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I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren. (Thessalonians 5:27)
Subject: Fwd: Message from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud -Regarding Proposed Realignment
Date: Thu, 21 May 2015 12:13:14 -0700
From: Pastor Anne Carlson <pastor-anne@newcreationchurch-sj.org>
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Date: Thu, 21 May 2015 12:13:14 -0700
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Subject: Fwd: Message from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud -Regarding Proposed Realignment
From: Pastor Anne Carlson <pastor-anne@newcreationchurch-sj.org>
To: SCVLP group <scvlp@googlegroups.com>
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Greetings all,
Bishop Mark has sent out a letter clarifying the discussion regarding
conference changes.  No action will be taken this assembly, just discussion=
.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Sacramento.

Anne, dean


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA <bpmark@spselca.org>
Date: Tue, May 19, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Subject: Message from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud -Regarding Proposed
Realignment
To: pastor-anne@comcast.net



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Dear Rostered Leaders of the Sierra Pacific Synod,



The following letter was written as a response to concerns expressed by one
of our deans regarding a proposed re-alignment of the conferences of the
Sierra Pacific Synod.  I wish to thank Pr. Kendrah Fredricksen and the
members of the Sierra Nevada Conference for sharing their concerns, and for
those who have responded to her e-mail.  Clearly, the Sierra Nevada
Conference is one that will be affected by the proposed changes, so it
stands to reason they might have greater concern about these proposed
changes.



If you read nothing else in this e-mail, be sure you read this: *The
proposed conference realignment will not be a matter that will be decided
by the upcoming Synod Assembly.  There is neither a resolution nor
provision in the agenda for a vote on this matter.*  The proposed
conference realignment will be discussed in relation to the Report of the
Bishop, but no legislative action will be taken on this matter at the
Assembly.  The purpose of this "hearing" of the realignment proposal is
just that - to begin (not end) a conversation on what conference
realignment might look like for our synod's ministry.  Please, if you have
not done so, take the time to read The Report of the Bishop which has been
posted as a part of the pre-Assembly reports.  In that report, I have
offered what I believe will be the benefits of this conference
realignment.  I offer the following in furtherance of moving this
conversation forward:



   - Currently there are two conferences which are made up of only five
   congregations, while other conferences have twenty or more congregations=
.
   Our synod's constitution requires that the conferences "be approximately
   equal in number of congregations and baptized members."  Clearly, our sy=
nod
   is out of compliance with this constitutional expectation, and the
   representational principles the conferences were intended to offer our
   system of governance have been compromised.  Whether this proposal, or
   something akin to it moves forward is not an option - a change must be m=
ade
   to bring us into harmony with our constitution.


   - When the Sierra Pacific Synod came into existence on January 1, 1988,
   there were 220 congregations and 84,000 baptized members in these
   congregations.  At the end of 2013, we had 193 Congregations and 45,000
   baptized members.  In 1988, each of the 23 elected council members
   represented approximately 3,652 baptized members.  Under the proposed
   conference realignment, each elected council member would represent 3000
   baptized members.  This represents greater, not lesser representation th=
an
   that which was originally conceived for our synod's ministry.



   - The statistics listed above are alarming, in terms of the drop of
   membership and number of congregations in our shared ministry.  Many
   pastors have seen similar changes in their congregation's membership - w=
ith
   a decline not only in membership but in mission support.  Clearly, it is
   time to reimagine ways that we can support and encourage each other in
   ministry.  Synodical and Churchwide staff and resources and Conference
   Deans play an important part in this goal of supporting local ministries=
,
   as do parish pastors and congregational leaders as they consult,
   collaborate and learn from each other.


   - At some point in the near future, nine "Synod Ministers" will be
   commissioned to assist congregations in the call process, as well as ser=
ve
   as resources for communication with the larger church.  While some
   Conference Deans will have greater distances to travel to be present in =
the
   congregations of their conference in the proposed conference realignment=
,
   meeting with congregations in the call process or to help resolve confli=
cts
   will not be added to the job description of the deans - that will be the
   responsibility of the Synod Ministers.


   - Nothing in this proposal prohibits or discourages congregations and
   pastors which currently enjoy opportunities for collegial gatherings, Bi=
ble
   studies, and other affinity groups from gathering as they do now.  It al=
so
   includes the possibilities that others may be invited "in" to be a part =
of
   these groups.  I don't know that I see a downside to that.


