Synod & Congregational News | |
Special Synod Assembly 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.
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.
Before September 28th, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the budget and discern as a community. The hearing will occur on September 17 at 6:30 PM, and voting members can ask questions regarding the proposed Synod Budget. The Zoom link will be available the week prior to the meeting.
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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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The Sierra Pacific Synod and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California want to update you on the Park Fire, which has significantly impacted Butte and Tehama counties and triggered immediate evacuation notices in Plumas and Shasta Counties. The fire has burned approximately 429,000 acres and is 99% contained, causing extensive damage and displacing many individuals and families.
Lutheran Social Services of Northern California is working in collaboration with the Sierra Pacific Synod and the California, Nevada, and Hawaii District LCMS to provide relief resources and services to those affected, and are all accepting donations. Your donations can make a significant difference in providing immediate relief and long-term support. Needs will range from the need for housing (immediate or longer term), food assistance, transportation assistance, and essentials for daily living.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps restore hope and rebuild lives.
Click here donate to the Lutheran Social Services of Northern California Wildfire Relief Funds via PayPal.
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Photography Exhibit Highlighting US Religious Rituals | |
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Experience the beauty and diversity of religious rituals across the United States! For American Prayer, photographer Lucas Foglia traveled throughout the United States to photograph people participating in religious and spiritual rituals in nature. This exhibit is a collaboration between Foglia, the PLTS Center for Climate Justice and Faith, and the GTU Center for Art and Religion. Visitors to the gallery will have opportunities to participate in local climate advocacy, register to vote, and get involved with Bay Area organizations addressing the climate crisis.
The opening reception is from 5-7 pm on Thursday, September 5th, at the Doug Adams Gallery, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA. Please RSVP here.
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Online Conversation With Presiding Bishop Eaton & Bishop Brenda Bos | |
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, will join congregations in the Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain synods on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 12 pm PT for a regional conversation on God’s Love Made Real. The Rev. Brenda Bos, bishop of the Southwest California Synod, will host the online conversation.
God’s Love Made Real is a movement encouraging the ELCA to create a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.
Join us on Zoom for this life-giving conversation HERE.
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Training on Building Affordable Housing on Church Land | |
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 Schwartz, 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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Are you a church leader looking for boundary training? Then look no further than this online offering! | |
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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Download a new FREE arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music 2024 by Anne Krentz Organ: The Ash Grove for solo instrument and keyboard. The Ash Grove is a theme and variations based on the beloved Welsh folk tune and is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project. Free sheet music download 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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