UPCOMING INSTALLATIONS

(and there are more to be announced soon!)

Rachel San Diego Ordination & Installation

Rachel (former intern at Immanuel, Seattle) has accepted the call to serve as one of the pastors at St. Matthew's in Renton. The ordination service will be held at St. Andrew's in San Mateo, CA on March 9 at 3pm; the installation service will be held Sunday, March 17 at 2pm at St. Matthew's. Rostered Ministers are invited to vest - color of the day is red, please arrive by 1:30pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!

The Spirit - March edition available!

Monthly articles from our Synod Bishop and our Synod Vice President - check them out the March Spirit HERE.

Find past editions on our archives page here!

Synod Assembly is coming up soon!

(75 days from today, in fact!)

Saturday, May 18, 9am-4pm

at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines

Doors open for check in and hospitality time at 8am

Our theme is from Psalm 121:1-2 | I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

We will gather to worship, hear reports and synod updates, Spirit Stories from around the synod, vote on the upcoming budget, and to elect members to synod council, committees and the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

Online registration will open March 15 and close April 15

Congregations/Rostered Ministers received information last week to help get their voting members registered. If you did not see that email, contact Susan in the synod office ASAP!

• Volunteers needed for our check-in tables (7:45am-11am) - contact Susan@lutheransnw.org
• Nominations for Synod Council, Committee on Discipline, Consultation Committee and Voting Members for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly are open now through April 15.
• Resolutions to be considered are being received now through April 15.
• Ministry Partners & Committee Chairs should have received an email about participating in the assembly last week. Find the details on our website here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/synod-assembly

ELCA Conference of Bishops calls for a permanent bilateral cease-fire in Gaza

ITASCA, Ill. (March 2, 2024) – The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is adding its voice to the growing group of faith leaders urgently calling for a permanent bilateral cease-fire in Gaza. We urge President Joe Biden, our legislators, and all who lead and make decisions on behalf of the United States to do everything in their power to bring an end to the current suffering and lay the foundation for lasting peace with justice. 

As members of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, we are elected to lead one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. We are compelled to advocate, pray and act by the social teachings of our denomination and by our belief—rooted in Scripture—that all people are made in the image of God. 



We mourn the loss of 1,200 precious lives in Israel on Oct. 7 by the actions of Hamas and the trauma for those 250 others who were taken hostage. We mourn the loss of over 30,000 precious lives in Gaza—including tens of thousands of women and children—who have died in Israel’s military action since then and the trauma that ripples outward from this loss. ​​We grieve the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel since Oct. 7 as the circle of violence expands and makes casualties of yet more civilians.

Too many have suffered. Too many lives have been lost. Strong U.S. leadership is needed to help bring a comprehensive permanent cease-fire and lasting peace. Our country’s leadership is needed to support human rights and the Geneva Conventions, to resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and to provide greater access for humanitarian relief in Gaza, as well as to advocate for the immediate and safe return of the hostages and release of political prisoners, for affirmation of both Israel and Palestine’s right to exist, and for a path forward that disrupts cycles of violence. Mindful of the rise in hate targeted at people across complex intersections of race, ethnicity and religion—worldwide and nationally—we exhort our legislators, leaders and neighbors to oppose hate in all its forms, and we recommit ourselves to partnership in that same work. 

Jesus taught: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). We affirm that all our neighbors, near and far, are children of God and made in God’s image, and we are praying for President Biden, our legislators and all decision-makers. May God give us and our leaders everything necessary to meet the needs of this critical moment, particularly peacemaking. 

From the Church Council of Greater Seattle:

Interested in Joining Our Next Faith Land Cohort?

Since 2020, the Faith Land Initiative has been supporting faith communities across King County in practicing faithful and equitable discernment of faith-owned land, buildings, parking lots, houses, and other assets through our Faith Land Discernment Cohort. We are beginning conversations with interested faith communities for our 2024-2025 cohort, which starts in Fall 2024!

Through the Faith Land Discernment Cohort, participants explore:

• What are we called to be in this moment as stewards of faith community resources?
• How can local faith communities embody reflective, relational, and impactful strategies rooted in their mission that center communities most impacted by systems of oppression?
• What do we need to pay particular attention to in the midst of the economic, social, political, and spiritual moment we are in?

The Church Council is seeking 3-5 new faith communities to participate starting this fall, with the support of a grant from Trinity Wall Street. Sound like your faith community? Schedule an interest meeting with E to learn more. To learn about all Faith Land Initiative offers, see thechurchcouncil.org/faith-land-initiative.

Nominate Young Musicians

for Lutheran Summer Music! 

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM) is a residential academy for high school musicians. Students study with nationally recognized faculty, and are immersed in musical experiences through large ensembles (Choir, Band and Symphony Orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, elective classes, ongoing recitals and concerts. Students also experience a welcoming and joyful community that worships together daily, offering musical gifts through Lutheran liturgy and hymnody. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30-July 28 and is open to students who have completed grades 8-12. Spots for LSM 2024 are filling fast! Nominate a student today at LSMacademy.org/nominate.  

CYF Monthly Newsletter

The Synod Children, Youth & Family Committee and the synod office are producing a monthly e-newsletter for CYF ministry leaders. IF you are not receiving that and would like to be added to the distibution list, email Susan@lutheransnw.org before Thrusday morning this week - as that is the planned send date for the next edition!

Survey Invitation

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) has designed a survey to be shared throughout the ELCA. There are questions that apply to churchwide, synods and congregations - you are invited to participate here: Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Survey (google.com)

More information about the commission can be found here:

Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)

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.

