Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Office Closed on Friday, July 3 | |
Security Notice:
Debbie Cook's Email Compromised
| Our Finance Assistant contractor, Debbie Cook’s, email account was recently compromised. If you opened or interacted with a suspicious email sent from her account, we recommend changing your password as a precaution. | Pride Festivities Throughout the Synod | Pride Month has come to a close, but the spirit of welcome and inclusion continues. From Walnut Creek to Fresno, San Francisco to Sacramento, congregations showed up for the LGBTQIA+ community! | | |
As a synod, we are on the way with Jesus together: inviting interdependence, cultivating discipleship, accompanying leaders, and fostering belonging.
Together, these four commitments form our Case Statement and guide how we organize our lives, steward our resources, and participate in God’s work in the world.
We wanted a new logo to reflect these commitments.
Designed by The Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder of Faith Lutheran Church in Meadow Vista, this new logo centers around a cross-path that branches outward in life and mission. The four sections of leaves mirror the ELCA’s four-quadrant logo and reflect both our shared ELCA mission as well as our four synodical commitments. Though each section is distinct, they are all connected through the cross-path at the center — a visual reminder that we are on the way of Jesus Christ and belong to one another.
The colors and movement in the design reflect the diversity of our synod, stretching from the Pacific shores to the Nevada Desert, where we serve communities in bustling cities, suburbs, and rural areas. We are many communities united in one body with a shared mission.
This logo is more than a new image; it is a reflection of who we are becoming on the way of Jesus together.
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Freedom of a Christian/Dismantling White Supremacy Webinar - July 14 at 5 pm | | |
ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invites you to "Freedom of a Christian: Reclaiming the Gospel for Justice" on Tuesday, July 14, at 5 pm PT. This session focuses on the Freedom of a Christian study guide.
Spanish interpretation will be provided for all webinars. Para apuntarse en español a los seminarios web que le interesen, haga clic aquí: bit.ly/capacitandoseminarios.
Regsister HERE
| | Monthly Practice for SAMs and Lay Leaders - July 14 at 7 pm | | Synod Authorized Ministers and Lay Leaders are invited to join Megan Macpherson on July 14 from 7-8 pm on Zoom. Register HERE! | | 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!
| | 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
- The Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik's Installation - August 15
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | |
Survey For Small Churches
About Youth Ministry
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Smaller church leaders—we want to hear from you. What support do you actually need in youth ministry right now? What challenges are you facing? What resources would make the biggest difference? Small(er) congregations are those that worship 250 or fewer on average.
Take 5 minutes to help shape future training and support for smaller churches through this listening project with Youth Ministry Consultants by taking the survey HERE! In doing so, you have the opportunity to win a gift card!
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Conscience & Conversation:
Human Sexuality Gift & Trust Study
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Looking for a meaningful Bible study for your congregation? Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust invites participants to explore how we navigate agreement and disagreement as a church seeking to pursue justice, peace, and “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3).
Designed for congregational use, each session includes prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and discussion questions. Participants are also invited to share their reflections directly with the task force through an included survey, helping shape the ongoing conversation across the ELCA. Learn more HERE!
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Faith-Rooted Organizing Training -
August 27-29 in Tacoma, WA
| | Join Organizing for Mission Network and regional partners for a chance to sharpen skills in faith-rooted organizing August 27-29 in Tacoma, Washington. Learn more 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. Dr. Brandon Westengard
Director of 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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