Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Assembly Budget Hearing - October 29 Business Meeting for Voting Members - Nov 1 | |
Please read this new letter from Bishop Jeff Johnson, Treasurer Scott Taylor, and Vice President Simon Wong, with a summary of the proposed Synod Budget for 2026, and our missional call to walk on the way to Jesus - together.
Please read the letter here.
📅 Budget Hearings
Join us on Zoom for one of the upcoming budget hearings.
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Wednesday, October 29 at 12:00 Noon OR
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Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 PM *notice new date
These hearings are open to all. You’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from the Synod Treasurer, Synod Council, and Finance Committee, ask questions, and engage in conversation about the proposed 2026–27 budget.
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📅 Budget Business Session
On Saturday, November 1 from 9 AM - 11 AM, Synod Assembly voting members will gather for the business session on Zoom and vote on the proposed budget.The link will be sent out to voting members.
| 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. | | Lutherans in El Salvador - October 20 | Learn what it means to be Lutheran in El Salvador! Join Bishop Guadalupe Cortez as we hear about the ministry of our companion synod, the El Salvador Lutheran Synod. The event will take place at St. Matthew’s, Walnut Creek, on Monday, October 20, from 6–8 PM, with a light meal provided. Register HERE! | |
Join Saron Lutheran Church on October 25 at 11 am as they celebrate their partnership with The Rev. Nelson Rabell. The Rev. Idalia Negrón- Caamaño,
former Bishop of the Caribbean Synod, will be the guest preacher. Rostered leaders are invited to vest with the color of the day being red. Come celebrate what God is doing among us!
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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. |
Synod Border Trip November 9-15
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Five months after leaving El Paso, participants from across the Sierra Pacific Synod gathered again to reflect on what is often called an “immigration crisis.” What they found instead was deep separation—communities divided by walls, politics, and fear—while birds flew freely overhead.
From November 9–15, Pastor Jill Ross will lead another Borderlands Immersion Trip in partnership with the Sierra Pacific Synod and Border Servant Corps. This year’s group will cross into Ciudad Juárez to listen, learn, and ask together: What comes next? Through it all, one truth remains clear: immigrants are still welcome here.
Interested in joining? One space is available! Please contact Pastor Jill Ross at revjilliross@gmail.com or 360-270-0295 to join.
— Rev. Paul Larson, Synod Border Trip Participant
To Read Rev. Paul's Full Reflection Click HERE
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The only thing our retreat is missing is YOU!
Youth in 3rd–8th grade and their adult leaders are invited to join the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) for a weekend of faith-filled fellowship, learning, and worship at Mt. Cross Ministries (7795 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005).
📅 Retreat Dates:November 14-16
💲 Early-bird registration: $225 (through October 24)
💲 Regular registration: $275 (October 25 – November 7)
🕛 Registration closes November 7 at 11:59 PM
✨ Scholarships covering up to 50% of the cost are available.
For details and registration, visit: www.spselca.org/elementarymiddle-school-retreat
Questions? Contact Lisa Herlocker, Adult Chair SPSYC at lherlocker@me.com
| | Upcoming Congegational Events | | |
See What Our Congregations Are Doing HERE
This week’s highlights include:
- Jazz at Bethlehem Oakland - October 18
- Lutheran in El Salvador - October 20
- The Unaccompanied Project: Powerful Stories of Immigration & American Identity - October 25
- Oktoberfest at St. John's Sacramento - October 25
- Celebration at Saron Lutheran with The Rev. Nelson Rabell - October 25
- Interfaith Prayer Vigil in Stockton - October 28
- Community Fair at Bethlehem Oakland - November 1
- Lauren E. Chambers' Ordination - November 8
- The Rev. Bea Chun's Installation - November 8
- Holiday Craft Fair in Alameda - November 15
- Sam R. LaDue's Ordination - December 13
| | Resources In & Outside The Synod | | Calling All Nevadan Lutherans - Lean Needs Your Voice! | |
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada is inviting Nevada Lutherans to complete a short survey about hunger-related ministries. Your responses will help us understand how your church engages in feeding ministries and how we can better support your work through advocacy, education, and partnership.
Take the survey today and help us share stories of faith in action across Nevada!
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Make a Difference
with LSS of Northern California!
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Lutheran Social Services of Northern California is seeking dedicated board members who are passionate about housing, equity, and strengthening communities. Join us in creating lasting change and offering hope to our neighbors in need.
Interested? Email jclemens@lssnorcal.org to learn more.
| Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) Discernment Weekend Oct 31-Nov 2 | | |
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way October 31-November 2 at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs.
PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning. 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.
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Female Rostered Leaders Online Group
Starts November
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Starting in November, clergywomen are invited to join a FREE Zoom community that offers tools for ministry, encouragement, and collegial support. Rooted in Benedictine wisdom, participants will explore a simple Rule of Life to sustain their callings. Twelve 2-hour sessions will be held weekly in the late afternoon, concluding with a retreat.
Contact Pastor Julie Webb for details: prjuliewebb@gmail.com
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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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