ALASKA SYNOD NEWS

Juneau sunset, photo by Laura Anderson
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's May Column
Recently, I heard the Bach cantata O heilges Geist und Wasserbad. The cantata's text is based on John 3:1-15, which was the Gospel lesson at the service where the cantata was first performed. The image that stuck with me and about which I have been doing a lot of thinking was the story of the fiery serpents sent among the people of Israel in the wilderness. Read more from Bishop Eaton here on turning to a healing God.  

From the Bishop
Come to the Table!
Thank you to the people of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and the Southeast Cluster for your fine hospitality during the 2017 Synod Assembly. Read more about the assembly here.
A Trauma-Informed Church
With this edition, Jan Adasiak starts a six-part series here for the synod on a lens for understanding childhood trauma and its aftermath in a person's life. You may have been introduced to Adverse Childhood Experiences in one of the workshops the Governor's office has offered to people around the state with more workshops to come. Recognizing ACEs has a direct connection to developing resiliency.
 
Thanks, Jan, for reflecting Christ's light in your passion for a more compassionate and just world. As we learn about what it means to be a trauma-informed church, we are grateful for your assistance. Additional info below. 
 
 

Rooted at Assembly:
Seeds for Growth
 
From the Director for Evangelical Mission

Synod assembly is good for "seed planting": ideas, relationships and faith can thrive in the fertile soil of the mixing of the more than 100 rostered leaders, lay leaders, guests and visitors who gathered in Juneau April 28-30 for the Alaska Synod Assembly. Synod leaders of the Rooted in Christ: Connected in Community initiative were on hand to share seeds (literally and figuratively) for growth. See what was shared, imagine what might grow, here:

OPPORTUNITIES
Discovery Week 2017.  July 9-15, 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre.
Hosted by:  Encounter World Religions Centre.
Understand the unique beauty & find the common threads between religions.  Gather to explore 11 religions in 1 week through engaging classes, thoughtful discussions & expertly planned site visits.  Details, schedule, & registration here.
Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering.  July 13-16, 2017 - Minneapolis, MN
Lutheran women gather every three years, united in a common mission and purpose. Registration is open for the "All Anew" Women of the ELCA's Tenth Triennial Gathering.
Details & Registration info here.
Lutheran Men in Mission:  BOLD Gathering.  July 21-23 - Minneapolis, MN
A weekend for men to come together to learn, worship, network, & be equipped to BOLDY live out their faith!  Early Bird pricing ends March 31.  Full details and registration here.  Also, the "Master Builders Bible for Men" is at Discount Price when purchasing 10 ore more until April 14.  Order your copies here.
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday.  September 10th.
An opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve & love our neighbor. The suggested date for the 2017 dedicated day of service, "God's Work. Our Hands" is Sunday, Sept. 10. Mark your calendars today! View the video and access resources to guide your congregation's planning, promotion and more.
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants Due June 30!

Apply now for an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant to make an impact on hunger in your community. ELCA congregations and partner agencies are encouraged to apply for grants under four project categories: Advocacy, Development, Organization and Relief. Several Alaska Synod ministries have received these grants for local hunger work. To apply, check out the website here or contact Rev. Lisa Smith Fiegel with questions or ideas.
RECRUITMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities in the Navy Chaplaincy
The Navy Chaplain Corps is looking for dedicated, quality pastors to serve in both Reserve & Active Duty positions to provide for the religious needs of these service members, having a ministry of presence & pastoral care, & working to ensure the free exercise of religion for all who serve our country.  Details, qualifications & contact info here.
Volunteer & Guest Opportunities at Holden Village.  North Cascades, WA
Holden Village is seeking enthusiastic & hardworking individuals to join together in the North Cascades; in work, education, & worship.  Since its founding, Holden has relied on a tradition of volunteer service.  Operations depend on the efforts of more than a thousand volunteers annually, who generously give of their time and talents.  Read more here.
RESOURCES
Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty
Bishop Eaton addresses the executive order here.
Enter the Bible: Dealing with Change
Luther Seminary Professor Cameron Howard discusses Ezra 3 and how it expresses grief over the loss of the old, intermingled with joy at the gaining of something new.  Listen in on Howard's discussion with faculty colleagues Eric Barreto and Kathryn Schifferdecker.
Reformation anniversary website
The new, more user-friendly ELCA500.org is the go-to information hub.  It provides tools for understanding and commemorating the Reformation in worship, learning, ecumenical conversations, personal devotion and more.  Visit site here.
Rick Steves' 'Luther and the Reformation'
This one-hour video is a wonderful resource to better understand our Lutheran roots and help us in our continued journey of understanding the gospel.  Details and video link here.
Congregation Constitution Updating.
The 2016 model constitution for congregations is located at elca.org.  Send your draft to the Alaska Synod office e-mail for our review team to review & return to you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Looking Ahead
2017 
June 28-July 2: Western States Youth Gathering- California Lutheran University- Thousand Oaks, CA
July 9-15:  Discovery Week 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre, Canada
July 13-16:  Tenth Triennial Women of the ELCA Gathering, All Anew - Minneapolis, MN
July 21-23:  Lutheran Men in Mission:  BOLD Gathering- Minneapolis, MN
August 7-10:  Rostered Ministers Gathering, On The Way- Together! - Atlanta, GA
September 10:  God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday. - ELCA Churchwide
2018 
February 16-17: Discipleship Workshops at Rooted 2018 Cohort Launch and Congregational Council workshops (concurrent events)
 
Lifetree Cafe. Tuesdays, 7pm, St. Mark Lutheran Church - Anchorage
Join upcoming discussions: * What's Right With You? * Mormons * Curing Healthcare *
Chair Yoga - Get Fit Where You Sit.   Tuesdays, 11am & Thursdays, 10am.
St. Mark Lutheran Church - 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage - Ph:  (907) 276-6231
Join with others as yoga instructor Cat Kabira helps participants reconnect with their bodies every day through carefully designed yoga sessions.  Details here.
Domestic Violence Help
Click Here for contact information on crisis teams across Alaska and to find programs in your area that can help.
Click Here for resources from the ELCA website for helping nurture families dealing with Domestic Violence.
Suicide Prevention
Click Here for information and resources from the Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry.
 
Alaska Synod, ELCA | 907-272-8899
1847 W Northern Lights Blvd. #2
Anchorage, AK 99517