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Report to the Bishop
Every year we ask that each rostered minister and synodically authorized minister (SALM) in our synod complete a report to the bishop. It is that time again! This process allows you to share information with the bishop AND helps the synod administrative staff keep our records up to date. Please complete by January 18!
This year we have adapted the ELCA Churchwide's form to include more specified information that will better help the bishop and synod staff to journey with you as leaders. We have two forms to choose from: a SALM form for our synodically authorized ministers AND a rostered minister form for ALL rostered ministers (active, retired, etc.).
To complete your form:
If you have any questions, please reach out to the synod office!
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Annual Congregation Report
Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC) and new start is asked by our partners at ELCA Churchwide to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report.
This provides the churchwide organization and synods with a record of the congregations and worshiping communities that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE TIME TO COMPLETE THIS FORM.
Now is a great time to gather the info needed - as many of our congregations are preparing for annual meetings and reports... In mid-January 2024, all ELCA congregations, SAWCs and new starts will receive the 2023 Annual Congregation Report packet through the mail. If your congregation or worshiping community would like to begin compiling information for the report before receiving the packet, electronic versions of Form A and several supporting documents are available below. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will help you navigate the process.
Learn more and complete your congregation’s form online here:
https://www.elca.org/About/Congregations/Annual-Congregation-Report
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RIC Sunday 2024!
ReconcilingWorks wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources. Many RIC communities celebrate RIC Sunday on the last Sunday in January. This year, that lands on January 28, 2024. ReconcilingWorks encourages you to celebrate on a date that is meaningful for your community. Be sure to use this day as a time to recommit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come.
Learn more and find resources HERE
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Announcing Go and Do Likewise
Pastor Terry Kyllo’s latest book, Go and Do Likewise: Following Jesus into our Common Humanity, has just been published. This book is intended for Christian congregations and leaders. Terry explores Christian motivations for working with and respecting people of diverse cultures and traditions. He writes: “I was born into White Christian Supremacy. But I was not born for it. You weren’t either. The Creator has more beautiful ways for us to live and is restoring what was taken from us. Jesus invites his followers to take the long, painful, joyous, and healing journey of daily baptism to find our identity among all the Creator’s children, all made in God’s image.”
Available wherever books are sold. Contact Paths to Understanding at together@pathstounderstanding.org to schedule a conversation or presentation.
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Preach and Program Available
Congratulations to Rev. Dave Ellingson - as his film, “Down the Mekong: Journey of Discovery,” has been selected for the Oneota Film Festival! (This is one of several films he has completed – learn more HERE.)
He is available provide pulpit supply and/or share a presentation on one of many topics for your congregation. Please reach him at paddlepilgrim@gmail.com
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Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is a one-year, international service-learning and faith-formation opportunity in churches and social service ministries for young adults, ages 21-35.
Priority deadline for the 2024-2025 year is January 15th with a final deadline of February 1st. Those who apply before the priority deadline will have their placements considered first. Learn more HERE.
The past few weeks, current YAGM volunteers have been hosting an Instagram takeover highlighting what their YAGM year has been like so far. Check out our Instagram over the next few weeks as we see more firsthand accounts of YAGM in our various country programs!
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Human Sexuality - Gift and Trust Study Process Invitation
A task force is being formed to work on reconsiderations. This task force is intended to represent the diverse perspectives, identities, backgrounds, and contexts of ELCA members, including the diversity reflected in the four conscience-bound positions of the current social statement.
If you are interested in applying to be part of the task force, a link is provided below.
The application will be open until January 31, 2024. You can also use the link below to nominate someone else for the task force.
To learn more about what it means to be a member of a task force, please click here.
To apply to join the Human Sexuality Reconsiderations task force, please click here.
To nominate someone for the Human Sexuality Reconsiderations task force, please click here.
To read an FAQ about the reconsideration process, please click here.
