Gratitude for LiVE Team Leader Mandy Neill

If you have participated in our synod's LiVE Project courses or retreats, you have likely encountered our LiVE Project Assistant, Mandy. We have greatly appreciated the many gifts she has brought to this role. She is a wise, gracious, creative, and deeply thoughtful lay leader who has helped to shape and enrich this lay ministry in partnership with Rev Dr David Hahn and the leadership team. Please join us as we say thank you to her!

At the end of this month Mandy will be stepping away from this position to prioritize her health. We will miss her! We ask for God's healing and strength. If you would like to send a note of gratitude and care, you may email her this week at live@lutheransnw.org.

Lutherwood Seeking Board Members

Annual Meeting this Saturday!

We are excited to announce that Lutherwood Camp is currently seeking board members for a three-year term beginning in February. 

Our Annual Meeting is this weekend - on February 1st, at camp, at 11:00 AM, and we strongly encourage member congregations to attend. Each member congregation has the opportunity to elect up to two voting members and a person in a pastoral role.

Our board meets monthly via Zoom, and each member generally serves on a committee as well. It is a truly thrilling time for the organization. With a rockstar staff, a supportive board, a stable financial situation, and significant capital improvements made, the future board members have an exciting journey ahead of them. It's time for the visionaries to come onboard!

If anyone is interested and feels the call to serve as a board member, they can fill out and submit the form located on our website: https://www.camplutherwood.org/board-of-directors.

ELCA Human Sexuality

Study Survey closes January 31

In 2022, the Churchwide Assembly authorized two reconsiderations of the Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (2009) social statement. The appointed task force has taken up the first reconsideration only at this time. The work on the second reconsideration of bound conscience will not start until Fall 2025, as affirmed by ELCA Church Council at the start of the work. Consistent with ELCA protocol, the results of the task force’s work on Reconsideration #1, which are simply editorial, are now available for public comment and feedback. Receiving feedback from across the church is a vital step in discerning together. Your perspective matters.

Find links to the draft edits, an explanation of the draft edits, and a survey for you to share your feedback with the task force here: https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/current-social-writing-projects/human-sexuality-gift-and-trust-reconsiderations

Please prayerfully consider contributing to this important step. Talk about the draft edits in a group study or read them on your own. Your participation will help our church discern together where God is calling us. Here is a link to the survey response form. The task force will receive a report that includes statistical data and all comments. If you need to print out the survey to fill it out, you can find a printable copy here. Surveys must be received by this Friday, January 31, 2025.

From ELCA Presiding Bishop Eliabeth Eaton

Dear church,

On [last] Monday, our nation witnessed the peaceful transfer of power central to our democracy, followed by sweeping actions by the incoming Trump administration. Facing such changes, we receive guidance through Martin Luther's words in the Large Catechism.

In the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, where we pray “Give us this day our daily bread,” Luther writes about the importance of praying for our leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom and strength. He also speaks to the responsibility of leaders to provide stability, sufficiency and equity, saying, “[I]t would be very proper to place in the coat-of-arms of every pious prince a loaf of bread instead of a lion, or a wreath of rue, or to stamp it upon the coin, to remind both them and their subjects that by their office we have protection and peace, and that without them we could not eat and retain our daily bread.

This past week has been one of rapid and cascading change, from the inauguration of a new president and vice president to the flurry of activity in government orders and regulations. The policies and decisions reflected in this week's executive orders and regulatory changes have the potential to profoundly impact our lives, the well-being of our neighbors and the future of the planet. Therefore, I am concerned about the ways that many of the executive actions have created uncertainty and fear in our communities among neighbors struggling to survive, neighbors struggling to provide for their children, and neighbors struggling to be seen.

As a church, we are called to speak up when the government distorts or denies the image of God in each person by endangering access to protection, peace and daily bread. Where harm or inequity occur, we are called by God to respond with love and advocacy.

Luther also writes that in asking for daily bread, we are to pray for our leaders. We should pray that they act wisely and justly, protect all people and not cause harm.

Prayer is not passive; it's an act of hope. Prayer reminds us to ground ourselves in God's promise. We pray for strength, to love unconditionally and to serve one another. As we lift up our petitions, we must also act—advocating for policies that affirm the dignity of every person and standing against actions that demean or exclude.

This church is committed to upholding the humanity of everyone, regardless of who we are or where we come from. We are a church called to love our neighbors and accompany all people in their joys and struggles. We must remain steadfast in this calling. As the ELCA, we will continue to proclaim the radical inclusivity of Christ's love. And we will deepen our local and global partnerships with those working to build a just and compassionate society, especially through our ecumenical and interreligious networks. 

