Synod & Congregational Highlights | | |
Ascension Day Worship with Bishop Jeff
- May 14
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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.
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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.
| Called To Be A Leader In Sierra Pacific Synod? | | |
The Nominating Committee of the Sierra Pacific Synod invites you to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to serve on the Synod Council.
Elections to fill these positions will take place during the 2026 Synod Assembly on June 13, 2026 via Zoom.
Any congregational member may self-nominate or be nominated by a friend for these positions by completing this online nomination form. Nominations Close June 5.
Synod Vice President (Job Description HERE)
Synod Council Member at Large (Job Description HERE)
Synod Council Member whose Primary Language Is Other Than English (Job Description HERE)
Questions?
Contact SPS Nominations Chair Rev. Pablo (Paul) M. Larson HERE
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Lutheran Lobby Day in Sacramento - May 20 | | Join Lutherans on Wednesday, May 20th, to meet with your state legislative offices. Register HERE by Tuesday, May 12 at Noon! | | 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! | 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
- Trinity Oakland Benefit Concert - May 8
- Mark Yaconelli Workshop At Holy Trinity San Carlos - May 9
- Ascension Day Celebration at Stanford Memorial - May 14
- SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat - September 11-13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | |
Dismantling White Supremacy Webinar -
May 12 at 5 PM PT
| Join ELCA Racial Justice Ministries on Tuesday, May 12 at 5 pm PT for Naming White Supremacy in Lutheranism, featuring Rev. Dr. James R. Thomas and Rev. Dr. Robert O. Smith. Register HERE! | 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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