Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Thank you to everyone who attended the regional gathering at St. James Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes invited participants to reflect on what it means to “hold fast to what is good” by embodying God’s love, focusing on the presence of Christ, and nurturing the seeds of reconciliation, weaving song and music throughout her presentation to deepen reflection and community connection. 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. Thank you, St. James, Redding, for your warm hospitality! | Young Adults In Global Mission - James Hawk | | |
Hello there! My name is James Hochbrueckner and next year I will be doing a service year with ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission in Argentina and Uruguay. Though I am originally from sunny San Diego, I’ve spent the last couple of years at UC Davis completing my undergraduate degrees in Ecology and Philosophy. When I'm not studying, catching monarchs, or working as the peer minister at the Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry to UC Davis, I am often outside foraging along the Northern California coast, attending a variety of religious services, and making terrible puns. Though to be honest, I make puns whether I’m studying or not.
What has driven me to do a YAGM year in Argentina and Uruguay is that I truly believe that when you learn about other people, you also learn more about yourself. Next year, I may be doing a variety of work ranging from helping teach kids English to working in a hospice center. This is already taxing and hard work and doing it in a new country,with different norms, and a language I am barely conversational in truthfully makes me a bit nervous. However, I know I can do it, and though I cannot expect to make an explicit and long lasting change, I know that at the very least when someone thinks of an American or a Lutheran, they will think of someone compassionate, genuine, and committed. I am truly so excited and grateful for this opportunity the ELCA provides and I intend to use it to the fullest.
If you’d like to follow along my YAGM journey by receiving a monthly newsletter, please feel free to click this link and fill out this form!
If you feel moved to give, click here and select "James Hawk" under "my gift will support."
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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.
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Ascension Day Worship TODAY at 7 pm | | |
Join us in celebration of the Feast of the Ascension and 20+ years of Episcopal & Lutheran campus ministry at Stanford's Memorial Church on May 14 at 7 pm. Bishop Jeff will be preaching!
Parking is free on campus after 4 pm. It is easiest to park in the Tressider lot, and walk over to Memorial Church. Clergy can process and vest. If you'd like to process, meet us at the church's main entrance at 6:50 pm.
| | Synod Authorized Ministers and Lay Leaders Zoom Gathering - May 21 | | Synod Authorized Ministers and Lay Leaders are invited to join Megan Macpherson on May 21 from 7-8:15 pm on Zoom. Register HERE! | |
Are you a layperson called to preach and serve your congregation? Join this 8-week summer cohort with Karoline M. Lewis, Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, to grow your preaching skills in a supportive community of lay preachers through weekly readings, discussion, and practice.
The class begins on June 4 and meets on Zoom on Thursdays from 5:30–7:30 pm. The cost is $90, and scholarships are available. Please contact Megan Macpherson at megan@spselca.org for scholarship information.
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
- Ascension Day Celebration at Stanford Memorial - May 14
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Loving Someone in Recovery Webinar - May 27 | Hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith, learn how to practically love someone in or seeking addiction recovery? The 1-hour webinar is on May 27 at 10 am PT. Register HERE! | Apprenticeship Program for Youth/Young Adults | Young adults ages 16–20 are invited to apply for the Horizon Apprenticeship Program, a paid, year-round leadership opportunity focused on ministry, mentorship, and community engagement for emerging leaders from diverse communities. Congregations, camps, and affiliated organizations are encouraged to nominate young leaders to participate in this faith-rooted program centered on leadership, belonging, and justice; applications are due by May 31. Learn more HERE and apply HERE! | Lutheran Men in Mission Spring Newsletter | Lutheran Men are invited to read the spring newsletter and join upcoming Bible studies, estate planning conversations, and other opportunities for fellowship and growth! | FREE Caring for the Earth Bible Study | | |
Looking for a free Bible study curriculum? Caring for the Earth: Stories From Faith Communities offers seven sessions exploring the importance of caring for both our communities and the environment. The series features 25 voices, including youth, organizers, and advocates from Christian, Muslim, Indigenous, Baha’i, and Jewish communities (including 4 ELCA leaders!)
Each 20-minute film is accompanied by a study guide with discussion questions, Scripture, prayers, and practical next steps to help faith communities take meaningful action.
Check it out 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!
| | Join The Luke 10 Congregations Cohort As You Deepen Your Commitment to Racial Justice | |
Churches are invited to join a powerful 9-month training program co-led by the Kairos Center and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). This cohort equips congregations to deepen their understanding of Christian Nationalism, poverty, and racism—and to take meaningful action for justice in their communities.
The next cohort begins in September 2026 with applications due June 1, 2026.
Apply HERE!
| Join The Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative | |
The Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. They are seeking both rostered leaders and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative.
The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for our church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.
To learn more and to get involved, click HERE!
| | Church Leaders Continuing Education - January 2027 | | Sign up for Executive Skills for Church Leaders 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. 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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