Building a Culture of Generosity

Is your Stewardship Committee looking for new ideas? 

If so, our synod is partnering with ELCA Churchwide to bring you Building a Culture of Generosity (BCG) from GSB Fundraising. This program seeks to help congregations grow revenue by 5-10% and also teaches biblical stewardship principles, helps members discover generosity, and begins to build the foundation for a generous culture. This program is provided in a combination of a document library, video library, and live Zoom sessions. 

Here is what one recent BCG participant shared:

"We are pleased to say we received 39 new and increased pledges, out of 75 giving units

for a total increase of $14,535. I have a new way of looking at our congregation and how generous we are, thanks to your program. It’s more enjoyable to speak with positive affirmations rather than with (our church is dying) wails. You laid out this wonderful plan and had regular zoom meetings to learn more and hear from everyone. Your book, meetings, and documents helped me understand all the moving parts in implementing The Culture of Generosity message."

When and Where:

The first session is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 24, 11am. All sessions will be at this time, with the next 5 sessions scheduled for: Feb 7, Feb 21, March 7, March 21, and April 17.

Curious? Want to learn more?

Join the INFO SESSION on Tuesday, January 10 at 11am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83895651660?pwd=UGJhSUhzRnd4MGhNNDl6VFAvS3FVZz09

Ready to register for the series?

Register here: https://gsbfundraising.com/bcg-registration-elca-partnership/

GSB Fundraising Contact for this Winter/Spring 2023 Cohort is Paul Walters, walters@gsbfr.com

Questions? Please reach out to Deacon Dianne Johnson!

ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions

Every Wednesday at 11am (Pacific)

All lay leaders and rostered ministers are invited to join this weekly opportunity to hear from various leaders across the Church - and share in small group conversation - on the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP.

Learn more about this week's topic and get the registration link here:  https://www.elcacoaching.org/

Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity (STAD)

Thursday, January 12, 12noon online

During this monthly meeting for Rostered Ministers we will be sharing and processing case studies from our ministry contexts and have to do with racism, prejudice, exclusivity, etc. We'll discuss what to do next, how to be ready for the next time, decide how you want to react and respond as a leader in those situations. If you have a story/case study you'd like to bring, please email Chelsea Globe. She and Kacey Hahn will be leading the meeting.

Earth Ministry/WAIPL Legislative Faithful Advocacy Training Event

Thursday, January 12, 6:30pm on Zoom



Join Earth Ministry/WAIPL for an online faithful advocacy training to discuss the unique strengths of a faith-based approach to advocacy and show you what it looks like in action. You'll receive practical advice on how to tell your story to decision makers and also an overview of the bills Earth Ministry/WAIPL will be supporting in the 2023 Washington State Legislative Session. Whether this is your first time speaking up in the legislative process, or you're a seasoned advocate, you are welcome to join! Register HERE.

Interrogating Privilege

A LiVE Project Course

Class meets Wednesdays Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8

then Thursdays during Lent: Feb. 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16

6:30pm - 8pm on Zoom

Presenters:

Rev. Priscilla Paris-Austin & Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace

This 8-week course is designed specifically for lay leaders to open up transparent, and honest conversations around the ways privilege shapes and impacts our lives and communities of faith. If you’ve read anti-racist books, and are looking for the next, best steps as an individual, family or congregation, this course offers additional ways to move forward. Participants will also have an option to explore their own bias through the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).

Read about our presenters and get registered HERE!

Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University presents:



Winter Workshop Series:

The Art of Spiritual Direction

January 19, February 16, and March 16

Learn more https://www.seattleu.edu/thecenter/certificate-programs/webinars-and-more/workshops/art-of-spiritual-direction/

Retirement Celebration for Rev. Jane Prestbye

Saturday, January 21, 1pm-7pm

Kent Lutheran Church would like to invite you to Pastor Jane Prestbye's Retirement Celebration and Open House. We are planning an open house on January 21 from 1pm-7pm. At 3pm we will join together for a service of singing, scripture and sharing. If you would like to bless Pastor Jane with a card or note, you can send it to Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave S, in Kent..



We give thanks to God for her call to serve as a lay ministry professional which began on May 1, 1973 and her being ordained in 1999 and starting her pastoral ministry at Kent Lutheran. Pastor Jane's last Sunday at Kent Lutheran will be January 29th. 

