FEATURED

The Body of Christ

Bishop Meggan Manlove

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’m writing this column in Minneapolis, having just finished my first ELCA Church Council meeting as the Region 1 liaison bishop. As when I sit with the pastors and deacons of our synod at Bishop’s Fall Convocation or during a NWIM Synod Council Meeting, or when I visit any of our ministry sites, I felt the Romans 12 passage came off the page because of the variety of gifts present in the room.

This afternoon, the ELCA came together for the installation of Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. I was honored to be here representing our synod (along with ELCA Church Council member Rev. Barb Rossing from Faith, Leavenworth), each of you and each ministry, for this historic celebration. The sanctuary of Central Lutheran can fit 1200 we were told during the Church Council, and every seat was filled. We had a number of ecumenical guests, but I am sure so many people present were ELCA Lutherans, and I thought again of the many gifts present in that sanctuary.

Tomorrow, Sunday, afternoon the Conference of Bishops will begin meeting. We often say that when we gather as a group, every ministry in the ELCA can be clearly brought to mind or spoken of with relationality.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is big, and its members come from so many diverse communities. I do not agree with every member about everything, but I love being a part of this iteration of the body of Christ. I love our emphasis on God’s abundant grace that justifies us before God apart from anything we do. I love that we name boldly that we are freed from sin and death and freed for love of our neighbors. The triune God we worship is a God of love, not sentimental or romantic love but deep transformative love. It’s love that manifests itself in the most surprising ways—a lowly manger, accompanying the outcast, Jesus’ crucifixion, simple bread and wine.

We bring all these gifts of faith and understanding and living out this faith to the various communities we live in and to the conversations we have with friends from different denominations. Through the waters of the baptismal font, we are freed to be wellsprings of God’s love!

From our closing hymn during Bishop Curry’s Installation:

Go to the world! Go into all the earth. Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth, baptizing as the sign of our rebirth. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(All Creation Sings #991)

-Bishop M

From Bishop Meggan,

In September, I (Bishop Manlove) attended the Western States Center and Interfaith Alliance’s Interfaith Countering Hate Summit in Boise. A highlight for me was the keynote address given Wednesday evening. I am sharing with the synod here.

Calling People of Faith

The Time to Act is Now

Scot Nakagawa

Sep 11, 2025

Message from your NWIM Synod Constitution Review Team

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly held July 28 – Aug 2, adopted a new Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Link: 2025 Model Constitution for Congregations

Important highlights from the Introduction paragraph of the updated constitution regarding expectations of each congregation and the review process.

ELCA bylaw 9.53.03.

• Each congregation of this church is to provide a copy of its governing documents, and any amendments thereto, to its synod.
• All proposed changes in the constitution or incorporation documents of a congregation shall be referred to the synod with which the congregation is affiliated. The synod shall notify the congregation of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed changes; the changes shall go into effect upon notification that the synod has approved them.

Model Constitution for Congregations

• Chapter 16 - Amendments: Once approved by congregation, amendment(s) sent to Synod for approval. Once approved by Synod the amendment(s) go into effect.
• Chapter 17 – Bylaws: Once approved by congregation and do not conflict with constitution, congregation will send adopted bylaw(s) to the Synod.
• Chapter 18 - Continuing Resolutions: Once approved by congregation and do not conflict with constitution, congregation will send adopted continuing resolution(s) to the Synod.

Closing paragraph of Review by Synod section of the introduction of the updated ELCA congregational constitution:

• In order to be sure that amendments meet constitutional requirements and avoid potential problems, congregations are strongly urged to submit all proposed amendments to a congregation’s constitutional provisions, bylaws, and continuing resolutions to the synod for review before voting on them.

Your Constitution Review Team has a few requests to make the review process go smoothly.

1. Congregations should add to cover page to their constitution to include their congregation’s full name, city, and state to differentiate between named congregations.
2. All documents to be reviewed will be sent in as Word documents with changes highlighted/denoted. Showing all edits will make less guess work for the reviewer, and for a quicker turn-around-time.
3. Please allow enough time for the review process.
4. Once a governing document has been reviewed, approved, voted on by the congregation, the congregation is responsible for emailing a clean word document file to the NWIM Synod office.

Please contact the synod office: office@nwimsynod.org 

Clergy Shirts

Our guests from our companion synod, the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, would be happy to take your extra clergy shirts and tabs! These are precious items for pastors of the UKD and what is your excess will be greatly appreciated by others.

If you have extras to contribute, please bring them along to the Bishop’s Convocation and get them to Pastor Wilson or Pastor Ezekiel. They will pack them in their suitcases and take them home to share. Asante Sana! Thank you for sharing!

Questions – feel free to call or text Deacon Heidi Cryer, 509-539-0449.

