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Synod Events this Week
Mon, June 15, 1pm - Synod Staff Meeting (Rostered Leaders)
Mon, June 15, 4pm - Personnel Committee Meeting
Mon, June 15, 4:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
Mon, June 15 - Seattle Pride March Registration Deadline - see below
Tues, June 16, 10am-12pm - Full Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, June 16, 2pm - First Call Meet Up - on Zoom
Wed, June 17 - Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine
In 2019, voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a day to commemorate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson — who were shot to death on June 17, 2015, by a 21-year-old, self-avowed white supremacist during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, S.C. Every June 17, the ELCA invites us to repent of racism and white supremacy, build authentic connections with the AME Church community and support the construction of the Emanuel Nine memorial (www.emanuelnine.org). Read this blog post for more information and resources.
Thursday - June 18 - Synod Office Closed - Juneteenth Observance
Thurs, June 18, 2pm - Conference Deans Meeting - on Zoom
Fri, June 19 - Juneteenth
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing the federal holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day. “Juneteenth” refers to the June 19, 1865, announcement that slavery had been abolished in Texas, one of the last Confederate holdouts, and commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves throughout the Confederate South. On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the Confederate states. Two and a half years later, and two months after the end of the Civil War, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to find that news of the proclamation had not yet reached the town and that people of African descent were still enslaved in Texas. Union Gen. Gordon Granger then formally announced emancipation from the balcony of the former Confederate Army headquarters. Amid many uncertainties, the annual commemoration of Juneteenth galvanized formerly enslaved African Americans in Texas and across the United States. Juneteenth celebrations include parades, storytelling, educational programs and family gatherings.
Sat, June 20, 10am-4pm - Good Intentions to Meaningful Action Event - see below
Sat, June 20, 10am-12noon - Open House at Columbia City Church of Hope - see below
Sat, June 20, 4:30pm - Pride Worship at Central Lutheran Church in Seattle
Sun, June 21, 3pm - Rev. Ollie Bergh Installation at Our Savior's, Everett - see below
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SUMMER Weekly Update Schedule:
Weekly Updates will go out every other week in July/August.
Items for inclusion are due the prior Thursday at noon:
Editions will be emailed on these days:
June 22, June 29
July 6, July 20
August 4 (Tuesday)
August 17
August 31 - and weekly thereafter
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NEXT BIG SYNOD EVENT is SATURDAY:
Good Intentions to Meaningful Action
Sat, June 20, 10am-4pm
at the Southside Commons in Seattle
(3518 S Edmunds St, Seattle)
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The NWWA Synod and Organizing for Mission Network are partnering on a one-day training helping leaders move from good intentions to meaningful actions.
Our gathering will include:
- Practical skills for moving toward collective action
- Theological Grounding and Spiritual Practices
- A visit to Church of Hope in Columbia City
- Registration is covered by the Northwest Washington Synod. An option to pay $20 will offset lunch cost.
We hope you can join us!
This is part of the synod's ongoing work towards racial equity, anti-racism, queer liberation, authentic diversity and belonging.
Register here: https://ofmn.betterworld.org/events/northwest-washington-synod-1-day
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Congregations with Schools, Preschools, Learning Centers and Childcare Centers
In concert with the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA), we are planning a half-day gathering for congregation and school leaders across the synod — a time for networking, peer learning, and connection. Either later this summer - or in the early fall. We hope to have as many of our schools/congregations represented as possible.
Your school does NOT have to be a member of ELEA - or even ELCA affiliated - for this event.
Please complete this questionnaire by June 22.
Your input will shape when, where, and how we gather.
Learn more about the ELEA here.
https://elcaschools.org/
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The NW Washington Synod has PRIDE!
We are proud to be a Reconciling in Christ synod and there are many opportunities for you and your church to join in and celebrate during the 2026 Pride Season.
Seattle PRIDE Parade
We will be marching in the Seattle PRIDE parade again on Sunday, June 28. We are limited to 200 persons.
Final day to register is TODAY, June 15 - register / update your congregation’s walkers by EMAILING our registrar JILL. We will need to send her: 1) name of your congregation, 2) your main contact/leader, 3) their email and cell phone, AND 4) the number of committed walkers.
Additional PRIDE Events Around the Synod
There are many different PRIDE events happening throughout this summer across our Synod. As in previous years, our hope is to show up to as many events as possible! We are adding Lutheran Point People for these events on our synod website as we are informed of them.
Be sure to check out the book tour and worship service planned for Saturday, June 20 at Central Lutheran Church in Seattle! (Thank you to University Lutheran, Luther Memorial and Central Lutheran for leading the worship service)
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Happy Pride Month!
Resources available at ReconcilingWorks:
https://www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/pride/
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PSST! We have some cool, colorful PRIDE bandanas available - $5 each.
Contact Susan in the synod office - susan@lutheransnw.org
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Monthly Synod Financial Report
Synod Treasurer, Dan Clements, crafts a narrative to go along with our monthly financial reports. Find the financial report for the month of MAY 2026, along with previous reports and synod council minutes - here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/minutes-financials
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UPCOMING EVENTS
to share with your communities
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Faith Leader 250 Roundtable
Wednesday, June 17 at Seattle University from 10am – Noon
(including an extra 30 minutes before and after for schmoozing and connecting)
Parking and other logistics will be shared closer to the date.
Light refreshments and drinks will be provided from Off the Rez.
Please register here.
