April 22, 2026

This is a great in-person training opportunity for rostered leaders, church staff and congregation volunteers. Please contact Ray Shjerven (rshjerven@comcast.net) or Stefanie DeZarn (stefanie.dezarn@swwasynod.org) if you have any questions.

Registration for the two Synod Ed Gathering are OPEN!

All Members of the SWWA Synod are welcome!

FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS, COMMITTEES AND MINISTRIES

Applications for ELCA World Hunger’s 2027 Domestic Hunger Grants are open! To learn more about submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), grant partnership eligibility, and our granting priorities, please visit our website and FAQ page. 

Application Timeline 

• Letter of inquiry form open: April 15 – July 1, 2026 
• Letter of inquiry review: July 13 – September 15, 2026 
• Response to the letter of inquiry (decline or accept): October 30, 2026 
• Invited applicants to complete grant application in ELCA GrantMaker: October – December 2026 
• Review and communication between ELCA World Hunger staff and grant applicants on proposal: October – December 2026 
• Award notifications shared with applicants: January 2027 
• 2027 Domestic Hunger Grants start date: March 1, 2027 

Thank you so much for your ongoing support in connecting our synod's anti-hunger ministries with resources to assist them meet the needs of their communities.

With much gratitude for the ministry and mission we share,  

The Synod Hunger Team 

The 2026 Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) is excited to announce a partnership with the ELCA Youth Gathering and California Lutheran University (CLU).

We will be celebrating the strengths of this partnership by coming together June 28th - July 1st, 2026, at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Go to Western States Youth Gathering for more information. 

FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS

Black and Lutheran Site Launches

As individuals involved in Theological education in the ELCA, the Conference of International Black Lutherans - USA (CIBL), the Black Lutheran Teaching Theologians of the Church - have launched https://www.blackandlutheran.com

This site, which shares the history of Black Lutherans in the Church and Society continues the work of the late Dr. Richard Stewart who was on the faculty of United Lutheran Seminary and a long time member of CIBL. CIBL members agreed to continue his work after his transition and are excited to share this work.

A Synod of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Keith Marshall, Bishop

Synod Office Hours

9am - 4pm

Tuesday - Friday

Stay Connected

stefanie.dezarn@swwasynod.org

(253) 999-1190

www.swwasynod.org