Synod & Congregational Highlights | |
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. | | Updated 2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rate | | |
Effective January 1, 2026, the IRS standard mileage allowance rates are 72.5 cents per mile for business use. The optional standard mileage rates for 2026 are:
- Business: 72.5 cents per mile
- Charitable(volunteers): 14 cents per mile
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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! | | 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.
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
- Gather Sacramento Enneagram Retreat - January 31
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | |
Portico Information for Members
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New 2026 Portico Health ID Card
If you’ve got ELCA-Primary Health benefits, you should have received a new health ID card. This year’s card now includes a Group ID number for easier reference. Note: if you received two sets of cards in the mail, be sure to use the second set and destroy the first. Not sure which is which? Double check that the coverage level and deductible amounts match what you have elected. Questions? Quantum Health Care Coordinators are here to help: 877.851.5656,
7:30am-9pm (Central) Monday-Friday. You can also download the Quantum Health mobile app to access and use your card digitally.
EAP Update for ELCA-Primary Members
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Spring Health, a partner of 98point6 by Transcarent, will provide mental health support and other Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Therapy is available for members and dependents age 6+, and coaching is available for those 13+. The clinical network includes thousands of licensed providers with option to connect in-person, by phone, video, or text. Connect via your 98point6 app or learn more on myPortico.
| | 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!
| | White Anti-Racist Practice Group | | Are you looking for a meaningful way to deepen your antiracist commitment in community? Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center is offering a White Antiracist Practice Group Series 11: Somatic Antifascist Edition with facilitator Nicole Bauman beginning Wednesday, January 14, through February 18, 2026, 9 am - 10:30 AM PT on Zoom. Payment is by donation, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. 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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