Synod & Congregational Highlights | | A Transition on the Bishop's Team | |
"And now we commend you to God and to the word of God's grace, a word that is able to build you up..." (Acts 20:32)
We rejoice with the Rev. Amy Kienzle, our Director for Evangelical Mission, as she has accepted the call to serve as the Senior Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento.
We celebrate this exciting next step in Pr. Amy's ministry and give thanks for the faithful leadership she has offered to the Sierra Pacific Synod as a key member of the Bishop’s Team. Through her vision, creativity, and deep commitment to the gospel, Pr Amy has helped nurture new ministries, accompany congregations and leaders, and strengthen our shared witness across the synod. Her wisdom, collaborative spirit, and passion for God's mission have been a true gift.
Here’s a copy of the letter that Pr. Amy has sent to the Synod Council.
Over the next couple of months, Pr. Amy will work closely with me, the Mission Table, and the rest of the Bishop's Team to ensure a smooth transition as she prepares to begin this new call. We are grateful for the care she is taking during this season of change.
Please join us in giving thanks to God for Pr. Amy's ministry among us and in praying for her, for the people of St. John's Lutheran Church, and for all who will share in this new chapter of ministry. We commend her with confidence and gratitude to the grace of God, trusting that the One who has called her will continue to bless her ministry in this new community.
We have opened the application and will soon be calling a new Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission (DEM). If you or someone you know feels called to this ministry, the application for the Director for Evangelical Mission position is available here. Please submit your application.
We look forward to Pr. Amy’s leadership at St. John’s and give thanks for the continuing ways she will serve the synod’s collaborative ministry on the way of Jesus, together.
+Jeff
The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson
Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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In the 1990s, the ELCA helped establish Lutheran Men in Mission, a ministry dedicated to supporting and equipping men in their faith. Now an independent organization, Lutheran Men in Mission welcomes all who identify as men, regardless of denomination or previous faith background.
Read below for an interview with Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Reno Member & Board President Vic Williams.
What is LMM?
LMM is Lutheran Men in Mission, one of the last remaining national ministries to men whose primary focus and mission is discipleship and evangelism. Our goal is to intentionally disciple men to become bold, daring followers of Jesus Christ. Find us online at https://www.lutheranmeninmission.org/
How does LMM support Lutheran men?
Our main ministries include Bold Gatherings (www.boldgathering.com), held two or three times a year and featuring speakers who share their faith messages in person and online; One Year to Live, a powerful lay-led weekend retreat that deepens mens’ relationships with God, their families, and each other; and Project XII (www.projecttwelve.net), an ongoing, multi-disclipline and multidenominational journey into the Gospel and emerging ministries such as our popular Lifelines Bible study sessions, all of which are available online for no charge.
We also offer weekly online book and Bible studies, are introducing new “2x4” mini-retreats for congregational men’s groups, hosting in-depth online Discipleship Training Programs in conjunction with Faith + Lead beginning this summer, and reach directly into congregations and synods by identifying and equipping men to take part in our growing Ambassador and Netcaster opportunities. Finally, we maintain constant and clear avenues of communication with men via our quarterly Foundations newsletter and Ambassador-Gram, weekly e-mail newsletters, and letters and notes to donors at every level.
How has LMM made a difference in your faith?
In the nearly 20 years that I have been involved in LMM, I have taken my faith journey in directions and to personal heights I could not conjure on my own, certainly not in the years my faith wavered before I became a practicing Lutheran by joining Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Reno, Nevada. While the theology of grace carried an unexpected and powerful resonance for me in my own church setting, LMM helped me truly put my faith into action outside my church’s walls and for men in my immediate orbit and across the country, which in turn ignites in them a more active faith for their families, in friendship, and throughout the travails of life. I have made countless friends who I now count as brothers.
Being a fellow seeker and believer in the LMM universe of identifying, equipping, and mentoring has helped me to become a more fearlessly faithful father, husband, grandfather, and friend. I’ve embraced my creative spirit and talents as a loved child of God. And I’m constantly challenged in the best possible way, just as the original twelve disciples were challenged. There’s simply nothing more powerful than a supportive foundation of fellow guys who share a passion for Christ and want to bring more light into their own lives, and the lives of those they love.
LMM is a true life-saver – and life-giver.
I invite all men to join us in our journey, wherever they are in theirs.
| | 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
- 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 | | 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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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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