UPCOMING INSTALLATIONS

Rev. Joseph Li Installation

Sunday, May 5, 3pm on the UW Campus

Join us to celebrate the coming together of Lutheran Campus Ministry and Ministry to International Students and Scholars! Pastor Joseph Li will continue doing the vital ministry with international students that he has been doing for 8 years, now under the "UW Lutherans" umbrella. We invite all to celebrate with us. Rostered Ministers are invited to wear stoles - color white/gold (no robes/albs).

The short service will take place outdoors near the Drumheller Fountain on campus. An indoor reception will be held in Nanoengineering Commons, a short walk from the fountain. Parking on campus is FREE on Sundays. Free parking is also available at University Lutheran Church (1604 NE 50th St.) God bless this new ministry partnership!

Rev. Bryon Hansen

Thursday, May 30, 7pm at First Lutheran of West Seattle

Rev. Bryon Hansen began serving as pastor at First Lutheran Church in West Seattle on March 1. Please join us for his installation service on May 30 at 7pm. Rostered ministers are invited to vest, the color of the day is white. Reception to follow. God bless this new ministry partnership!

Rev. Thomas Voelp

Friday, June 7, 6pm at Our Redeemer's, Seattle

Rev. Thomas Voelp began serving as pastor at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Seattle on March 4. Please join us for his installation service on June 7 at 6pm. Rostered ministers are invited to vest, the color of the day is white. Reception to follow. God bless this new ministry partnership!

Synod Assembly

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER!



It is very important that you register on time!

THANK YOU for tending to this TODAY!

Your assistance is greatly appreciated as we manage the many aspects of planning and helping prepare you for this meeting.

Our one-day Assembly will be 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. More details on our website here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/synod-assembly

WHO should register?

• Congregations should register their rostered ministers AND elected voting members as a group
• Rostered Ministers who are under synod call in a specialized ministry setting should register themselves as voting members
• Retired Rostered Ministers may register themselves in any of the categories
• Those who wish to attend as visitors
• Volunteers - please see an email from us last week on how to get registered!

ALL REGISTERED Voting Members, Observers, and Visitors will receive weekly emails leading up to the event - the first email will go out this Thursday, April 18.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Email Susan@lutheransnw.org

APRIL 15 is also the DEADLINE for:

• Nominations for various roles
• Resolutions to be considered before the Assembly
• Details on our website here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/synod-assembly

Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God  

Rev. Dr. Dan Peterson, pastor at Queen Anne Lutheran Church in Seattle is on of the contributor to this new book.

"Millions of people yearn for a profound relationship with the ever-present God who is loving, inclusive, persuasive, and uncontrolling. This understanding of God makes sense and aligns with the Bible, science, the inclusive love and justice of God, and with our lived experience. This book is the first-of-its-kind – drawing together a rich and diverse collection of sermons, essays, and worship elements from the perspective of open, relational, and process theology. It is focused on how to bring these ideas to local congregations. This will be an important and valuable resource for preachers, pastors, ministers of worship arts, lay church leaders, professors of preaching, worship, and practical theology, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding and relationship with the ever-present, all-loving God.  The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Rakuten kobo, Bookshop.org, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble

Did you know we have a list of books authored by folks from our synod on our webpage? Check it out here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/resources/synod-authors

IF YOU would like to add a book to that list that you have authored, email Susan@lutheransnw.org with the details to be included!

Employment Opportunities

There are a number of new employment opportunities list on our synod website! Including - a Pianist at Grace Chinese Lutheran Church, Office Manager at Fir-Conway Lutheran in Mount Vernon, Office Manager at Camp Lutherwood, Temp. Outreach position at Phinney Ridge Lutheran in Seattle - and more!

Find employment opportunities on our synod website HERE!

Abide in the Word Bible Study

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.

Synod-Wide ONLINE Book Discussion:

CALL TO ALLYSHIP - Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color

Wednesdays - April 17, 24 and May 1, 8

6:45pm-8pm on Zoom

FREE TO ATTEND!

The St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (Renton) Anti Racism Team, in collaboration with the LiVE Project, is hosting a book study on Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color. (Books are available to purchase on Amazon)

Please join us as we discuss how churches can do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call. This book study is for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone else interested in doing the work to understand, welcome, and celebrate Leaders of Color. Thank you to Amanda Bedsaul and Marissa Singleton for leading our discussions!

If interested in participating, please read the first 2 chapters for the first session on April 10th.

Join the zoom each week here: 

Time for You

Thursday, April 18 | 12:00 – 1:30pm

All folks who work/volunteer with children, youth and/or families - please join us from your computer - you are welcome to eat your lunch while we meet online. We'll gather to check-in, answer questions about the Youth Gathering, Middle School Retreat, and anything else you would like to discuss.

Here is the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83945305299?pwd=QUgxcVFWOXFSRERLTXFMc3RpQzN1UT09&from=addon.

