Synod & Congregational Highlights | | 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
| | First Call Accompaniment Retreat! | | Recently, our synod's first call rostered leaders gathered in Phoenix with Region 2 (Grand Canyon, Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, and Rocky Mountain Synods) for a time of accompaniment, learning, and joy. We give thanks for those new in their ministry and for all who support them! | | |
Mountain Lutheran Groveland
Holy Closure Reflection
| | We give thanks to God for the faithful ministry of Mountain Lutheran Church in Groveland, CA, and for the many lives touched through its witness and service. We entrust this community to God’s ongoing care, trusting that the seeds of love and faith planted here will continue to bear fruit. | Education and Scholarships At Colegio Lutheran School, Apopa, El Salvador | |
Education is changing lives in Apopa, El Salvador, where scholarships are opening doors for children and building lasting relationships across communities. Discover how you can make a difference by sponsoring a student attending Colegio Lutheran School in Apopa and becoming part of a story of hope, connection, and opportunity.
Learn more HERE!
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives - May 5 | |
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives, and you are invited to participate!
- Wear the color red on May 5.
- Check out elca.org/mmiw to find a toolkit with more information on the MMIWGR crisis and movement.
- Attend the virtual vigil being hosted by Women of the ELCA on May 5 from 5-6 pm PT.
| Rethinking Stewardship for Rostered Leaders & 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
- Ascension Day Celebration at Stanford Memorial - May 14
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Applications Open for Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS | |
The Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is accepting applications to their Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith program.
This two-semester program will begin September 2026 and end May 2027. A 100% online curriculum allows students from around the world to build relationships through bi-monthly small group meetings on Zoom. Since launching in 2021, students from 29 countries and five continents have participated. The full cost of the program is $600. Scholarships of up to $550 are available if needed, please do not let finances prevent you from applying. Current students are saying,
Applications are due June 10, 2026 and can be found 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!
| Join The Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative | |
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!
| | Church Leaders Continuing Education - January 2027 | | |
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
| | |
*** 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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