Reminder: we are making a TEMPORARY shift ...

to a MONTHLY e-news for August and September

To allow Susan Berg, our Director of Communications & Events, to take some time off this summer/fall, we are shifting to a MONTHLY e-news and prayer message for the months of August and September. We will return to weekly e-news on September 30!

For emergent announcements and/or prayer requests between Aug 29 and Sept 23, please contact Tabetha (administrator@lutheransnw.org).

LiVE Project Congregational Bundles - Purchase now!

Church Leaders: Registration is open now for our fall line up of courses and retreats - Your congregation members are already starting to register for LiVE's first September course. However, to avoid each paying $50, they will need the Bundle promo code for free registration from you before being able to register at all. Here's the info:

Congregational Bundle:

A Bundle allows an unlimited number of church members to attend an unlimited number of courses and retreats for FREE! That's almost 50 hours of classes and retreats for each member of your congregation for only $500 for the entire year. (*Please note: you can pay in 2 installments of $250 divided between fall '24 and winter '25 if helpful for your budget. Also, If this cost is still prohibitive for your congregation, please email to let us know, as we have financial aid available.)

Once you register for a Congregational Bundle, your church office will be given a promo code so that anyone in your congregation can register for any LiVE course or retreat for FREE!

*Reminder: Your members will not be able to register for an event for free until AFTER your church has purchased a Bundle- so please purchase soon!

We are adding a member to our Synod Staff team:

We will be hiring an Associate Director for Evangelical Mission



• Half-time contract Northwest Washington Synod staff position (through 8/31/25 with the potential for extension)
• Find the full position description HERE
• To apply, please email cover letter and resume to Rev. Judy Brennan at dem@lutheransnw.org by September 27th.

September Spirit Available

Find articles from Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee and Synod Vice President Kay Edgerton in our September edition (and additional months) of The Spirit - HERE!

New book by Synod Member Rev. Rick Rouse

While the American story aspires to be the story of welcome and refuge for all, our history often tells a different story. As wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, creating millions of refugees merely seeking safety, and as campaign ads scream about immigration policies, American politics remains so polarized that the government appears deadlocked or unable to act on meaningful solutions to immigration policies.

In A Journey Called Hope, author Rick Rouse shares the stories of immigrants from around the world to America — their successes, hopes, challenges, and dreams. He explores how we can share our planet with the understanding that it is a matter of human dignity for all people to have a safe place to call home. In sharing these inspiring stories and hope-filled futures, Rouse assures us the United States is still a nation of promise made richer by its diversity.

Learn more and order the book here.

Children, Youth, and Family Cohort

We are excited to announce another year where children and youth leaders gather to collaborate and share ideas, experiences, trainings, and resources in CYF ministry. We are excited to announce that this year we are meeting for three retreats. The retreats are from 9:00am – 2:00pm and include lunch.

We are exploring the topics of Belonging, Engaging, and Celebrating using the resources “Design for Belonging”, “Growing Young”, and others. Join us as we dive deeper into these topics and how these are at the core of all ministries. We encourage you to bring your volunteers to these as well. More details about the fall retreat on October 12 will be available the first week of September. Join us as we gather to support and encourage one another in the pursuit of sharing the Gospel with children, youth, and families. To be a part of this group, please complete our registration form https://forms.gle/V6W33PwoUoQK1edt6

Thriving Ministries: Congregational Vitality Training

The ELCA’s New Ministry Development & Evangelism Team, Directors for Evangelical Mission across the church, and ELCA Coaching, in partnership with Kindling Faith invite congregations into the joyful journey of thriving in spirit, community, and action - both within the congregation and through neighborhood connection.

Congregational teams of up to five people are invited to join this special cohort opportunity filled with:

• inspiring stories
• experienced and dynamic speakers
• useful resources
• practical support

Together, each congregation will develop and take faithful steps forward in being God’s church in the world, especially suited to share our timeless faith in our current culture.

Six monthly 3-hour sessions are staffed with leaders specifically trained and experienced in congregational vitality and outreach. Congregations who register as paid participants will have access to:

• Additional activities that can be used to turn zoom gatherings into a full day retreat
• Recordings of live session and digital downloads of all resources, supplemental Bible studies and book lists
• A coach who will schedule check-ins to support your progress between units and offer contextual strategies for accountability and to increase successful growth

Visit registration HERE to learn more about the options for participation.

The first session is September 21, so please register soon!

