Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Register for Synod Assembly by April 26! | |
You have until April 26 to register and pay for the 2026 Synod Assembly!
All registered voting members must have their own email address!
Find out details regarding dates, elections, and more on our website.
If you have registration questions, please email communications@spselca.org!
| Called To Be A Leader In Sierra Pacific Synod? | | |
The Nominating Committee of the Sierra Pacific Synod invites you to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to serve on the Synod Council.
Elections to fill these positions will take place during the 2026 Synod Assembly on June 13, 2026 via Zoom.
Any congregational member may self-nominate or be nominated by a friend for these positions by completing this online nomination form. Nominations Close June 5.
Synod Vice President (Job Description HERE)
Synod Council Member at Large (Job Description HERE)
Synod Council Member whose Primary Language Is Other Than English (Job Description HERE)
Questions?
Contact SPS Nominations Chair Rev. Pablo (Paul) M. Larson HERE
| | Resolutions & Memorials Due April 24 | | |
Synod Assembly Resolutions and Memorials must be submitted to Pr. by April 24. John Valentine at jvalentine@holyshepherd.org
Resolution Hearings will be held on June 9 at 6:30 pm, with a Zoom link coming soon!
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Mountain Lutheran Groveland
Holy Closure Service - April 26
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Join Mountain Lutheran Church in Groveland, CA for a Holy Closure & Grand Finale Worship Service on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
All are welcome to gather in celebration, gratitude, and hope. Bishop Jeff Johnson will preach and preside. Rostered Leaders are invited to vest in white and process. A reception will follow worship.
During this special service, the congregation will dedicate their Living Legacy to Mt. Cross Outdoor Ministries and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Mi-Wuk Village, with the hope of a future Adult Retreat Center at Mt. Calvary.
| | Phishing Scam: The email account of our Finance Assistant Contractor, Debbie Cook, has unfortunately been hacked. A fake "invitation" was sent out asking recipients to open and install the invitation. If you received this email, please do not interact with it other than to mark it as spam and delete. | | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Lay Leaders and Synodically Authorized Ministers Introduction - April 23 | | |
Lay Leaders and SAMs are invited to a Community of Practice with Megan Macpherson and Pastor Amy Kienzle on April 23 from 12–1 pm on Zoom. We’ll introduce the Synod Authorized Ministry program and explore new frames for church growth. Register HERE!
Would you like more information about the SAM program,
but can’t make the event? Sign up HERE!
| | Annual Conferences 3 & 5 Gatherings April 25! | | |
Conference 3, Capitol Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 9 am - 1 pm at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis. Their featured in-person speaker will be Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity.
Question? Contact Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder, Dean at Conference3@spselca.org
Conference 5, San Francisco Peninsula, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 11 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, Redwood City. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Courtney Geibert, Dean at Conference5@spselca.org
All other conferences have already held their annual meeting. Have questions? Please contact your corresponding dean at the end of this email.
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Holy Land Solidarity Trip with Pr. Charlane Lines January 2027 Info Session - April 29 | |
Was your interest piqued when you heard about the Synod’s Holy Land Solidarity Trip this January? Does the trip sound meaningful, but you’re wondering about safety? Have you always wanted to travel to the Holy Land, but worry about investing in a trip that might be canceled?
Join us for a conversation with Tony Abuaita, owner of Good Shepherd Travel, on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 pm, as he addresses these concerns and answers your questions as you consider signing up to join this tour.
Join the Info Session HERE!
| Rostered Leaders Intro to Synodically Authorized Ministers - April 30 | |
Rostered leaders are invited to join Megan Macpherson, Bishop Jeff Johnson, and a panel of pastors on April 30 from 12–1 pm on Zoom for an introduction to the Synod Authorized Ministry Program in Sierra Pacific Synod.
Join the Zoom HERE!
Would you like more information about the SAM program,
but can’t make the event? Sign up HERE!
| Rethinking Stewardship for Rostered Leader & Lay Leaders - May 5 | |
The Synod's Generosity Team invites you to a series of quarterly webinars hosted by The Rev. Tim Brown and the ELCA Stewardship Team.
