Synod & Congregational News | |
Special Synod Assembly Budget Meeting | |
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On September 28 at 9 AM, the Synod will convene via Zoom to discuss and vote on a budget. Normally, the voting members from the June assembly will also be voting members at the September meeting. All voting members must register for the meeting to receive a link to join the Zoom meeting.
Please register before September 23.
In order to vote at the Special Assembly meeting each voting member of the assembly will need to have a unique email address AND their own device for attending and voting.
If you are a voting member, please register for the Budget Meeting on September 28 at 9 am HERE. You must register before September 23.
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Join Us For Michael Basil's Ordination! | |
Welcome The Rev. Dan Buringrud
To St Mark's San Francisco!
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Blessing to The Rev. Ron Valadez As He Begins His Ministry at Christ Lutheran, El Cerrito, CA | |
Quarterly Giving Statements Sent Via Email | |
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Looking for your giving statements? They are now sent via email! Keep an eye out for an email from notifications@onrealmmail.org. It will look similar to the example below. If you don’t receive a statement, please check your spam/junk folder and contact Debbie Cook, our Finance Assistant, at debbie@spselca.org.
If you received a paper statement by mail, we’d love to have your email address so we can send it to you electronically in the future.
Thank you for your stewardship and commitment to being the church together!
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Aspects of Fire" Organ Recital
at St. John's Sacramento, CA
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The final Organ Recital of a four-part series, "Aspects of Fire," will be held on Sunday, September 22 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sacramento, featuring renowned organist Dr. Ryan Enright.
Purchase your tickets online here!
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Advocacy with Regina Q Banks | |
InGathering Lutheran World Relief Quilts/Kits Collection | |
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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 10-12
⏰ 10 AM - 2 PM
Contact: Joann Weberg, 408-348-4168
📍 St. James Lutheran Church
2500 Shasta View Dr, Redding, CA
🗓 October 12
⏰ 10 AM - 2 PM
Contact: Katie Swartz, 530-221-6474
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.
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Join the Pacifica Synod for a Professional Leader's Conference in La Quinta, CA! To learn more and register, visit here. | |
Accompaniment Trip To Texas/New Mexico | |
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Are you seeking an opportunity to participate in an immersion experience on the US/Mexico border? Learn more about a trip hosted by the Border Servant Corps based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Pasto, Texas. This trip is open to congregations and individuals in the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, interested in increating an expanded vision for outreach with our siblings who live both along the border and in our local communities. The dates are June 1-7, 2025.
Border Servant Corps partners with local churches and community groups to support those entering the US as immigrants. Our group will meet people, visit local organizations, learn about immigration laws, and be offered the opportunity to build an understanding of economic policy and realities affecting people on the border. We will meet before the trip to get to know each other, share readings, practice spiritual formation, and make a covenant about how we wish to travel together. We also will consider how to share what we learn when we return. If you would like more information please get in touch with Pastor Jill Ross at revjilliross@gmail.com or call 360-270-0295.
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Evangelism Corner with The Rev. Amy Kienzle | |
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How can our websites serve as the "front porches" of our churches? Furthermore, who is our website for? Is it more like a backyard patio, meant for “family” and some close friends? Or can we envision it as the front porch, meant primarily for our neighbors to see us and engage with us if the Spirit moves them?
You can learn more about The Rev. Amy Kienzle's observations and apply them to your faith community in the first reflection for the Evangelism Corner Here.
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Congregational Vitality Training | |
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Are you ready to inspire renewal and growth in your congregation? Join our Congregational Vitality Program, through United Lutheran Seminary, a transformative journey designed to strengthen your community and deepen your impact!
Starting on September 21, this six-month program features:
• Six 3-hour monthly sessions led by a coach specially trained in congregational vitality.
• Exclusive access to training recordings, digital downloads, supplemental Bible studies, and book recommendations to guide your congregation’s progress.
• One-on-one coaching check-ins to provide personalized strategies, accountability, and encouragement between sessions.
This program is designed to foster sustainable growth and vitality within your community, offering the tools, resources, and support you need for success.
Ready to revitalize your congregation? Sign up today and embark on this exciting journey with us!
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Listening to Scripture Group | |
Are you a preacher who wants to learn how to better listen to yourself, your community, and God? Join this weekly cohort designed to proclaim the Good News in a way that is community-centered, co-created, contextual, authentic, and relevant. The cohort program is designed for all sorts of ‘preachers’- both lay and ordained leaders. Please register here. | |
Continuing Education Opportunity | |
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Sierra Pacific Synod is not leading a Professional Leaders' Conference or Retreat this year. However, consider attending the Clergy Renewal Retreat at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center in Lake Tahoe, NV, from October 7 to 9, 2024.
Not only will you get the chance for some R&R, but you will also be inspired through collaborative roundtable conversations with ministry colleagues, participate in rich and varied worship experiences, and connect with the earth as you encounter the breathtaking beauty of the Tahoe basin.
Please register HERE.
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Authentic Diversity Grant | |
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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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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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