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ELCA Presiding Bishop Curry recently issued two statements - one regarding the US' military intervention in Venezuela and one on the ICE Shooting in Minneapolis.
Read the letter on Venezuela in ENGLISH HERE and SPANISH HERE
Read the letter on the ICE Shooting in Minneapolis HERE
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Download the 2025 ELCA Annual Report HERE
and use it for your annual congregational meeting!
| Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Save The Dates For Synod Assembly 2026 | |
Mark your calendar for the Sierra Pacific Synod 2026 Assembly!
Like 2025, we will gather for three regional assemblies open to all, along with one online business meeting for voting members. We are currently finalizing host congregation details, so stay tuned for locations and registration information.
We look forward to gathering with you across the synod!
| Support Unhoused Neighbors with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California | | |
Lutheran Social Services of Northern California is housing 220 of our unhoused Sacramento neighbors over the next few months, and they need our help to set up their new homes!
LSS is collecting new items to create Welcome Baskets - bed linens and pillows, towel sets, cleaning supplies, kitchenware, and paper goods. You can donate individual items or assemble a complete basket. You can even purchase items from their Amazon registry and have the items sent directly to them!
The first 89 residents move in February 2, so the need is urgent!
You can sign-up to contribute to the drive HERE!
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Rostered Leaders Report to the Bishop
Coming Soon!
| | All rostered leaders will receive the Rostered Leaders Report to the Bishop form on January 22. As a friendly reminder, please be sure your boundary training is completed as well. | | 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! | | The Rev. Ray Waespi's Installation - January 25 | | Please join Christ the King Lutheran Church, Fremont as they celebrate the Installation of the Rev. Ray Waespi on Saturday, January 25 at 1:30 p.m. All are warmly invited to share in this joyful service of worship and thanksgiving. | | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | National Day of Racial Healing - January 20 | |
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) with a free evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 4-6 p.m. PT. The event will include stories from multiracial voices across the ELCA.
The event is HERE!
| 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.
| | Gather Sacramento Enneagram Retreat - January 31 | |
Join Gather Sacramento (18-35 year olds) for their first regional retreat! Together, participants will explore the Enneagram as a spiritual tool for navigating life’s changes while building deeper relationships with themselves, others, and God.
The retreat will include teaching from a certified Enneagram coach, along with time for reflection, prayer, and community-building with other young adults in Sacramento. Childcare and lunch will be provided. The cost is $10 per person.
Register HERE!
| SPSYC High School Retreat March 6-8 | |
All high schoolers are invited to join the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee Retreat on March 6–8 at Mt. Cross Ministries in Santa Cruz!
Registration is $225 before midnight on February 13 and $275 through midnight on February 27, when registration closes. Youth will also have the opportunity to run for leadership positions on the Youth Committee. Scholarships are available.
We are excited to announce that our speaker will be Ross Murray. Ross is an ordained Deacon in the ELCA, with a specific calling to advocate for LGBTQ people and to bridge the LGBTQ and faith communities. Ross is a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies. As a Vice President at the GLAAD Media Institute, Ross helps train a new generation of advocates to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities. He is the author of two books, Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry and The Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice.
Register 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
- The Rev. Ray Waespi's Installation - January 25
- Gather Sacramento Enneagram Retreat - January 31
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Reconciling in Christ Worship Resources | | |
Is your congregation celebrating Reconciling in Christ Sunday on January 25? Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday is an annual worship celebration that honors and lifts up the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people in the life of the church.
Explore these meaningful resources from ReconcilingWorks HERE
to help your community celebrate and grow in love.
| | Online Gaming Addiction & Faith Webinar -January 28 | | Join The Center of Addiction & Faith on January 28 at 10 am for a webinar titled "When Play Becomes a Problem: Internet Gaming and Spiritual Formation." Led by Dr. Michael Hsu, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist and health services researcher and clinical faculty at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, he will offer practical, compassionate ways to support individuals and families with online gaming addiction. Learn more HERE! | | Racial Justice & Faith Course Online | | |
Are you seeking a deeper connection between your faith and your commitment to racial justice? PLTS invites pastors, lay leaders, deacons, and all people of faith to participate in the Racial Justice and Faith Certificate—an online learning experience rooted in liberative practices and theological reflection. No undergraduate degree is required.
The cost is only $250 per course (with group discounts and discounts for PLTS alumni). The first class will be on the topic of Womanism and Social Justice and will begin on February 9. Learn more and register 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 13th - 15th in Berkeley, California. This weekend is a great opportunity to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs.
As PLTS transitions to solely offering online study with in-person intensives, this weekend is designed for folks interested in online seminary education. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer travel assistance for those who need it. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.
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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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