Music that Makes Community Workshop

At The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in Olympia



Saturday, January 21 from 9:30am-3pm

Join this event for a renewing day of building community through congregational singing, learning, and fellowship on We'll be led by Paul Vasile and Elizabeth Schroeder of Music that Makes Community, a non-profit organization working to empower and liberate communities through singing. For over 15 years, they have developed and shared transformative leadership practices with musicians, clergy, educators, and lay leaders throughout the United States and Canada. During our time together we will:

- Explore a practice of paperless (oral tradition) singing leadership

- Engage models of teaching and leading that welcome our bodies, hearts, and minds

- Experience music reflective of the growing diversity of our communities and celebrating varied spiritual traditions 

Choir directors, clergy, cantors, educators, and those who love to sing are warmly welcomed. Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context.

Registration fees are $30 per person, including workshop materials and refreshments throughout the day. You can bring your own lunch or purchase a sandwich for $15. Scholarship support is available, and we do not want cost to prevent anyone’s participation. Please pay at the door: cash, checks and credit/debit cards accepted.

Register here: http://www.gsolympia.org/music-workshop

Contact conference@gsolympia.org if you have any questions.

Please note the COVID protocols: We will follow the guidelines at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in place at the time of the event and will take precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. The rooms will be well-ventilated, we’ll take regular breaks, and follow the CDC's best practices for in-person gathering.

National Fund for Sacred Places

Join us on February 1st for an introductory session!

Join us for an introductory webinar on Wednesday, February 1, at 9am to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place may qualify.

Register for the online session here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fUORhQEaQGuslHTP99nO7Q

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000+ as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. To learn more, please visit us at fundforsacredplaces.org.

Online Trainings from ReconcilingWorks!

Find these two online trainings and more here:

https://www.reconcilingworks.org/trainings/

The Let’s Talk About SOGIE training and “Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Gender Expression” are complementary resources, to be used side by side in your learning of language, and ways to extend hospitality to our LGBTQIA+ siblings. The training is great for those who are hoping to support their faith community in ongoing education, or for individuals who have an open heart and mind on learning more about God’s diversity of creation. The training is 1.5 hours long and held online through Zoom in real-time; registration is $35 per person.

2023 Trainings: February 2 / March 2 / May 4 / June 1

Building an Inclusive Church (BIC) training helps you design and implement a journey for your faith community to publicly and intentionally welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and incorporate a commitment to the work of racial equity. Building an Inclusive Church equips you with ways to create dialogue, deepening relationships throughout your faith community rather than sparking debate and division. The training is 4.5 hours long, and held online through Zoom in real-time; registration is $75 per person.

2023 Trainings: February 4 / March 4 / May 6 / June 3

Morning Art Retreat - Calligraphy

Saturday, February 4, 9am-1pm

At Emmaus Table at 7400 Woodlawn

Take a morning retreat, learning some basics of calligraphy in the welcoming community space at 7400 Woodlawn.

Laura Sasaki Norton is a skillful calligrapher and teacher, offering an inviting, supportive spirit of exploration in trying something new! The registration fee is $40 - 70, which includes materials and teaching fee. 

To register online, click here and find Calligraphy Class in the drop down menu. If you have questions, contact Harriet Platts at info@7400Woodlawn.org.

Interfaith Advocacy Day

In Olympia, Thursday, February 9, 9am-3pm.

Registration is now open - please register HERE by January 29 to attend IN PERSON. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, there is no cost to attend this year. We will be gathering in person at The United Churches of Olympia in the morning and meeting with legislators in the afternoon. We are unsure at this point which portions of the day we will be able to offer for online participation; we will provide updates about that and registration for any online activities as more is known. Please join us to raise voices of faith and conscience in our State Capitol!

PLTS - Mohrenwieser Lecture

"CRISPR Revolution in Science, Religion, and Ethics"

Wednesday, February 15 at 9am (online & in person)

In this lecture, Arvin Gouw PhD will present an overview of the CRISPR revolution and the various uses of CRISPR, a powerful gene editing tool. The questions and issues raised by the scientific, ethical, and religious communities amidst this CRISPR revolution are more important than the answers provided. The topics introduced here revolve around the medical uses of CRISPR, but CRISPR can be used to edit the genome of any living organism. The three domains discussed in this lecture (science, religion, and ethics) will need to engage this novel technology. Dr. Ted Peters, Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics, will offer a response. 

Learn more about this event, the presenters and how to register here: and Dr. Gouw here: https://www.plts.edu/events/5657/