Full text of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust here
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Stewardship Training Opportunities
You are invited to register for a great courses to grow stewardship and cultivate large gifts with your local church. Here are the three opportunities:
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Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders, a monthly webinar, tailored-to you, starting again January 24, 2024. The cost for 8 monthly sessions for one pastoral and one lay leader is only $200 total. Register today at https://forms.gle/SetAeLvw5sc5yZgx9
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Cultivating the Craft of Asking, are series of webinars for 5-session over 10 weeks. You will be equipped to develop a donor base and large donations. Register today at: http://www.myteministries.org/webinars More series will be offered in the near future.
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African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment in Our Contexts -Feb. 17 10am Eastern Time (9 am Central) On-Line https://forms.gle/bLofos8MUqa9fZ3z6
The courses are directed by Bonnie Ives Marden, Bonnie@myteministries.org author of “Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship” in partnership with the ELCA New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team.
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Synod Events This Week:
Mon, Jan 8 - Rev. Herb Shao returns :)
Mon, Jan 8, 7pm - Changing Church LiVE Cohort - see below!
Tues, Jan 9, 10am-1pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Jan 9, 7pm - LiVE Abide Online Bible Study resumes - see below
Thurs, Jan 11, 2:30pm - Bishop's Convo Planning Team - (Zoom link)
Thurs, Jan 11, 4pm - Policy Review Team
Sat, Jan 13, 1:30pm - Will Cheung Installation - see below
Mon, Jan 15 - Synod Office Closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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LiVE's NEW Changing Church Cohort
Meets TONIGHT, January 8 at 7pm via this Zoom Link
FREE TO ALL
What is the Changing Church Cohort?
This cohort is for any lay (and rostered) leaders wishing to explore the dynamics of changing church in today's complex world; a time of deep anxiety around church decline, uncertainty of any vital future, and how to reimagine promising ways forward. Together we'll wonder how we might reframe our grounding as churches in light of God's promises and presence. There will also be Asynchronous Online Discussion available around the various chapters, via our online learning platform (Mighty Networks)
Who Should Attend?
All are welcome, but the following might especially appreciate this time for discussion, common perspectives, and resource sharing across our synod:
- Lay congregants
- Church Council Members and other lay volunteers
- Rostered leaders & church staff
- Anyone who has a heart for the church and/or anxiety around its future
How do I get more information or join the Cohort?
Attend Monday night or join us on Mighty Networks HERE
This Monday we'll discuss the first 2 chapters of Andrew Root's book When Church Stops Working (although you'll still find the conversation valuable even if you didn't yet read the material).
Future dates: Feb. 11- Discussing chapters 3-5 AND Mar. 10 - Discussing chapters 6-8
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Abide in the Word Bible Study - continues!
Tuesdays, 7-8pm via Zoom
This is a year-long, Synod-wide weekly Bible Study that takes participants on a deeper dive into the coming Sunday's Lectionary text. Participants will have the chance to experience diverse perspectives and voices from various guest facilitators from across the synod.
This is a FREE LiVE offering! No registration needed!
YES, you may join in any week at this link: HERE.
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Anti Racism Book Study
from our partners at European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice
Using “Ashes to Action” as the backdrop, we gather for the weaving of story and study in this four-part anti-racism workshop.
Copies of the book are now available on Amazon
REGISTER HERE
Cost is $10/ session
Please pay at the time of registration:
VENMO - @EDLARJ-2022
PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V8XQKZHBGN33W
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William Cheung Ordination
Will Cheung has accepted the call to serve as Director of Pastoral Care at Columbia Lutheran Home in Seattle. His ordination service will be this Saturday, January 13 at 1:30pm at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church in Sammamish, reception to follow. Rostered Ministers are invited to vest and process - arrive by 1:15pm; color of the day is red.
God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024
The theme for the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be “You Shall Love the Lord Your God ... and Your Neighbor As Yourself” (Luke 10:27).
Resources for the week, January 18-25, 2024 or whenever you choose, have been jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order, and they can be downloaded HERE.
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Cultivate Confidence: Lead Powerfully as A Woman in Ministry
Feel like you've got way too much going on but you're not doing enough?
Tired of second guessing yourself with every decision?
Join this free five-day series of learning and group coaching to cultivate the confidence to lead meaningfully.