The first webinar on Tuesday, May 5th at 6 pm will address the topic: Rethinking Stewardship for Rostered Leaders and Lay Leaders.
What is stewardship, really? And how might we talk about it in ways that move beyond the familiar language of “obligation” or “time, talent, and treasure”?
The Zoom link is HERE!
| Lutheran Lobby Day in Sacramento - May 20 | | Join Lutherans on Wednesday, May 20th, to meet with your state legislative offices. Register HERE! | | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
- Cinco de Mayo at St. Paul's Sacramento - May 2
- Sing with Gungor at St. Matthew's Walnut Creek - May 5
- Trinity Oakland Benefit Concert - May 8
- Mark Yaconelli Workshop At Holy Trinity San Carlos - May 9
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Millennials & Gen Z - We Need Your Input! | | |
Gen Z and Millennials (ages 18–45) - please share what’s meaningful in your spiritual journey through a brief survey! Your voice will help inform a Lilly Grant proposal focused on Christian spiritual practices.
Responses are needed by April 25. Take The Survey HERE!
| | Apply For An ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant! | |
Is your ministry addressing hunger, poverty, or the root causes behind them?
Now is the time to apply for an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant. With funding available for up to three years, this is an opportunity to grow your impact, strengthen your community partnerships, and be part of God’s work toward a just world where all are fed.
Applications are due July 1, 2026. Learn more HERE!
| | Join The Luke 10 Congregations Cohort As You Deepen Your Commitment to Racial Justice | |
Churches are invited to join a powerful 9-month training program co-led by the Kairos Center and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). This cohort equips congregations to deepen their understanding of Christian Nationalism, poverty, and racism—and to take meaningful action for justice in their communities.
The next cohort begins in September 2026 with applications due June 1, 2026.
Apply HERE!
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Portico Members -
Submit FSA Claims by April 30
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ELCA Health Plan members have until April 30 to submit 2025 claims for reimbursement from their health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA). Submit 2025 claims to Further (and 2026 claims to HealthEquity). Not sure what qualifies as an eligible health care expense?
This guide can help.
| Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative – Join the work | |
The Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. They are seeking both rostered leaders and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative.
The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for our church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.
To learn more and to get involved, click HERE!
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Are you looking for something new? We have amazing congregations looking for someone like you! Check out our job posting page for open positions throughout our Synod.
If your congregation has a position posted that has been filled, please be sure to let our Synod Communications Coordinator know so we can keep the page updated.
| | Synod Staff & Conference Deans | | |
*** SPS STAFF ***
Bishop Jeff R. Johnson,
Sierra Pacific Synod
bishopjeff@spselca.org
Rev. Brandon Peck,
Administrative Director
brandon@spselca.org
Megan Macpherson, M. Div., Assistant to the Bishop
megan@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines,
Assistant to the Bishop
charlane@spselca.org
Rev. Amy Kienzle, Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)
amy@spselca.org
Debbie Cook,
Finance Assistant Contractor
debbie@spselca.org
Logan Rimel,
Finance Assistant
logan@spselca.org
Rev. Courtney Geibert, Communications Coordinator
communications@spselca.org
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*** CONFERENCE DEANS ***
Rev. Dr. Janet Blair, Redwood Mountain Conference 1
conference1@spselca.org
Rev. Jill Ross,
Bridges Conference 2
conference2@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder,
Capitol Valley Conference 3
conference3@spselca.org
Rev. Christian Schweter, Sierra Nevada Foothills Conference 4
conference4@spselca.org
Rev. Courtney Geibert,
S.F. Peninsula Conference 5
conference5@spselca.org
Rev. Cristina Beauchemin,
El Camino Real Conference 6
conference6@spselca.org
Rev. Jeremy Serrano,
Mt. Diablo Conference 7
conference7@spselca.org
Rev. Karen Johnson,
Sierra Central Valley Conference 8
conference8@spselca.org
Rev. Jodi Golden-Lund,
Central San Joaquin Conference 9
conference9@spselca.org
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