Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Strengthening Synod Authorized Minister (SAM) Leadership Across Region 2 | |
Recently, Bishop Jeff Johnson and Megan Macpherson, M.Div., traveled to Burbank to meet with Region 2 Bishops and Assistants to the Bishop (A2Bs) to collaborate around Synod Authorized Minister (SAM) programming.
Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs) are locally trained leaders authorized by the bishop to serve congregations in specific ministry settings, particularly when a rostered minister is unavailable. We are grateful for this opportunity to partner across synods, share resources, and strengthen leadership pathways that support vibrant ministry throughout our region.
| | Congratulations Bethel Lutheran Church, Roseville on 80 Years! | Congratulations to Bethel Lutheran Church on 80 years of faithful ministry! May you continue to stay rooted in Roseville, CA, growing in faith, hope, and service to all. | | 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!
| | Synod Assembly Registration Opens March 16! | | |
Only a few days left until Synod Assembly Registration opens!
Find details about important dates, conference gatherings, how to nominate someone for Synod Vice President or Synod Council Member, and pricing HERE!
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | |
Annual Conference Gatherings Happening
March Through April!
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Conference 1, Redwood Mountain, will hold its Annual Meeting on Friday, March 13th, at 6:30 pm on Zoom. Please email Rev. Dr. Janet for the Zoom link. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Rev. Dr. Janet Blair, Dean at Conference1@spselca.org
Conference 2, Bridges, will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 8th, 2:30 pm at All Saints Novato. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Jill Ross, Dean at Conference2@spselca.org
Conference 3, Capitol Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 10 am - 2 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 4, Sierra Nevada Foothills, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 7th, at 10 am on Zoom. Conference Dean, Pastor Christian Schweter will email the link. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Christian Schweter, Dean at Conference4@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
Conference 6, “El Camino Real,” will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 15, from 3-6 pm at Mt. Cross Ministries (7795 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005). This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Cristina Beauchamin, Dean at Conference6@spselca.org
Conference 7, “Mt. Diablo,” will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14th, 10 am - 12 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, Danville. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Pastor Jeremy Serrano at Conference7@spselca.org
Conference 8, Sierra Central Valley, will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14 from 10 am - 1 pm at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Modesto. This meeting is for both rostered leaders and laity. Question? Contact Rev. Karen Johnson, Dean at Conference8@spselca.org
Conference 9, Central San Joaquin, held its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 1st. Missed it? Contact Pastor Jodi Golden-Lund, Dean at Conference9@spselca.org
| | Q&A About Youth Leadership with Bishop Curry and Secretary Rev. Mills - March 12 | |
Join Bishop Curry and Secretary Mills for a conversation about youth ministry and the church on Thursday, March 12, at 9 am PT (11 am Central Time).
Register for the conversation HERE and submit your questions for them HERE!
| Fresh Expressions Meeting - March 15 | Explore new ways of being church with Fresh Expressions on Sunday, March 15 from 4-5 pm on Zoom! This monthly meeting will be led by Heather Jallad and Pr. Scot Sorensen. The link is HERE! | | 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 Episcopals - 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. | 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:
- Faith in Action Bus Ride To Sacramento For Advocacy - 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 | |
Faith in Action Bus Ride To Sacramento For Advocacy - March 24
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Join Faith in Action East Bay on Tuesday, March 24, from 10 am -4 pm for a day of advocacy at the State Capitol in Sacramento as we lift up the needs of our communities.
Transportation is provided! A bus will depart from the East Bay, and our statewide affiliate, PICO California, will provide lunch and snacks.
Learn more HERE!
| | 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 loving home.
If your congregation is interested, please contact Jason at jason@hopelutheranfresno.org.
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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
• Tuesday, March 17 – 11:00 a.m. PT – Register today
• Thursday, March 19 – 2:00 p.m. PT – Register today
• Tuesday, March 24 – 11:00 a.m. PT – Register today
| 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!
| | PLTS Discernment Weekend - March 13-15 | |
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you?
Consider joining Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for discernment weekend, Signs Along the Way, March 13th - 15th in Berkeley, California. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.
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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
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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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