Synod & Congregational Highlights | | |
A Blessed Advent to You
From the Sierra Pacific Synod!
| |
As we watch and wait for Christ’s birth, may we also prepare the way—through acts of compassion, courage, and justice. We pray that God’s peace surround you in these sacred days.
Warmly, Bishop Jeff Johnson, The Rev. Brandon Westengard, The Rev. Amy Kienzle, The Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines, The Rev. Courtney Geibert, Megan Macpherson MDIV, Debbie Cook, and Logan Rimel
| Apply for Prince of Peace's Mission Endowment Fund by December 31 | | |
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund provides financial awards to individuals and organizations that emphasize on extending the life and mission of the church, which would include but be not limited to:
- Mission outreach - local/national/international faith-based organizations that are meeting basic human needs
- Innovative new programs or ministries
All people are welcome to apply on behalf of an organization, endeavor, or project that furthers the mission and outreach goals of the congregation. Grants typically range from $1000-$5000.
For more details and to apply, please visit: https://www.propeace.org/endowment.html
Hurry! Applications close December 31, 2025
| | Register For Congregational Vitality Workshop - January 22-24, 2026 | | |
Join lay leaders, rostered ministers, and everyone in between for the ELCA Evangelism and Congregational Vitality Workshop, January 22–24, 2026, at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA!
Grow your skills, deepen your ministry toolbox, and equip yourself to ignite Christ’s light in others.
Register HERE!
For more information, email Anna-Kari.Johnson@elca.org.
| | Upcoming Congegational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12
- Oakland Holiday Benefit Concert - December 12
- Sam R. LaDue's Ordination - December 13
- Celebrate Santa Lucia at Saron Lutheran Church - December 14
- Blue Christmas Service in Napa - December 14
- Blue Christmas Service in Yreka/Online - December 20
- Blue Christmas Service in El Sobrante/Online - December 21
- Live Nativity in Orland - December 21
- Christmas Carols in Alameda - December 22
- Prayer for Christian Unity Event in Sacramento - January 20
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Invite Global Refuge’s Pastor-in-Residence for Winter–Spring 2026 | |
The Rev. Eric C. Shafer serves as the volunteer Pastor in Residence for Global Refuge. As part of this ministry, he visits ELCA congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod to share about the work of Global Refuge—ideally preaching in worship and leading an adult forum before or after the service.
Pr. Eric is now scheduling Sunday morning visits for 2026. If your congregation is interested in hosting him on any of the following Sundays — December 28; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1 & 8; or any Sunday in March — please contact him at ericcshafer@hotmail.com. He is able to visit congregations anywhere in the synod, though he does ask for some financial support to help cover travel expenses.
Global Refuge partners with congregations across the country to support refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers through welcome, resettlement, and long-term integration. Learn more at globalrefuge.org.
| | Racial Justice Learning Cohort for Church Councils, Pastors, & Youth Leaders | |
Church councils carry big responsibilities—navigating differing views, complex decisions, and the call to lead with courage. This winter, church leaders are invited to join a transformative 8-week Racial Justice Learning Cohort designed specifically for congregational councils. The cohort will meet on Fridays at 10 AM PST from January 16 to March 4.
- This cohort will equip council members with tools to engage Culture, Power, and Race (CPR) through a biblical lens and to participate in the breach-repairing justice to which God calls us.
Alongside the Church Council Cohort, there will also be dedicated tracks for Youth Leaders and Pastors who want to deepen their leadership, expand their racial justice capacity, and engage these conversations with their communities in meaningful ways.
Facilitated by David Scherer (AGAPE)*, racial justice educator, author, and facilitator with over 25 years of experience training leaders across the country—along with other special guests.
👉 Register at: RJCFORCHURCHCOUNCILS.EVENTBRITE.COM
RJCFORPASTORS.EVENTBRITE.COM (Tuesdays at 10 am PST)
RJCFORYOUTHLEADERS.EVENTBRITE.COM (Thursdays at 10 am PST)
| | Become A Welcoming Congregation with AMMPARO | |
We invite congregations to join the AMMPARO network by becoming a Welcoming Congregation—a ministry committed to accompanying, supporting, praying for, and standing alongside migrant children and families in our communities. Welcoming Congregations are also eligible for grants to help strengthen this important work.
More information is available in English HERE and Spanish HERE.
| | |
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
| | | | |
