Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Budget Hearings October 29/30 and Budget Busines Session November 1 | | |
Thanks to faithful stewardship and disciplined spending, we are preparing to present a balanced budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year—the first time in 15 years that this has been possible. We give thanks for the many hands and hearts that have contributed to this milestone.
We invite you to read a letter from Bishop Jeff Johnson, Treasurer Scott Taylor, and Vice President Simon Wong, reflecting on this important step forward. READ LETTER HERE.
📅 Budget Hearings
Mark your calendar and join us on Zoom for one of the upcoming budget hearings. The zoom link will be sent out in October.
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Wednesday, October 29 at 12:00 Noon OR
- Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 PM
These hearings are open to all. You’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from the Synod Treasurer, Synod Council, and Finance Committee, ask questions, and engage in conversation about the proposed 2026–27 budget.
📅 Budget Business Session
On Saturday, November 1 from 9 AM - 11 AM, Synod Assembly voting members will gather for the business session on Zoom and vote on the proposed budget.
| Supporting Congregations, Strengthening Leaders - Meet Your Conference Deans | | |
Our Conference Deans recently gathered with Bishop Jeff Johnson and Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines, at the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Office for Bible study, planning, and conversation on how to best support our congregations and leaders.
Did you know? Our synod has 9 conferences (regional groupings of congregations), each led by a dean—a pastor elected by their peers to walk alongside and support them in ministry.
May God bless our deans in their ministries! You can always reach out to your Conference Dean for support and encouragement—their contact information is available on the Synod website HERE.
| | Synod Office Closed For Labor Day Sept 1 | | |
Creator God, On this Labor Day, we give thanks for the gift of work and for the dignity it brings to our lives. We remember all whose labor sustains our communities—the visible and the unseen, the paid and the unpaid, those who labor with their hands, their minds, and their hearts.
We pray for safe workplaces, fair wages, and just treatment for all workers. We lift up those who are unemployed, underemployed, or overworked, and those whose labor is not valued as it should be.
Bless the unions and advocates who seek justice for workers. Strengthen us to honor the labor of others with respect and gratitude, and to use our own work—whatever form it takes—for the good of our neighbors and the flourishing of your creation.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
| | SPS WELCA Biennial Convention October 17-19 | | |
Join SPS WELCA for their Biennial Convention on October 17-19, 2025. The weekend will include worship, community, and inspiration — featuring guest speakers from El Salvador, a Taizé service, updates from WELCA, and more!
🎟️ $225 includes lodging, meals & program. Day-only options available.
Register by scanning the QR code above, go to the website, or download the PDF HERE!
| | Upcoming Congegational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- The Unaccompanied Project: Powerful Stories of Immigration & American Identity
- Young Adult Bowling with Gather – September 14
- Interfaith Court Vigils
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | |
Support Immigrant Neighbors Through
The Emergency Response Fund
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The Sierra Pacific Synod’s Emergency Response Fund was created to offer direct financial support to those impacted by government enforcement actions targeting marginalized and immigrant communities.
Right now, your gift will go even further:
All donations received by September 15 will be matched 2:1, up to $25,000.
Funds will be distributed through congregations working directly in impacted areas. You can make a gift HERE.
| | Spiritual Practices Sessions Starting Sept 15 | | |
Seeking Spiritual Connection in Community? Join Thriving Leadership Formation for one session or all—no preparation required! These gatherings will be held on September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15 from 6–7:30 PM (PST).
Register once to receive the Zoom link for all sessions: bit.ly/TLFSpiritualPractices
| | Free Church Communication Resources from Vero Communications! | | |
Vero Communications—founded by Sierra Pacific Synod native Catherine Slabaugh and ELCA Gathering staff member Justin Wilson—specializes in equipping progressive ministries with innovative communication strategies and regularly offers free resources to support church leaders.
Current resources include:
Improve Your Canva Graphics in 15 Min.
Content Calendar Template + Idea Bank
Take Your Instagram to the Next Level in 5 Steps
Do's and Don'ts of Crisis Communications
Download these free resources here
+ learn more about Vero Communications 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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