Questions? Contact Becky and Bryant at cyflutheransnw@gmail.com

Northlake Lutheran is doing another Spring Musical!

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Performances are:

April 19, 20, 21 & 26, 27, 28

Friday & Saturday shows are at 7PM

Sunday Shows are 3PM

Admission is Free, but we gladly accept donations

($20 dollar Suggested)

Make reservations at:

 https://imaginepnw.org/2024-musical-joseph

Bishop's Convocation

April 21-24 at Seabeck Conference Center

REMINDER: Attendees - PLEASE BE SURE TO PAY YOUR REGISTRATION FEE THIS WEEK!

Or plan to bring a check for payment to the event.

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. (Registration is now closed.)

CYF Cohort: Cracking the Shell

Monday, April 22 | 6:30 – 8:00pm

Youth are at the event. They’re playing games. They have some friends. You know their names and they know yours. They go home with a snack in their belly and some laughs having been had. But how do we go deeper to make true, meaningful connections and faith moments happen in our youth ministry programs?

Join our April CYF Cohort for a conversation about how to go beyond “just” games, silliness, or surface level check-ins to more profound, memorable moments with youth. In this talk all participants will be invited to share their experiences. What has worked? Where are struggles? Have you noticed differences in the willingness of youth to open in recent years? If you have thoughts or questions this facilitated, virtual coffee shop style meeting is for you. Join us online at

You should join us online here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84900569803?pwd=b2hPZUkwVkl1RmQ5blFpR0pZaEkrZz09&from=addon

If you have questions or need further information, please contact Becky at children@hslckirkland.org.

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.

FAN Spring Summits - online

Sunday, May 5 & Sunday, June 9

FAN staff are moving into what we call our Spring Outreach season, where we get to be present at your community gatherings and denominational conferences, and talk with you about what happened this legislative session. Most importantly, we seek to hear your concerns and priorities for what we might do together in the months ahead.

Essential to this outreach is our annual Spring Summits, which we’ve scheduled for two Sundays this spring--May 5 and June 9, 3:00-4:30pm. We’ve opted to host these summits online to allow more people to join and to enable advocates from across the state to hear from each other. During this year’s summits, we’ll be able to celebrate legislative wins and hear about stalled legislation and what is needed to move forward next session. FAN staff will share an update on the three ballot initiatives that will have an impact on everything we do this year. And you will have a chance to meet in issue groups to discuss with others what policy changes you would like to see in the future.

Your voices matter to us! Last year, many attendees expressed concerns for young people and mental health—we heard you and worked with NAMI this year to advocate for some important bills that passed!

Register at the May 5 or June 9 links or learn more on our Spring Summit page, link, and bring your voice and your advocacy to the FAN table!

Spring Cleaning for Writers:

A Writing Workshop w/ Mary Lindberg for those who want to:

·     sort out the messes

·     plant new ideas

·     get a fresh start

·     begin again

Suggested fee: $25-$50 (Covers Supplies & Donation)

It is not necessary to attend all 4 sessions.

Register/Questions: https://www.7400woodlawn.org/events or email pastor@7400woodlawn.org

Learn more about - Community Organizing!

Did you know the ELCA has a network of congregations, synods, seminaries, and leaders that are all practicing the skills and arts of community organizing?

If you said no, you’re not alone! Lots of people are just learning about the Organizing for Mission Network. And next month, Seattle is playing host to OFMN’s spring contextual gathering.

OFMN’s contextual gatherings bring together leaders from across the country and throughout the network for three days of place-based learning. These gatherings are relational, faith-filled, creative, and rooted in the work of racial and economic equity. Contextual gatherings are a great place to sharpen skills, for OMFN leaders to reconnect, and for those early in their organizing journey to find their people. 

This spring we will gather in Seattle, WA where the Church Council of Greater Seattle will share about their organizing work, with a particular focus on their Faith Land Initiative. Together we will learn how congregations can practice community stewardship of land.

Things will start Thursday, May 9 at 9am and wrap up Saturday, May 11th at 2pm. A detailed schedule will be updated on our website in the weeks ahead.

Who should attend?

• Leaders looking to sharpen their organizing skills
• Members of the network seeking to re-connect
• Teams from congregations asking questions about property use, faith, and justice
• Organizers seeking new approaches
• Faith leaders looking to deepen relationships in their own community
• YOU!

How much does it cost?

Members of OFMN who have paid dues in the last 365 days have no registration fee. Members in good standing who are staying in a hotel with a roommate will get two nights free. Members staying in a solo room will get one night free.

Non-members will pay a $200 registration fee.

Lodging is at Watertown Hotel in the University District and is $172 per night. 

Still have more questions?

Schedule a 1-1 with OFMN’s director, Br. Steve: https://calendly.com/revjerbi/ofmn

Register Now!

Click here to register

Give-Share-Eat Meal Packaging!

Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Seattle) is hosting another GiveShareEat meal packaging on May 10-11.

It's pretty simple, really. There are a lot of food-insecure and hungry people in the world. Together we can relieve some of this hunger when we give of our finances and share our time so that people may eat nutritious, easy-to-prep food. Gethsemane and the Hope Center are collaborating to host another EPIC meal packaging events that bring together area businesses, organizations, and individuals to make a difference in our communities. Go to Gethsemane's website to learn how you can help - donate, volunteer, etc:

https://www.urbanfaith.org/give-share-eat

Have Bells, Will Travel Concert!

Saturday, May 11, 7pm

At Kent Lutheran (336 2nd Ave. in Kent)

Hitch a ride with Bells of the Sound as we explore being on the move! Whether riding the rails, sailing the high seas, taking a road trip, or flying the friendly skies, come have a blast with us this spring! Tickets are $15/adults and $10/youth and seniors at the door (children under 8 are free). For more information, please visit www.bellsofthesound.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!

Work Weekend at Lutherwood!

May 31 - June 2

Come help us get ready for summer camp! Your stay is free of charge, all we ask is your time and abilities. There will be projects for all ability levels, from trail clearing and platform building to cleaning and organizing. There is always a way you can help serve camp! A great opportunity for community service hours. Registration is up on our website and if you can offer specific skill sets, please reach out directly to marty.martinez@camplutherwood.org to discuss opportunities.

Sacred Spaces Experience Event

Saturday, June 1, 9am - 3:30pm

at 7400 Woodlawn in Seattle (near Greenlake - home of Emmaus Table)

Parking is limited, please carpool!

Join the NW WA Synod Cultivate Team, Facilitators, and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of experiences and workshops to explore together how we can expand God’s holy invitation even wider. 

There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, at the pub, creating art, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness? Why should we innovate alone? Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards–and support each other as we experiment. How can we create more inclusive gatherings for people to encounter God? How can we experiment with the gifts we have to meet the needs of those seeking the spirit in our own neighborhoods? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination?

You can experience:

Baking Church, Wild Church, Creative Church, Celtic Spirituality / Labyrinth, InterPlay, Pub Church

Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!

REGISTRATION is now open here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/8571291

Cost is $35/person - or $100/3+ from one congregation - Includes lunch!

(Note - there will be an optional no-host Pub Church outing to Wooden City Tavern @ 4-5:30 after!)

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Leadership Lab

June 24 - June 29 | Augustana College - Rock Island, IL

What is Leadership Lab?

Well, it's kind of hard to describe, but from Kayley D, high school senior at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Renton:

LAB is such a hard thing to describe. The purpose is to go and learn how to be a leader while growing your relationship with God. You get to participate in actual planning exercises with others in small groups, and you form some great relationships along the way. There are also celebrations, which are basically worships, but they have lots of great music, speakers, and activities to keep everyone engaged. This is what we do at LAB, but it’s so much more than that. It’s more like a feeling. You meet incredible people there, and the environment is one of inclusiveness and love. It’s an amazing experience.

LAB means a lot of different things to me but one of the biggest things is connection. There is something about LAB that brings people together really quickly. I was there for only a week, and I came away with 6 new best friends. I can’t begin to describe how close you get to the people there. They become a second family almost, and as you keep going back that family continues to grow. It was amazing to see all the connections that people were making with each other, but you also see people connecting with God throughout the week, which was also a joy to watch.



LAB changed my life and I can’t imagine not going back. You meet the most incredible people there, and they welcome you with open arms, including you into the LAB family. You get an opportunity to learn leadership skills that will last you the rest of your life, but you also get to learn a lot about yourself.

I learned so much about myself through the discussions we had, and the worships we did, but also just by working with new people, and trying to plan different events. You also get the chance to form a really good relationship with God. I know that I wasn’t that good at talking to God or staying close to him, but I definitely felt God’s presence at LAB, and I was able to start rebuilding a relationship.

Leadership Lab is a place for not only high school youth and college-age young adults to grow in their faith and leadership skills, have fun, and build meaningful relationships, it is also a place for Adult Leaders in Ministry to also grown their skills, ignite (or reignite) their passion, and connect and collaborate with other adults in ministry. 

Participants will spend a week at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. (just a short trip from Chicago). With others from around the country, we will learn and grow together! Aski Bobbi how to get there – it’s easier than you think. There are many transportation options available for getting to the Quad Cities.

What is the cost? $420 per person (on 5/1/24, price increases $50)

Discounts Available (Limit 1 discount applied)

10% discount for anyone who attended Leadership Lab 2023 ($378/person)

$275 for churches who are participating in Lab for the first time. Maximum 2 registrations per church

1 FREE Adult Registration with the purchase of 5 student registrations

Questions? Please contact Bobbi Jo Cyr at bobbi@stmatthewsrenton.org

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