Synod & Congregational Highlights | | |
Tent of Nations Update!
Thank you to everyone who supported our Tent of Nations pledge campaign! Our goal was to raise $10,000 to plant 200 olive trees, and thanks to your incredible generosity, we surpassed it by raising $14,040! That means 280 olive trees will be planted—a powerful sign of hope, peace, and Sumud (steadfastness) in Palestine. Thank you for helping plant seeds of hope that will bear fruit for generations to come.
If you’d like to learn more about the Tent of Nations and its ministry of hope, peacebuilding, and steadfastness, visit https://tentofnations.com
On the way of Jesus together,
Sierra Pacific Synod Tent of Nations Team
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Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California
& California Synods Advocate To End The Death Penalty
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"As a church, we arrive at our positions through gathering in faith, engaging in moral deliberation, recognizing the dignity of every human, and striving for justice. In that spirit, we urge Governor Gavin Newsom to commute the death sentences for all 589 individuals on California’s death row and to work towards abolishing the death penalty in California."
Bishops from the Sierra Pacific Synod - ELCA, Pacifica Synod ELCA, and Southwest California Synod ELCA, along with the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California and ELCA Advocacy Senior Director of Witness in Society Rev. Amy Reumann, have all signed onto the joint letter.
Read it HERE!
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Sierra Pacific Synod
at Rostered Ministers Gathering
| | Numerous Sierra Pacific Synod rostered leaders gathered in Indianapolis July 6–9 for the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering, joining colleagues from across the church for a time of connection, renewal, and continuing education. | | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Info Session About Palestine 2027 Solidarity Trip - August 3 at 7 pm on Zoom | | |
Was your interest piqued when you heard about the Synod’s Holy Land Solidarity Trip in January 2027? Does the trip sound meaningful, but you’re wondering about safety? Have you always wanted to travel to the Holy Land, but worry about investing in a trip that might be canceled?
Join us for a conversation with Tony Abuaita, owner of Good Shepherd Travel, on Monday, August 3, at 7 pm, as he addresses these concerns and answers your questions as you consider signing up to join this tour.
The Zoom link is HERE!
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Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik's Installation
at St. Mary & St. Martha - August 15
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You are warmly invited to the Installation of The Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik as pastor of St. Mary & St. Martha Lutheran Church.
The service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at noon at St. Mary & St. Martha Lutheran Church, 1050 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110.
Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.
| Protect Voting Rights Zoom August 26 | Join the Synod Hunger Network to learn how to protect voting rights on August 26 at 7 pm on Zoom. Email Edit Lott at thelotts@gmail.com to register. | Bishops' Convocation November 9-11 | All Rostered Leaders are invited to save the date for the 2026 Bishop's Convocation on November 9-11 at Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg, CA. | | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
- Countering Christian Nationalism - July 26
- The Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik's Installation - August 15
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
- Anthony Suárez-Abraham’s Ordination & Installation - October 3
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Church Community Space Available For Rent | | |
Now available for lease, the iconic Herzfeld Child Care Center in West Oakland offers a unique opportunity for organizations seeking a spacious and versatile facility. Constructed in the 1960s as a standalone building adjacent to the historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church, this well-established center features 4,959 square feet of available space. The property includes a garden, patio, large kitchen, three offices, two bathrooms, central heating, generous classroom and activity areas, and many additional amenities.
Whether you’re looking to open or expand a child care center, educational program, nonprofit, or community-serving organization, the Herzfeld Child Care Center offers a flexible space that meets your needs. To learn more or schedule a tour, please contact Bethlehem Lutheran Church at (510) 452-2245.
| | Fall Online Seminar with Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda: Building A Moral Economy | | Interested in exploring the intersection of faith, justice, and economics? Join Building Moral Economies with Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, an online audit-style seminar this fall that invites lay leaders, Synodically Authorized Ministers, and all who seek to build communities where all creation can flourish within moral economics. Learn more HERE! | | Fall Online Seminar with Dr. Adam Braun: Revelation in Critical Perspectives | | |
Want to learn more about Revelation (also known as John's Apocalypse)?Join Revelation in Critical Perspective with Dr. Adam Braun, an online audit-style seminar this fall that invites lay leaders, Synodically Authorized Ministers, and rostered leaders to explore the book of Revelation through historical, theological, and diverse contemporary perspectives.
Learn more 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. Dr. Brandon Westengard
Assistant To The Bishop
For Administration
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
Dr. Robert Pitts,
Disaster Response Community Organizer
robert@spselca.org
Jamie Stark,
Disaster Response Community Organizer
jamie@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. Christian Holleck
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
Rev. Anne Carlson
Retired Rostered Leaders
retired@spselca.org
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