Synod & Congregational News | |
Free Election Season Toolkit & Zoom Webinar Hosted By Bishop Jeff Johnson | |
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As we approach the upcoming election, the Bishop’s team is encouraging rostered leaders to sign up for the 2024 Election Season Toolkit from Faith+Lead. This free resource will guide congregations through the election season with three emails on how to talk, preach, and live out justice and faith during this time.
All interested rostered leaders are invited to join the Bishop’s team for a Zoom gathering on Tuesday, October 29 at 10:00 AM to discuss the toolkit and explore practical ways to lead during the election season. The Zoom link for rostered leaders is HERE.
Sign up for the Toolkit HERE!
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Ballot Measure Voter Guide
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Confused about the California Ballot Measures? The Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California has compiled a handy voter guide! These recommendations by the Policy Council of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy-California are made within the framework of the principles, values, and commitments of ELCA Social Statements and Social Messages.
View the voter guide HERE in English and HERE in Spanish.
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The Rev. Paul M. Larson's Installation
at St Paul's Lutheran Family Carson City, NV
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Join us as we celebrate the installation of The Rev. Paul M. Larson as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Family, Carson City, NV at 2 pm on Saturday, November 16th. Clergy are invited to robe, as the color of the day is Green, and guests are asked to RSVP to stpaulcarson@gmail.com. There will be a light reception to follow. | |
The Rev. Clark Brown's Installation at Hope Lutheran, Fresno | |
Join us as we celebrate the installation of The Rev. Clark Brown as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Fresno at 2 pm on Sunday, November 17th. Clergy are invited to robe, as the color of the day is green. Folks can join in person or online for the celebration. There will be a light reception to follow. https://www.hopelutheranfresno.org | |
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fresno
Hosted A Women's Retreat
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The women from Trinity, Fresno, recently “retreated” at Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)—surprisingly alongside the Women from Hope, Fresno! Pr. Sharon Amundson of Mariposa led them through a study of “The Great I Am’s,” and they spent leisure time creating greeting cards, which will be used in mailings to shut-in members of the congregation. | |
Oktoberfest in Sacramento | |
Looking for family-friendly fun in Sacramento? Join St. John’s Lutheran Church and Mattie Groves Brewery for a Community Oktoberfest this Saturday, October 26, from 4-8 PM! Enjoy live music from a brass band and the Sacramento Turn Verein Harmonie ensemble, plus activities for kids and youth. Admission is free, with delicious food and drinks available for purchase. Invite your friends and neighbors—this is an event for all ages! | |
Fundraiser for Pr. John Rutsindintwarane's Rwandan Community Organizing | |
Asian or Pacific Islander Zoom Listening Session | |
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If you are Asian or Pacific Islander and part of a non-Asian community, you are warmly invited to join the ELCA Asian and Pacific Ministries Listening Session on Zoom, happening on October 30th at 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to connect and share your experiences.
Please register Here.
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Considering Seminary?
Visit PLTS For A Weekend!
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Are you wondering whether seminary education could be right for you? Visit Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (Berkeley, CA) for Signs Along the Way, an in-person visit and discernment weekend for folks at any stage in their discernment. If you are wondering about a Master of Divinity or MA in Spirituality and Social Change degree (great for future deacons!), or want to learn more about Lutheran year studies, this is a great event for you! Friday evening to Sunday afternoon November 8th-10th you will have the opportunity to connect with current seminarians, faculty, and staff, learn more about seminary and online learning, and engage in intentional discernment and reflection. Lodging and most meals are covered by PLTS and there is some travel assistance available if needed. Learn more at plts.edu/signs or contact admissions@plts.edu to see if this might be the right next step for you. | |
Elementary/Middle School Retreat At Mt. Cross | |
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Caring adults and faith communities, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to send your 3rd-8th graders to the SPSYC Mt. Cross Retreat! It’s a weekend filled with fun, faith, and friendships, where students will experience the beauty of God’s creation, grow in their faith, and bond with others through games, activities, and worship.
When: November 8-10, 2024
Where: Mt. Cross Ministries, Ben Lomond, CA
Your kids will come back energized, spiritually enriched,
and with memories that last a lifetime.
