Synod & Congregational Highlights | | |
Thank you to everyone who attended the regional gathering at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Sunnyvale!
Brother Steve Jerbi, the National Director of the Organizing for Mission Network, a Lutheran Pastor, and a member of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, served as the keynote speaker, helping participants discern how to organize their faith communities for the sake of the world.
Participants also joined in worship, heard updates from Bishop Jeff Johnson and Vice President Simon Wong, and attended a variety of workshops throughout the day. Workshop topics included stories from our companion synods, prayer and art as spiritual practices, reflections on the Holy Land, relational organizing, and racial/economic justice. Finally, the group installed the new dean of the retired rostered leaders, The Rev. Anne Carlson!
Thank you, St Luke's Sunnyvale, for your warm hospitality!
See more photos on our Facebook!
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Over 120 people joined together for Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California's Lutheran Lobby Day!
The group worshiped and prayed together on Tuesday evening and met with lawmakers on Wednesday. We advocated for water rate assistance, balcony solar power, public safety, and additions and improvements to the CA Food Assistance Program. We met with 2/3 of the CA legislature in fewer than 5 hours!
Special thanks goes out to Rev Tanya Lopez of Downey Memorial Christian Church, St. John's Lutheran Church for being phenomenal hosts, California Lutheran University and PLTS: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for sending bright, eager minds to teach and inspire us, Pacifica Synod ELCA, Southwest California Synod ELCA for their mission support and investment, Kate Parsons, ELCA Ammparo and ELCA Advocacy for prioritizing state-based public policy work in California, and Catherine Slabaugh for being our photographer. We also want to lift up LOPP's Director, Regina Banks, and her team!
To learn more, read The Rev. Dianne Wendt's recap HERE!
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In January 2026, members of the Synod visited The Tent of Nations, a 100-acre Palestinian Lutheran family farm near Bethlehem owned by the Nassar family for more than 100 years. Although the family holds historic deed documents, the land was declared “state land” by Israeli authorities in 1991, leading to decades of legal battles to protect their farm.
Surrounded by Israeli settlements and facing ongoing threats to their land and orchards, the family remains committed to nonviolent resistance, environmental stewardship, and education.
We were deeply moved by their story of steadfastness (sumud) amid daily challenges under occupation. As a sign of solidarity, we planted 10 olive trees ($500) and now hope to help Daoud Nassar and his family plant 200 more trees ($50/tree). Your gift of any amount helps us reach our $10,000 goal.
Donate HERE!
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | |
Join St. Paulus to Welcome
The Rev. Rebecca Edwards On June 7
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Join us for the Rite of Invitation to Extended Service for the Rev. Rebecca Edwards on Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Paulus Lutheran Church in San Francisco.
Rostered leaders are invited to vest; the color of the day is green.
| | 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
- Rev. Rebecca Edwards' Invitation to Extended Service - June 7
-
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 | | Protecting Human Dignity in the Age of AI? Conversation on June 6 in Santa Clara | | Join Our Lady of Peace Church and Shrine in Santa Clara, CA on Saturday, June 6, for a morning of public conversation on artificial intelligence, human dignity, and the future we are building together. Register HERE! | | Free Workshop Series for Women in Rostered Ministry Starts June 8 | | Women in Rostered Ministry are invited to join this free workshop series, Stop Second-Guessing, Trust Your Gut: Lead Confidently as A Woman in Ministry with Dr. Crystal Hall. Register here. | | Napa Valley Lutheran Church has 36 FREE flaxen colored robes of various sizes and lengths that would like to find new homes. They are in good repair and have been used by worship assistants and choir members. Some are Gaspard, and some are Almy. Some are zip-up cassock style, and others are wrap-around alb style. They are adult sizes, although we do have one or two short-length robes for people 5'2" or less. Interested? Please contact Pastor Stephanie Johnson at pastor@napavalleutheran.org. | | Rethinking Stewardship Webinar Recap | | |
Recently, 27 people from 14 congregations joined The Rev. Tim Brown and the ELCA Stewardship Team for a conversation on rethinking stewardship. Together, participants explored faithful, practical, and creative ways congregations can approach generosity, mission, and financial sustainability in today’s changing church landscape.
If you missed it, not to worry! You can view the slideshow here and watch the presentation here.
| | Applications Open for Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS | |
The Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is accepting applications to their Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith program.
This two-semester program will begin September 2026 and end May 2027. A 100% online curriculum allows students from around the world to build relationships through bi-monthly small group meetings on Zoom. Since launching in 2021, students from 29 countries and five continents have participated. The full cost of the program is $600. Scholarships of up to $550 are available if needed, please do not let finances prevent you from applying. Current students are saying,
Applications are due June 10, 2026 and can be found HERE!
| 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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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
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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