In August, we are celebrating our Sierra Pacific Synod (SPS) as our ministry partner for the Second Mile Giving program. Our Synod is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
A little background about the ELCA. In the 1980’s, three Lutheran Church bodies with common interests and missions decided to become one new Lutheran Church body. In 1988 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed. The ELCA now has 2.9 million members and 8,640 congregations. It is the seventh largest Christian denomination in the USA.
In order to carry out its mission of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and to proclaim that all people are reconciled to God by God’s forgiving mercy, the newly formed ELCA divided itself into 65 geographical synods to effectively reach out with this mission. Our Synod continues to carry out this mission, and also unites the work of congregations, serving as regional support, and guiding pastors and staff.
Our Sierra Pacific Synod (SPS), which also began in 1988, was known originally as the Northern California - Northern Nevada Synod. It later changed its name to Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA. Today, the SPS has 177 congregations and 29,170 members.
Our Synod has a recent new bishop, Rev. Jeff Johnson, who was elected at the Synod Assembly in Burlingame in September 2023. Bishop Jeff presided at his first Synod Assembly (Fresno) in June 2024.
Please join in lifting up our Synod and its continuing work. Our Second Mile offering in August will be dedicated to the Synod for its ongoing work.
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