Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Assembly Registration Is Now Open! | |
It is time to register for the 2026 Synod Assembly!
All registered voting members must have their own email address!
Find out details regarding dates, elections, and more on our website.
If you have registration questions, please email communications@spselca.org!
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Member of A Rural Congregation?
Please Fill Out This Survey!
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Our synod has received a CaSTLE Project grant about rural ministry, and as part of this work, we are inviting RURAL congregations to reflect on our baptismal call to live out our Christian faith in daily life.
If you are a member of a rural congregation,
please fill out THIS SURVEY!
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Holy Trinity San Carlos' 40-40-40
Lenten Challenge
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Holy Trinity in San Carlos, CA has been living out the 2026 Lenten Challenge theme, “Lord, When Did We See You?”, by creating cards for residents of a local senior living community.
It’s not too late to join the Lenten Challenge!
| Now Hiring: Synod Disaster Response Community Organizer | | |
Sierra Pacific Synod is hiring a Synod Disaster Response Community Organizer. This position will focus on building a synod-wide team over a three-year period to prepare for and respond to both climate-related disasters. This hybrid position can be split into two part-time roles, or one full-time position, depending on the candidates.
Interested? Learn more HERE!
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | |
Annual Conference Gatherings Happening
March Through April!
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Conference 3, Capitol Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 9 am - 1 pm at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis. Their featured in-person speaker will be Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity.
Question? Contact Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder, Dean at Conference3@spselca.org
Conference 5, San Francisco Peninsula, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 11 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, Redwood City. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Courtney Geibert, Dean at Conference5@spselca.org
All other conferences have already held their annual meeting. Have questions? Please contact your corresponding dean at the end of this email.
| | Chrism Mass In Davis - March 26 | |
Bishop Jeff invites rostered leaders and candidates for ordained ministry to come renew their baptismal covenant on Thursday, March 26th, at 11 am, at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis. Oils will be blessed for use in anointing catechumens and in healing. The Bishop will anoint members of the assembly as a sign of the renewal of their vocation.
A time of fellowship around lunch will follow the worship.
RSVP for Chrism Mass Lunch
| Chrism Mass In Fresno with The Episcopalians - March 31 | Rostered Leaders are warmly invited by the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin to attend the Holy Week Chrism Mass on March 31 at 11:00 am at St. James Cathedral in Fresno. Bishop Jeff will be leading the service at St. James if you are in the Fresno area during Holy Week. | Lay Leaders and Synodically Authorized Ministers Introduction - April 23 | Lay Leaders and SAMs are invited to a Community of Practice with Megan Macpherson and Pastor Amy Kienzle on April 23 from 12–1 pm on Zoom. We’ll introduce the Synod Authorized Ministry program and explore new frames for church growth. Register HERE! | Rostered Leaders Intro to Synodically Authorized Ministers - April 30 | |
Rostered leaders are invited to join Megan Macpherson, Bishop Jeff Johnson, and a panel of pastors on April 30 from 12–1 pm on Zoom for an introduction to the Synod Authorized Ministry Program in Sierra Pacific Synod.
Join the Zoom HERE!
| Lutheran Lobby Day in Sacramento - May 20 | Join Lutherans on Wednesday, May 20th, to meet with your state legislative offices. Register HERE! | | |
SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat -
Save The Date!
| | SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat will be held September 11–13, 2026 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA. Join us for a meaningful weekend of community, reflection, and renewal. Stay tuned for more details about guest speakers, workshops, and possible discounts! | | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- Racial Wealth Gap Simulation in Vallejo -March 21
- Advocate for Justice in Sacramento - March 24
- Mark Yaconelli Workshop At Holy Trinity San Carlos - May 9
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Racial Weath Gap Learning Simulation in Vallejo - March 21 | United in Grace Lutheran Church of Vallejo and the NAACP Vallejo Branch No. 1081 are hosting a Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation on Saturday, March 21st, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum in downtown Vallejo. Register HERE! |
Recovery Communities and The Church:
A Conversation
| Join the Center of Addiction & Faith for a Zoom webinar on March 25 from 10:00–11:00 AM PT with author Jennifer Carlier. Drawing from her book Finding God in the Basement, Carlier invites churches to learn from recovery communities and imagine faith communities centered on grace, authenticity, and hope for healing. Register HERE! |
Church Property Resource Webinars
Hosted by The ELCA
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You are invited to learn more about the Church Property Resource Hub, a new initiative of the ELCA, at one of three upcoming town hall webinars. Join to learn about new resources and support available to help congregational leaders steward their buildings and land in faithful, creative, and practical ways.
Upcoming Webinars
• Thursday, March 19 – 2:00 p.m. PT – Register today
• Tuesday, March 24 – 11:00 a.m. PT – Register today
| | With One Voice Hymnals Available | | |
Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno has With One Voice (WOV) hymnals available for any congregation that could use them. They have approximately 130 pew editions, 2 large-print editions, and 1 leader edition looking for a new home.
If your congregation is interested, please contact Jason at jason@hopelutheranfresno.org.
| | FREE Online Disaster Response Training | | |
Lutheran Disaster Response is offering a no-cost, virtual 2026 Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy! Join us Tuesdays, March 24 - April 28,
8 am -10:30 am. Learn more HERE!
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Donate Your Thrivent Choice Dollars
Until March 31
| Thrivent Members: Remember to direct your 2025 Choice Dollars® by March 31 at thrivent.com/thriventchoice. You can choose to support the synod, your congregation, or another organization that is meaningful to you. | | |
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
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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. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder,
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
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