Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Renewed & Reconnected: Rostered Leaders at the Fall 2025 Bishop’s Convocation | |
Grounded in Romans 12 and guided by the theme Living Sacraments: Embodied Faith on the Way of Jesus, over 65 rostered leaders gathered in Citrus Heights, CA, for a rich and restorative retreat. Desta Goehner facilitated meaningful practices, deep conversations, and embodied learning that invited leaders to reconnect with God, one another, and their own callings. The leaders were also encouraged by ELCA Coaching and ELCA's Director of Congregational Stewardship, Tim Brown.
It was a Spirit-filled time of renewal, reflection, and community for our synod’s leaders!
| | Save The Date For Congregational Vitality Workshop - January 22-24 | | |
Join lay leaders, rostered ministers, and everyone in between for the ELCA Evangelism and Congregational Vitality Workshop, January 22–24, 2026, at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA!
Grow your skills, deepen your ministry toolbox, and equip yourself to ignite Christ’s light in others.
Registration will open soon!
For more information, email Anna-Kari.Johnson@elca.org.
| | Upcoming Congegational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- Christmas Benefit Concert in El Sobrante - December 5
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12
- Oakland Holiday Benefit Concert - December 12
- Sam R. LaDue's Ordination - December 13
- Christmas Carols in Alameda - December 22
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Invite Global Refuge’s Pastor-in-Residence for Winter–Spring 2026 | |
The Rev. Eric C. Shafer serves as the volunteer Pastor in Residence for Global Refuge. As part of this ministry, he visits ELCA congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod to share about the work of Global Refuge—ideally preaching in worship and leading an adult forum before or after the service.
Pr. Eric is now scheduling Sunday morning visits for 2026. If your congregation is interested in hosting him on any of the following Sundays — December 28; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1 & 8; or any Sunday in March — please contact him at ericcshafer@hotmail.com. He is able to visit congregations anywhere in the synod, though he does ask for some financial support to help cover travel expenses.
Global Refuge partners with congregations across the country to support refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers through welcome, resettlement, and long-term integration. Learn more at globalrefuge.org.
| | FREE Advent Series from The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land | |
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) has a new Advent series designed for churches or personal reflection. The series includes four devotionals written by clergy, lay leaders, and youth, a resource about Palestinian “biblical botany,” and a children’s Christmas book about Christmas in Palestine.
Download the FREE resource HERE!
| Sharing Advent With Those Outside Your Church with Fresh Expressions | | |
Looking for ways to share Advent with folks who may never step inside your church? Fresh Expressions has created helpful videos full of creative, accessible ideas. Take a look and get inspired!
Advent Video & Inviting New People This Season
| | Become A Welcoming Congregation with AMMPARO | |
We invite congregations to join the AMMPARO network by becoming a Welcoming Congregation—a ministry committed to accompanying, supporting, praying for, and standing alongside migrant children and families in our communities. Welcoming Congregations are also eligible for grants to help strengthen this important work.
More information is available in English HERE and Spanish HERE.
| | Check Out The ELCA's Church Property Resource Hub & Register for Emergency Property Resources Zoom Webinar | |
The Church Property Resource Hub is being developed in response to requests from synod and local church leaders for tools and guidance to navigate the challenges and opportunities that buildings and land present—for both congregational vitality and the wider mission of the Church.
When congregations face unexpected emergencies, the Intervention Fund is here to help. This fund provides support for unanticipated, urgent expenses that arise from circumstances beyond a congregation’s control.
Join the ELCA for a Zoom Webinar on Tuesday, December 9 at 11:00 a.m. PT to learn more about the Hub and how the Intervention Fund can assist your ministry.
Visit the Church Property Resource Hub HERE
& Register for the Zoom Meeting HERE
| |
All Men Are Invited To Learn About
Lutheran Men in Mission
| | Check out the latest Ambassador-Gram to explore upcoming events, resources, and ways to get involved 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
| | |
*** 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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