Lent with Baldwin & Bonhoeffer

6-week Course via zoom

Thursdays in Lent, 7-8:30pm

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

SAVE THE DATE!

Join EDLARJ in Minneapolis for:

• community building
• racial justice education
• shaping the future of EDLARJ

Learn more and get registered HERE.

Elementary Retreat

The theme is “Conversations with God”. Questions?

March 8-9 at Camp Lutherwood

Registration is open for the Elementary Retreat! Registration is through individual churches - reach out to your youth leader / church office to get registered! Each congregation and youth leader received the registration info on Feb 6.



The price for adults is $50 and youth are $70.

Questions about the retreat? Contact Sam at marty.martinez@camplutherwood.org. 

Concordia Choir (Moorhead, Minn) in Concert!

Hear one of the nation's finest college choirs perform in Seattle on Friday, March 8.

Michael Culloton conducts the 66-voice a cappella choir in a varied concert ranging from Renaissance motets to contemporary choral works. “You MUST see them - it’s an unforgettable experience!” says Eric Whitacre. You've seen their Emmy-winning Christmas concerts on television, now hear them live!

Tickets are available online at ConcordiaTickets.com or at the door.

Visit www.TheConcordiaChoir.org for complete information.

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Congregations are encouraged to share this announcement in their March newsletter. Concordia Choir has specific news releases, promotional paragraphs, photos, and graphics that they can download here: www.tinyurl.com/concordiachoirpromo

Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle Concert

Saturday, March 9, 7pm

at Faith Lutheran Church in Redmond

(9041 166th Ave NE, Redmond)

Fine Arts at Faith proudly presents Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle! Please join us as the adult choirs Con Brio and Concord sings a performance titled “Wild and Wonderful.” There is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 for a family of two or more. Cash or Checks made payable to Faith Lutheran Church will be accepted at the door. A reception will follow the event. Faith Lutheran Church is located at For more information, please visit our website or Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/9A69wPDY2

Discerning Vocation in Retirement

Tuesday, March 12, 4pm online

Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Samuel Torvend, Director of External Relations for The Wild Hope Center for Vocation. Entering retirement can be both exciting and a bit scary. It can produce a sense of relief from a life of work but also raise questions about the future. How, then, might we consider retirement a vocation, a calling, that gives meaning to our lives? In this conversation about retirement, we'll consider a different way of thinking and living one's life, a purposeful life beyond departure from the workforce. This discussion will be held via Zoom. REGISTER HERE. The link to join will be sent out on March 11.

How Loneliness Influences Health and What Nurses (and others!) Can Do to Help

Thursday, March 14, 4pm (Pacific)

Online

While the primary audience is nurses, others will learn from the presentation. We all know lonely people in our lives and in our worship communities. Dr. Theeke will offer some helpful interventions for all of us. See the flyer for more information and the registration link.  

Trio Animé Concert

Saturday, March 16, 7pm

at Saint Andrew's, Bellevue

Please join the Trio Animé for a delightful concert of chamber music masterpieces, featuring works by Max Bruch and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Trio Animé specializes in works written for this unique and beautiful instrumental combination. The trio includes Leslie Johnson, viola; Eliza Siracusan, clarinet; and Charles Enlow, piano. (Free will offering will be received)

Chrism Mass

Tuesday, March 26, 11am

Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church, Bellevue

NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE!

Rostered Ministers are invited to join colleagues from the Southwestern Washington Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia for this service which includes holy communion, renewal of vows, and receiving oil to be used for blessings.

A light lunch will follow.

(IF YOU would like to assist with preparing/serving/cleaning up our simple soup & bread lunch, please contact  Susan@lutheransnw.org)

Deciding whether seminary education is right for you?

April 5-7, 2024 – Signs Along the Way

In-person at the PLTS campus in Berkeley

+ Engage your sense of call

+ Explore the San Francisco Bay area and what it’s like to live and study at PLTS

+ Experience a PLTS class and connect with current students, faculty, and staff

+ Lodging and most meals are covered; travel assistance available to those who need it

Click here to register

Signs Along the Way is a great opportunity for folks to connect with current seminarians and other people in discernment, spend some time exploring their sense of call, and learn more about what seminary at PLTS might be like for them. People at all stages of discernment are welcome. PLTS covers two nights of lodging in a hotel, most meals throughout the weekend, and can provide some travel assistance for those who need it.

Bishop's Convocation

April 21-24 at Seabeck Conference Center

Mindful that we are in an election cycle fraught with discord and danger, Rostered Ministers, SALMs and Interns will share learning and discussion around the theme of Christian Nationalism - what it is, the real threats it presents to us both as citizens of a democracy and as Christian disciples, and what our role is as faith leaders in the public arena. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Seth Dowland and Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse to lead our sessions. Learn more and get registered here by March 14 at 5pm!

Middle School Retreat

April 26-27 | First Lutheran Richmond Beach

All middle school students are invited to join us for our 2nd annual middle school retreat! Our theme this year is Prayer – What is it? Why do we care? We’ll explore the theme using a variety of mediums and spend time at the beach on Saturday. The cost is $50 per student, adults are free. Registration begins March 1.

Questions? Contact Becky at children@hslckirkland.org.

May Youth Weekend at Holden!

May 17-19 (Friday - Sunday)

Theme: All Creation Groans Together: Love, Lament, and Action in a Climate Emergency

How can we live faithful lives when we are overloaded with climate grief and anxiety? How can we find motivation for meaningful action when the future is uncertain? Together we'll dive deep into our love for God's beloved creation, and learn how to find our way through the ruins.

Registration now! Find all the details here!

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