July 5, 2021
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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The Synod Office will be closed today Monday, July 5
We will be taking Monday, July 5 off as we celebrate Independence Day.
We give thanks to God for the gift of freedom many enjoy in our nation. We pray that we will use that freedom thoughtfully and responsibly, working for justice and equity to liberate our neighbors - here and around the world - who are oppressed or excluded.
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Congratulations to the five Open Doors Grant recipients in our synod!
Open Doors is an initiative to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people as we transition into a time of re-gathering in physical spaces.135 Open Doors Grant awards have been made to congregations across all nine regions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Each grant was for the same amount, $1,500. Awards were made to a total of 13% of all eligible applications. You can read about some of the ideas here: https://elca.padlet.org/ELCA/OpenDoors
Congratulations to these synod congregations who received grants: Hope/Lynden; Immanuel/Seattle, Salt House/Kirkland, Family & Friends Gathering/Everett, Prince of Peace/Seatac.
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The Spirit
The Spirit includes articles by our bishop and synod vice president. It is a publication of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA. It is intended for synod members, congregations & organizations.
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Congregations Lead Initiative
The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations!
Beginning THIS WEEK on July 8, your congregation is invited to apply to join the Congregations Lead Initiative. Learn more at ELCA.org/CongregationsLead.
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Join LIRS in Calling for Protection for Afghan Allies
Soon President Biden will be deciding if/when we will be evacuating the Afghan Allies of our US military (and their families) out of Afghanistan before the withdrawal in Sept – or leave them to face certain death. These allies and their families soon became the targets of anti-American violence. They continue to be threatened, abducted, targeted, and killed for their allegiance to the U.S. and NATO mission. On this page – www.lirs.org/emergency-evacuation-afghan-allies-action-alert is a summary of the issue. There is a clear advocacy action included. The downloadable toolkit at the bottom of the page is an excellent source of information with talking points, a story, prayers and a longer explanation of ways to get involved. |
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Synod Events/Meetings this Week:
Team members, check your inbox for info & zoom links.
Office Closed Today
Monday, July 5
Transition Ministers Meeting
Tuesday, July 6, 1pm
Convocation Planning Team
Wednesday, July 7, 4pm
NO STAD meeting this month!
Executive Committee Meeting
Thursday, July 8, 4pm
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What is the Child Tax Credit?
Wednesday, July 7, 1 pm
The ELCA is holding a webinar with several partners to equip faith leaders and service providers with background and info to sign people up for the newly expanded Child Tax Credit (checks start going out on July 15). Register for this national webinar to learn about the Child Tax Credit’s historic expansion, find out how families receive their monthly payments and hear from experts on the need to make the expansion permanent. Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish.
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ELCA Coaching – Courageous Leadership Series
Wed. July 21, Wed. August 4, Wed. Aug. 18 at 11am (PST)
You are invited to join ELCA Coaching to learn some possibly surprising, and some definitely humorous, things about Courageous Leadership. We have a special guest confirmed for two of these dates, and we are inviting you to bring a spirit of curiosity and childlike play to discerning how and where Spirit might be calling you forward as a leader in your life, work, ministry, community, and the world. There will also 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.
Learn more and get the zoom link here:
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Options from California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB)
FAB is hosting a virtual Mid-Summer Lecture Series
Join us for lectures on the history of Wilshire Boulevard, The Big Lebowski and the legacy of the 1960s, an update on the Mars Rover mission, and more! Most lectures are $8 each, but a couple are free! These are open to all ages – we hope you will join us! Registration is now open.
FAB’s 4-week Summer II Session begins on July 26th, and registration is now open! Courses will explore subjects such as the stories of those who “named names” during the infamous Hollywood Blacklist period, exhibitions that made art history, the great orchestral and choral conductors of the past and present from around the world, and more! Join us on Zoom for these stimulating courses. Individuals 50+ are welcome, please share with your friends and family! Courses are $25 each or bundle all 6 for $100.
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Virtual Summer Music Clinic
July 28-29
Join clinicians Anton Armstrong and John Ferguson as they present new seasonal music, host a hymn festival, lead workshops and more!
This two-day virtual event will include two handbell reading sessions, a keyboard repertoire session, sessions on new choir music and vocal solos, a workshop on using All Creation Sings to restart your music program, a hymn festival, and an introduction to new liturgical song in All Creation Sings.
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Sip & Paint
Saturday, July 31, 4pm-6pm at Luther’s Table
Admission to the party includes, two glasses of wine, snack box of cheesy goodness, and a watercolor kit with enough product to take home and create more! Tomato Tomato Creative owner, Kelly Affleck, will walk us through botanical watercolor designs. Limited seating so grab tickets for you and your friends now!
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Advocacy Summer School
In a fresh format, five skill-building and issue-informing virtual sessions are planned on Wednesdays beginning at 11am Pacific. Pick 1 or take all 5!
Each is presented in 30 minutes, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A time.
August 11 – What is faith-based advocacy?
August 18 – How do I approach policy makers?
August 25 – How do I use media for impact?
September 1 – Let’s talk: About the Holy Land
September 8 – Let’s talk: About immigration
Registration details will be coming soon!
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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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