Campus Ministry, a Year Later
A year later and students remain mostly off-campus. Instead of living in dorms or apartments near California State University Monterey Bay, or one of the other five campus ministries in our synod, they are...
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A Church of Word and Sacrament and Service – Deacon Margy Schmitt Ajer
So what’s a deacon anyway? Glad you asked! I was certified as a Lay Professional Leader in the Lutheran Church in America in 1986. In 1987, as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was...
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Mission Exploration as a form of Spiritual Practice – Pr Tita Valeriano
The Christian Community around the world will begin its Lenten journey this week through Ash Wednesday. Many are discerning on spiritual practice/s that they may begin or amplify during this time individually and collectively....
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A Message from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud
Three months from this week, we will have just completed our 33rd Synod Assembly, online, where among other items of business we will elect the fifth bishop of our Sierra Pacific Synod. As we prepare for...
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A Message from Lutheran Social Services of Northern California
I am enthusiastic about 2021 but tempering that enthusiasm. Last year LSS added several new programs for youth, families and adults. This year we will expand several existing programs thanks to special funding opportunities,...
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Abundant Transitions – Pastor Bill Wong
I’m listening to the inauguration. The day before, I received a Covid-19 vaccine. A bathroom in our home is being remodeled. Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, where I serve as the intentional interim...
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A Conversation of Mutual Discernment – Deacon Margy Schmitt Ajer
Part of my ongoing guidance to congregations seeking new pastoral leadership and to pastors thinking about a new call is to frame our thinking as not a hiring process, not a job interview, but...
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What kind of leadership does the church need today? Tita Valeriano, Director for Evangelical Mission & Assistant to the Bishop
On that memorable day of Epiphany, January 6th, I was preparing for a presentation to the Evangelism and Justice class at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, taught by Pr Ruben Duran, the ELCA Program Director...
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A Message from the SPS Companion Synods
As the new chair of the Global Missions Advocacy Team, I would like to thank the Synod Council for honoring our request for a $5,000 line item in the Synod Budget for 2021. This...
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Happy New Year from the Sierra Pacific Synod Staff
Many Blessings for the New Year Your Synod Staff Mark W. Holmerud Tita Valeriano Margy Schmitt-Ajer Bill Wong Diana Barrios Debbie Cook Kathye Hamm Rachel Line Laurie Gaumer Katrina Finley
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