The Jewish Community Relations Council, CEIE at Seattle U, and Paths to Understanding are hosting this gathering of Puget Sound clergy and faith leaders for a morning of connection, learning, sharing, and interfaith solidarity, as we mark America’s 250th with both its blessings and challenges. Please see the original invitation below for more details.
This event is open to clergy and faith leaders in the Puget Sound area, until capacity is reached, so please invite any colleagues who may be interested. Reach out to Rabbi Jason Levine with questions.
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Church of Hope Open House
Saturday, June 20, 10am-noon
(3818 S Angeline in Seattle's Columbia City Neighborhood)
Parking is available in a small lot behind the church. There is also nearby street parking, as well as a paid lot at 39th & Ferdinand St and free parking at the PCC (3610 S Edmunds).
For the first time in a generation (since the 1990s!), the NW WA Synod is celebrating the building of a brand new church! Columbia City Church of Hope began as a Mission Development in 2010 and chartered as a congregation in 2017. The neighborhood—and the church—have been growing quickly over the past decade, and will continue to draw vibrant and diverse community to this bright and welcoming space.
Building on the legacy of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Church of Hope is partnering with El Centro de la Raza on an award-winning six-story development that includes 87 units of affordable family housing, a child-care center, and a new church. The housing is already finished and fully occupied.
Church of Hope will build out the interior of the new space this year: a small and simple but well-designed and versatile space that will function not only as a sanctuary, but as a living room for the community—welcoming 12-step groups, community gatherings, live music, and more. 90% of the costs of the project have already been met, and we need to raise $250,000 to finish the job.
Would you like to learn more and support this effort?
- Join us for Church of Hope’s Open House Sat, June 20, 10am-noon, 3818 S Angeline
- Buy a brick or a ceiling panel: check out our donation menu at the open house! You can make a secure donation online now!
- Explore a partnering relationship between Columbia City Church of Hope and your congregation
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Installation of Rev. Ollie Bergh
Our Savior's Lutheran in Everett
Sunday June 21, 3pm
Rev. Ollie Bergh has accepted the call to serve as the second pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Everett. Pr. Ollie began June 1. His installation service will be held on June 21 at 3pm with a cookout to follow. Please come celebrate with us!
Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
Our Savior's Lutheran Church is located at 215 Mukilteo Blvd, Everett
God bless this new ministry partnership!
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ELCA Evangelism Network Gatherings
YOU are invited to participate in these upcoming online gatherings – for inspiration, encouragement, time for connecting and prayer - Join us at this Zoom link each 4th Monday of the month at 12noon.
June 22 – Sharing Jesus’ Good News in Mult-Ethnic Contexts with Mult-Ethnic Leadership - coordinated by Rev. Dr. Moses Barrios, Program Manager for Multiethnic and Intersectional Ministries and Senior Pastor of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church Honolulu, Hawai’i and Rev. Dr. Surekha Nelavala, Pastor, Multicultural Mission and Ministries, DE-MD Synod, ELCA. Adjunct Faculty, PLTS.
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Rostered Retirees Lunch
Please join us for the upcoming Retiree Luncheon.
Tuesday, June 23, 11:30am – 1:30pm
at Advent Lutheran Church in Mill Creek
(4306 132nd St SE, Mill Creek)
All retirees, their partners, widows/widowers are welcome to attend!
RSVPs were due by 6/10 - if you did not yet register, email Susan@lutheransnw.org asap - we can make space at the table!
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Tending the Inner Garden: How Faith, Awareness and Practice Create Real Change
June 24, 10am on Zoom
Hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith -
with author Karen Rubinstein
Join us for this one-hour free webinar as Karen Rubinstein joins us to explore how lasting change happens in recovery, not just sobriety, but deeper emotional and spiritual growth. Learn why our reactions often stem from old fears, not the present moment, how emotional patterns shape our decisions, relationships, and recovery, and how truth, faith and practice help create lasting change.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yKHRqJj_Qxy-XGsF8k2MIg?mc_cid=a43522cb3f&mc_eid=UNIQID#/registration
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NEW to the Synod Dinner
A dinner to welcome those rostered ministers who are new and new-ish to the synod!
Join us for conversation and dinner on Wednesday, June 24 at 5:00pm in Edmonds
All rostered ministers and SALMs (and their partners & families) are encouraged to attend!
Please RSVP to Susan@lutheransnw.org with your name, how many will attend, and any dietary restrictions by June 17!
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Installation of Rev. Nat Johnson
Church of the Apostles, Seattle
Sunday June 28, 4:30pm
Church of the Apostles/Seattle has selected Rev. Nat Johnson (Episcopal) to serve as their next pastor. They began serving at COTA on March 25. Join us as at the installation & celebration! God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Summer Evening Worship
Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Bellevue has planned something new to try this summer. YOU are invited to join them:
On Sundays July 5, August 2, and September 6, the worship service will be at 5:00pm, instead of at 10:00am.
We are offering this during a season when many are away on Sunday mornings and might welcome an evening opportunity for worship. Because of the long summer daylight hours in this part of the world, this will still be a safe driving time to and from church for you. If this is a time that might work for your summer schedule, we invite you to attend. The order of worship will remain the same, with hymns, liturgy, sermon, and Holy Communion.
Saint Andrew's is located at 2650 148th Ave SE in Bellevue
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Camping Outing with Grace Chinese of South King County
Schafer State Park - July 24-26
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Want an item included?
Email Susan Berg, Dir. Communications & Events
All items due the prior Thursday by 12:00 noon
Office Hours - Mon-Thurs, 10am - 4pm
Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292
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