June 28, 2021
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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Heads up!
The Synod Office will be closed next Monday, July 5
We will be taking Monday, July 5 off as we celebrate Independence Day.
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News from Faith Action Network
As the Faith Action Network continues to celebrate our tenth birthday this year, the FAN Governing Board is pleased to announce that current Co-Director Elise DeGooyer will become the new FAN Executive Director, beginning January 1, 2022, following the retirement of FAN's founding Co-Director, Rev. Paul Benz at the end of 2021.
Elise, who is rooted in Catholic and interfaith justice traditions, has served FAN as Co-Director for over seven years. She has given strategic, administrative, and programmatic leadership to FAN and has helped grow our network and our budget. She knows the organization well and has the skills and vision to help move FAN forward. Elise is a long-time Seattle resident who grew up in Yakima and still has most of her family in that area. She has a deep understanding of and commitment to FAN's statewide and multifaith identity.
FAN's public policy work, led by Paul these past 10 years, will continue under the leadership of a Policy Engagement Director, with that search process beginning now. Please see the job description https://fanwa.org/2021/06/25/fan-is-hiring/ and share it widely to help us find the next policy leader for FAN.
As the FAN Board looks back over the many accomplishments of its first ten years and expresses its thanks for the Rev. Paul Benz, we are also moving faithfully forward, guided by our original vision of a powerful, faith-based network for justice and compassion in our state. We are grateful for all our partnerships. (…and the NWWA Synod is so very grateful for the leadership of FAN!)
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Work at Camp!
Do you know of someone looking for an awesome summer job?!
Lutherwood is in search of one or two more summer staff, 18+ or support staff 16. Come spend 5 weeks on Lake Samish, having fun, making friends and growing in your faith.
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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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From ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton:
Stewardship: In her June/July column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on what we’ve learned from the Apostle Paul about the deeply spiritual act of stewardship.
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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 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.
Anti-Racism Teams - Mutual Support Zoom
Wednesday, June 30, 6:30pm
Lay leaders (and rostered folks, too...) see info below!
Conversation / Considerations for expanding to in-person worship
Thursday, July 1, 6:30pm
Lay & Rostered Ministers - See info below!
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Anti-Racism Teams - Mutual Support Zoom
Wednesday, June 30, 6:30pm-8pm via Zoom
In May a group of lay leaders met for The LIVE Project “Interrogating Privilege” course. Out of that course, we identified a need for an ongoing meeting for lay leaders. Whether you are just thinking about starting an anti-racism discussion in your congregation, you have an established program, or you are somewhere in between you are welcome to join us. The organizational meeting is Wednesday, June 30th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Please join us as we build community and get to know each other, find out what anti-racism work is being done in our churches, discuss what challenges you are facing, and find out what kind of support you would find helpful. Please reach out to David Hahn if you have questions: david@lutheransnw.org
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Conversation / considerations for congregations expanding to in person worship
Thursday, July 1 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Zoom
The NWWA Synod Staff is planning to host a Zoom collaboration session to share learnings (even missteps) and challenges about moving from digital to in-person worship. To prepare and maximize this time, we are asking that you share with us some of your recent learnings and some current/future challenges via the Google Form that you will receive when you register. From your responses, we will tailor our breakout rooms to best meet the needs. Possible topics might be: What tech requirements are needed for live streaming? How to personalize online worship? Ideas for making in-person worship safer.
Additionally, if you and/or someone in community have experiences that might be beneficial to these conversations, please gotarev@iclould.com as soon as possible. Thank you!
Lay & Rostered Congregation leaders are invited to register in advance for this meeting here:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Read the Koran in Four Weeks
Check out this unique class taught by Pastor Marshall, First of West Seattle, four times a year since 2003. The class is on four Mondays in July (5, 12, 19, and 26) on Zoom from 7pm to 9pm. The cost is $20 --- which covers sending you in the mail your own copy of an approved English translation of the Koran.
Call or email to register or ask questions: (206) 935-6530 or deogloria@foxinternet.com. For more information on the class (including a half hour video interview) and some student recommendations, see www.flcws.org, “Reading the Koran with Pastor Marshall.” |
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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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