   - Having each conference represented on the synod council or at
   Churchwide Assemblies has never happened with the current system of
   conference and district nominations.  Kendrah makes a valid point that
   depending on how the "classes" of council/CW voting members are grouped,=
 it
   is possible, for example, that a lay male might have to wait 12 years (n=
ot
   18) to have an opportunity to serve.  Aligning the nine conferences into
   three voting districts would ameliorate that issue, but we would have to
   decide if this is of higher value than the "guarantee" that each confere=
nce
   would be represented.


   - Times are changing, and the need to create opportunities for
   congregational leaders and clergy to communicate via Skype, FaceTime, or
   online meetings (where there is internet support for such technology) wi=
ll
   make communication possible over great distances and is certainly "green=
er"
   than all the time, energy and gasoline that gets used driving to meeting=
s.
   There may also be an opportunity for pastors in more remote areas to dee=
pen
   relationships with full communion partners as means to
   developing/maintaining collegial relationships and missional goals.  Of
   course, this could also be happening in areas that are less remote, too.


   - Just as there has been a revision in the number of voting members we
   send to the Churchwide Assembly (15 in 1988; 11 in 2016), it follows the=
re
   needs to be a revision of the number of synod council members which are
   tasked with overseeing our synod's ministry.  Additionally, there will b=
e
   reductions in costs in gathering 15 people for synod council meetings,
   rather than the current 23, as well as in gathering 9 conference deans,
   rather than 16.  There are budget realities we made a decision to live i=
nto
   with the passage of our budget last October, this will be one way of doi=
ng
   that.


   - The proposed realignment of the conferences will help create more, not
   fewer opportunities for congregational leaders to discern missional goal=
s
   and regional mission strategies for their ministries.  The constitution
   also describes how "clusters and coalitions" can be created for the purp=
ose
   of implementing shared mission strategies - nothing in this proposal
   prevents that from happening organically.


   - The proposed realignment of the conferences represents a greater
   affinity of context for the ministries in these conferences, whether the=
y
   are located in Nevada or California.  I believe there are similar questi=
ons
   being asked by many of the congregations in these proposed conferences,
   questions that are similar in places like Yreka and Quincy and Elko, jus=
t
   as there are similar questions being asked from one end of the Silicon
   Valley to the other and beyond, including ministries that serve those wh=
o
   commute to work in the Silicon Valley.


   - This is not a "top down" mandate.  It is a proposal for conversation
   that I believe is an important way to align how we are gathered for
   ministry through the work of  the Synod Council, the Council of Deans an=
d
   in how we send voting members to the Churchwide Assembly.  This proposal
   calls to live into the present realities of our context, not those of
   thirty years ago.  The part of our constitution which governs the
   description of the Conferences of our Synod is a continuing resolution, =
and
   continuing resolutions can be amended by a two thirds vote of the Synod
   Council, and are then subsequently reported to the Synod at large.  It i=
s
   my belief that this matter will best be decided by those whom you have
   elected to represent you on the Synod Council.  It is not a decision I o=
r
   the synod staff could or would make.


   - I understand how this proposed realignment might seem unsettling to
   some - such changes to our understandings of who we are called to be as
   sisters and brothers in Christ, called to share the Gospel of Jesus Chri=
st
   in northern Nevada and northern California can seem like an intrusion in=
to
   our well-ordered lives and ministries.  Yet, how many of us have run int=
o
   the "buzz saw" of trying to lead transformational ministry in our contex=
t,
   only to meet the resistance of those who have a more nostalgic, rather t=
han
   transformational view of ministry?  I ask for your support in our synod'=
s
   ministry leading with the goal of wondering what the Holy Spirit might h=
ave
   to say to us as we move forward in ministry together, even as that may c=
all
   us to serve from a new posture of leadership and affiliation.



I want to reiterate something I mentioned above and in my report -- nothing
in these proposed changes will change the way we are gathered for mutual
support and consolation.  Bible/Text Studies, affinity groups, and
gatherings of congregational and pastoral leaders that have been a part of
our shared ministry as conferences would be able to continue as before.
This is a governance issue, meant to bring us into compliance with
constitutional mandates and the natural course of the changes in
demographics since these conferences were first proposed more than thirty
years ago.



