January 24, 2022
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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OUR APOLOGIES!
THERE IS AN UPDATED DATE FOR:
Pastor John Schraan's Installation Service!
Sunday, JUNE 5, 2pm at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Arlington
(Livestream will also be availalbe - stay tuned for that info!)
We give thanks to God as Pr. Schraan is installed as the new pastor at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday
ReconcilingWorks wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources. Many Reconciling in Christ (RIC) communities celebrate RIC Sunday on the last Sunday in January.
This year, that lands on January 30, but the service can be held any date that works for our community. Be sure to use this day as a time to recommit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come.
This year's theme is: "Made in God's Image: God's Boundless Diversity."
This worship resource is centered in the spirit of youth and the voices of our young people! We ask the question, "In understanding the ways in which we all are Made in God's Image, how can we learn to care and advocate for one another so we can best see God's Boundless Diversity of creation?"
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Now is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent
Congregations are invited to wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
In the declaration, the ELCA “apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church.”
“Now Is the Time” stresses realism, self-examination and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism in the United States and globally. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
The five-part study resource, with a guide and participant materials, is available at elca.org/Resources/Racial-Justice Perhaps your congregation will use this resource this winter or Lent?
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Resources for Lent from ELCA World Hunger
For nearly two years, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Rev.7:16)
Thank you for all you are doing in your congregation and community to continue God’s work and to share the grace and love of Christ. We invite you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
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Administrative Matters: 2022 Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and charitable, medical or moving purpose. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of an auto will be:
· 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 1 cent from the 2021 rate.
· 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces, up 2 cents from the 2021 rate.
· 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2021.
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Books Books Books (and music!) - Available!
Pastor Tim Whiteman (Central, Bellingham) is preparing to retire after 40 years as parish pastor (well done, faithful servant!) He has a nice collection of worship, philosophy, Luther, and history books avialable ... AND a lot of worship music to give away as well!
Interns and seminarians have first option to claim. Everyone is welcome after Feb 15th. Everything left over goes to Good Will on February 28th. Call Pr. TIm at 360.319.9001 to set up a time to peruse!
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College Readiness Webinar Series
ELCA colleges and universities are dedicated to providing students with the best education possible, and we are kicking off 2022 with the College Readiness Webinar Series, free webinars to answer any questions families may have about applying to or preparing for college. The series is composed of five different webinars, each focusing on a topic that will move you forward in your college search. The webinars will be offered throughout February.
The first webinar explains how you can get the most out of your visit to a college or university. The second will give you a firsthand look at the admissions process, with advice from admissions directors and tips on how to build a strong application. The third will dive deeper into how to pay for college, giving you tools to learn more about financial aid and how it can help you afford the school of your dreams. The fourth webinar will help you start your college search. The fifth webinar will be offered in Spanish and will provide an overview of the college search process.
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Administrative Matters: 2022 Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and charitable, medical or moving purpose. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of an auto will be:
- 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 1 cent from the 2021 rate.
- 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces, up 2 cents from the 2021 rate.
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2021.
- For more information, visit the IRS website.
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Synod Events
Tues, Jan 25, 10am-12noon - Synod Staff Meeting
Wed, Jan 26, 6:30 - LiVE Course Week 2
Thurs, Jan 27, 12noon - Candidacy Committee
Thurs, Jan 27, 5:30pm - Hunger Team (all are welcome to join meeting here) Sun, Jan 30 - RIC Sunday - see resources above
Sun, Jan 30, 10am - Pr. Scott Peterson Installation - see info below
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity continues...
January 18-25
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 was chosen by the Middle East Council of Churches: “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him.” (Matthew2:2). More than ever in these difficult times, we need to look to the light of Christ to lead us.
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ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions
ELCA Coaching will continue with the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP. We have invited various ministries to host these gatherings through this next year, so it will be different each week. There will usually be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step. For January 2022:
Week Four (January 26) - Tentative - Homelessness and Justice / Economic Diversity
We are inviting you to bring a spirit of curiosity to these gatherings and to all aspects your life.
What are you noticing? Where is Spirit moving? How might you be a part?
Join Zoom Meetings here:
Meeting ID: 180 439 412 / Passcode: 648160
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How Your Church Can Become a Center of Long Life Learning & Faith Formation
A Webinar from Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA)
January 27, 9am (Pacific)
Join John Roberto, Founder of LifeLong Associates, to explore how essential learning and faith formation is to our churches and the older adults they serve. He'll present examples and resources for addressing the spiritual and religious needs of adults 60 and over. Discover how to engage this age group in meaningful, faith forming experiences that are easy to access and designed in multiple formats.
