August 23, 2021
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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The LiVE Project is about to launch!
+ INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS begin this week!
These meetings will introduce you to the LiVE Project, the learning opportunities for 2021-2022, some of our teaching facilitators, as well as details for what involvement for you individually or congregationally might mean. Join us at one of these meetings:
Zoom Option: please register in advance via links
Tuesday, August 24, 6:30-7:30pm at Advent Lutheran in Mill Creek
Monday, August 30, 6:30-7:30pm at Faith Lutheran in Bellingham
+ COURSE CATALOG
Find the 2021-2022 course catalog and tuition costs HERE
+ PROMO VIDEOS
Videos that you can pass along to your leadership!
Check out this video about our Culture Course "Interrogating Privilege"
+ READY TO REGISTER?
You may register to be part of the full year-long cohort experience - either as an individual, or as a group from your congregation. Being part of the cohort gives you access to each of the three course offerings during 2021-2022 (8-week Bible Course in Fall / 8- week Culture Course in Spring / and the Community Course's 4 half-day retreats)
1. Register as an Individual for the COHORT
For those individuals seeking to be part of the year-long cohort ($350/person) - Register HERE
(You may add a second attendee on this form as well.)
2. Register as a Congregational Group for the COHORT
For those congregations seeking to register 3 or more members ($1000 total) to be part of the year-long cohort (you are also able to add additional participants for individual courses / retreats along the way) - Register HERE
3. Unable to sign up for the full cohort experience?
For those individuals who are unable to commit to the full year-long cohort experience and/or wish to register for individual course offerings - Please complete THIS FORM
(You will also be able to sign up throughout the year for individual courses and retreats as their dates approach. Look for more announcements as those event dates approach!)
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God's Work Our Hands Sunday Opportunity!
The NWWA Synod Hunger Team has created a Noisy Offering initiative for Sunday, September 5 and/or Sunday, September 12 (“God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday).
YOU are invited to help the NWWA Synod Hunger Team gather funds to sponsor future grants, which will be distributed to local ELCA faith communities in support of their work to creatively address hunger and food insecurity.
They have created THIS PACKET which includes liturgy and hymn suggestions, details about the contest, promotion video & materials, and more! (The promo video is really fun, too - check it out here!)
Learn more about Hunger Ministries on our website HERE.
Join the NWWA Synod Hunger Facebook group HERE.
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Announcing: Health & Wellness Coaching
for Ministry Leaders
NWWA Synod Wellness Grant with Living Well
The NWWA Synod supports the health and wellness of ministry leaders. Lay and rostered leaders in the synod have reported exhaustion, physical decline, depletion of resources, less joy, inability to filter non-constructive feedback, lack of confidence, and dwindling creativity. Due to these reports, the Synod has partnered with Living Well, a holistic wellness coaching organization.
The NWWA Synod is offering grant monies to individuals to offset the cost of weekly 1:1 and group cohort health and wellness coaching. Individuals will be selected to participate in a three-month cohort group. A brief application form is required along with a moderate financial investment to ensure personal investment and commitment, with the Synod Wellness Grant offsetting a majority of the cost.* Applications for this health cohort are due by September 1st. Click HERE to access the form.
Additionally, Monthly Ministry Leadership Wellness Webinars will be offered for all synod rostered and lay leaders on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 1:00pm. Webinar dates are Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28, Jan. 25, and Feb. 22. The interactive webinars will be designed to implement specific holistic wellness strategies within the ministry setting as a way to assist with stress management, maximize engagement, self-care, and self-compassion. Find more info and Zoom link here on our website.
Click HERE for more detailed information about the Living Well partnership.
*If you identify as black, indigenous, or other person of color you are eligible for full funding of this program. Individuals participating in the cohort can use continuing education funds, FSA/HSA, or personal fund.
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Wildfire Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is working with synods and social ministry organizations in the western states to develop a coordinated response to the wildfires. We anticipate that immediate needs will include food and other necessities. Long-term recovery will likely take years. DONATE HERE: Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to “U.S. Wildfires” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires, until the response is complete.
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Afghan Refugee Assistance
Please help support incoming Afghan Allies, Special Immigrant Visa holders, who are being evacuated to the United States.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest has several links for learning how to help: https://lcsnw.org/ ...
and...
LIRS webinar: The Afghan Crisis: How to Help Our Neighbors
Tuesday, August 24 at 1pm (Pacific)
As the humanitarian disaster unfolds in Afghanistan, we know that many are feeling confused, devastated, and helpless. Join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service for a discussion about the situation on the ground in Kabul, our advocacy efforts, and tangible ways to support our Afghan neighbors. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pKlxenydTLeEyVhGmkLg6w
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Haiti Crisis
In August 2021, a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwest Haiti. Over 1,400 people were killed, and thousands more were injured. Blocked roads are delaying the delivery of vital supplies to hospitals. For over two decades, the ELCA has maintained a presence in southern Haiti through support for agricultural and sustainable development work. To continue our engagement with those communities, Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with partner organizations in the communities to meet relief needs, including food, nonfood items and temporary shelter. Gifts to “Haiti Crisis” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the earthquake until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support this response and others like it. DONATE HERE.
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White Iconography
Read about how one of our congregations addressed the White iconography in their space... leading members to engage in more conversations about who Jesus is and for whom.
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Copier and Poster Printer Available!