Session Dates: Sept. 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Jan 18, Feb 8, and Mar 15 (9am-12noon, Pacific time)

New Lutherwood Offering: FREE SHEPHERD'S REST

Lutherwood is excited to announce our new "Shepherd's Rest" offering. We are offering a FREE two-night stay per year to professional ministry workers and their families in either our Spirit Lodge or our campground. We're casting a wide net: "professional ministry worker" includes rostered pastors, deacons, youth directors, and other professional lay leaders. Come rejuvenate on the shores of Lake Samish while experiencing GRACE in creation!

Interested? Contact our Executive Director, Pr. Kevin Beebe, at kevin.beebe@camplutherwood.org

Speaker Resource for Your Fall Programs 

Rev. David Ellingson - adventurer, author and speaker in our synod - is available for speaking engagements. Learn more about David & how to contact him here: paddle-pilgrim.com

Topics include:

·       Paddle Pilgrim Adventures with pictures/stories

·       Spirituality

·       Creation Care

·       Faith Formation

·       Holistic Health

New FREE Arrangement by Anne Krentz Organ

from Lutheran Summer Music

Download a new FREE arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music 2024 by Anne Krentz Organ: The Ash Grove for a solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. The Ash Grove is a theme and variations based on the beloved Welsh folk tune and is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project.

Free sheet music download: LSMacademy.org/resources 

Cohort Opportunity for Individuals

Are you looking for a new way to deepen your faith journey? Are you looking for deeper connection to God and others? Do you need something different to anchor you to your faith?

Discover a community that goes beyond surface connections. Join a cohort grounded in spiritual practice—a different way to gather where there's nothing to do but show up.

Groups are led by a trained leader and meet over Zoom 9-12 times. These cohorts are set to start in the fall. There is no cost, just a commitment to the group. Groups will meet at different times during the week – so you will be put into a group based on your availability and some of your preferences. 

Learn more and view our interest form here.

If you have any questions regarding our Cohort Groups, please contact our TLF Cohort Coordinator, Nicolette Rohr (nrohr@callutheran.edu).

LiVE’s Online Open House

Tuesday, August 27th at 7pm via zoom

Come get an inside look into LiVE’s program this 2024-25 school year, find out more about the “why” behind LiVE, and hear how LiVE might pair with what your congregation is already doing and discussing. All rostered leaders and lay folk welcome!

Join us at this Zoom link.

Convocation at Pacific Lutheran University

Tuesday, September 3, 10am-11am

at Pacific Lutheran University (go Lutes!)

Convocation for PLU's 24 -25 academic year will be held in Olson Gymnasium and Auditorium. We invite all interested local clergy to join us as we welcome incoming students! Convocation is the first academic program that marks the beginning of our incoming class's journey at PLU. The next time the entire class gathers will be at graduation. Faculty and staff at PLU attend to support the incoming class as they officially start their journey and President Belton officially opens the academic year. If you plan to attend, please complete this brief RSVP. We will also try to reserve seating so all clergy who attend may sit together. Plan to arrive by 9:45 am. Questions or requests for accommodations may be sent to pres@plu.edu. And of course, we'll be happy to make room for all even if advance notice is not possible. Thank you for helping us celebrate another wonderful incoming class of PLU students!

Liberating Love Event

St. Matthews in Renton

Saturday, September 7 | 11am-3pm

Join Deacon Ross Murray in an exploration of the Liberating Love that God provides for us and calls us to provide for each other. Using scripture, ministry best practices, and a realistic look at the current landscape, we'll talk about how to go beyond "welcoming" to providing a word of liberation to those who need to hear it in our day and age. The registration cost of $35 includes a ticket to Saturday’s keynote address and workshops led by Deacon Ross, worship, and lunch. Check-in opens at 10:30 AM for coffee, muffins, and casual conversation with Deacon Ross. All registrants will be entered into an exciting giveaway!

Register online here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAk0Z018YP4GB_SaBo5q2P_CK13IjcDSv4TmVb7wOsc731mQ/viewform

On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day:

·   Planning toolkit.

·   Worship resources.

·   Slides for projection screens or online worship.

·   Posters and social media graphics.

·   Spanish-language resources.

·   Promotional banners.

·   Special hymn text, sheet music and recording.

This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.

Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 16. 

Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.

Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands. 

If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.

“God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on Sept. 8!



