October 1, 2025

We give thanks to God as Bishop Curry begins serving as our Presiding Bishop.

May we hold him and his family in our prayers as he embarks on this challenging and holy journey!

From the ELCA Facebook post:

Today we joyfully welcome the Rev. Yehiel Curry as he begins his six-year term as presiding bishop of the ELCA.

Rooted in God’s grace, Bishop Curry brings to his calling a spirit of hope, humility and bold faith. We pray for his ministry as he walks with this church into a new season.

Let us hold Bishop Curry in prayer, and follow along on his journey!

Follow his official Facebook page here: Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry

Follow his official Instagram page here: instagram.com/ELCABishopCurry

Learn about his installation on Saturday, October 4: ELCA.org/Installation

For those who can't attend, but would like to be part of this wonderful celebration:

For what's going on and to connect with others serving with the 1st Third of Life in our Synod please join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19pC4fRk7g/ If you don't have a Facebook page, please email Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org to be added to our email list. 

Mark your calendars/save the date: SWWA Synod Youth Retreat for Students grades 6-12th Feb. 20-22nd at Camp Arnold in Eatonville. Cost and registration materials will be available later this fall. 

Continuing Education Opportunity: ELCA youth ministry network Extravaganza Jan 30-Feb. 2 in St. Louis, MO. Click here for more info:  Extravaganza 2026

Footsteps of Paul and the Greek Islands

April 12-22, 2026



Join Pastor Kent Shane and Poulsbo First Lutheran Church walking lands and cruising waters where St. Paul travelled sharing the gospel of Christ. We will visit towns and ruins in Philippi, Corinth, and Ephesus; places where Paul preached and later sent letters. We’ll hear those letters in scripture speak faithfully as we come to understand better the culture and context of Paul and his beloved people. We’ll visit the Island of Patmos where St. John wrote Revelation, and other islands where early church converts built places of worship. We’ll visit Meteora and the monasteries in the clouds. And, we’ll spend time in Athens on the Acropolis with the Parthenon and Mars Hill where Paul famously preached in Acts 17. We’ll have time in the city to explore, sample cuisine, and enjoy the culture. We’ll return home renewed with the stories of learning and faith.

https://www.eliastours.com/tours/journeys-of-paul-the-greek-islands-with-rev-kent-shane-poulsbo-first-lutheran-church

FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS

FROM CHURCHWIDE

Prayers arise for ELCA Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, as he will be installed on October 4th at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Learn more about Presiding Bishop-elect Curry in an interview with Living Lutheran.

Federal Grants Updates

Is your congregation is planning on submitting applications for any federal grants?

The ELCA has a very helpful resource document to help guide congregations through the process. Feel free to access the document below.

Learning Opportunity!!

Messy Church is church, but not as you know it. Messy Church is most often used in intergenerational settings with families with children, but it is not purely children’s ministry. For adults burned out on traditional church, for families craving connection, and for anyone seeking authenticity, Messy Church offers a welcoming, relaxed space to explore faith. Visit https://messychurchusa.org/ to explore Messy Church trainings, Messy Church curriculum, find a local Messy Church in your area, and see videos about Messy Church.

ALL DAY TRAINING – Full Day Messy Church: Get Started Training - November 1, 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 9401 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago from 9:00am-3:30pm (registration required). You are invited to bring a team of up to 5 members to this Get Started all-day Messy Church training. Each team will learn vital tools and best practices to begin their local Messy Church. They will discover how the five foundational values and four components are used as building blocks to contextualize their own Messy Church. Lunch is included in registration cost. They will participate in a ‘Mini-Messy Church’ that pulls both the theoretical and practical together. Register here: https://messychurchusa.org/getting-started-november-1-2025/

Cost - Metropolitan Chicago ELCA churches: $50.00 per team

Contact cpowell@mcselca.org, for coupon code prior to registering

All Other Churches: Individual: $100.00; Team: $150.00

This training is provided with collaboration support from the ELCA Christian Community and Leadership New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod for ELCA Evangelism Initiatives. For more information, please reach out to Carla Thompson Powell - cpowell@mcselca.org / (cell) 847-773-7161

FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) Discernment Weekend

Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer travel assistance for those who need it. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.

Youth Musicians Invited to Lutheran Summer Music 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 

The Wild Hope Center for Vocation

Fall 2025 Schedule of Events

On the Vocation of Hiking with Dag Hammarskjöld

Thursday, October 23, at 4 PM (Pacific) on Zoom

Professor Don Johnson offers illuminating insights on the spiritual calling to hike as embodied in the life of Dag Hammarskjöld, Swedish diplomat, Lutheran layperson, and General Secretary of the United Nations. Register here: https://www.plu.edu/alumni-student-connections/vocationalvistas/

The Calling to Travel

Thursday, November 6, at 4 PM (Pacific) on Zoom

The beauty of Namibia serves as the context in which PLU professor of sociology, Dr. Kate Luther, discusses the value and calling to travel. Register here: https://www.plu.edu/alumni-student-connections/vocationalvistas/

Preparing for Matthew

Thursday, November 6, at 10 AM (Pacific) on Zoom

Join Dr Agnes Choi, PLU New Testament scholar, for an engaging overview of the Gospel of Matthew prior to the beginning of Year A in the lectionary cycle.

Register here: https://www.plu.edu/alumni-student-connections/vocationalvistas/

Promoting Diversity in a Challenging Time

Tuesday, December 2, at 4 PM (Pacific) on Zoom

In a time when universities are targeted for welcoming diversity, Dr Angie Hambrick, PLU Associate VP for Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability, discusses the challenges of supporting an open door for students from diverse backgrounds. Register here: https://www.plu.edu/alumni-student-connections/vocationalvistas   

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) 535-8300

www.swwasynod.org