Synod & Congregational Highlights | | Synod Budget Hearing Sept 17 on Zoom | | |
Join the synod on Zoom on Thursday, September 17 at 7 pm for the Budget hearing. This hearing is open to all.
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. | | Holy Land Pilgrimage Info Session - Sept 21 | Join Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines and Good Shepherd Travel's Tony Abuaita on September 21 at 7 pm on Zoom for an informational session about the Synod's Holy Land Pilgrimage. Ask questions and learn more about this solidarity trip! Join the Zoom HERE! | 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 | | Hunger Justice Zoom - September 29 | | Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) and the Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy Network (LEAN) invite hunger leaders and advocates to explore “Mercy and Compassion Merging for Hunger Justice.” The gathering will feature synod bishops, churchwide leaders, food-bank partners, pastors, and public-policy advocates. Join them on Zoom on September 29 at 6 pm HERE! | |
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.
| SAM/Lay Leaders Community Practice - October 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! | 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
- St. Mark's SF Circus - September 26
- St Mark's Sugarcane Viewing & Discussion - September 27
- Hunger Justice Webinar - September 29
- Disarming Scripture Discussion at St. Matthew's Walnut Creek - October 1
- Anthony Suárez-Abraham’s Ordination & Installation - October 3
- Faith In Action at St. John's Sacramento - October 3
- Moral Economy Discussion with Dr. Rev. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda - October 4
- 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 | | 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! | 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.
| 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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