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“…. anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.” ELW 310

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise has always been a favorite hymn of mine, ever since I had to memorize it for a Concordia College Christmas Concert. Epiphany and the Sundays that follow make up a season with stories which show forth who Jesus Christ truly is. The magi’s visit, Jesus’ baptism, the call of disciples, casting out demons, healing, and the transfiguration are all epiphanies, moments in which God in Jesus Christ is made manifest.

It always struck me as an interesting coincidence that Time after Epiphany overlaps with at least the beginning of the state legislative sessions. In the first few weeks of the session (both Washington and Idaho’s sessions begin Jan. 8 this year), citizens get manifestations of the legislative bodies, through bills, speeches, meetings, and local reporting. We talk often in the church about how Jesus made sure people on the margins were brought into the main story; these individuals often take primary space in the pages of the four gospels. As people following Jesus, our eyes and ears should be attuned to what space the marginalized today have in legislative bills and at their hearings.

As we collectively prepare for the legislative season, I think we also do well to borrow the language Franciscan Father Richard Rohr used when naming his Center for Action and Contemplation. Jesus himself modeled both of these—casting out demons, feeding, and healing and then stepping away to pray. We are called to both advocacy and prayer, always both. Some of us are more gifted or our natural charisms may lean into one or the other, but as communities of faith we should hold these two together and probably in conversation.

Our new worship resource, All Creation Sings, has an abundance of prayers for the individual and assembly. I love the first two in the Faithful Living section, the first for each of us and the second for public servants (p. 50). The ELCA has a plethora of resources for advocating on a variety of issues. Our synod supports the Faith Action Network in Washington and in Idaho I found many active coalitions that are issue specific.

The ELCA recently posted the DRAFT ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith. The Introduction begins, “Daily we are to pray as Jesus taught: ‘Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.’ These words teach us that God’s will seeks the well-being of creation and all aspects of human life, including civil society (Micah 6:8) and the blessing of the gospel to join God’s work in society….” I encourage you to read the draft and comment. The Civic Life and Faith study is also still available and very well done.

But also stay informed about the state legislatures, your local city council and school board, and planning and zoning commissions. Write emails expressing why your faith compels you to speak for those whose voices are hushed or silenced. And pray for public servants, those in your congregation, those you agree with, and those you disagree with. Pray for your own neighborhood. 

We are also called to listen. Listening is crucial to both prayer and advocacy. It is a huge part of Christian discipleship, to listen—to the Word of God through scripture, to neighbors and strangers and friends, to the stirrings in our own souls, to other followers of Jesus, to people who society tries to mute, and to the Holy Spirit.

German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this about listening, “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His ear,” Life Together.

God be with you as you pray, advocate, and listen in this Time after Epiphany.

Bishop Meggan Manlove

Northwest Intermountain Synod

REGIONAL GATHERINGS 2024

FUNDING FORWARD:

STEWARDSHIP FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Ezra 3:10-13

In this passage, we meet the Israelites as they are trying to find their ‘new normal’ after the destruction of the first temple and the rebuilding of the second. There is a mix of both grief and hope in the air as the foundation is being laid. This passage reminds us to tend to the variety of emotions present as we tend to the work of innovation in the church today.

We are excited to invite you to one of Regional Gatherings this coming spring. This will be an opportunity to learn together, to reconnect with friends and build relationships with people from neighboring congregations.

April 27, 2024 - Advent Lutheran Church - Spokane Valley, WA

May 4 - Our Savior Lutheran Church - Twin Falls, ID

May 18 - First Lutheran Church - Ellensburg, WA

    9:30 am Registration

10:00 am Gathering

Congregation Registration will be sent out to congregations in February. Each congregation is asked to register for the day-long event closest to you. The registration fee is $300 per congregation. Bring as many people as you would like. In March, information will be sent to register participants. There will be $15 fee per person to cover lunch expenses. The Gathering will conclude at 4:00 pm.

