Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Narrative Budgets Webinar - October 20 | | All rostered and lay leaders are invited to “Narrative Spending Plans: Not as Difficult as You Think” on Zoom, October 20 at 6 p.m. Join Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship, for step-by-step guidance on turning a line-item budget into a narrative spending plan that tells your ministry’s story. The Zoom link is HERE! | | Immigration & Emergency Preparedness Training - October 24 | | |
The Sierra Pacific Synod and Disaster Preparedness Community Organizers Dr. Robert Pitts and Jamie Stark are pleased to welcome Alondra Gonzalez from the MultiCultural Institute for an Immigration Emergency Preparedness training on October 24 at 1:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redwood City.
The training will help participants prepare for encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whether they are approached directly or witness an interaction.
All rostered and lay leaders are welcome.
| | 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!
Register HERE!
| | Preparing Together for El Nino | |
With California declaring a state of emergency, check out resources HERE! Also, view Dr. Robert Pitts' interactive map HERE!
We are here to help your congregation prepare. If your church council needs assistance, please reach out to our Disaster Preparedness Community Organizers, Dr. Robert Pitts at robert@spselca.org and Jamie Stark at jamie@spselca.org.
| 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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3rd - 8th Grade Retreat -
November 6-8 at Mt. Cross
| |
All 3rd-8th graders 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!
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Lots of folks are interested but everyone is worried. Is this a safe trip to take? What happens if the war escalates before January? Tony Abuaita (Good Shepherd Travel) and I have had several conversations about the concerns that arise when considering a trip to the Holy Land.
Here is Tony’s response:
“Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities as we prepare for your journey to the Holy Land next January. We are closely monitoring the situation, reviewing U.S. Department of State travel advisories, and staying in regular contact with our local team, colleagues, family, and friends who are there now. Groups continue to travel to the Holy Land; we have a group in-country right now, another group scheduled to depart later in October, and five groups scheduled to travel in January.
While it is too early to know what conditions will be next January, we will keep you informed as your departure approaches. Should circumstances require us to cancel, postpone, or redirect the trip to another destination, we will coordinate with your tour leader, seek their blessing, and proceed with your final approval.
Thank you for your trust as we prepare for a meaningful journey together."
I know I am excited to return to the Holy Land; the last trip was amazing and I believe this trip with Good Shepherd Travel will be even more life-changing.
Some words from folks who traveled with Synod staff in January 2026:
“Why should you go to the Holy Land?
- to see where Jesus walked
- to understand life in the Holy Land
- to let people know we remember them & to share their stories back home.”
“Our synod’s 2026 trip to Palestine was a life-changing eleven days. What I saw and heard was revelatory: it broadened my faith, deepened my compassion, sharpened my desire for justice, and challenged me to live accordingly.”
Please consider joining us! Click HERE to register!
The deadline for registration is October 31, 2026.
-Pr. Charlane Lines
| | Upcoming ELCA/Synod Events | |
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.
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.
| 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.
| Holy Redeemer San Jose Holy Closure - October 25 | Join Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in San Jose on October 25 at 10 am for a Holy Closure Service honoring 81 years of faithful ministry. Bishop Jeff Johnson will preside, with a potluck following worship. All are welcome to give thanks, share memories, and mark this sacred transition. | 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! | | API Family Camp at Mt. Cross - Nov 20-22 | | |
Join Mt. Cross on November 20–22 for a FREE, intergenerational family retreat for Pan-Asian families across the Sierra Pacific Synod! This weekend is an opportunity to gather, build community, deepen our faith, and enjoy time together in the redwoods. Their featured speaker will be Rev. Teresita “Tita” Valeriano, ELCA Program Director for Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries.
The weekend will include speaker sessions, rock climbing, taiji, yoga, dumpling making, and plenty of time for fellowship and fun. All ages and generations are welcome!
Register HERE!
| | Upcoming Congregational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
- Vote Your Conscience Zoom - October 15
- InGathering - October 16-17 in Rocklin
- Alan W. Gaston Jr.'s Ordination at Emanuel Modesto - October 17
- Stand With New Americans - Prince of Peace Saratoga - October 21
- Immigration & Emergency Preparedness Training Messiah Redwood City - October 24
- Holy Redeemer San Jose Closure Service - October 25
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Apply for an ELCA Feeding Grant By October 21! | |
Applications are open for ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants of up to $10,000 and Daily Bread Grants of $500 to support feeding ministries in your community.
Learn more HERE!
| LEAN 2026 Ballot Proposition Recommendations | |
LEAN has provided 2026 November Ballot recommendations for Nevada. We encourage you to prayerfully consider the issues and make your voice heard.
View their recommendations 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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