July 30, 2025

As this is the last eNewsletter edition with Bishop Rick Jaech as our Synod Bishop, let us offer a prayer of Thanksgiving for his ministry as he concludes his call.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, through your Son Jesus Christ you gave the holy apostles many gifts and commanded them to feed your flock. You equip your people with abilities that differ according to the grace given to them, and you call them to various avenues of service. We give you thanks for the ministry of Richard Jaech among the people of God in the Southwestern Washington Synod.

You watch over our going out and our coming in: bless this time of ending and beginning. You surround your people in every time and place: keep us close in your love. You accompany your people in times of joy and times of trial: prosper all that has been done to your glory in this time together; heal and forgive all that has fallen short of your will for us. Help Rick, Satya, Nick and all of us to live with courage and gladness in the future you give to us.

As they have been a blessing to us, so now send them forth to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

(ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly)

Changes are coming!

As of August 1st, the Synod Staff will be reached under new email addresses. Please make sure to change it in your contacts accordingly! The existing PLU email addresses will remain active for only a short while longer and then get deactivated/deleted.

Please use the following email addresses:

incoming Bishop - Rev. Keith Marshall

keith.marshall@swwasynod.org

outgoing Bishop - Rev. Rick Jaech

email will no longer be monitored as of August 1st

outgoing Bishop's Associate - Rev. Rebecca Shjerven

continue using shjervrl@plu.edu until August 15th, then email will no longer be monitored

incoming Bishop's Associate - Rev. Michelle de Beauchamp

as of September 1: michelle.debeauchamp@swwasynod.org

Note: Between August 16 and September 1 please send your inquiries for the Bishop's Associate to stefanie.dezarn@swwasynod.org, until Rev. Michelle de Beauchamp takes office. Thank you.

DEM - Joey Ager

joey.ager@swwasynod.org

Associate DEM - Rev. Melissa Anderson Trust

melissa.andersontrust@swwasynod.org

Synod Administrator - Stefanie DeZarn

stefanie.dezarn@swwasynod.org

Please note that swwsynod@plu.edu will also no longer be monitored after 30 days and all general inquiries/emails should be sent to the Synod Administrator.

Sacred Soil Garden Prayer

Join some of the Synod Staff at Shepherd’s Field August 9^th for sacred prayer encounters!

El Redil Apostolic Assembly and the gardeners of Shepherd’s Field are holding a joint yard sale and plant sale on the property of the former Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sumner.

El Redil Apostolic Assembly has been worshipping at Christ the King for over 20 years and Shepherd’s Field is a ministry of the Synod and a vibrant community garden located on the property of the former Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sumner.

The Synod will have a booth with various ways of engaging with creation and prayer. We’ll also be offering prayer walks through Shepherd’s Field Community Garden.

When: August 9^th

Time: 10:00 am – 3:00pm

Where: Christ the King Lutheran Church

245 Valley Avenue

Sumner, WA 98390

Questions: Please contact Pastor Melissa Anderson Trust, Associate DEM at melissa.andersontrust@swwasynod.org

FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS

FROM CHURCHWIDE

2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

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From Living Lutheran's Facebook post:

We are pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Yehiel Curry as presiding bishop of the ELCA! Bishop-elect Curry was elected on the fifth ballot with 70.34% of the vote.



Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain Bishop-elect Curry, that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people. Grant that together we may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS

A Synod of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop

Synod Office Hours

9am - 4pm

Tuesday - Friday

Stay Connected

email swwsynod@plu.edu

phone (253) 535-8300

website www.swwasynod.org