The Band is Back!!

MELBA’S KITCHEN – the all-women big band celebrating the formidable jazz contributions of Black women musical geniuses Melba Liston and Mary Lou Williams, and their friends, return to the community with a free concert on Friday, August 14th at 7:00pm; 401 Grizzly Peak Blvd. Berkeley, CA. 

You are warmly invited to the Installation of The Rev. Dr. Chuck Witschorik as Associate Pastor of St. Mary & St. Martha Lutheran Church.

The service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at noon at St. Mary & St. Martha Lutheran Church, 1050 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110.

Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.

All retired rostered leaders are invited to join Bishop Jeff for a gathering on August 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (1025 The Dalles Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087).

Please RSVP to Rev. Anne Carlson at pastor-anne@comcast.net if you plan to attend, and include any dietary accommodations you may need.

If you’re unable to attend but would be interested in gathering with retired colleagues closer to home, consider hosting a local gathering. Contact Pr. Anne for more information.

Also, be sure to save the date for the Bishop’s Convocation, November 9–11 at Bishop’s Ranch, where there will be a special gathering for retired rostered leaders.

Save the Date!

SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat will be held September 11–13, 2026 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA. Join us for a meaningful weekend of community, reflection, and renewal.

Register HERE!

Join Advent Lutheran Church (16870 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. for Anthony Suárez-Abraham’s ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. He will also be installed as their Associate Pastor during this service.