2027 ELCA National Youth Gathering

Presiding Bishop Curry

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry issues his third in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled "All Together in One Place." Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God’s presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Dear church,

From its earliest days, the United States has been shaped by religious diversity. Indigenous peoples sustained diverse spiritual and religious traditions long before the nation’s founding, and successive waves of settlers, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others, brought a variety of beliefs that helped define the nation’s unique and vital religious landscape.

Throughout the church today, many are struggling with debates regarding the religious identity of our nation. While religious diversity did not begin with the Constitution, the Constitution’s framers recognized an important truth: the future of our nation could not be tied to a single religious identity. By rejecting religious tests for public office, the Founders created space for people of any or no faith tradition to participate in public life together. That commitment continues to be foundational to our nation’s vitality, especially at a time when people are tempted to identify love of the nation, or the government itself, with a single religion. No one faith tradition should rule the United States, just as the framers desired.¹

As the apostle Paul writes, God has given us “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation involves living in God’s future — including through renewed interreligious relationships.

Religious diversity is the reality of the world we live in. Recognizing this, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” which affirms that mutual understanding with other faith traditions can deepen our own faith. Through encountering neighbors and working side by side in shared commitments to love and compassion and community, our own Christian faith is strengthened. This conviction means that through my call as presiding bishop of the ELCA, our church develops and maintains relationships with Jewish, Muslim and many other faith communities. Like personal friendships we hold, these relationships do not require us to set aside Christian faith. Rather they reaffirm that in a nation as diverse as ours, being a good neighbor across religious differences is not optional. It’s a part of the shared American experience. It is an experience we can support as everyday Lutherans in God’s call to reconciliation.

Join us for this statewide, virtual training to learn how to engage your faith community for free and democratic elections.

The right to vote is sacred, fought for over generations and defended throughout the years. In the current administration, we have seen a renewed effort to suppress and limit the right to vote of eligible groups, suppress voter turnout, and purposefully create confusion and mistrust in the electoral system. As trusted messengers, faith communities can share accurate, up-to-date information about voting and have the relational networks to encourage voter turnout through honest conversations and timely reminders.

In this non-partisan training, we will cover:

• What our faith traditions say about voting and the democratic process
• The current attempts to keep eligible Americans from voting through federal interference, voter intimidation, and false anti-immigrant claims of non-citizen voting
• Non-partisan ways you can engage your faith community in the electoral process, including ballot initiatives, and supporting free and democratic elections\
• Example programming and actions that your faith community can take to uplift and make visible the sacred right of voting and our shared values of democracy and voice Faith communities, faith leaders, and individuals with all levels of experience with get out the vote (GOTV), civic engagement, and initiative education are welcome!

Join the Palouse & Tseminicum Clusters for a Potluck!

Sept 20, 2026 |  2–5 pm

 St. John Lutheran

648 W. Ash, Genesee, ID

Main dish provided — please bring a side or dessert!

This is a chance to get to know the folks from other ELCA Lutheran churches in our area as well as those in communion partnership with Lutherans (The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, Reformed Church in America, and The Moravian Church.) We are also inviting our neighboring churches in Genesee, the Catholic Church and Community Church, as we strive to serve this community alongside them. 

We'll also share how our Inspire Craft Group works. Don't let the name fool you — it's really about love, connection, and support! Come try some fun activities and maybe start a group at your own church!

RSVP appreciated. Please share in your bulletin, synod or church newsletter, and your congregation. 

Feel free to reach out to:

Rosanna Cartwright or Verna Studer

Genesee Lutheran Parish

PO Box 125

Genesee, Idaho USA

208-285-1719

Building a More Inclusive Community

Dear Friends,

We are excited to invite you to a special evening at New Day Lutheran Church as we welcome Ellie Krug for an engaging seminar on building a more inclusive community.

 Wednesday, August 12, 2026

 6:00–8:00 p.m.

 New Day Lutheran Church

270 N. Placer Ave., Idaho Falls

FREE and open to everyone!

Ellie Krug is an author, speaker, and creator of Gray Area Thinking®, a framework that encourages us to move beyond "us versus them" thinking and toward greater understanding, compassion, and connection.

During this practical and thought-provoking seminar, we'll explore ways to:

• Foster a culture of welcome and belonging

• Challenge assumptions with curiosity and compassion

• Build stronger relationships across differences

• Better reflect Christ's love in our communities

Whether you're a longtime member of New Day, belong to another congregation, or are simply interested in learning more about creating inclusive communities, you are warmly invited to attend. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary—just bring an open heart and a willingness to learn.

We hope you'll join us for an evening of conversation, reflection, and practical tools that can help us grow together as individuals and as a community.