The Trinity Education Foundation has a high capacity Xerox WorkCentre 7845 and a Cannon poster printer iPF6400SE available - free to a good home! The Xerox is a workhorse and is in working order. The Cannon has not been used since 2016, but was in excellent shape when it was turned off. These two items came with the Foundation when LBIS/Trinity Lutheran College closed.
They are currently housed at Our Savior's Lutheran in Everett.
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Living Lutheran article from Bishop Eaton
In her August column in Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “This is the faith which declares that through pandemics, droughts, floods, famines, deadly bigotry, war, all the death-dealing things in nature and the human heart, life—the abundant life that Jesus promises—will prevail. Plant something in the summer.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3CGLepk and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3iDH4qd.
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Synod Events this Week
Mon, Aug. 23 - Synod Staff Retreat Day
Tues, Aug. 24 - Whatcom Cluster Wee Walk (for rostered ministers)
Tues, Aug. 24, 4pm - LIRS Refugee Webinar - see above
Tues, Aug. 24, 6:30pm - LiVE Info Meeting in Mill Creek - see above
Tues, Aug. 24, 7pm - COVID Panel Discussion - see below
Wed, Aug. 25, 6:30 - LiVE Info Meeting on Zoom- see above
Thurs, Aug. 26 - Candidacy Committee
Thurs, Aug. 26, 5pm - New-to-Synod Rostered Minister Dinner
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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. Attend any or all...
Each is presented in 30 minutes, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A time.
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
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COVID Panel Discussion
Tuesday, August 24 at 7pm via Zoom
Thank you to our friends at Faith Lutheran Church in Seattle for pulling together this excellent panel - and offering it as an option for lay & rostered leaders throughout the synod.
In response to returning to in-person worship, schools opening up soon, some workplaces resuming, and variants of the virus surfacing many people have questions or concerns. We will be holding a panel discussion with people from different backgrounds to help answer some of your questions and wonderings. Join via Zoom HERE.
Panel includes:
Izzy Brandstetter: PhD Student in Epidemiology, University of Minnesota; Former epidemiologist with the Seattle Flu Study, University of Washington
Olivia Bryson-Doyle: Project Manager at Immune Tolerance Network
Stacey Dillon: Senior Director, Translational Sciences at Alpine Immune Sciences
Nancy Estill: Nurse, UW Hospital
Susan Lansverk: Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations, University Prep Academy
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Enfleshing Witness
Thursday, August 26, 9am-11:30am (pacific)
We invite preachers, storytellers, activists, and community leaders of color to perhaps hear some of your own stories in the pieces shared. White leaders are welcome but expected to participate with a posture of overhearing the witness rather than expecting it is for you.
The event is free to attend virtually and we invite support from congregations and institutions to form in-person viewing gatherings for conversation and creative response. Institutional supporters will receive bonus material and a discussion guide for facilitating conversation following the gathering. Mutuality groups for people of color interested in connecting and continuing the conversation will be provided immediately following the event for those who wish to participate.
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Installation Service for
Pastors Nyla & David Schoeld
Sunday, August 29, 10am at Sammamish Hills Lutheran
We give thanks to God as Rev. Nyla Schoeld and Rev. David Schoeld are installed as the pastors at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church. Join the 10am worship service - with a community lunch to follow. God bless this ministry partnership!
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2022 Gathering Health & Safety Webinar
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Ordination of Kristi Lambing
Saturday, September 11, 1pm
at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo
We are delighted to celebrate the ordination of Word and Sacrament Candidate Kristi Lambing. Kristi has been called to serve as pastor at Fir-Conway Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. (Her Installation service will be at Fir-Conway on October 10 at 2pm.) God bless Kristi and this ministry partnership!
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Beyoncé Mass
Our UCC neighbors have invited us to the Lecture Series at University Congregational UCC. All are welcome all to experience this groundbreaking Christian worship service, created and curated by Rev. Yolanda Norton, Friday, September 24, 7 pm, free and online.
The worship service uses the music and life of Beyoncé as a tool to cultivate an empowering conversation about Black women—their lives, bodies, and voices—and create an experience of story, scripture, and song that calls for the liberation of all people. The Seattle mass will focus on tenuous racial relationships and acknowledges the difficult journey that it will take to reach any form of reconciliation. This womanist ethic that undergirds the mass will explore the ways that communities often attempt to circumvent the long, hard work road of repentance and relationship building necessary before we can develop beloved community between racial communities. The liturgy of Beyoncé Mass includes music from Beyonce’s vast discography, readings from prominent Black female leaders, and a sermon from Rev. Norton, who is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel and holds a Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary and B.A. in political science from Syracuse University. This year, Rev. Norton is spending 12 months with University Congregational UCC as Visiting Theologian.
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Camp Open House!
Saturday, September 25, 11am-4pm
Lutherwood is hosting an open house! You are invited to the camp to see the space and spend some time exploring Grace in creation. Please RSVP to Kelly 360 734 7652 or office@camplutherwood.org
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Installation Service for
Pastor Heidi Fish
Saturday, September 25, 1pm
at Bethesda Lutheran in Mountlake Terrace
We give thanks to God as Rev. Heidi Fish is installed as the pastor at Bethesda Lutheran. All are welcome to the service - with a community lunch to follow. God bless this ministry partnership!
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ReconcilingWorks -
FOUR online trainings!
+ Building an Inclusive Church
+ Consent in Community Building
+ Bias and Its Impact on Welcome
+ Let’s Talk About SOIGIE (Sex, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sexual Orientation)
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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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