Browse Resources

Jonathan Rundman Concert

at First Lutheran Church, Bothell (10207 NE 183rd St, Bothell)

Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm

Join us for a concert for All Ages! Jonathan Rundman is a critically acclaimed folk/rock singer/songwriter from Minneapolis. Playing everything from original pop songs, to Finnish folk music, to Lutheran hymnody, Rundman has been touring the country for over 30 years. He's visiting Washington State and playing some concerts before spending a week as musician-in-residence at Holden Village. Suggested donation of $10 or more.

Godly Play Core Training

September 13-15 in Bellingham

Godly Play Core Training is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy. Over the course of three days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Our training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations. There is food and childcare included. 

Learn more and get registered for this training in Bellingham

Lutherwood Fall Work Dates

Want to help your local camp while getting your hands dirty? Lutherwood is hosting TWO fall work Saturdays, September 14 and October 26, 9am-5pm! Join us as we close out summer needs and prepare camp for winter. All ages and skill levels welcome! Lunch will be provided. A sample list of jobs includes general organizing, demolishing a deck, painting, replacing smoke detectors, deep cleaning facilities, winterizing buildings, and so much more!

Sign up here for one or BOTH work days: https://forms.gle/6SvBYQ7Fif3eKRjC8

Upcoming Installations

we lift our prayers for these leaders & their congregations.

God bless these new ministry partnerships!

Rev. Wilma Reyes (UMC) has begun serving as pastor at Bethlehem / Sedro Wooley - her Rite of Beginning service will be Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm. (In ecumenical partnership with Central United Methodist Church and St. James Episcopal Church)

Christ / Ferndale has welcomed Rev. Leigh DeVries (PCUSA) as their new pastor - her Rite of Beginning service will be Saturday, October 20 at 2pm.

Palestinian Peacemaker Presentation

Sunday, September 15 at 5pm

at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church

(2600 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham)

Zoughbi Zoughbi, a world renowned speaker, trainer, activist and author, will be presenting to the Bellingham community on the topics of justice, peace and reconciliation. Zoughbi, a Christian Palestinian, is the Founder and Director of Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center in Bethlehem. Zoughbi and his Center received the 2010 Peacemaking Award in the World Vision International Peace Prize competition and the 2023 Carnall Peace Award. Zoughbi’s appearances in Washington are arranged through International Peacemakers. His work has involved conflict transformation, restorative justice and mediation. The Wi’am Center uses both western models of conflict resolution as well as an Arabic model, Sulha.

As we struggle with issues of peace and justice in our communities, nation and the world,

this will be an opportunity to hear from a recognized international peace maker who will

open our minds and hearts to new ways of providing hope to all. Please join us! Download flyer HERE.

Discernment Opportunities

Have you ever thought about becoming a pastor or deacon?

If so, there are resources available to help you explore where God might be calling you!

Join all seven ELCA seminaries for Joint Virtual Discernment Event on Sunday, September 15th from 1:00-3:30pm. Click Here to learn more and register. 

Online discernment groups and/or one-on-one conversations with a discernment advocate. To sign up visit: https://elcaseminaries.org/

Journi, a self-paced online tool to help focus your faith, your actions, and your relationship with the Lutheran church: https://www.journi.faith/how-it-works

Faith in Public Life

a LiVE Project 7-week course via Zoom

7pm - 8:30pm on Wednesdays | September 18 - October 30

In preparation for our election and the times we find ourselves in, what does it mean for us to be Church in today’s world? Through a variety of voices and disciplines, we’ll explore what it means to be people of faith in today’s public life, growing in our awareness of how we’ve been formed in our culture and how we’re being called into new places.

Each week we'll learn alongside guest-faculty from different disciplines and places in the public sphere:

• Dr. Reggie Williams, author of Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus 
• Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, author of When God Became White 
• Stacy Kitahata, Executive Director, Holden Village 
• Rev. Terry Kyllo, Executive Director of Paths to Understanding   
• Dr. Justin Latterell, Senior Fellow at Emory University's Center for the Study of Law & Religion
• Fred Oduyoye, from Reachable Reconciliation Ministries 

Learn more and get registered here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/faith-in-public-life

Time for You

at the Northwest Washington Synod Office

Thursday, September 19 | 12:00 – 1:30pm

Join us at the NWWA Synod office (5519 Phinney Ave N, Seattle) to kick-off this year with your youth leader friends. You are invited to bring a lunch to eat while we meet. We’ll gather to check in about how summer went as well as talk about fall and the middle school/high school retreat in November. Please forward this email to anyone you think might want to join us! Questions? Contact Becky at cyflutheransnw@gmail.com

If you want to stay in the loop this summer with all that is happening, join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/236405526468139

Give Share Eat - meal packing event

Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Seattle) invites your participation in this amazing meal sharing event! This will be our eighth event. To date we have packed and given away more than 520,000 meals!

