Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Sierra Pacific Synod Celebrates the Newly Installed Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Rwanda | | |
A four-member delegation recently returned from visiting Rwanda. Bp. Jeff Johnson, Sue Hertless (Chair of the SPS Companion Church Team), Rev. Sara Wilson (PLTS), and Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder (Faith, Meadow Vista). The main purpose of the trip was to attend the events surrounding the consecration and installation of Pr. Prince Atupenda Kalisa as the third bishop of the Lutheran Church in Rwanda (LCR). Our delegation was one of three delegations from the US. The two others included delegations from the ELCA Churchwide organization (ELCA Presiding Bp. Curry, Rev. Shemiah Curry, Rev. Khader El-Yateem) and Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary (Naples, FL).
Founded by refugees returning from Tanzania following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the Lutheran Church in Rwanda established congregations in rural and urban communities and participated in rebuilding the country. Today, many congregations face significant challenges. Pastors often serve without a living wage or advanced theological education, church buildings need repairs, and many worship spaces remain closed until they meet government construction standards.
Despite these difficulties, congregational life continues. Children are baptized, couples are married, lives are celebrated, and the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in word and deed.
Bishop Kalisa hopes to strengthen the church’s sustainability, improve clergy education and church facilities, and help parishes develop local sources of income. His priorities include education, young people, and community development.
The Sierra Pacific Synod is rebuilding its Rwanda Accompaniment Team to renew relationships between SPS congregations and Lutheran parishes in Rwanda.
Reflecting on the visit, Sue Hertless expressed gratitude for the extraordinary hospitality of their hosts and for the opportunity to experience Rwanda’s beauty, witness the church’s needs, and feel the love of its people. She also shared Bishop Kalisa’s desire for the Lutheran Church in Rwanda and the Sierra Pacific Synod to remain connected and thrive together.
Those interested in joining the Rwanda Accompaniment Team may contact Micah Metts-Houston of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento at micahhouston13@gmail.com. The team meets by Zoom approximately six times each year to plan its work and support the Lutheran Church in Rwanda through prayer and partnership.
| | Anthony Suárez-Abraham's Ordination/Installation at Advent Lutheran Morgan Hill on October 3 | |
With praise and thanksgiving to God, the people of the Sierra Pacific Synod are invited to the ordination of Anthony Suárez-Abraham to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament and his installation as Associate Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church.
The service will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2 pm, at Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill. A musical prelude will begin at 1:30 p.m. The celebration coincides with the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi's Transitus.
Rostered ministers and ecumenical clergy are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is red. A reception will follow the service. RSVP HERE.
| Alan W. Gaston Jr.'s Ordination at Emanuel Modesto - October 17 | | |
Join the Sierra Pacific Synod in celebrating AJ Gaston’s ordination at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Modesto, CA, on October 17 at 2 pm.
Rostered leaders are invited to process and the color of the day is red.
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Elementary/Middle School Retreat -
November 6-8 at Mt. Cross
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All elementary and middle schoolers are invited to join SPSYC on November 6-8 for a weekend of faith, fellowship, and fun at Mt. Cross Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains! The retreat begins Friday at 7:00 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Early-bird registration is $225 through October 16 at 11:59 p.m. Regular registration is $275 through October 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration closes October 30.
New this year: registration is available to congregation groups only. Please use the group-planning form on the website to organize your congregation’s participants before paying for the retreat.
Learn more HERE!
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | | Register For Bishops' Convocation by Oct 9 | | |
All rostered leaders, candidates for ministry, interns, and retired rostered leaders, are invited to join Bishop Jeff Johnson and the Bishop’s Team for Bishop's Convocation on November 9-11 at Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg, CA. We’re excited to welcome our speaker, The Rev. Dr Karoline M. Lewis, as we focus on Hebrews 10:23-25. Registration closes October 9.
Register HERE!
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InGathering In October -
Drop Off LWR Quilts/Kits
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Attention all quilters and kit-makers! It’s time for our annual Ingathering, where you can drop off your amazing creations to help those in need.
Bethel Lutheran Church
10181 Finch Ave, Cupertino, CA
October 8-10th from 10 AM - 2 PM
Contact: Joann Weberg, 408-348-4168
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (LCMS)
3785 Placer Corporate Dr., Rocklin, CA 95765
October 16-17th from 10 AM - 2 PM
Contact: Sharon Junge 530-613-4178
Don’t miss this chance to make a difference! To learn more about Lutheran World Relief and getting started on assembling your kits, visit here.
| Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering - Oct 13 |
All retired rostered leaders are invited to gather on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:30 am at Calvary Lutheran Church (515 L St. Rio Linda, CA 95673).
Please RSVP to Rev. Anne Carlson at pastor-anne@comcast.net if you plan to attend, and include any dietary accommodations you may need.