Please feel free to share this invitation with friends, family, neighbors, and anyone who may be interested.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Grace and Peace,

New Day Lutheran Church

Learn About Our Partners in Ministry in Tanzania

Our Companion Synod: The Ulanga Kilombero Diocese in Tanzania

The NWIM Synod has been in relationship with the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese (UKD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania for 38 years now! We walk Bega kwa Bega (Swahili for Shoulder to Shoulder) with the people of the UKD. Yet, not everyone knows the life-giving value of our relationship with siblings in Christ so very far away. Many congregations have become very involved, but others scarcely know this relationship exists. No matter where you fall on that continuum, there are people willing to come to your congregation and share information about the wonderful people of the UKD and how NWIM Synod supports their ministries and how they support ours. Those who have had the opportunity to travel to the UKD have many stories to share. 

There are many ways to be involved. Beginning in 2027, our synod will begin having a Companion Synod Sunday with lots of resources available to help us celebrate our relationship (more information will come later). There will be synod trips to the UKD in the fall of 2027 and the summer of 2028 – 10 to 12 people being led on a trip to visit our UKD siblings. Unfortunately, we are unable to host guests from the UKD at this time due to travel bans – but we look forward to when that is again possible. A congregation or an individual can financially support Tumaini Lutheran Secondary School scholarships or the Solar Kitchen Project. 

If you are interested in hearing more about the UKD in your congregation and hosting a person to share more information, please reach out to Deacon Heidi Cryer, chair of the Companion Synod Committee (hacryer@gmail.com or 509-539-0449). She will put you in touch with someone from your area that can come and make a presentation. Lars Clausen was part of the June 2026 trip and will be back in the UKD this fall. He is willing to travel to visit your church and share more. You can contact Lars directly at LarsCClausen@gmail.com. He is one of many who found that a visit to the UKD brings great joy and changes how you see the world. 

Consider how you might learn more about our partners in ministry in Tanzania as we walk Bega kwa Bega!

Church Property Resource Hub

Welcome to the Church Property Resource Hub Newsletter!



You will find in this month's edition:

Message | Property story | New resource | Upcoming events | Someone you should know 

An EcoFaith Conversation about Solar for the Good of the World

featuring

Bishop Meggan Manlove and Bill McKibben

Thursday, September 3 on Zoom

3 pm Pacific  I  4 pm Mountain

Join Bishop Meggan Manlove and Bill McKibben in conversation on September 3 to talk about the biggest thing shaping the future of humanity in our lifetime. The sun.

If you’ve ever wondered if solar has a place in your home, your church, your community, this conversation will let the sun shine in!

We’ll look through the lens of faith to see all energy as sacred gift, learn how solar is changing lives around the world, and take a close-up look at a solar-powered congregation right here in our synod. 

Be curious. Bring your questions. Because curiosity, like the sun, is a God-given natural resource, given for the good of the world. Register here and we’ll welcome you to the conversation with a zoom link.

Because you’re curious is a zoom conversation organized by the NWIM EcoFaith Action Network, a group of curious people joyfully living into a life of Earthcare as part of our faithful witness. Bill McKibben’s contribution will come in the form of video clips from our webinar earlier this year that featured his latest book, Here Comes the Sun. 

OMNY Supported by Synod SHARE Grants

NWIM Synod SHARE Grants have supported evolutions of OMNY over the years.

EPHRATA — The fleet of bicycles and helmets is the visual indicator — the OMNY kids are exploring the community. Checking out the public library. Visiting a retirement home. Washing cars to raise money for charity.

Read more

Sophia’s Table

an ecumenical campus ministry

at Boise State University

supported by the UMC, ELCA, and PCUSA

Sophia's Table is an open and affirming ministry where students build real relationships, honor lived experience, and grow together in faith, love, and community. To prepare for the upcoming semester, the Sophia's Table board has created a referral form to send out to local congregations and regional denominational offices. This is an opportunity for people to tell the ministry about students they know who will be attending Boise State this fall who might be interested in Sophia's Table so that our campus minister, Pr. Hannah, can get connected with them when school starts. 

Feast of Creation Prayer Service

Mark Your Calendars!

You’re invited to participate via YouTube in a Feast of Creation Prayer Service on September 1, offered by the EcoFaith Action Network of the Northwest Intermountain Synod. The service will premiere on their YouTube Channel at 9:00am PT/10:00am MT and will be available to view anytime afterward. Subscribe to the EcoFaith Action Network’s YouTube channel here.

The Feast of Creation (also being called Feast of Creation in Christ) is a new, ecumenical feast day proposed for the lectionary. To get on EcoFaith’s distribution list for more information about the prayer service and future events, send an email to EcoFaithNWIM@gmail.com. More information about the proposed feast is available here and in this ELCA blog post.

Volunteer to be on the Board

Does camp hold a special place in your heart? In your faith formation? Many of us, rostered leaders and lay people as well, have fond memories of time at camp... the campfires, the songs, the Bible studies, the conversations, the time apart, the friendships, a deepening relationship with our Creator... As a board member of Luther Heights Bible Camp, I'd like to ask you think about how valuable and memorable that time was for you and consider volunteering time at camp. Pastors, please consider this, too. Your presence is so important to our young people. If you can volunteer, please contact the Luther Heights office at 208-886-7657 or info@lutherheights.org.

Thanks! 

Pastor Ann Bjorklund