Prayers for Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee

During her recent travels, the Bishop became quite ill. Upon returning to Seattle last night, she was hopsitalized and is being treated for Influenza A and Pneumonia.Your prayers are desired. We hope to share an update midweek in the weekly prayer message.

Together we pray: God of love and life, we lift up our sister, Shelley. Comfort her and surround her with your peace. Guide her medical team as they continue to provide care. May healing and wholeness abound. Amen.

Thank you for your prayers - and until the bishop has returned to full health, please reach out for assistance to Tabetha and Susan in the synod office (206-783-9292 / office@lutheransnw.org) or Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Andy Yee (a2b@lutheransnw.org).

We are making a TEMPORARY shift ...

from a weekly e-news to a MONTHLY e-news for August and September

We will have weekly e-news offerings until July 15.

Then, to allow for Susan Berg, our Director of Communications & Events, to take some time off this summer/fall, we are shifting to a MONTHLY e-news and prayer message for the months of August and September.

If you would like an item included in the AUGUST or SEPTEMBER e-news, please submit it to Susan@lutheransnw.org by dates listed below:

August e-news - due July 17 (will be emailed out on July 22)

September e-news - due August 22 (will be emailed out on August 26)

For emergent announcements and/or prayer requests during the summer, please contact our Synod Administrator, Tabetha Myatt (administrator@lutheransnw.org).

Pews Available

Faith Lutheran Church in Everett is making room in the sanctuary to accommodate wheelchairs. They have three long (13’4”) pews available - darker wood with padded seats and book racks on the back.

If you are interested, please reach out to Pastor Pam at 425-870-5335 or pastorpam.faithlutheran@gmail.com

Lutheran Community Services

Asylum Assistance Program Needs

As many of you know, hundreds of individuals and families are seeking asylum in the Pacific Northwest every day—facing various barriers which make establishing new lives here difficult. So today, we want to band together as a community and help our neighbors in their pursuit of health, justice, and hope.

Our Asylum Assistance Program, which helps provide resources to asylees in our community, is seeking immediate sponsorship for 25 families facing homelessness. Sponsorship can look like many things—including material donations and ongoing volunteer assistance to teach finance management.

If you or your congregation are interested in providing material donations to these families, please utilize this Amazon wish list. The highest priority needs at this time are personal hygiene items and pantry essentials, but anything on this list would be a huge help. If you'd like to teach finance management, please contact jnganga@lcsnw.org for more details. Download the PDF flyer here.

NWWA Synod YAGMs!

We are so proud of the THREE young adults from our synod who will be embarking on a year-long service in August with ELCA Global Mission - as Young Adults in Global Mission. Blessings to Brooke, Thomas, and Katie as they prepare to begin!

Read about them (and how to support them) in our July-August edition of The Spirit HERE.

Dear friends of ELCA Disability Ministries,

Thank you for considering Disability Ministries to potentially help fund your request or initiative through a grant. Grant applicants must follow the guidelines below to be eligible to receive grant funding through Disability Ministries.

All applicants seeking funds from Disability Ministries must demonstrate how the request or initiative addresses at least one of the following goals:

• Raising up people with disabilities for leadership positions, encouraging the participation of those with disabilities in the wider church and preparing leaders for serving people with disabilities.
• Equipping our synods, congregations and members with relevant and practical information that enables them to welcome and support individuals with disabilities so that they might participate fully in the life of the congregation and that, together, all might experience being the body of Christ.
• Gathering and connecting people with disabilities and various groups in the church so that they might help us become an inclusive, supportive and whole community of faith.

Additionally, all applicants must show that they have or are actively building a relationship with people in their settings who live with disabilities.

This church wants to move beyond the attitude that “if we build it, they will come.” So, for example, don’t request funding for a ramp simply for the sake of installing one; instead, explain how your project would benefit disabled people in your setting and your ministry, and enrich your mutual relationship as disciples of Jesus Christ.

We will award grants in the range of $5,000-$10,000, for a total of $50,000. Previous applicants who were not funded may reapply.

The application window opened May 28 and will close July 31, or earlier if we have received 30 completed applications. Projects receiving grants will be announced before the end of October 2024.

To register with GrantMaker, please go to www.elca.org/grants/impact-church-ministry and follow the links and instructions. If you already have a profile with GrantMaker, log in to elca.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new to begin your application process.

Please email any questions to grants@elca.org or disability.ministry@elca.org.

God’s peace and blessings as you begin the application process!

— ELCA Disability Ministries

Resource for Fall Programs

By paddle-pilgrim.com

David Ellingson is available for speaking engagements. 

Head to the link above to learn more and connect with David!

Topics include:



• Paddle Pilgrim Adventures with pictures/stories (Mississippi River, Erie Canal and Hudson River, Fjords of Norway. Mekong River)
• Spirituality
• Creation Care
• Faith Formation
• Holistic Health

“Whenever Dave Ellingson invites me into his kayak, I know I'm in for a true adventure. It's white water for the soul in a way that is truly transformational travel.” -Rick Steves, Travel Writer

Coming Soon — Online Discernment Groups

from our ELCA Seminaries

Do you ever get a sense that God might be tapping you on the shoulder? Are you wondering what God is calling you to do with your life? Considering learning more about church leadership and pondering whether it might be for you? Have you ever thought about enrolling in seminary or even wondered what seminary study is like today? Starting July 1, you can join an online group with others across the ELCA who share your curiosity. Sign up by visiting elcaseminaries.org and filling out the contact form, or by emailing recruitment@elca.org.