Register now to secure their spot,
and give them a weekend they won’t forget!
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ELCA Good Gifts Presentation | |
Can't decide what to get your friends and family for Christmas? Consider something from the ELCA Good Gifts catalog! Join the SPS Hunger Network to hear more on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 pm on Zoom. To register please email HERE. | |
Youth Ministry Leaders' Meeting | |
Do you have hopes for the ELCA Youth Gathering? Want to hear directly from the Director of Youth Ministry and learn more about what’s in store? Join us for an online forum on November 5 at 9 AM, open to everyone! Register here to be part of the conversation. | |
Prince of Peace Mission Endowment Fund | |
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Application is Open through October 31 for the Prince of Peace Saratoga Mission Endowment Fund!
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund provides financial awards to individuals and organizations that have an emphasis on extending the life and mission of the church, which would include but not be limited to:
- Mission outreach - local/nation/international faith-based organizations that are meeting basic human needs,
- Innovative new programs or ministries,
- Financial assistance for post-secondary education.
More information and application link can be found Here!
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Authentic Diversity Grants | |
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is pleased to announce the Strategy Towards Authentic Diversity Mini-Grants. $33,000 has been allocated to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the ELCA. Faithfulness to the Biblical mandate to proclaim the Gospel requires fostering actions that promote equity, fairness, and justice across all three expressions of the ELCA and society.
Grant-funded projects, activities, programs, events, and plans must relate to an area of focus named in the STAD: Theological Education, Leadership Development, Partnerships with Ecumenical and interreligious partners, Healing Actions from racism and other forms of oppression, Antiracism education, and Structural Accountability through policy and programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Individuals, associations, congregations, synods, and organizations affiliated with the ELCA are eligible to apply. Mini-grants of $500- $2000 will be given.
Please apply before November 1st. Funding decisions will be made through the STAD Advisory Committee. Funding will be announced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the National Day of Racial Healing.
To apply and learn more, please visit Here.
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This leadership workshop series will help you deepen self-awareness by understanding how your personality influences your leadership style. You’ll learn practical strategies for resolving conflicts, managing stress, and handling disagreements confidently and gracefully. Whether navigating leadership challenges or seeking personal growth, this series will provide valuable insights and skills to help you thrive.
Register Here!
| Women In Ministry & Money Webinar | |
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Calling all rostered and lay church professionals who self-identify as women! During stewardship season, it’s easy to feel like money is a necessary evil or beyond your control, especially with the church budget and personal finances. But you can build confidence with money.
This series will transform how you approach money as a woman in ministry. You’ll learn to:
• Lead from abundance, not scarcity.
• Feel competent with church finances
• Manage your personal or family's money confidently
• Negotiate your salary and benefits with power
This webinar is November 4-8 from 9 am-10 am. Register HERE.
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Advent Preaching Resources | |
Global Health Ministries is delighted to offer this four-part series of meditations for Advent, written at our invitation by Old Testament scholar and theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann. Dr. Brueggemann includes preaching resources and images that can be used for social media or bulletins. View this FREE resource HERE. | |
Sexual Abuse Prevention Training in Spanish | |
Church & Casualty Insurance Agency has partnered with MinistrySafe to offer Sexual Abuse Prevention Training in Spanish! Learn more 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.
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Pianist/Organist, Faith Lutheran Church (Marysville, CA) Please contact faith100d@gmail.com or (530) 743-1539 office
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Synod Staff & Conference Deans | |
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*** SPS STAFF ***
Bishop Jeff R. Johnson,
Sierra Pacific Synod
bishopjeff@spselca.org
Debbie Cook,
Finance Assistant Contractor
debbie@spselca.org
Rev. Brandon Peck,
Administrative Director
brandon@spselca.org
Rev. Courtney Geibert, Communications Coordinator
communications@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 Keinzle, Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)
amy@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. John Kuehner,
S.F. Peninsula Conference 5
conference5@spselca.org
Rev. Cristina Beauchemin,
El Camino Real Conference 6
conference6@spselca.org
Rev. Dr. John Valentine,
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. Cindy Beck, Interim Ministry
interims@spselca.org
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