Remember

the Sabbath Day

by Pastor Phil Misner

Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod

Both Exodus and Deuteronomy contain the 10 Commandments, and the list in each place is remarkably similar. One of the places where they differ is the word about keeping the Sabbath. In Exodus where God’s people have only just begun their 40-year wilderness journey the reason for this command points back to the creation story of how God rested on the 7^th day and therefore blessed that day. One way to think about this is that rhythm of creative work and rest are hardwired into creation itself…perhaps even into God’s very self. In Deuteronomy we find God’s people nearing the end of their 40-year wilderness journey. Here the reason given for the commandment to observe the Sabbath implores them to remember they were slaves in Egypt. As slaves they were given no rest—no Sabbath—and as such the order or cadence of creation was upset. Holding to this command to take a break resets that rhythm.

This time of Sabbatical served as a reset for me as well. I don’t mean to imply that I was driven like a slave in my work pre-sabbatical. Nor am I suggesting whatever burdens I was bearing were anywhere close to the burdens the ancient Hebrew people bore during the 400 years of slavery in Egypt. But this Sabbatical time did offer “a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment).”[1] Additionally, these past three months have given me an opportunity to take in some of the grandeur and beauty of much of the northwest enabling me to experience the rhythm of creation firsthand.

For all this and more, I am beyond grateful. Here are some highlights:

• Getting into the mountains for a hike about once each week
• Road trips with family
• Day hikes alone and with others
• Backpacking trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness with the whole family + a cousin’s family
• Epic day hike on the last day of Sabbatical along the Idaho/Montana border (14 miles, 13 mountain goats, 6 lakes, 1 good friend)
• Dance lessons with my spouse (talk about learning to get into rhythm!)
• Worshipping much more regularly at my home congregation
• Attending worship with ecumenical partner congregations
• Helping with Fire Camp at Shoshone Mountain Retreat

This Sabbatical time did provide an opportunity for creative work as well. Over the summer I continued with my final couple coaching sessions with a coach from Living Systems based out of Vancouver, BC. I was able to update the Transition Process document for the NWIM Synod. And I created a timeline for Synod Assembly planning.

When Jesus is questioned about the Sabbath at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, he makes it clear that purpose and the intention behind God creating or giving us the Sabbath is that it is to be experienced as a gift. “The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) It’s the gift of interrupting the normal routine. It’s the gift of being reset into the rhythm of the created order. It’s the gift of both engaging in creative work along with God and, just as God did, to take a break from that work to rest.

Thank you for this sabbatical opportunity over these past three months.



Gratefully,

Pastor Phil Misner

Assistant to the Bishop

[1] The Merriam-Webster definition of sabbatical, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sabbatical (September 2, 2026).

ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread Grant

Applications Opening October 1

ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants support congregations and their partners as they work toward a just world where all are fed. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations with feeding ministries are eligible to participate. ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants are one way our church accompanies communities throughout the United States and the Caribbean as they respond to hunger and poverty. These grants provide daily bread for neighbors experiencing hunger by supplementing existing food-based ministries.

You may submit a request for a Daily Bread Grant beginning October 1st. Feeding Ministry funding requests will be accepted through October 21st at midnight central time and they are for $500.

Funding is for ELCA Congregations with a feeding ministry. 

A Microsoft Word version is available upon request, please email hunger@elca.org. Otherwise, applications will only be accepted via this online form beginning October 1st:

Feeding Ministry Funding Request – Fill out form

Application Timeline: 

• Letter of inquiry form open: Thursday, October 1st – Wednesday, October 21st 2026
• Award notifications shared with applicants: November 2026
• Banking & Payment dispersal: December, 2026

Who can apply:

ELCA Congregations & Ministries with an existing feeding ministry including:

• New Starts
• Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs)
• Strategic Ministries
• Congregations in Development
• Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministries (SAOMs)
• Campus Ministries



Thank you for all you do to work creatively and courageously toward a just world. If you have any questions about the process or about ELCA World Hunger, please reach out to our team at Hunger@elca.org or give us a call at 773-380-2616. 

Lutheran Community Services Northwest

Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): 

On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence

Join DEM Liv Larson for five weeks of discussion on the recent papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. We will meet on Wednesday evenings via zoom, 6:30pm Pacific/7:30pm Mountain.

This is the first encyclical from Pope Leo XIV and one of his stated goals in offering it is that "the world once again will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell."

Beginning Wednesday October 21 and continuing through November 25. A registration link will be included in future e-newsletters. 

Leading Well

This year’s event will be held January 5-8, 2027, in Scottsdale, AZ at the Franciscan Renewal Center. This event is designed for ALL leaders who work in faith-based ministry settings (not just pastors!).

Synod Trip to Our Companion Synod

2027

SOLAR KITCHEN at Tumaini Lutheran Seminary

Dementia Friends Program

FAIRFIELD, WA — Fairfield Community Church will host a free Dementia Friends informational program on Sunday, October 25, from noon to 1:00 p.m. The hour-long presentation will be led by Rev. Brad Buff, a retired Presbyterian pastor with a special interest in older adult ministry.

Dementia Friends is a community-based program designed to increase understanding of dementia and help create communities where people living with dementia feel supported, understood, and included. The program relies on volunteers and regional organizations to bring information and awareness about dementia to local communities. Those who attend a Dementia Friends presentation become Dementia Friends and are better equipped to support individuals and families affected by dementia.

Rev. Buff has served as pastor and associate pastor in churches in central California, Seattle, and Spokane. He has also served as a chaplain at a Spokane retirement community. Throughout his career, he has worked with people of all ages, but his particular interest in older adult ministry led him to earn a Master of Social Work degree in geriatric social work.

Now retired, Rev. Buff enjoys spending time with his family and being a grandfather. He also enjoys hiking, biking, and playing music on his ukulele, dulcimer, and other instruments he has collected over the years.

The Dementia Friends program focuses on several important messages:

• Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
• Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
• Dementia is not just about memory problems.
• It is possible to have a good quality of life while living with dementia.
• There is more to a person than their dementia.

The presentation is open to anyone interested in learning more about dementia and how communities can become more supportive of individuals living with dementia and their families. No registration is required, and there is no cost to attend.

Fairfield Community Church is located at 204 W. Hamilton Ave., Fairfield, WA. Fairfield is approximately a 30-minute drive south of Spokane on Highway 27.

For more information, contact Interim Pastor Joe Bruce at 509-954-3041.

Executive Skills for Church Leaders

Executive Skills for Church Leaders is returning

January 4 to 8, 2027,

at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

in Carefree, Arizona, just outside Phoenix.

Byberg Preaching Workshop