Help with preparing the space on Thursday, 9/19;

or packing 35,000+ meals on Friday or Saturday, 9/20-21

Please click on this web link to go to the signup sheet, To sign up, please choose a shift and include a name and email address for each volunteer (for children, please give a first name and use an adult's email). It only takes a few seconds to sign up and we'll contact you nearer the weekend with details.

(Note: the spreadsheet signups are not editable; you will need to email us to change your slot. Thank you in advance for keeping us informed of any needed changes.)



We're still raising funds for this event and welcome your contributions through Hope Center. If you'd like to give through the church click here and choose "GiveShareEat" in the To drop down menu. If you work in or volunteer at a nonprofit that distributes food, please use this form to request meals to be distributed.

Concert to Benefit Underground Ministries

at Burlington Lutheran Church

Friday, September 20, 7pm

Jennifer Knapp will be performing live to raise funds to support the unique and vital work of Underground Ministries, which works to open new relationships of embrace and trust between the incarcerated and the communities to which they return - for our mutual transformation and resurrection. Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate, known for her musical talents and commitment to social causes. With a rich history spanning over two decades, Knapp has left an indelible mark on the music industry. She will be joined by local musicians who are staff and participants in Underground Ministries. 

Both Jennifer Knapp and the formerly incarcerated know what it is like to come Out Of Exile; they will team up for this meaningful, entertaining event! 100% of the profits will be donated to Underground Ministries. TICKET PRICES will be donated to Underground Ministries; they start at $10. We suggest $20-$25 per person, with a warm invitation to contribute more if you are able. Pre-purchased tickets are required for entry to the concert. There is also an option to donate on top of the ticket price. Please contact the host if you are experiencing financial barriers.

There is also opportunity to sponsor the concert, starting at only $50.

Please contact Pastor Charis Weathers at burlingtonlutheranpastor@gmail.com

Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6347538

NW WA Synodical Women’s Fall Retreat

September 20-21

Huston Camp & Conference Center

(14725 Ley Rd, Gold Bar)

This retreat will focus on caring for our mental, physical and emotional health with Food, Fellowship, Prayer & Guest Speaker - More information available HERE!

Stewardship Kaleidoscope Event

Sept. 23-25

In-person $350 or VIRTUAL $125

Offered by the ELCA Stewardship and Generosity team in partnership with the Presbyterian Foundation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), this three-day conference is dedicated to digging deeply into stewardship and generosity. This year, attendees will explore what “makes stewardship weird” and hear from a number of people with thoughts on both practical and cutting-edge aspects of fueling ministry.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope offers real tools for real ministry and is perfect for both rostered and lay leaders. The mission of the conference is to ignite generosity, give attendees practical tools for encouraging congregational generosity, expand leadership capacity for stewardship leaders, and cultivate adaptive approaches to funding Christ’s mission throughout the world.

Learn more and get registered HERE.

Limited partial scholarships are available! Contact the Rev. Tim Brown at Tim.Brown@elca.org. 

FREE LiVE Project Weekly Online Bible Study

Abide: Going Deeper

Tuesdays via Zoom, 7pm-8pm

Begins October 1

We invite you to abide curiously in God's Word together. The LiVE retreats and courses are not meant to be stand alone offerings. Go deeper into the Biblical grounding of the course/retreat themes in this weekly synod-wide FREE Bible Study. No need to pre-register.

Join us any week! More info and Zoom link here.

NWWA Synod Sacred Spaces Event

Registration is open!

Saturday, October 5, 9am-3:30pm

We are excited to officially announce the rescheduled “Sacred Spaces” event for October 5th at 7400 Woodlawn in Seattle (home of Emmaus Table). Registration is now live - Register HERE

At this event we will have Wild Church, Baking Church, Pub Church, Creative Church, along with other forms that will all be hands-on, interactive experiences. We’ll also get to engage with something called “Interplay”—a playful facilitation process that will help us figure out together what God might be calling us to do next with all of these great experiences. And there will be food and great conversations!