I commend to you the social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy,” which states on page 7: “To evaluate how well agencies of government are doing their proper work of providing for the safety and well-being of those within their borders and/or jurisdiction, Lutherans ask one simple but all-encompassing question: Is the neighbor being served?”

I encourage our congregations to use the resources of the ELCA Witness in Society Team with advocacy networks on the state and federal level. And get involved with AMMPARO, the ELCA’s strategy toward just and humane policies affecting migrants. 

As we move forward, let us hold fast to our faith and to one another. Let us be bold in our witness to the gospel, steadfast in our prayers for those in authority and tireless in our efforts to seek justice for all.

May God grant us courage, wisdom and peace in these days.

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton

Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Find website link here: https://www.elca.org/news-and-events/presiding-bishop-eaton-issues-pastoral-message-on-executive-orders

Living Lutheran is coming back!

Sign up for the ELCA's print magazine

They heard — and listened. The ELCA has found a way to bring back the magazine’s print publication in a quarterly fashion. Each issue (spring, summer, winter and fall) will feature the stories you know and love, along with updates on the church and your ELCA community. The cost for one year will be $19.95 for an individual subscription and $17 per year for a congregation group subscription.

You can sign up here (https://www.livinglutheran.org/subscribe/) today to let them know you would like to subscribe for the magazine. Questions? Email livinglutheran@elca.org or call 800-638-3522.

Synod Assembly is coming up...

Calling all CREATIVES!

Quilters, knitters, crocheters, weavers, macramé. With a theme like this - "Woven Into God's Story" – the décor plans itself! We need 50 table runners (approx. 12” x 72" - 120”) to decorate the tables at our upcoming Synod Assembly. We know we have talent all over the synod, will you share that with us?

The table runners can be any combination of colors (great use of scrap fabric and yarn). We will return the runners to your congregation post-assembly. We are still discussing ways to utilize runners that are left for the Synod. Quilters - runners do not need batting...you can keep it simple with a finished edge on a 'top' only! 

Please contact Kathy Fisher (kathy@salc.church) if you/your congregation can supply a few runners. Let Kathy know how many you are willing to create! There will be special recognition for our artists at the event. We need to have them in hand by May 1st. THANK YOU for helping "set the table" for our time together by signing up with Kathy and/or passing this request along to your creative colleagues!

Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity (STAD)

Tuesday, February 4, 3pm - Online

All rostered leaders are welcome to join STAD, the Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity. This team meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 3-4 pm via Zoom. We are a group of rostered leaders dedicated to growing authentic diversity and rooting out white supremacy culture in ourselves, our denomination, and our world. We are not a committee of the synod, but function alongside synod leadership as allies, consultants, and critics. If you'd like the meeting link, contact the team at nwwa.stad@gmail.com. 

Post-Inauguration Days: Understanding Recent Policy Changes from the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress



February 4 at 11am Pacific – Register Here: Meeting Registration - Zoom

Hear from Global Refuge’s Policy and Advocacy Team about developments in immigration and refugee resettlement policy since the Presidential Inauguration and start of the 119th session of Congress.

Join us for an information session webinar on Thursday, February 6 at 12noon (Pacific) to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community or judicatory) may qualify.

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects.

To register for the info event, go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FZY0JB1lR7SLjiWAxHjk-A#/registration

To learn more about National Fund for Sacred Places, go to: fundforsacredplaces.org.

Embracing Difference Retreat 

Saturday, February 8, 9am-3pm 

at Our Savior's Lutheran, Everett



In today’s polarized society, we are daily called to navigate racial, political, and social differences. Engaging with difference means recognizing the inner tension it can create, managing our emotional and reactive responses, and approaching situations from a calmer, more centered place. This retreat is a practical workshop that will help us learn to listen to others, to ourselves, and to connect across difference and diversity. 

Who should be sure to attend?  

·    Church Leaders 

·    Faith Formation Teams 

·    Evangelism/Discipleship Teams 

·    Anti-racism/DEIB teams 

Guest Faculty  

Fred Oduyoye is the founder of Reachable Reconciliation Ministry and facilitated one of our Faith in Public Life sessions last fall. Reachable Reconciliation is dedicated to building cultural bridges and reconciliation in families, churches, schools, corporations and communities.