You'll walk away in a better place to discern where you’re going next. And unlock your power as a woman in ministry. Click here to register now.
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Hunger Action Day
February 1, 2024 - Registration is live!
Join anti-hunger advocates from across the state by registering (bit.ly/HAD2024) for Hunger Action Day in Olympia!
Each year more than 150 advocates come together in our Capitol for a morning of discussions about issues facing lawmakers, information about our anti-hunger priorities, and advocacy training so you and your fellow advocates are prepared to meet with legislators in the afternoon.
Once you register, we (Faith Action Network) will do our best to schedule appointments for you with your three legislators. The sooner you register, the easier it is to get an appointment! Once you’ve registered, you will receive information about the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition's 2024 legislative agenda, info about training opportunities before our lobby day, links to policy papers, advocacy tips to use throughout legislative session, and logistics for Hunger Action Day itself.
If you’re new to advocacy, or just want a refresher on how to prepare for Hunger Action Day, we are offering advocates a one-hour training for those who want to join on Wednesday, Jan. 10 @ 9am.
Bring your colleagues, clients, board members, volunteers, and neighbors - register for Hunger Action Day and make your voices heard!
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National Fund for Sacred Places
Information session
Join us for an information session webinar on Thursday, February 1st at 9am (Pacific) to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community) 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 session, GO HERE. / To learn more,visit: fundforsacredplaces.org.
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Next LiVE Project Retreat!
Rest & Renewal Retreat:
Ministering in an Age of Mental Health
Saturday, February 3rd, 9am-3pm
at Our Saviors Lutheran, Everett
Many in our congregations and broader communities are experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression and stress these days. Rooted in our Christian faith, how is the Spirit calling us to wholistic healing for the body, mind & spirit, as well as becoming better companions to those longing for a more flourishing life?
The retreat will provide space for learning, reflection, and embodied healing practices to accompany all of us who are working toward health and wellness in ourselves, our communities of faith, and the world.
Hear from various leaders and practitioners in this field, including: Certified Mental Health Therapists, Pastor Kacey Hahn (breath and body work), Pastor Shannyn Fuerst (well-being, nutrition and exercise).
Registration: FREE for those whose church purchased the Congregational Bundle; $50 otherwise.
For More Info & to Register
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Faith Action Network’s Interfaith Advocacy Day
...brings the voices of compassion and justice to our elected leaders. Meeting with your legislators and their staff on this day is putting your faith into action! On Interfaith Advocacy Day, you will be able to:
- Join plenaries and workshops that will explore the issues on FAN’s 2024 Legislative Agenda.
- Meet with advocates from your legislative district to prepare for your legislative visits.
- Meet with your legislator or their legislative assistant! If you register by January 29, FAN will set up an appointment for you and others from your district.
- Lunch will be provided.
Registration deadline is January 29.
This year we are limited to 200 participants due to regulations at The United Churches of Olympia. We encourage you to sign up early so that we can guarantee you a spot.
Due to the generosity of our donors, there is no cost this year to participate in FAN’s Interfaith Advocacy Day. You are welcome to donate anytime to keep our advocacy moving forward in 2024.
After you register, you will receive more information via e-mail as February 8 approaches, including details on the agenda, workshop topics, and times of your legislative appointments.
We’re excited to have you be FAN in the halls of power on this great day!
Learn more and register here: Interfaith Advocacy Day’s Events
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Join the next LiVE Project online course!
Lent with Baldwin & Bonhoeffer
6-week Course via zoom
Thursdays in Lent, 7-8:30pm, starting Feb 15
What might Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a Lutheran German theologian) and James Baldwin (a Black, 20th century author and novelist) together have to prophetically speak to our current time? Through a combination of presentations, and brief selected readings, this co-facilitated course will invite a conversation for how these particular perspectives inform our lives as persons and communities of faith. Come join the conversation!
This 6-week course will meet via zoom Thursday nights during Lent (Feb 15th-March 21st), facilitated by Dr. Edward Donalson III and Dr. Dan Peterson. Registration: FREE for those whose church purchased the Congregational Bundle; $50 otherwise.
More info & to Register
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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
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