Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Introducing The Rev. Sam LaDue! | | Let it be acclaimed that The Reverend Samantha Roy LaDue is now a Minister of Word & Sacrament! She has been called to serve as Pastor at University Lutheran Church, Palo Alto! We give thanks and pray for her new ministry! | |
Celebrate The Rev. Ariel Mink's Installation - January 18
| Join the community of All Saints Lutheran Church in celebrating the installation of The Rev. Ariel Mink on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Gather with them at 2 San Marin Drive, Novato for worship, joy, and blessing as Pr. Ariel begins this new call. Light refreshments will follow. Rostered leaders are invited to robe; the color of the day is red. All are welcome! | Our Synod Receives A Grant from Wartburg Theological Seminary’s CaSTLE Project to Support Rural and Small Town Congregations | |
Sierra Pacific Synod is honored to announce that it has been selected as a grant recipient through The CaSTLE Project: The Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology Project, a five-year initiative led by Wartburg Theological Seminary to support renewal in small town and rural congregations.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Wartburg Theological Seminary and The CaSTLE Project,” said The Rev. Amy Kienzle, Director of Evangelical Mission. “This grant will allow us to equip our rural congregations for a future rooted in
hope and purpose.” Stay tuned for more information!
| 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 Fresh Expressions Webinar - January 4 & 11 | |
Curious about new ways of being church? If you missed our October Fresh Expressions training—or want to keep exploring—join us for a two-part webinar serieshosted by Heather Jallad of Fresh Expressions U.S. on Sundays, January 4 and 11, from 3:00–5:00 pm on Zoom. Please bring a friend and enjoy an engaging, interactive learning experience as we explore how to share the good news in a changing world. Participants will also be invited to continue learning in Fresh Expressions cohorts beginning in February.
Register HERE!
| | 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.
| Online Assembly: ELCA White Lutherans for Racial Justice January 23-24, 2026 | |
You’re invited to join the ELCA Association of White Lutherans for a thoughtful and faithful online gathering January 23-24, 2026 centered on learning, reflection, and conversation. This event creates space for white Lutherans committed to accountability, to naming and dismantling racism within themselves and systems, and to choosing repair, justice, and deeper community together.
Register HERE!
Check Out The Facebook Event HERE.
| | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- 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
- The Rev. Ariel Mink's Installation - January 18
- Prayer for Christian Unity Event in Sacramento - January 20
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | |
Portico Members: Watch for Your 2026 Portico Health ID Card and HealthEquity Debit Card
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New Year, New Benefits, New Cards
ELCA-Primary health benefit members will receive a new Portico Health ID card for 2026. Plus, by popular request, your new card will now include a Group ID number for easier reference. Most cards arrive in December but due to extra holiday mail volume, some may not be delivered until mid-January.
If your card hasn’t arrived by Jan. 1, you can:
- Print a temporary card from the Quantum Health website following these instructions.
- Call the Quantum Health Care Coordinators at 877.851.5656, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Central), Monday - Friday. They can email you a copy of your card or give you the information over the phone.
- Download the Quantum Health mobile app to access/use your card digitally.
HSA/FSA Transition from Further to Health Equity
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) now and will have one again next year, you’ll also receive a new HealthEquity debit card this month. HealthEquity has acquired Further, so your tax-advantaged accounts will move from the Further platform to the HealthEquity platform on Jan. 1, 2026.
Continue using your Further debit card through:
- Dec. 22* for HSA accounts
- Dec. 31 for FSA accounts
- Starting Jan. 1, use your new HealthEquity debit card for all eligible expenses.
- If you have more than one tax-advantaged account, be sure to follow the specific 2025 cutoff dates listed above.
- If the health benefit option you elected for 2026 includes a different type of tax-advantaged account than the one you have now, HealthEquity will manage the transition for you.
- If your card hasn’t arrived by Jan. 1, call HealthEquity at 866.346.5800. Representatives are available 24/7 to answer calls.
| | Webinar on Alcohol-Free Month & Faith | | Join The Center of Addiction & Faith for a free one-hour webinar entitled “Unwine your Mind - A January Reset” on Dec. 31, 2025 at 10 am PT features special guest Hilary Sheinbaum, journalist, author, and founder of GoingDry.co. Register HERE! | | 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.
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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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