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Addiction & Dry January Webinar
Thursday, Jan. 27,9am-10am (Pacific) via Zoom
with follow-up 30 minute discussion
The Center of Addiction & Faith is hosting this free one-hour webinar. A spike in drinking during the pandemic has also come with a rise in those who are "sober curious." 1 in 5 Americans say they planned to participate in Dry January this year. In this webinar, we'll dig into these trends and explore how they can benefit you and your faith community. We'll be joined by Rev. Erin Jean Warde, an Episcopal priest, and founder of Discerning Sobriety. Her own journey to sobriety will illustrate some of the important ways faith leaders can help others reevaluate their relationship with alcohol and help stop more serious problems before they start. This webinar will be co-hosted by Tim King, and Pastor Ed Treat, founder of the Center of Addiction & Faith.
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Upcoming Installation Services:
Pastor Scott Peterson Installation
Sunday, January 30, 10am at Anacortes Lutheran
We give thanks to God as Pr. Peterson is installed as the new pastor at Anacortes Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
CORRECTED DATE FOR:
Pastor John Schraan Installation
Sunday, JUNE 5, 2pm at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Arlington
We give thanks to God as Pr. Schraan is installed as the new pastor at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
Pastor Chelsea Globe Installation
Sunday, March 13 at 3:30pm at University Lutheran Church in Seattle
We give thanks to God as Pr. Globe is installed as Pastor at Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Washington! God bless this ministry partnership!
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Afghan Refugee Resettlement Webinar
Tuesday, February 8 at 4pm (Pacific)
Join Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA Ammparo and ELCA Advocacy for this webinar to help congregations and individuals answer the call to engage in co-sponsorship, financial support and advocacy meaningfully and effectively as we rise to show welcome in the days and years ahead.
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2022 Ignite the Church Conference
Seismic Shifts:
Where do we go from here?
February 8-10 in Orlando and Online
Since February 2020 and before, the Church has been enduring unprecedented seismic shifts. In response, a new hybrid version of the conference will gather this February (in-person in Orlando AND online) yo reflect on the theme: SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here?
Four large group sessions will focus on the following shifts:
- Public Church with Robin Steinke and Winston Persaud
- Hybrid Church with Joe and Jess Liles
- Adaptive Church with Tod Bolsinger
- Thriving Church with Stephanie Spellers
Ten 90-minute workshops will dig deeper into these shifts to offer encouragement, inspiration, and challenge for church leaders. To register and learn more about the presenters, workshop options, and other details go to www.IgniteTheChurch.net. The Online option will provide live and recorded access to each large group session.
The Online option is FREE with a suggested donation of $30 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders.
All proceeds continue to benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders.
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Fresh Expressions: New Ways of Being Church
Half Day LiVE Retreat - open to all!
Saturday, February 12 9am to 1pm
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood
Who is welcome? Any and all congregational leaders looking to expand your imagination and practice of new forms of church!
After two years of pandemic living, many are asking questions about how to connect in a time of covid. We have not stopped being church, in the Spirit, we are being guided into new forms of church. For a few years now, new innovative and experimental forms of church gatherings have been bubbling up, and we’d like to invite a mutual conversation around these new forms of practicing church. From practitioners in our synod, we’ll be curious about new forms of church models like Dinner Church and Wild Church. Our time will involve “how to” experiential practice, as much as thoughtful reflection. for what it means to be church in complex times.
NO COST for those already part of the 2021-2022 Cohort
Thank you to our Facilitators:
Josh Smith, a member of our synod who has begun developing a Dinner Church
Rev. Erik Samuelson who brings unique insight and experiential wisdom to new forms of being church
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safeTALK Training - Suicide Alertness Training
John and Shirley Swanson are certified LivingWorks facilitators for safeTALK (a 3.5 hour Suicide Alertness training) and ASIST, a two day suicide intervention training. They are holding a safeTALK training on Saturday, February 19 from 9am-12:30pm at the Camano Center (606 Arrowhead Drive) .
- The 3.5 hour training is open to anyone ages 15 and older
- Participants are asked to provide a $10 donation to cover the cost of training materials
- You can pre-register and receive additional information by emailing ASIST.Lifeguard@yahoo.com
- For more information about safeTALK or ASIST you can visit www.livingworks.net.
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Elementary Retreat at Camp Lutherwood!
UPDATES:
Only offered one weekend: March 11-12
NEW option of day-only attendance!
Open to K-6th graders
Campers must come with chaperones, parents of their church
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Want an item included?
All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday
Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292
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