Synod & Congregational Highlights | | |
Synod Assembly Business Meeting
THIS SATURDAY
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Synod Assembly Voting Members - remember to join us for the business meeting this Saturday at 9 am on Zoom. You were emailed the Zoom link.
If you did not receive the link, please email Pr. Courtney at communications@spselca.org
| Congratulations To The Rev. Anthony Suárez-Abraham & Advent Lutheran Morgan Hill | | |
Congratulations to Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill, CA, for calling The Rev. Anthony Suárez-Abraham as Associate Pastor. May God bless your ministry!
Pictured are Sr. Pastor The Rev. Anita Warner, Sierra Pacific Synod Administrative Director, The Rev. Dr. Brandon Westengard, and The Rev. Anthony Suárez-Abraham.
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Congratulations To St. Paulus Lutheran Church & The Rev. Rebecca Edwards | On Sunday, Saint Paulus Lutheran Church in San Francisco received The Rev. Rebecca Edwards' through the Rite of Invitation to Extended Service. May God bless their partnership! | | Support A New Arab Middle Eastern Ministry With A Car | | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Burlingame is excited to welcome a new Arab Middle Eastern ministry led by Joseph Zaarour. As Joseph prepares to come to the United States and begin this new chapter of ministry, we are looking for a reliable vehicle. If you have a car you would be willing to donate, or know of someone who might be able to help, please contact Pastor Amy Kienzle at amy@spselca.org. | | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Queer Faith Festival in Lafayette, CA - June 14 | |
Join Bishop Jeff Johnson at the 2026 Queer Faith Festival on June 14 from 2–5 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lafayette, CA! Bishop Jeff will serve on a panel for this interfaith LGBTQIA+ celebration.
The afternoon will also feature an Interfaith Blessing Ceremony, collaborative art projects, live performances, and a vibrant children’s area. There are also opportunities to table, volunteer, or financially support the event.
Learn more here, visit queerfaithfestival.org, or contact Pastor Sarah Street at pastorsarah@oslc.net.
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Lay Leaders & SAMS Online Gathering -
June 17
| Synod Authorized Ministers and Lay Leaders are invited to join Megan Macpherson on June 17 from Noon to 1 pm on Zoom. Register HERE! | Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Support (MESS) Training - July 15-17 in Dublin, CA | |
Equip yourself to care for others in times of crisis through Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Support (MESS) Training, July 15–17 in Dublin, CA. This hands-on, skills-based course empowers rostered leaders, lay leaders, and community members to respond with compassion, confidence, and practical tools. Scholarships are available!
Learn more Information HERE and register HERE!
| | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
-
Queer Faith Festival at Our Savior's Lafayette, CA - June 14
- The Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik's Installation - August 15
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Faithful Reponse To For-Profit Immigration Detention- June 24 at 10 AM PT | | |
For-profit immigration detention is rapidly expanding across the U.S. On June 24 at 10-10:30 AM PT, hear from ELCA Advocacy, Theological Discernment, and Witness in Society staff about the history of immigration detention and the theology and biblical witness that can inform churches’ response, as well as ways to engage.
Register HERE!
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Apply For An ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant! | |
Is your ministry addressing hunger, poverty, or the root causes behind them?
Now is the time to apply for an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant. With funding available for up to three years, this is an opportunity to grow your impact, strengthen your community partnerships, and be part of God’s work toward a just world where all are fed.
Applications are due July 1, 2026. 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
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
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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