with our new Flex Semester program."
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Virtual Discernment Event with ELCA Seminaries
All 7 ELCA Seminaries are pairing up to host a virtual discernment retreat on Saturday, May 7th from 8 am-1 pm PT. This will be a wonderful opportunity for individuals discerning Seminary and an accessible way to learn about all of the different seminaries in the ELCA.
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Are you a Chaplain in our Synod?
Calling all Chaplains! The ELCA Churchwide Office is looking to collect information on all Rostered Leaders serving as Chaplains in each Synod.
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There were many stories from the Synod shared on our blog this week! We invite you to click the links below to read each story:
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Bishop's Wednesday Livestream Prayer
Every Wednesday, Bishop Megan (or a member of the Synod Staff) goes live on Facebook and YouTube for a time of prayer as a community.
We invite you to join us for prayer every Wednesday at 6:00pm! Public prayers can be lifted up in the comments, and private prayers can be messaged directly to Bishop Megan.
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Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer
Bishop
Sierra Pacific Synod
Rev. Hazel Salazar-Davidson
Assistant to the Bishop for Authentic Diversity, Inclusive Community & Service
Diana Barrios
Director of Finance, Systems and Administration
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Rev. Manda Truchinski
Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership & Strategic Organization
Rev. Tita Valeriano
Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop
Catherine Slabaugh
Communications & Connections Coordinator
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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.
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