Come and learn, experiment and dream about what God is calling you to in your own context. Dive into workshops and experiences that will spark your creativity and equip you to create inclusive, life-giving gatherings in your community.

This is your chance to:

• Learn from experienced facilitators.
• Network with like-minded individuals.
• Experiment with new ways to gather.
• Discover how to expand God's invitation in your own backyard.

Registration is open!

• $35/person, $100/church (includes lunch). Scholarships available.
• Location: 7400 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle, WA
• Register Now: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/8571291
• Learn More: https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/cultivate/2024-10-05

P.S. We encourage carpooling as parking is limited. Street parking is also available.

See https://www.7400woodlawn.org/ for more details.

Crossways New Testament

with Pastor Mike Anderson

This is your invitation to register for the Crossways NT Bible Study set to begin Sunday, October 6. More than a simple overview, this six-month course will dive deeply into each book in the New Testament, and even life-long Bible readers will learn new insights. Students will be able to study in the comfort of their own homes as each week a pre-recorded lecture will be sent to the email addresses of those registered. An optional live Zoom discussion group will also be available each Thursday evening. This link will connect you to the registration page at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, the sponsor of this program: www.hslckirkland.org/crossways

Rostered Minister Fall Gathering

A Rostered Leaders Day of Professional Development 

Breathing Womanist AIR:

Accepting, Interrogating & Reading Scripture from a Womanist Perspective 

Guest Teacher Dr. Angela Parker 



Friday, October 18th, 1-5pm 

First African Methodist Episcopal Church; 1522 14th Ave Seattle (AKA Fame Church)

Description: 

In this day of mutual enrichment, Dr. Angela Parker will discuss:

• How whiteness became the norm in biblical interpretation  
• How to move from whiteness to womanist 

The title “Breathing Womanist Air” is an interpretive proposal of Accepting, Interrogating and Reading (AIR) Scripture from a Womanist perspective.  

What is Womanist?  

The term womanist was derived from African American author and activist Alice Walker, and her 1993 book In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens. In contrast to “girlish”, a gendered term precluding race, Walker coined womanish to signify the African American woman’s experience. This involved womanism as a courageous way to embrace identity as a Black woman, and to serve as an expansive and equitable way of loving other women, themselves and all humanity. 

About Dr. Angela Parker 

Rev. Dr. Angela Parker is associate professor of New Testament and Greek at McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. She received her M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School and her Ph.D. in Bible, culture, and hermeneutics from Chicago Theological Seminary. Dr. Parker wrote If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I. She is a regular contributor to the Bible For Normal People podcast and social media account and was also a featured presenter in the 2022 documentary: “1946: the Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture.” 

Registration 

Registration is $50 for this day of professional development.

Register HERE 

LiVE Project Fall Retreat:

Faith & Freedom

Saturday, October 19, 9am - 3:30pm

First African Methodist Episcopal Church; 1522 14th Ave Seattle

(AKA Fame Church)



Click HERE to register!

Rev. Dr. Angela Parker will guide us through how to make sense of God’s Word in light of today’s cultural challenges, especially Christian Nationalism. Drawing on the book of Galatians Dr. Parker opens us up to how we can understand, live and move as God’s people in today’s world.  

All are welcome to register and attend!

Learn more here!

2024 Fall Retreat – Yonder is the Sea!

at Camp Casey

Friday, November 8 at 6pm – Sunday, November 10 at 11am

We invite you to join in our 2024 Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Casey, November 8-10. We hope that your 6-12 grade youth will join us as we explore Psalm 104 and the themes of water, promise, blessing, and more! Registration, cost and additional details will be available in early September. We hope you are able to join in this fun seaside adventure. Mark your calendars!

Adult Leaders Needed! – 2024 Fall Retreat

It was so wonderful to have so many different leaders share their gifts and talents at last year’s Fall Retreat at Camp Lutherwood. We hope that leaders to share their gifts once again. We are looking for large group session leaders, middle school small group leaders, high school small group leaders, musicians, and any other sharing of leadership you may want to participate in. If you are interested in participating in leading during this year’s retreat, please contact Doug Johnson, doug@salc.church or Bobbi Cyr, bobbi@stmatthewsrenton.org by 8/31. We will be looking to have our leader planning meeting the first two weeks of September via Zoom.

Want an item included?

Email Susan Berg, Communications Administrator

All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday

Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA

5519 Phinney Avenue North

Seattle, WA 98103

206-783-9292