Synod Events this week:
Mon, Jan 6, 1pm - Rostered Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Jan 7, 10am - 2pm - Full Synod Staff Meeting
Wed, Jan 8, 1pm - Evangelical Outreach Team Meeting
Thurs, Jan 9, 3pm - Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity
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Journeying Together
We are journeying together as a synod - to share the love of God across our territory. As you know, this takes partnership and teamwork! As a way of inviting your participation, we will be sharing LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for YOU to consider. This week - The 2025 PRIDE Planning Team!
This team will begin meeting monthly - soon! Their primary responsibilities are to plan, organize, and seek ways in which to lift up and support the LGBTQIA+ community across our Synod, especially during June (PRIDE month). They are hoping for 6-8 folks from around the synod territory to join in the leadership fun - if you are a person who is creative, organized, and/or good at networking - please reach out to Pr. Gina Herman who is serving as the chair of the team: pastorgina@hslckirkland.org.
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Invitation from our partners at Earth Ministry:
Earth Ministry/WA IPL is working with Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) to help congregations take advantage of the benefits that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides with the Clean Energy Tax Assistance Program (CETCAP). CETCAP provides free legal, technical, and filing assistance to faith communities across the state with support from funds from Washington's Climate Commitment Act.
The program will help you learn about: IRA clean energy tax credits, eligibility and how to access the tax-credits. While providing training, fact sheets, and additional resources to help your community increase your understanding on tax credits and direct pay. If you’re in the planning stage, this free legal assistance will best help your community design your clean energy projects and ensure that you will make the most of your IRA tax credits. If you’ve already completed an eligible project, you will be able to receive support in every step of the filing process and have registration and tax forms e-filed on your behalf!
Interested in learning more? Email Multifaith Program Manager, Keah Calluccie, here: keah@earthministry.org
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Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday
This is an annual worship celebration created to share in the commitment our organization and partnering faith communities have in the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people in the life of the church. While historically this day is celebrated on the final Sunday in January, many RIC partners will celebrate on their date of affirmation, or on other days meaningful to their communities rooted in this commitment to radical hospitality. We hope you enjoy Resilient Community as we join collectively with our 1,140+ partners across the United States and Canada through this celebratory service.
GO HERE to download this free resource in English and Español.
(https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/ricsunday/)
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January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Thank you Women of the ELCA f(WELCA) for the following information:
71% of victims of human trafficking are women and girls. National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is an opportunity to educate others about identifying human trafficking, prevention and supporting victims. Here are articles and resources to raise awareness of human trafficking and engage in advocacy in your congregation and community.
#WearBlueDay
This year, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11.
Learn about Wear Blue Day and get involved.
Polaris Project
Learn how to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking or at risk of being trafficked, help is available. Call 888-373-7888 or Text INFO to 233733 or chat online at https://humantraffickinghotline.org. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
Women of the ELCA publications and resources to end human trafficking
Since 2005, Women of the ELCA has been actively working to end human trafficking. At the Eleventh Triennial Convention (2021), the voting members adopted a resolution setting the four weeks prior to the annual NFL Super Bowl as a time of prayer to end human trafficking and called on women of this organization to engage in prayer. This year, the 2025 Super Bowl is Sunday, February 9.
Download 28 daily prayers to be prayed individually or in a group beginning January 12.
See a list of articles about the issue of Human Trafficking from Gather magazine.
"Commercial Sexual Exploitation and the everyday" by Elizabeth Hunter, Cafe (Boldcafe.org), 1/2013.
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From our partners at Faith Action Network:
Deportation Defense with WAISN
Our coalition partner, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) has created an excellent resource — Four Deportation Defense Actions You Can Take Today that highlights important steps we can take now to protect and advance immigrant rights in light of the incoming federal administration. You are encouraged share it with your faith community so that more people can get involved.
If your faith community has a public resource area, you can also post WAISN's Deportation Defense Hotline flyer as well as their Know Your Rights with ICE flyers, which are available in English, Spanish, French, Lingala, Portuguese, and Somali.
Members of immigrant and refugee communities are also encouraged to attend WAISN's Know Your Rights with ICE trainings. You can learn more here and register for their next online training on January 8 (6-8 PM) over zoom.
If you would like to get involved in WAISN's Rapid Response, you can learn more here and register for their next online training that will be held on Saturday, January 25 (12-2 PM) over zoom.
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Transforming Our Future through Advocacy
FAN has a full slate of opportunities for you to grow your advocacy skills and learn about our policy priorities, an all-liaison meeting - and Advocacy Day!
January 9, 12-1pm: *Legislative Preview, Register Here
January 12, 4-5pm: *Legislative Preview, Register Here
January 15, 12-1pm: FAN All Liaison Meeting: Organizing Your Faith Community for Advocacy, Register Here
Feb. 20 - Interfaith Advocacy Day more info coming soon at https://fanwa.org/
*Please note that we have two time offerings--evening and afternoon--for the Legislative Preview. The content will be the same for both.
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CYF Cohort: Belonging & Engaging Retreat
Saturday, January 11 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Kirkland
PLEASE SIGN UP BY JAN 8!
How does one belong? Or go from belonging to actually engaging in a community? Engaging and participating in activities both emotionally and physically is a way to increase a sense of belonging, but getting to that place is often hard. This workshop will focus on discussions and activities about how churches and programs can help foster an environment that encourages participants to not only engage, but also provide a sense of belonging for everyone.
All Children, Youth, and Family staff, lay leaders, or general supporters are invited to participate in this combined second part of a two part retreat series. Each workshop will look at creating spaces, events, and opportunities for the youth of our congregations and community. Activities will be interactive and collaborative with conversations revolving around how to foster a long-lasting culture of inclusion, acceptance, and honesty in our youth and families. From the church walls and beyond! Registration is free for this event and we are asking for a $10 suggested donation for lunch.
Please RSVP online at https://forms.gle/RMrA9EsBMth53JBo6.
Questions? Email cyflutheransnw@gmail.com.
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FREE LiVE Project Weekly Online Bible Study
Abide: Going Deeper
Tuesday at 7pm - RESUMES JAN 14
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. (after the 10th, we will take a break for the holidays and begin again in January)
Join us any week! More info and Zoom link here.
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Advocating for Immigrants & Refugees
How to Advocate with Congress
January 16 at 11am Pacific – Register Here: https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcldumqpz8vG9BB3XhaPJZL1mK-8JcCDtJn#/registration
Please join Global Refuge’s Policy and Advocacy Team to learn more about best practices and tips for successful Congressional advocacy.
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.
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National Day of Racial Healing
Online Educational event
Tuesday, January 21 - 8am-12noon Pacific time
The 2025 National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance that follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the ELCA will join the movement of racial healing for our church and the nation. Join this free online educational event that centers the voices of ELCA leaders of color. This event is open to all ELCA rostered ministers, lay leaders and members, as well as the church’s affiliate organizations and ecumenical and interreligious partners.
Learn more, browse speaker bios, and register today.
(https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/racial-justice-ministries/national-day-of-racial-healing)
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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/
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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
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