A Christmas Message from Bishop Yehiel Curry | |
In his Christmas message to the church, Bishop Curry delivers a children’s sermon, describing the night when Jesus was born. “One silent night, far away in a town called Bethlehem, the stars twinkled brighter than ever. And the angels were there too. It was as if the whole sky was whispering: ‘Something wonderful is happening.’”
Curry emphasizes that “whispers make us stop, listen and pay attention” and reminds us that, this Christmas, we should listen closely because “the heavens are still whispering: ‘Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.’”
Watch the video above or here!
Read the transcript here: English | Spanish
| Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Campus Ministries Updates | | |
Like our other inherited ministry models, campus ministry in the ELCA and Sierra Pacific Synod is going through a transition from what was to what will be. We are excited to have two new leaders in our congregation-centered campus ministries; The Rev. Kwame Pitts is pastor of University Chapel in Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and The Rev. Sam LaDue is the pastor at Uni Lu in Palo Alto (Stanford).
With stable leadership across most of our sites, we will be working together to discern a vision for campus ministry that meets the spiritual needs of young adults and students across the territory of our synod. We have a strong program at UC Davis (The Belfry) and a developing ministry at the University of Nevada, Reno (The Lovingkindness Collective) that expands beyond the campus to reach other young adults in the Reno area. We are discerning with Monterey Bay about the next leader for the campus chaplain program and with our campus ministry in Fresno about developing stronger spiritual care programs alongside their vital feeding ministry. We are rekindling a relationship with EcHouse at San Francisco State that has been dormant for a couple of decades. And we are exploring Gather Communities as models for sharing the gospel with young adults more broadly, with particular attention to mission fields around institutions of higher education.
Campus-focused ministry continues to offer an important opportunity to share the love of Christ in times of transition in people's lives, when they may be more open to how God is guiding and walking with them. Consider supporting the work we do by partnering with a nearby site, giving financial gifts directly to one of our campus ministries, or making a designated gift to the synod.
-Rev. Amy C. Kienzle, Director for Evangelical Mission
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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! | 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:
- 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! | | |
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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