If you’re unable to attend but would be interested in gathering with retired colleagues closer to home, consider hosting a local gathering. Contact Pr. Anne for more information.
| Youth Ministry Huddle - October 15 | Join synod youth ministry leaders for a monthly meeting on October 15 at 10 am. The Zoom link is HERE! | ELCA Presiding Bishop Emerita Rev. Elizabeth Eaton at CLU - October 15 | |
Join California Lutheran University on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Samuelson Chapel or via livestream. ELCA Presiding Bishop Emerita Rev. Elizabeth Eaton will speak at the 11:15 a.m. Convocation and present “The Once and Future Church” at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception.
Register for the evening lecture.
| Vote Your Conscience Zoom - October 15 | |
All California voters are invited to join Regina Q. Banks, the Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy - CA, to explore California ballot propositions from a Lutheran perspective on October 15 at 7 pm on Zoom.
Email thelotts@gmail.com to register.
| SAM/Lay Leaders Community Practice - Oct 29 | All SAMs/Lay leaders are invited to join the synod on October 29 from 7-8:30 pm for a conversation about ecumenical partnerships. Pastor Janet Blair will share the experience of her congregation, United by Grace Community Church in Santa Rosa. Register HERE! | Rural Ministry Online Community Starts November 8 | Rural Renewal: Fresh Expressions Experiments in Connection and Community is a three-week online learning experience for rural ELCA congregation leaders, meeting Sundays, November 8, 15, and 22, 2026, from 3–4:30 p.m.Through teaching, conversation, and practical activities, participants will develop a small, meaningful ministry experiment that builds connection and belonging in their community. Register HERE! | Lay Preaching Workshop With Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis - November 12 in Berkeley | | |
Are you a lay preacher who wants to become more confident in the pulpit?
Join Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis for a preaching workshop at the Synod Office in Berkeley on November 12 from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM!
Learn the fundamentals of faithful preaching through hands-on exercises that will help you prepare meaningful sermons and proclaim God’s Word with greater confidence.
Register HERE!
| | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
- Disarming Scripture Discussion at St. Matthew's Walnut Creek - October 1
- Hand Drumming Workshop at University Lutheran Chapel Berkeley - October 2
- Anthony Suárez-Abraham’s Ordination & Installation - October 3
- Faith In Action at St. John's Sacramento - October 3
- Yoga Workshop at University Lutheran Chapel Berkeley - October 3
- Moral Economy Discussion with Dr. Rev. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda - October 4
- Young Adult Fall Retreat at Lake Tahoe - October 9-11
- How A Bible Mistranslation Shifted A Culture - October 10
- InGathering - October 10-12 in Cupertino & October 16-17 in Rocklin
- Vote Your Conscience Zoom - October 15
- Alan W. Gaston Jr.'s Ordination at Emanuel Modesto - October 17
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Spiritual First Aid for Intergenerational Trauma Workshop - October 13 | | Join Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association and Jamie Aten, PhD, on October 13, 2026, from 4–6 pm PT to learn practical ways to recognize needs, offer compassionate support, and connect people affected by intergenerational trauma with helpful resources. Register HERE! | | LOPP-CA’s 2026 Ballot Proposition Recommendations | |
As you prepare to vote, review LOPP-CA’s recommendations for the November 2026 California statewide ballot propositions. We encourage you to prayerfully consider the issues and make your voice heard.
View their recommendations HERE!
| | PLTS Seminary Visit - October 30 - November 1 | |
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you?
Consider joining PLTS visit and discernment weekend, Signs Along the Way, October 30th — November 1st in Berkeley, California. This weekend is a great opportunity to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the Master of Divinity, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer travel assistance for those who need it.
Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.
| Queer Confirmation Curriculum Available! | The ELCA offers a 24-session Queer Confirmation curriculum for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and allies, building faith, community, and resilience through conversation and Christian rituals. View it HERE! | Revised Common Lectionary Text Study Tuesdays on Zoom | All preachers are invited to join the Mt Diablo Conference Text Study on Tuesdays at 11:30am on Zoom for conversation and support! Join HERE! | This year, The Nourishing Vocation Project offers Preparing the Way: A Herstory of Hope, a comprehensive Advent resource focusing on the five women in Jesus’ family tree mentioned in Matthew 1. Learn more HERE! | Register For Executive Skills For Church Leaders January 2027 | |
Join Thriving Leadership Formation, January 4 to 8, 2027, in Carefree, Arizona, for a transformative, week-long continuing education event designed for pastors, deacons, and church leaders.
Register 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. Dr. Brandon Westengard
Assistant To The Bishop
For Administration
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. Janet Katari, Assistant To The Bishop for Evangelical Mission (DEM)
janet@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
Dr. Robert Pitts,
Disaster Preparedness & Response Community Organizer
robert@spselca.org
Jamie Stark,
Disaster Preparedness & Response Community Organizer
jamie@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. Christian Holleck
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
Rev. Anne Carlson
Retired Rostered Leaders
retired@spselca.org
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