Thank you for considering the above; I apologize for its length.  I pray I
have spoken to the concerns that were expressed in Pastor Fredricksen's
letter and the subsequent e-conversation that has followed.  This
conversation will continue during the Report of the Bishop at Synod
Assembly, and at a subsequent meeting of the Synod Council.  I ask for your
prayers for this conversation to be reflective of our synod's vision
statement - "Committed to being re-formed."  This proposal is not carved in
stone, and will be the subject of much conversation before a final decision
is made.  But rest assured, a decision will be made at the appropriate time
and in an appropriate and constitutional manner.



I ask that we have this conversation as if the millions of people in the
territory we have been called to serve in northern Nevada and northern
California are watching us, because they are.  I believe they are wondering
what our church has to offer as we face the drought, racial and economic
injustice, immigration issues, questions about the Christian faith and so
much more.  I believe they are wondering what we are willing to risk in
terms of our own comfort and well-being to tend to the needs of the
communities we serve.  I believe this conversation could even be a part of
our witness, and an invitation for us to see Christ present in places we
have often overlooked - in the communities where we were planted so many
years ago (as Alan Roxburgh, our presenter at last fall's Professional
Leader's Conference suggested in his time with us).  Could we invite these
people to be a part of this conversation?  An interesting thought.



May God bless and encourage this conversation to be reflective of all of
these values, and let a healthy and vibrant process be the goal, not the
outcome.  See you at Assembly, if not before.





God's Peace,

Bp. Mark
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Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA | 9985 Folsom Blvd. | Sacramento | CA |
95827-1405

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Greetings all,</div><div>Bishop Mark has sent out a l=
etter clarifying the discussion regarding conference changes.=C2=A0 No acti=
on will be taken this assembly, just discussion.</div><div><br></div><div>L=
ooking forward to seeing you all in Sacramento.</div><div><br></div><div>An=
ne, dean</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_quote">----=
------ Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class=3D"gmail_sendername">=
Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA</b> <span dir=3D"ltr">&lt;<a href=3D"mailto:bpma=
rk@spselca.org">bpmark@spselca.org</a>&gt;</span><br>Date: Tue, May 19, 201=
5 at 9:48 PM<br>Subject: Message from Bishop Mark W. Holmerud -Regarding Pr=
oposed Realignment<br>To: <a href=3D"mailto:pastor-anne@comcast.net">pastor=
-anne@comcast.net</a><br><br><br>=20

