Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of August 22, 2021
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A Peace of My Mind: Forum
Frustrated with an increasingly polarized social landscape, award-winning photographer John Noltner set out on a 40,000-mile road trip across the United States to rediscover the common humanity that connects us. He did so by asking people one simple question: What does peace mean to you? Through difficult conversations, gentle humor, and a keen eye for beauty, Noltner's Portraits of Peace captures a rich collage of who we are as a nation.
Beginning Saturday, August 21, St. Mark's will host the multimedia arts project that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. On Sunday, August 22, at 9:45 a.m., John Noltner will join St. Mark's in-person for a Sunday morning forum. Finally, mark your calendars for his in-person keynote speaking event on Wednesday, August 25, at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30. For more information about John Noltner and A Peace of My Mind, click here.
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Friends,
A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwest Haiti on Saturday morning. Over 1,400 people were killed, and that number is expected to increase as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Blocked roads are delaying the delivery of vital supplies to hospitals, which are overwhelmed with more than 6,900 injured people. At least 26,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, but the full extent of damage is still unknown. Haiti is also suffering through a political crisis and was hit by Tropical Storm Grace on Monday night, which caused severe flooding in communities already damaged by the earthquake.
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, water, medical supplies and temporary shelter. In the future, other areas of support will include psychosocial care, water and sanitation, and creating sustainable livelihoods through agriculture and livestock. We also stand with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti as it assesses damage and impacts on churches and church life.
Together, as church, we can be there for our neighbors in Haiti.
In Christ’s service,
The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Fund
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Our Afghan Allies need your help
By now, you’ve likely seen the distressing headlines and images coming out of Kabul. At LIRS, we are devastated by the fall of Afghanistan's elected government and our hearts break for our Afghan allies, their families, and all those in grave danger of Taliban retaliation. Our prayers are with our imperiled Afghan neighbors and we stand in solidarity with all those who are living in fear.
At this time, the immediate evacuation of American citizens, our Afghan allies, and other vulnerable groups is our central focus. We remain hopeful that the U.S. military will be able to secure the airport in Kabul and restore order. Our priority is ensuring that a safe channel is established for evacuation.
LIRS is doing everything we can to save as many lives as possible and serve those who have already arrived in the United States—but we need your help.
LIRS is a direct partner with Lutheran Community Services NW (LCSNW). Resettlement is actively happening in the Puget Sound. We are asked "Please DO NOT call LCSNW," they do not have the staff to answer all the phone calls, instead for Afghan resettlement specifically please email SIV@LCSNW.org or visit the website LCSNW.org
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PSALM Applications Close Sept 1
If you are interested in being part of the next learning cohort in the Program for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry (PSALM), please be sure to turn in your application before September 1st, 2021. You may download an application at www.swwasynod.org. Click on Leadership/Growing Leaders/PSALM.
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Understanding Your Grief: Online Adult Grief Support Group
The Grief Team at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia is offering a 10-week virtual grief support group via Zoom beginning in September. The group will read the book Understanding Your Grief, complete a journal and discuss the reading together. Grief is like a journey through the wilderness—a vast, inhospitable forest. Finding your way out requires learning to follow the sometimes hard-to-find trail that leads to healing. There are ten touchstones, trail markers that are the signs to let you know you are on a helpful path. As we study these together, you will learn to identify and rely on the touchstones so that you can find your way to hope and healing.
Tuesdays, 7 – 8:30 PM for 10 weeks via Zoom
September 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16
Book are provided free of charge thanks to generous donations from past support group members. Support Group Leader Karen Barale is no stranger to grief. Her husband died following a head-on collision while they were vacationing in New Zealand. Karen, a retired Washington State University professor, received a Certificate in Death and Grief Studies from the Center Loss and Life Transition in Ft Collins, Colorado. She now leads the Grief Team at Gloria Dei.
For more information or to register, please contact Karen Barale kbarale@comcast.net or 360-789- 5178.
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For more information about Fifty and Better, visit our website: www.callutheran.edu/fab, and join our contact list to receive updates as they are announced.
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It’s Time to Register for Addiction & Faith Conference
The Center of Addiction & Faith will hold its third Addiction & Faith Conference October 7-9, 2021 in Bloomington, Minn., to give faith communities tools for responding to the addiction crisis. Registration is open for in-person and virtual attendance at www.addictionandfaithconference.com.
The Center grew out of the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy. Founder Ed Treat was an active Lutheran pastor in 2018 when he held the first Addiction & Faith Conference. The success encouraged him to leave parish ministry after 25 years and dedicate himself full-time to the Center of Addiction & Faith, which became a 501©(3) nonprofit organization in 2020.
CAF director of communications & advocacy Stephanie Werner,
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Updated 8/19/21
Music Director, Celebration Lutheran Church, Puyallup
Jobs at Washington State Fair, Puyallup
Treasurer, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Bremerton, WA
Organist, Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Phinney Ridge, WA
Musician Immanuel Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA
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BISHOP JAECH SABBATICAL August 1st - September 15th.
While Bishop Jaech is on sabbatical, any questions may be directed to our general synod email or phone for help from appropriate staff. 253-535-8300; swwsynod@plu.edu.
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A Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop
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