Final Celebration and Worship

You are invited to a celebration of 96 years of ministry and the final worship of Central Lutheran Church, Spokane. 512 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99204

Come join the Northwest Intermountain and the Northern Great Lakes Synods in this extraordinary opportunity to focus the efforts of your congregation and clarify your mission. The entire series by congregational experts with Living the Resurrection will begin in January and has a $2000 value, but thanks to a generous gift from each synod, the series will only cost each congregation $50.

For only $50 per congregation, you will have access to/be registered for:

• Three-part self-led Beyond the Bulletin series (focusing on internal communication)
• Inspiring Constructive Change Workshop-discovering your core values (on Zoom)
• Evangelism for Introverts Workshop (on Zoom)
• Partners for Innovation Workshop (on Zoom)
• Periodic coaching sessions to keep you going

Byberg Preaching Workshop

January 26-28, 2026

Registration closes December 15.

Shape of Leadership

The Shape of Leadership is coming to Camp Lutherhaven!

First of four two-day retreats is Monday, January 26 - 28, 2026

The Shape of Leadership is for clergy who want to renew their leadership, and step up their ability so they can significantly impact the future of our faith communities. The past few years have been incredibly difficult for faith leaders. Clergy are tired, if not burned out, and need safe places where they can reflect on the demands of their work and develop their leadership for the changing landscape of our faith communities. They need brave spaces where their whole being is accepted as is and where they can, therefore, show up authentically and vulnerably before taking their learning back to their contexts. They need emergent spaces to reconnect with God and self, so that they can serve more fully.

In this multi-faith program, Shape participants retreat together four times in a year to develop their leadership in adaptive and experiential ways: by experimenting with innovative practices, deepening self-awareness, and learning to navigate change, conflict, and the daily challenges of leadership. Shape facilitators cultivate an ethos that allows leaders to wrestle with new ideas in the safety of a generous and compassionate group. Participants integrate theological commitments with innovative leadership practices from a variety of disciplines, especially the adaptive leadership framework.

The program is highly experiential, collaborative and offers the opportunity to develop long-lasting support systems among high-potential faith leaders. In the Shape program, each retreat is two nights. Between retreats, participants meet in cohort groups to journey the year together, supporting each other and deepening the learning. In Shape, you can expect to work hard and gain much.

Read More

and reach out to Leaderwise’s Mary Kay DuChene (marykay@leaderwise.org) or Bishop Meggan Manlove if you have questions.

Youth Musicians Invited to Lutheran Summer Music 2026

June 21-July 19, 2026

Enrollment is now open for Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community. Musical experiences include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more.

Priority enrollment deadline: December 1

Standard enrollment deadline: March 1

Learn more at LSMacademy.org/program 

Webinar:

“Creating Accessible Spaces on a Budget”

Every church should be a place where everyone feels welcome and included — regardless of ability. But making your facilities more accessible doesn't have to break the bank.

Join us on Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Central time for this practical and inspiring webinar designed specifically for churches seeking to improve accessibility with limited resources. We'll explore affordable strategies to enhance physical, sensory and digital accessibility in your church buildings and programs. From simple upgrades to creative adaptations, you'll gain tools and ideas that can be implemented right away — no large renovation budget required.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• Low-cost improvements that make a big impact.
• How to prioritize accessibility changes.
• Ways to engage your congregation in accessibility efforts.

For registration, go to this linked form: https://forms.office.com/r/QYdvsAUJT6

Church Property Resource Hub

Virtual Town Hall

You are invited to attend one of our upcoming virtual town halls introducing the new Church Property Resource Hub. A project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Church Property Resource Hub is being developed in response to requests from synod and local congregation leaders for support in navigating the challenges and opportunities that buildings and land represent — for both congregational vitality and the wider mission of the church.

These town halls will provide synod leadership with an opportunity to learn more about this exciting initiative and to shape its future. A place where synods like yours can find valuable resources to share with the congregations in your community, the Church Property Resource Hub will be enriched by your feedback and expertise.

Choose the date and time that best fits your schedule:

• Church Property Resource Hub Synod Town Hall 1
  Monday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. Central time. Register now!

• Church Property Resource Hub Synod Town Hall 2
  Tuesday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m. Central time. Register now!

Before we gather, please complete this brief survey to let us know what property resources you have found helpful in the past and what you wish were available. Your input will guide our work and deepen our collaboration.

If you have additional questions, feel free to schedule an individualized conversation.

Unbridled Prayers App

From Augsburg Fortress

Busy parents and other primary caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the idea of developing a daily prayer practice. Unbridled Prayers can help! This easy-to-install app posts a prayer a day that parents can view. Prayers offer support, understanding, and a touch of humor. Parents can choose from prayers for early childhood, elementary, and preteen to match their kids’ ages.

Go to unbridledprayers.app to download.

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