Synod & Congregational Highlights | | The Reparations and Racial Equity Fund Closes September 12 at 11:59 PM! | | |
The Reparations & Racial Equity Application is open until September 12 at 11:59 pm. Eligibility for the grant is based on self-identification as a person of African descent and/or person of color, rostered status in good standing in the ELCA, and a history of being rostered in the Sierra Pacific Synod or its predecessor bodies on the current territory of the synod. The review of applications will only consider these core eligibility requirements; harm or perceived harm is not quantified or weighted, nor is proof of financial means or hardship required. This fund is offered in the spirit of healing and repair.
Please fill out the application HERE
and send it to anyone in your network who is eligible.
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Synod Budget Hearings -
September 16/17 on Zoom
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Join the synod on Zoom for one of the upcoming budget hearings.
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Wednesday, September 16 at 2 pm OR
- Thursday, September 17 at 7 pm
These hearings are open to all. You do not need to register for them. You’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from the Synod Treasurer, ask questions, and engage in conversation about the proposed 2027–28 budget.
| | Synod Assembly Budget Meeting - Sept 19 | | Voting members will gather on Zoom on September 19 from 9 am to Noon to consider, discuss, and vote on the budget. The Zoom link will be sent to voting members. | | 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.
| | 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.
Bethel Lutheran Church
10181 Finch Ave, Cupertino, CA
October 8-10
10 AM - 2 PM
Contact: Joann Weberg, 408-348-4168
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (LCMS)
3785 Placer Corporate Dr., Rocklin, CA 95765
October 16-17
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.
| 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.
| Register For 2026 Bishops' Convocation | |
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!
| 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
- Anthony Suárez-Abraham’s Ordination & Installation - October 3
- Faith In Action at St. John's Sacramento - October 3
- 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 | | |
Interrupting Harmful Patterns -
September 14 & 21 Online
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Join the Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice and Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy on September 14 and 21 with Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy for the series, "Interrupting Harmful Patterns: White Supremacy Culture and Courageous Conversation in Congregational Life."
Register for September 14 HERE and September 21 HERE!
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Love Our Neighbors Cohort
Starts September 21
| How is God calling your congregation to connect more deeply with your neighbors? LEAD’s Love Our Neighbors Online Cohort equips congregational teams to practice holy listening, build meaningful neighborhood partnerships, and discover where the Holy Spirit may be leading next. The 4-week cohort begins September 21. Register HERE! | | Land Back Webinar with The ELCA - Sept 24 | |
Honoring our church’s commitment through the social policy resolution, “Supporting ELCA Land Back Efforts and Indigenous Ministries,” join the ELCA for a webinar on September 24 at 4:00 PM PT exploring the work of land return.
Hear from Indigenous leaders, congregations, and synods engaged in land return and reconciliation efforts, and learn how communities across the ELCA are putting this commitment into action.
Register today.
| Continuing Education For Rostered Leaders Over Family Systems | Starting September 24, rostered leaders are invited to join Rev. Wendy Vie Trittin for monthly conversations exploring Family Systems Theory and its application to ministry. Each session is $50 and is on Zoom. 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. 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
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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