·        

Are you a rostered minister interested in leading such a group?

Email Rick.Summy@elca.org to learn more.

ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION PARTNERS:

Deacon Liz Colver and Rev. Erik Samuelson are the Co-Chairs of the NW Washington Synod Candidacy Committee - they would welcome conversation with you ... reach out to them at:

colver.liz@gmail.com or eriksamuleson@gmail.com

Livestream Lutheran Summer Music in July!

Lutheran Summer Music invites you to livestream over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services throughout the entire month of July. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers.

Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 to explore the schedule and access the livestream and video archive.

ELCA Truth and Healing

July Opportunities

Tuesday, July 2 - ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations Report 

Thursday, July 11v- “Indian 101”

Thursday, July 25 - Indigenous Thought & Theology

Learn more HERE.

An Evening with Lifelong Climate Activist Bill McKibben 

July 2, 7pm

First United Methodist Church, in Seattle

Download Flyer HERE

Learn more and register HERE

(two more) PRIDE Events Around the Synod

Bellingham Parade – Sunday, July 7

If you would like to march, please Contact Pr. Emma!

Synod Pride Planning Meeting

Thursday, July 11 at 5pm on Zoom

ALL are welcome to join us as we wrap up 2024 Pride and look to 2025 Pride Season! Join us at this Zoom Link

Archery Church! 

What is it? It is a way to explore your love of the outdoors while learning about God’s ever-expanding love for all!

How Old or Young? For ages 6 years to adult!

When? Each Sunday July 7 - August 25, 12noon - 2pm

At Fir-Conway Lutheran Church

18101 Fir Island Road in Mount Vernon

Cost? First Lesson is Free!

$2.00 per individual / $5.00 per family

Download the flyer here.

Retired Rostered Minister Luncheon

Tuesday, July 23, 11:30am - 1:30pm

at Advent Lutheran Church in Mill Creek



All retired rostered ministers and their partners are invited to attend!

Join your colleagues and the synod staff for lunch, joyful conversations, synod and churchwide news from the Bishop AND some surprises!

THANK YOU to Kim Unti & Pam Kluth who will be hosting our delicious lunch. 

Please RSVP by July 16 here: https://forms.gle/ugT4Zc3q4EMZ8ht3A

Advent Lutheran Church is located at 4306 132nd St SE in Mill Creek

Take Action This Election Season

Are you looking for ways to encourage voting and civic engagement in your faith community this election year? Are you also looking for community-led support? If your answers are yes, FAN invites you to join a Network of 100% Voting Faith Communities! 

Many faith traditions highlight the importance of voting in preserving community well-being and the common good in democracy. The Network of 100% Voting Faith Communities is a community space to share ideas, tools, and peer support as we collectively build civically engaged multi-faith communities. Whether you are a leader authorized to take action on behalf of your faith community or an individual willing to organize your faith community to participate, you are invited!

lease read more information on this document and fill out the form to join the network. You can also access our newly launched Voting & Civic Engagement page.

We will offer monthly zoom meetings through the summer to stay engaged as a network. We welcome individuals and communities interested and committed to getting out the vote in their faith community and beyond.

The following online meetings have been scheduled:

• Tues. July 23rd 12-1pm
• Tues. August 20th 1-2pm

The focus of the meetings will be on supporting organizing, voter registration, and mobilization in your community. We are committed to voicing the values from multi-faith traditions in the electoral process and we hope you will be part of this movement! 

Upcoming Installations / Beginnings

we lift our prayers for these leaders & their congregations

Rev. Thomas Voelp has accepted the call to serve as pastor at Our Redeemer's, Seattle. He began on 3/4. Installation service rescheduled to 7/27 at 4pm. Rostered Ministers are invited to vest.

Rev. Mark Fischer has accepted the call to serve as the next pastor at Bethlehem, Marysville. He will begin July 12. Installation service will be on 8/4 @ 2pm.

Rev. Jenna Bergeson has accepted a call to serve in an ELCA Global Mission position as ELCA Regional Representative - in Southeast Asia. She will begin 7/21.

Lutheran Campout!

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham has reserved the entire campground at Lutherwood Camp - all NWWA Synod churches are welcome to join them!

Friday, August 2, 3pm - Sunday, August 4,11am

$80 per campsite (Hookups available at almost all sites)

Saturday, August 3 Day Use is free and open to ALL!

ALL DAY: Crafts, Hiking, Walking, Swimming

5:00 PM Bring your own picnic supper (BBQ Area)

6:30 PM Worship, Campfire and S'mores

REGISTER HERE | Questions? Email Nicole: Nicole@ctslutheran.org

Godly Play Core Training

September 13-15 in Bellingham

Godly Play Core Training is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy. Over the course of three days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Our training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations. There is food and childcare included. 

Learn more and get registered for this training in Bellingham

NW WA Synodical Women’s Fall Retreat

September 20-21

Huston Camp & Conference Center

(14725 Ley Rd, Gold Bar)

This retreat will focus on caring for our mental, physical and emotional health with Food, Fellowship, Prayer & Guest Speaker - More information available HERE!

~ Save The Date ~

NW WA Synod Middle School & High School Retreat

Join us November 8-10 for our 2nd annual fall retreat.

More details will be available at the end of August. 

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