Registration  

Registration is FREE if your church purchased a Congregational Bundle. Ask your church office for the Bundle promo code. Without a bundle, individual registrations are $50.



Register HERE

Region One Online Forum

for our faith communities regarding immigration

February 12, 6:30pm on Zoom

Considering the new Trump Administration directives limiting congregational rights to offer sanctuary for our immigrant neighbors, and our position as a faith community rooted in biblical admonitions to accompany the stranger, we highly encourage you to participate in a Region 1 online forum discussing protections for churches, organizations and individuals and how we might know our rights and/or rise up to be sanctuaries for our most vulnerable.

We are grateful to be joined by immigration experts, including leaders from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Lutheran Community Services NW. Please invite any other key leaders you know, of any denomination.

Registration required. Free. Please share this invitation.

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/azM5gsIyTZm79SjOnaVgbw

Fireside Chat:

Exploring Pathways for Chaplaincy in the ELCA

Thursday, February 13, 5pm-6:15pm

The ELCA seminaries will be hosting a Fireside Chat (a new series) in February. The first will be with the ELCA Chaplain Corps. Join us and chat with the Seminaries of the ELCA and the ELCA Chaplain Corps, as we explore the in’s and out’s of serving as a Chaplain in the ELCA! Learn more and register here

Feb. 20 - Interfaith Advocacy Day more info coming soon at https://fanwa.org/

While on their website, sign up to receive their e-news and keep up to date on all things advocacy!

Additional resources for showing up in deep solidarity and mutual accountability with our migrant neighbors from Church Council of Greater Seattel can be found here:

https://www.thechurchcouncil.org/news/immfaithconv-recap

Call to Allyship Gathering

Saturday, March 1, 10am-2pm at Calvary Lutheran in Federal Way

Cost is $40, lunch included

Do you wish your congregation was more diverse? Have you encountered conflicts because of cultural or racial differences and didn't know how you got there or what to do next? Then this event is for you!

The NWWA and SWWA synods of the ELCA invite all congregations to join us for a special joint event sponsored by our anti-racism teams.

We will spend a day studying "Called to Allyship," a book written by ELCA rostered leaders of color from across the country. One of the authors, Rev. Priscilla Paris-Austin (pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood), will be helping to lead our discussion. Other discussion leaders are pastors and lay leaders from congregations who have read this book together.

The book can be purchased from major booksellers, preferably directly from Augsburg Fortress: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/9781506497761/Call-to-Allyship

Says one local congregation member: "This is an important anti-racism book for any congregation to read. Any congregation will benefit from it!"

Register HERE

Learning Love Lenten Series

This year’s installment of LiVE’s Lenten “Gospel & Culture” series. In her book All About Love, bell hooks explores the transformative power of love through a commitment to personal growth, justice, and self-awareness.

Come and deepen our calling to love as we explore her writing together Thursday evenings in Lent, beginning March 6.

Learn more and get registered here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/learning-love-lenten-journey-with-bell-hooks/2025-03-06

“Speaking Truth to Power: What Would Bonhoeffer Do?

Led by Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse with Rev. Dr. Mark Brocker

Offered by Our Savior's Lutheran, Everett on March 9, 16, 23, and 30

in person and via ZOOM on Sundays at 11 am

recordings will be available on YouTube

Is this a Bonhoeffer moment in America and what can Dietrich Bonhoeffer teach us about God’s call to be courageous disciples during difficult times? We’ll explore how we are called to be tellers of the truth as well as messengers of healing and hope. Mark Brocker is President of the Oregon Bonhoeffer Society, translator of Bonhoeffer’s works for Augsburg Fortress, and former PLTS professor. Rick Rouse is retired pastor, professor and author of several books including A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (Chalice Press, 2024).    

Congregations or individual who wish to participate via ZOOM are welcome. 

Please contact Rick at rwrouse@comcast.net 

Play Ball and Connect: A Desert Sojourn Retreat

March 16-20 in Arizona!

Join us for an inspiring Spring Training experience in Arizona, where baseball enthusiasts and faith-driven individuals unite to explore the connection between sport and spirituality.

This unique retreat, led by Pastor Dave Ellingson, combines fellowship, worship, and the excitement of baseball with opportunities to attend MLB Cactus League games in the vibrant Arizona desert.

Learn more and register here: https://spiritinthedesert.org/events/play-ball-and-connect/

Want an item included?

Email Susan Berg, Dir. Communications & Events

All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday

Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA

5519 Phinney Avenue North

Seattle, WA 98103

206-783-9292