=20

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=20

 <table width=3D"100%" style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255)" bgcolor=
=3D"#ffffff" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><t=
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=3D"1" colspan=3D"1">
<div>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>Dear Rostered Leaders o=
f the Sierra Pacific Synod,</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>The following letter wa=
s written as a response to concerns expressed by one of our deans regarding=
 a proposed re-alignment of the conferences of the Sierra Pacific Synod.=C2=
=A0 I wish to thank Pr. Kendrah Fredricksen and the members of the Sierra N=
evada Conference for sharing their concerns, and for those who have respond=
ed to her e-mail.=C2=A0 Clearly, the Sierra Nevada Conference is one that w=
ill be affected by the proposed changes, so it stands to reason they might =
have greater concern about these proposed changes.=C2=A0 </span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>If you read nothing els=
e in this e-mail, be sure you read this: <strong>The proposed conference re=
alignment will not be a matter that will be decided by the upcoming Synod A=
ssembly.=C2=A0 There is neither a resolution nor provision in the agenda fo=
r a vote on this matter.</strong>=C2=A0 The proposed conference realignment=
 will be discussed in relation to the Report of the Bishop, but no legislat=
ive action will be taken on this matter at the Assembly.=C2=A0 The purpose =
of this &quot;hearing&quot; of the realignment proposal is just that - to b=
egin (not end) a conversation on what conference realignment might look lik=
e for our synod&#39;s ministry.=C2=A0 Please, if you have not done so, take=
 the time to read The Report of the Bishop which has been posted as a part =
of the pre-Assembly reports.=C2=A0 In that report, I have offered what I be=
lieve will be the benefits of this conference realignment.=C2=A0 I offer th=
e following in furtherance of moving this conversation forward: </span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<ul><li><span>Currently there are two conferences which are made up of only=
 five congregations, while other conferences have twenty or more congregati=
ons.=C2=A0 Our synod&#39;s constitution requires that the conferences &quot=
;be approximately equal in number of congregations and baptized members.&qu=
ot;=C2=A0 Clearly, our synod is out of compliance with this constitutional =
expectation, and the representational principles the conferences were inten=
ded to offer our system of governance have been compromised.=C2=A0 Whether =
this proposal, or something akin to it moves forward is not an option - a c=
hange must be made to bring us into harmony with our constitution.</span></=
li></ul>
<ul><li><span>When the Sierra Pacific Synod came into existence on January =
1, 1988, there were 220 congregations and 84,000 baptized members in these =
congregations.=C2=A0 At the end of 2013, we had 193 Congregations and 45,00=
0 baptized members.=C2=A0 In 1988, each of the 23 elected council members r=
epresented approximately 3,652 baptized members.=C2=A0 Under the proposed c=
onference realignment, each elected council member would represent 3000 bap=
tized members.=C2=A0 This represents greater, not lesser representation tha=
n that which was originally conceived for our synod&#39;s ministry. </span>
<div><span>=C2=A0</span></div>
</li></ul>
<ul><li><span>The statistics listed above are alarming, in terms of the dro=
p of membership and number of congregations in our shared ministry.=C2=A0 M=
any pastors have seen similar changes in their congregation&#39;s membershi=
p - with a decline not only in membership but in mission support.=C2=A0 Cle=
arly, it is time to reimagine ways that we can support and encourage each o=
ther in ministry.=C2=A0 Synodical and Churchwide staff and resources and Co=
nference Deans play an important part in this goal of supporting local mini=
stries, as do parish pastors and congregational leaders as they consult, co=
llaborate and learn from each other.=C2=A0</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>At some point in the near future, nine &quot;Synod Ministers&=
quot; will be commissioned to assist congregations in the call process, as =
well as serve as resources for communication with the larger church.=C2=A0 =
While some Conference Deans will have greater distances to travel to be pre=
sent in the congregations of their conference in the proposed conference re=
alignment, meeting with congregations in the call process or to help resolv=
e conflicts will not be added to the job description of the deans - that wi=
ll be the responsibility of the Synod Ministers.=C2=A0</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>Nothing in this proposal prohibits or discourages congregatio=
ns and pastors which currently enjoy opportunities for collegial gatherings=
, Bible studies, and other affinity groups from gathering as they do now.=
=C2=A0 It also includes the possibilities that others may be invited &quot;=
in&quot; to be a part of these groups.=C2=A0 I don&#39;t know that I see a =
downside to that.</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>Having each conference represented on the synod council or at=
 Churchwide Assemblies has never happened with the current system of confer=
ence and district nominations.=C2=A0 Kendrah makes a valid point that depen=
ding on how the &quot;classes&quot; of council/CW voting members are groupe=
d, it is possible, for example, that a lay male might have to wait 12 years=
 (not 18) to have an opportunity to serve.=C2=A0 Aligning the nine conferen=
ces into three voting districts would ameliorate that issue, but we would h=
ave to decide if this is of higher value than the &quot;guarantee&quot; tha=
t each conference would be represented.=C2=A0</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>Times are changing, and the need to create opportunities for =
congregational leaders and clergy to communicate via Skype, FaceTime, or on=
line meetings (where there is internet support for such technology) will ma=
ke communication possible over great distances and is certainly &quot;green=
er&quot; than all the time, energy and gasoline that gets used driving to m=
eetings.=C2=A0 There may also be an opportunity for pastors in more remote =
areas to deepen relationships with full communion partners as means to deve=
loping/maintaining collegial relationships and missional goals.=C2=A0 Of co=
urse, this could also be happening in areas that are less remote, too.</spa=
n> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>Just as there has been a revision in the number of voting mem=
bers we send to the Churchwide Assembly (15 in 1988; 11 in 2016), it follow=
s there needs to be a revision of the number of synod council members which=
 are tasked with overseeing our synod&#39;s ministry.=C2=A0 Additionally, t=
here will be reductions in costs in gathering 15 people for synod council m=
eetings, rather than the current 23, as well as in gathering 9 conference d=
eans, rather than 16.=C2=A0 There are budget realities we made a decision t=
o live into with the passage of our budget last October, this will be one w=
ay of doing that.</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>The proposed realignment of the conferences will help create =
more, not fewer opportunities for congregational leaders to discern mission=
al goals and regional mission strategies for their ministries.=C2=A0 The co=
nstitution also describes how &quot;clusters and coalitions&quot; can be cr=
eated for the purpose of implementing shared mission strategies - nothing i=
n this proposal prevents that from happening organically.</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>The proposed realignment of the conferences represents a grea=
ter affinity of context for the ministries in these conferences, whether th=
ey are located in Nevada or California.=C2=A0 I believe there are similar q=
uestions being asked by many of the congregations in these proposed confere=
nces, questions that are similar in places like Yreka and Quincy and Elko, =
just as there are similar questions being asked from one end of the Silicon=
 Valley to the other and beyond, including ministries that serve those who =
commute to work in the Silicon Valley.=C2=A0</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>This is not a &quot;top down&quot; mandate.=C2=A0 It is a pro=
posal for conversation that I believe is an important way to align how we a=
re gathered for ministry through the work of =C2=A0the Synod Council, the C=
ouncil of Deans and in how we send voting members to the Churchwide Assembl=
y.=C2=A0 This proposal calls to live into the present realities of our cont=
ext, not those of thirty years ago.=C2=A0 The part of our constitution whic=
h governs the description of the Conferences of our Synod is a continuing r=
esolution, and continuing resolutions can be amended by a two thirds vote o=
f the Synod Council, and are then subsequently reported to the Synod at lar=
ge.=C2=A0 It is my belief that this matter will best be decided by those wh=
om you have elected to represent you on the Synod Council.=C2=A0 It is not =
a decision I or the synod staff could or would make.</span> </li></ul>
<ul><li><span>I understand how this proposed realignment might seem unsettl=
ing to some - such changes to our understandings of who we are called to be=
 as sisters and brothers in Christ, called to share the Gospel of Jesus Chr=
ist in northern Nevada and northern California can seem like an intrusion i=
nto our well-ordered lives and ministries.=C2=A0 Yet, how many of us have r=
un into the &quot;buzz saw&quot; of trying to lead transformational ministr=
y in our context, only to meet the resistance of those who have a more nost=
algic, rather than transformational view of ministry?=C2=A0 I ask for your =
support in our synod&#39;s ministry leading with the goal of wondering what=
 the Holy Spirit might have to say to us as we move forward in ministry tog=
ether, even as that may call us to serve from a new posture of leadership a=
nd affiliation.=C2=A0 </span></li></ul>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>I want to reiterate som=
ething I mentioned above and in my report -- nothing in these proposed chan=
ges will change the way we are gathered for mutual support and consolation.=
=C2=A0 Bible/Text Studies, affinity groups, and gatherings of congregationa=
l and pastoral leaders that have been a part of our shared ministry as conf=
erences would be able to continue as before.=C2=A0 This is a governance iss=
ue, meant to bring us into compliance with constitutional mandates and the =
natural course of the changes in demographics since these conferences were =
first proposed more than thirty years ago.=C2=A0 </span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>Thank you for consideri=
ng the above; I apologize for its length.=C2=A0 I pray I have spoken to the=
 concerns that were expressed in Pastor Fredricksen&#39;s letter and the su=
bsequent e-conversation that has followed.=C2=A0 This conversation will con=
tinue during the Report of the Bishop at Synod Assembly, and at a subsequen=
t meeting of the Synod Council.=C2=A0 I ask for your prayers for this conve=
rsation to be reflective of our synod&#39;s vision statement - &quot;Commit=
ted to being re-formed.&quot;=C2=A0 This proposal is not carved in stone, a=
nd will be the subject of much conversation before a final decision is made=
.=C2=A0 But rest assured, a decision will be made at the appropriate time a=
nd in an appropriate and constitutional manner.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>I ask that we have this=
 conversation as if the millions of people in the territory we have been ca=
lled to serve in northern Nevada and northern California are watching us, b=
ecause they are.=C2=A0 I believe they are wondering what our church has to =
offer as we face the drought, racial and economic injustice, immigration is=
sues, questions about the Christian faith and so much more.=C2=A0 I believe=
 they are wondering what we are willing to risk in terms of our own comfort=
 and well-being to tend to the needs of the communities we serve.=C2=A0 I b=
elieve this conversation could even be a part of our witness, and an invita=
tion for us to see Christ present in places we have often overlooked - in t=
he communities where we were planted so many years ago (as Alan Roxburgh, o=
ur presenter at last fall&#39;s Professional Leader&#39;s Conference sugges=
ted in his time with us).=C2=A0 Could we invite these people to be a part o=
f this conversation?=C2=A0 An interesting thought.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>May God bless and encou=
rage this conversation to be reflective of all of these values, and let a h=
ealthy and vibrant process be the goal, not the outcome.=C2=A0 See you at A=
ssembly, if not before.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>=C2=A0</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>God&#39;s Peace,</span>=
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span>Bp. Mark</span></p>
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