June 13, 2022
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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Synod Staff Position Opening!
Synod Administrator
We are seeking a detail-oriented, joyful, team player!
Do you know someone who might be interested in working on our team? Please invite them to apply!
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Living Stones Prison Ministry Seeks Board Members
We seek individuals interested in serving on the Living Stones Board.
In practical terms, it means committing to:
- Spreading the word about Living Stones within your own congregation and beyond.
- Lifting the ministry of Living Stones in prayer.
- Worshiping with the incarcerated community (in Shelton and/or Monroe) at least once a year.
- Attending Board meetings (currently monthly via Zoom, though pre-pandemic we met
- quarterly).
- Helping guide and grow this vital ministry of the ELCA here in Western Washington.
Living Stones exists because of the hard work and dedication of its leaders, volunteers, and
supporters. Despite the hurdles of the pandemic, we: are fiscally stronger than ever; have expanded our statewide presence (now involved both in Shelton and Monroe); and have embarked on partnerships with groups like the PCUSA’s Underground Ministries - a reentry-focused ministry that complements our focus on incarcerated individuals.
It’s an exciting time for Living Stones with a bright future ahead - but we need additions to our
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Mini-Classes/Presentations
With Rev. Dave Ellingson (schedule now for the fall/winter)
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Adventures of Faith: Transformative Biblical Journeys (3 sessions)
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Go Outside & Play: The Great Commission in the Outdoor Cathedral/Classroom (3 sessions)
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Paddle Pilgrim Individual Presentations: Mississippi River 2300 miles, Erie Canal and Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty, Fjords of Norway, Mississippi “headwaters” in a Time of Climate Change (NEW)
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Creation Care: Called to Tend the Garden
- Say What? A Fresh Look at Old Sayings
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Glimpses of Refirement: Revisiting Pentecost (NEW)
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Free Items from Nativity Lutheran Church
Nativity Lutheran Church (Renton) is moving out of their current space while a new facility is being built and they have a number of items they will not be storing that they offer to other congregations in the area.
If you are interested in any of these items, please contact the church office (NativityLCoffice@gmail.com or 425-228-5464) for more information.
Items to be picked up by July 15:
- Baptismal Font, Altar, Pulpit
- Assorted Communion Ware: Chalices, Platters
- Chairs: 2 wooden and 106 interlocking chairs, some with arms
- Upright Piano
- 100 cup coffee maker
- Spotlight [multi-color] and 2 overhead projectors
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Building a Culture of Generosity
Video Introduction Coming Soon!
Are you conducting a stewardship appeal this Fall?
If so, our synod is partnering with ELCA Churchwide to bring you Building a Culture of Generosity (BCG) from GSB Fundraising. This program seeks to help congregations grow revenue by 5-10% and also teaches biblical stewardship principles, helps members discover generosity, and begins to build the foundation for a generous culture. This program is provided in a combination of a document library, video library, and live Zoom sessions. The program is led by Mike Ward, author of Abundance: Creating a Culture of Generosity, 2020 Fortress Press.
Here is what one recent BCG participant shared:
"We are pleased to say we received 39 new and increased pledges, out of 75 giving units
for a total increase of $14,535. I have a new way of looking at our congregation and how generous we are, thanks to your program. It’s more enjoyable to speak with positive affirmations rather than with (our church is dying) wails. You laid out this wonderful plan and had regular zoom meetings to learn more and hear from everyone. Your book, meetings, and documents helped me understand all the moving parts in implementing The Culture of Generosity message."
If you would like to learn more about Building a Culture of Generosity, email Dianne Johnson dem@lutheransnw.org at the Synod Office - AND stay tuned for the link to watch this overview soon! |
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Synod Events this week:
Mon, June 13, 4pm - Synod Finance Committee Meeting - Zoom
Tues, June 14, 9am-3pm - Staff Retreat Day
Thurs, June 16 - LiVE Planning Team Retreat
Thurs, June 16, 2pm - Cluster Deans' Meeting - Zoom
Sat, June 18, 10am - Pam Karas Ordination
Sat, June 18, 12noon-2pm - Chinese Pastors' Gathering
Sat, June 18, 2pm - Paul Benz Ordination
Sun, June 19, 10:30am - Pam Karas Installation
Sun, June 19, 2pm - Pr. Rhonda Bostrom Installation
Mon, June 20 - Juneteenth Holiday - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED
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Lutheran Community Services / Refugees Northwest Foster Parent Information Session
Tuesday, June 14, from 5:30pm-7pm
You can support refugee and immigrant teenagers here in King County by becoming a licensed foster parent. Currently, there is an urgent need for foster homes for youth who have fled Afghanistan, and an ongoing need for foster homes for youth from Guatemala and Honduras. All are in the U.S. alone and in need of long-term foster families to welcome them.