Our presenter is Grace Pomroy who is the Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She’s a lay, millennial stewardship leader, speaker, and financial educator based in Allyn, WA. She is the co-author of the stewardship book, Embracing Stewardship: How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation’s Life, as well as author of the 2013 ELCA stewardship resource, “Stewards of God’s Love.” She is currently working on a book about alternative financial models for ministry with Fortress Press, an imprint of 1517 Media. 

2024 ELCA Youth Gathering Update

Registration for the upcoming high school youth gathering in New Orleans (July 16-19, 2024) is underway. I am thrilled that the Northwest Intermountain Synod has youth representing 14 congregations already registered to attend this summer. This includes congregations who, for the first time ever, have chosen to send their youth to the Gathering with primary leadership from Luther Heights Bible Camp. This is a new option that has been offered by one of our synod camps and we look forward to how it may be replicated by other camps and groups for future gatherings. 

Did you know registration is still open?! Youth and congregations can visit https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations to begin the registration process. I am excited to announce that for the next 5 new congregations from our synod that register, you will get priority pricing at $375! This offer is only available until Wednesday, Feb. 14 and only for those next 5 registering congregations. Please reach out to me, your Gathering Synod Cheerleader, at the information below if your congregation is interested in claiming this offer. We will have a special code for you to use that I can give you.

Even if your congregation only has one interested youth, it is worth finding a way to get them there for this life-changing event. Contact me if you want to ensure that these youth don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I will be happy to connect them with another group or work with your congregation and an adult leader to get them there. I am also available to answer any questions you might have about the registration process, what to expect at the Gathering, or any other quandaries you may have.

See you in NOLA 2024!

Casey Cross

caseykc@gmail.com

Luther Heights Annual Meeting

Luther Heights annual meeting will be via Zoom or Facebook Live,

February 15, 2024 @ 7pm.

To be a delegate for your congregation, let your Council President or Pastor know you are interested.

Travel to the Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey

Deposit Due January 15

Professor Barbara Rossing, Bible study leader at the 2023 synod assembly, invites our synod to join the Lutheran School of Theology's "World of the Bible" travel seminar to Greece and Turkey, May 21-June 6, 2024. Follow the link below for more information or email Barbara Rossing. 

This journey of discovery will include the churches of Revelation and Letters of Paul, Istanbul's Ottoman Empire sites, the Sufi mystic Rumi's tomb and dervishes, Greek monasteries in the rock cliffs of Meteora, Delphi, Athens, Ephesus, and ancient icons and archeology of early Christianity, including Cappadocia's amazing "fairy chimneys" and painted cave churches.

Six nights in Greece, including overnight ferry (with cabin) from Athens to the island of Patmos where John wrote his Apocalypse; nine nights in Turkey. 

Cost : $3490 plus airfare; Deposit of $200 is due January 15. (A group will be flying from Seattle as well as from Chicago; contact brossing@lstc.edu)

Spend a winter weekend at Holden Village this February for our annual Women’s Retreat. Through teaching sessions, group conversations, reflections, crafts, and outdoor adventures like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, Women’s Retreat will provide opportunities to build new relationships, rejuvenate past relationships, reconnect with the self, and join other women in conversation and recreation. This year, we look forward to hosting cross-cultural advocate and chaplain Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, poet laureate of Bainbridge Island Michele Bombardier, and Kripalu yoga teacher & ski instructor Kathleen Grimbly.

Holden Village uses an inclusive definition of women and welcomes trans women and non-binary folks. Attendees only need to identify as a woman in a way that is significant to them.

You can register for the Women's Retreat by visiting the reservation page and entering your arrival day as February 2nd for a three-night stay. There is no extra fee for Women's Retreat participation and no special registration page. 

Planting Seeds Newsletter 

The latest Planting Seeds Newsletter is here! Dive deep into stories, tips, and experiences that will surely plant seeds of hope, wisdom and faith within your heart. Download it here.