Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Thank You For Making The 2025 Synod Assembly Budget Meeting A Success! | |
Special thanks to our Synod Assembly voting members for joining us at the Synod Budget Business Session on November 1. We’re grateful to share that the budget passed!
A heartfelt thank you to Bishop Jeff Johnson, Treasurer Scott Taylor, Secretary Jeffrey Pennington, Vice President Simon Wong, Pr. Brandon Westengard, Pr. Charlane Lines, Pr. Amy Kienzle, Debbie Cook, Logan Rimel, and Pr. Courtney Geibert for their faithful leadership and teamwork in making this possible!
| Compensation Guidlines Listening Post - November 17 | |
Join the Sierra Pacific Synod on November 17 at 7 PM on Zoom for Toward Improved Compensation Guidelines: A Listening Post for Executive Committees. This gathering invites congregational executive committee members to explore best practices for fair and sustainable clergy compensation across our synod.
The Zoom link is HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Jeremy Serrano at rev@gsconcord.com.
| | Lauren E. Chambers Ordination - November 8 | | |
Join us in celebrating the Ordination of Lauren E. Chambers into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Lauren has been called to serve as Pastor at Hope Lutheran San Mateo. The service will take place on Saturday, November 8 at 12:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Visalia, with a reception to follow.
The color of the day is red, and the service will also be available to watch via YouTube livestream.
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The Rev. Bea Chun's Installation
at St. Matthew's San Francisco - November 8
| You are warmly invited to attend the Service of Installation for The Rev. Beate Chun as Pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 3281 16th Street, San Francisco, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Rostered leaders are invited to vest with the color of the day being green. | The (Soon to Be) Rev. Lauren E. Chambers' Installation at Hope San Mateo - Nov 15 | |
All are warmly invited to celebrate the installation of The (soon to be) Rev. Lauren E. Chambers as Pastor of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in San Mateo. Clergy are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is green. Reception to follow.
📍 600 42nd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
📅 Saturday, November 15 at 1:00 PM
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Deacon Katie Laurence's Installation
at Open Cathedral's San Francisco - Nov 16
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Join us in celebrating the installation of Deacon Katie Laurence as Open Cathedral's Minister!
📍 UN Plaza, San Francisco | 🗓️ Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 | ⏰ 2 p.m.
Rostered leaders are invited to vest in green. 💚
| | Synod Hunger Network Zoom Meeting - Nov 19 | | Join the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 pm on Zoom as we explore how to address the hunger crisis. To register, email Edie Lott at thelots@gmail.com. | |
The Rev. Kwame Pitts' Installation at
University Lutheran Chapel Berkeley - Nov 23
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University Lutheran Chapel of Berkeley invites you to the Installation of their new Pastor, The Rev. Kwame Pitts, on Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00 pm. The Rev. Jill Ross will preside, and The Rev. Angie Shannon will preach. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. The service will be in-person and online. An in-person reception will follow the service.
Any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Catherine at administrator@ulcberkeley.org.
The Zoom link is under "events" on the synod website.
| | Upcoming Congegational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- Council of Nicaea Conversation - November 6
- Lauren E. Chambers' Ordination - November 8
- The Rev. Bea Chun's Installation - November 8
- The Rev. Lauren E. Chambers' Installation - November 15
- Holiday Craft Fair in Alameda - November 15
- Sacramento Young Adult Volunteer Outing - November 15
- Deacon Katie Laurence's Installation - November 16
- Synod Hunger Network Gathering - November 19
- The Rev. Kwame Pitts' Installation - November 23
- Sam R. LaDue's Ordination - December 13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | ELCA Hunger Grants Available Now | |
ELCA World Hunger is offering $500 Daily Bread Grants to support congregations with active feeding ministries. This opportunity is open to ELCA congregations, new starts, SAWCs, strategic ministries, congregations in development (SAOMs), and campus ministries.
Applications are open until November 15, so don’t miss your chance to support your congregation’s efforts to feed your neighbors and nourish your community.
👉 Learn more and apply here
| Creating Accessible Spaces on a Budget - November 17 | | |
Every church should be a place where everyone feels welcome and included — regardless of ability. But making your facilities more accessible doesn't have to break the bank.
Join the ELCA Disability Ministry on Monday, November 17 at 5 pm PT (7 pm central time) for this practical and inspiring webinar designed specifically for churches seeking to improve accessibility with limited resources.
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WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
YOUR LOCAL Conference Deans!
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One of the greatest strengths of our synod is our nine conference deans—faithful leaders who are local to your congregation and community and deeply committed to Jesus Christ, the Church, and the well-being of our 175+ faith communities across northern Nevada and northern California.
Your conference dean is often the first and best point of contact when questions or challenges arise in the life of your congregation. Deans bring a wealth of pastoral experience, regional understanding, and practical wisdom to their work—and they are here to listen, support, and connect you with resources across our synod.
If you’re unsure which conference you belong to, visit the Find a Faith Community map on our website. You can also find the list of conference deans and their contact information at the bottom of every synod newsletter or online at spselca.org/ourteam.
Deans also gather regularly with the Bishop’s Team, convene regular gatherings for rostered ministers, and lead annual Conference Assemblies that help prepare for Synod Assembly.
Together, our deans help ensure that the work of ministry is shared, supported, and sustained—reminding us that we are one body, connected in Christ and called to care for one another.
| | Register / Regístrese: Certificación en Justicia Climática y Fe — Climate Justice and Faith Certification | |
Este currículo de certificación en línea y transcontinental, basado en el trabajo en grupos, capacita a las y los participantes para cultivar el poder moral, espiritual y práctico para el liderazgo en el trabajo de la justicia climática, tanto en comunidades de fe como en colaboración con otros.
Solicite aquí antes del 28 de noviembre de 2025.
This online, transcontinental certification program—grounded in collaborative group learning—equips participants to cultivate the moral, spiritual, and practical power for leadership in the work of climate justice, within faith communities and in partnership with others.
Apply by November 28, 2025 HERE.
| ELCA Advent Spirtual Care - December 10 | |
Join the ELCA on Wednesday, December 10, at 4 pm PT (6 pm CT) for a time of grounding and renewal as we enter the Advent Season. Hosted by Deacon Tammy Devine, this session invites us to slow down, care for our spirits, and rediscover how to proclaim the Good News with authenticity and hope throughout December.
Register HERE
| Advent Communications Bundle by VERO | | |
This advent season, Vero Communications is here to help elevate your advent invitations - you share a few pieces of information and they'll develop the creative materials! They'll take your already-developed Advent theme and build-out marketing materials that elevate your message.
With a guaranteed 2-week turnaround time, this Advent Bundle is uniquely catered to your ministry and can be in your hands ASAP. Learn more about this special offering Bundle HERE!
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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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