At this orientation, our staff will share an overview of the youth we serve, the supports we offer foster fami-lies, and the basics of the licensing process. There will be time for your questions, too.
Can’t make it to this event? Email Refugees Northwest Foster Care at fostercare@refugeesnw.org to sign up for a future info session! Foster parents needed for refugee & immigrant teens.
Registration is required. To register for this event, visit:
Registration deadline is TODAY, Monday, June 13th!
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ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions
Wednesdays at 11am (Pacific)
ELCA Coaching will continue with the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP. We have invited various ministries to host these gatherings each week. There will usually be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step.
Join Zoom Meetings here:
Meeting ID: 180 439 412 / Passcode: 648160
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Upcoming Installation & Ordination Services:
Pam Karas Ordination
Saturday, June 18, 10am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Everett
Pam has been called to serve as pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Everett. Rostered ministers are invited to vest - the color of the day is red. God bless this new ministry partnership!
Pam will be installed at Faith on Sunday, June 19 at 10:30am.
Paul Benz Ordination
Saturday, June 18, 2pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seattle
Paul has been called to serve as the Street Minister of Operation Nightwatch. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Paul is the son of Pr. Paul Benz - formerly of Faith Action Network!)
Pastor Pr. Rhonda Bostrom Installation
Sunday, June 19 at 2pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran on Mercer Island
We give thanks to God as Pr. Bostrom is installed as the new pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
Sara Funkhouser Ordination & Installation
Saturday, June 25, 3pm at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Seattle
Sara has been called to serve as pastor at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Seattle.
God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Sing Freedom, Sing Healing:
Building Embodied Anti-Racist Culture Through Song
Monday, June 20, 1pm-5pm
at Emmaus Table at 7400 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle
Join us as Juneteenth and the Summer Solstice converge for an afternoon of singing, listening, and recommitment to the work of building anti-racist culture. Facilitated by Paul Vasile from Music that Makes Community in collaboration with local song leaders and healers, we'll:
- explore embodied practices that anchor our bodies and support the mending of radicalized trauma
- share songs that help us hold intentions for healing and right relationships with BIPOC and Indigenous kin
- recommit to reparative work we're called to do individually and communally
Registration for the half-day workshop is on a sliding scale, from $50 to $80. We invite you to pay what is generous and affordable with gratitude for the time and skill of our facilitators. No one will be turned away.
Sponsored by 7400 Woodlawn & Music that Makes Community.
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Engaging Older Adults in Ministry
Thursday, June 23 at 9am (Pacific)
A roundtable of ministry leaders share their expertise on engaging older adults in ministry and explore the potential that older adults bring to the congregation as life long learners. Sue Lennartson leads the discussion. Joining her will be Pastor Rollie Martinson, Pastor Chris Binga and Pastor Kelly Chatman. Read more.
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Pacific Northwest Association of Church Libraries
June 24-25 in Federal Way
This organization was founded in 1967, and represents church librarians from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who strive to support their congregations by providing literature and theological texts, both current and foundational for utilization by all members, young and old.
Keeping current and relevant is our constant aim; reimagining as needed, plus advocating for further establishment of libraries in churches without them. Their annual conference helps to do this!
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Seattle Pride Parade
Sunday, June 26
The NW WA Synod is registered to march with participants from more than THIRTY of our congregations!
NOTE: Our participant list is FULL. If you or your congregation have not yet registered, you are still most welcome to come to the parade as a spectator!
We are looking forward to seeing all of the congregations who have registered to march with the synod!
Congregation POINT PEOPLE - an important email was sent to you following Sunday's Zoom Meeting - please read and reply to it ASAP!
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Save the Date for
God’s work. Our Hands. Sunday!
Sunday, September 11
Congregations of the ELCA will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our annual day of service. We are a church energized by lively engagement in faith and life. As we continue our tradition of service to our neighbor, we remember the words of Martin Luther: “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.” With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in the name of Jesus Christ. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has everything you need to plan and promote your day:
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 19.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
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Sacred Spaces:
Opening the Holy Invitation Even Wider
September 24, 9:30am-2:30pm
at St. Andrews Lutheran Church (2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue)
Sponsor: NW Washington Synod
Join Facilitators and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of stories, experiences, and workshops to explore together how we can open God’s holy invitation even wider.
There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, creating art, at the pub, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness?
Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards. How can we create more inclusive gatherings for people to encounter God? How can we experiment with the gifts we have to meet the needs of those seeking the spirit in our own neighborhoods? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination?
Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!
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Want an item included?
All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday
Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292
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