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Synod & Congregational Highlights

The Rev. Dr. Gabi Schroeder's Installation - March 1 at Faith Meadow Vista

The people of Faith Lutheran Church in Meadow Vista warmly invite you to celebrate the installation of their new pastor, The Rev. Dr. Gabriele (“Gabi”) Schroeder. A reception will follow the worship service.

Join in this joyful occasion on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 3:00 pm

at Faith Lutheran Church 1116 Combie Road, Meadow Vista, CA.

Congratulations To The Rev. Jason Niemi and Mariposa Lutheran Church!

A few weeks ago, Mariposa Lutheran Church celebrated the installation of The Rev. Jason Niemi! Congratulations to all! May God bless your ministry!

Congratulations To The Rev. Virgil Miller and Christ Lutheran Church, Reedley!

Recently, Christ Lutheran Church in Reedley gathered to celebrate the ordination of their pastor, The Rev. Virgil Miller, marking a joyful new chapter in their shared ministry and life together.

Now Hiring: Synod Diaster Response Community Organizer

Sierra Pacific Synod is hiring a Synod Disaster Response Community Organizer. This position will focus on building a synod-wide team over a three-year period to prepare for and respond to both climate-related disasters. This hybrid position can be split into two part-time roles, or one full-time position, depending on the candidates. 

Interested? Learn more HERE!

Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events

Annual Conference Gatherings Happening

March Through April!

Conference 1, Redwood Mountain, will hold its Annual Meeting on Friday, March 13th, at 6:30 pm on Zoom. Please email Rev. Dr. Janet for the Zoom link. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Rev. Dr. Janet Blair, Dean at Conference1@spselca.org

Conference 2, Bridges, will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 8th, 2:30 pm at All Saints Novato. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Jill Ross, Dean at Conference2@spselca.org

 Conference 3, Capitol Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 10 am - 2 pm at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis. Their featured in-person speaker will be Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. 

Question? Contact Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder, Dean at Conference3@spselca.org

 Conference 4, Sierra Nevada Foothills, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 7th, at 10 am on Zoom. Conference Dean, Pastor Christian Schweter will email the link. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Christian Schweter, Dean at Conference4@spselca.org

 Conference 5, San Francisco Peninsula, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 11 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, Redwood City. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Courtney Geibert, Dean at Conference5@spselca.org

 Conference 6, “El Camino Real,” will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 15, from 3-6 pm at Mt. Cross Ministries (7795 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005). This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Cristina Beauchamin, Dean at Conference6@spselca.org

Conference 7, “Mt. Diablo,” will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14th, 10 am - 12 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, Danville. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Jeremy Serrano at Conference7@spselca.org

 Conference 8, Sierra Central Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14 from 10 am - 1 pm at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Modesto. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Rev. Karen Johnson, Dean at Conference8@spselca.org

 Conference 9, Central San Joaquin, will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 1st, at 3 pm on Zoom. The link is HERE. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Jodi Golden-Lund, Dean at Conference9@spselca.org

Q&A About Youth Leadership

with Bishop Curry and Secretary Rev. Mills

Join Bishop Curry and Secretary Mills for a conversation about youth ministry and the church on Thursday, March 12, at 9 am PT (11 am Central Time).

Register for the conversation HERE and submit your questions for them HERE!

Women's Retreat At Mt. Cross - March 13-15

All women are invited to a Spring Retreat at Mt. Cross! Step away from the rush of everyday life and enjoy a weekend of rest, reflection, and renewal beneath the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. From March 13–15, participants will explore the theme, “God’s Image,” and reflect on the beautiful ways each person reflects God’s love, grace, and creativity in the world. Register HERE!

Chrism Mass In Davis - March 26

Bishop Jeff invites rostered leaders and candidates for ordained ministry to come renew their baptismal covenant on Thursday, March 26th, at 11 am, at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis. Oils will be blessed for use in anointing catechumens and in healing. The Bishop will anoint members of the assembly as a sign of the renewal of their vocation.

A time of fellowship around lunch will follow the worship.

RSVP for Chrism Mass Lunch

Chrism Mass In Fresno with The Episcopals - March 31

Rostered Leaders are warmly invited by the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin to attend the Holy Week Chrism Mass on March 31 at 11:00 am at St. James Cathedral in Fresno. Bishop Jeff will be leading the service at St. James if you are in the Fresno area during Holy Week.

Lutheran Lobby Day in Sacramento - May 20

Join Lutherans on Wednesday, May 20th, to meet with your state legislative offices. Register HERE!

SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat -

Save The Date!

SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat will be held September 11–13, 2026 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA. Join us for a meaningful weekend of community, reflection, and renewal. Stay tuned for more details about guest speakers, workshops, and possible discounts!

See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE

This week’s highlights include:

• The Rev. Dr. Gabi Schroeder's Installation - March 1
• Mark Yaconelli Workshop At Holy Trinity San Carlos - May 16
• SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13

As we honor Black History Month this February, we would like to offer you a few resources to support your celebrations and acknowledgments. Please check out our blog with resources, prayers, and more!

FREE Online Disaster Response Training

Lutheran Disaster Response is offering a no-cost, virtual 2026 Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy! Join us Tuesdays, March 24 - April 28,

8 am -10:30 am. Learn more HERE!

PLTS Discernment Weekend - March 13-15

Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you?

Consider joining Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for discernment weekend, Signs Along the Way, March 13^th - 15^th in Berkeley, California. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.

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

The Sierra Pacific Synod Office resides on the unceded land of the Ohlone, Muwekma, Confederated Villages of Lisjan, and Miwok people. To learn more about their tribal history, we encourage you to click the links provided.