ANNOUNCEMENTS
God's Work Our Hands Sunday Opportunity!

The NW WA Synod Hunger Team has created a two-week Noisy Offering initiative for Sunday, September 5 and Sunday, September 12 (“God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday).

YOU are invited to help the NW WA 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.

Check out THIS PACKET which includes liturgy and hymn suggestions, details about the contest, promotion video & materials, and more! (The promo video is really fun - check it out here!)

Learn more about Hunger Ministries on our website HERE.
Join the NWWA Synod Hunger Facebook group HERE.
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 1stClick 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.
Read the August edition of The Spirit

Each month this synod publication features articles from our synod bishop and synod vice president.

In the August edition, read Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee's message about Sabbath... and VP Kay Edgerton's article about opportunities for volunteers to help with meet synod goals.

Find the August edition and previous editions here:
NEWS FROM CAMP LUTHERWOOD
 
Camp Surveys!
Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center would love to have your input on how the camp could best meet your needs. Please take a few minutes to complete the applicable survey(s) below.
Youth and Family Program Planning Survey- This survey is intended to collect feedback from Children, Youth, and Family program leaders to help us best understand how to continue to improve our programs. 
Partner Congregation Information Survey- This survey is to collect feedback from partner congregation members to help us continue to improve our programs. Please share this survey with any congregation members who would be interested in providing feedback with us. 
To learn more about the camp you can visit their website https://www.camplutherwood.org/ 

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
Region One Disaster Preparedness & Response

Stories and resources for the six synods of Region One...


Wildfire Recognition Worship Materials
This handbook of materials was created by the Oregon Synod’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Team, with the assistance of Bishop Emeritus David Brauer - Rieke, Region 1 Disaster Preparedness Project Manager and the Rev. Christine Core - in response to their synod assembly calling for a Wildfire Recognition Sunday (Sept. 5).
Find the resource handbook here:
Wildfire Disaster Response

The 2021 wildfire season is devastating the western United States. A prolonged drought and extreme heat waves are causing wildfires to spread rapidly, which makes them difficult to contain. California is currently the hardest-hit state — the Dixie Fire, in Northern California, is already the second largest wildfire in the state’s history, having burned over 505,000 acres. Tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders, and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed. As we know, the fires are not limited to California; more than 100 wildfires are now burning throughout 15 states - including our own state. Smoke from these fires is carried across the country, a sign of the far-reaching effects of worsening wildfires.
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. Because emotional and spiritual care is a key aspect of disaster response, the Sierra Pacific Synod is developing a Lutheran Chaplaincy Corps, training rostered leaders and laypeople to offer such care to first responders and survivors after a disaster.
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. You may also designate gifts to “Lutheran Disaster Response” so we can immediately respond to disasters in the United States and around the world whenever they might strike.
We pray that God may comfort and protect those in the paths of wildfires. Together, we can follow Christ’s call to heal and share hope with those who are suffering.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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 Options: please register in advance via links
Wednesday, August 18 6:30-7:30pm - register here
Wednesday, August 25 6:30-7:30pm - register here
 
In-Person Options: please RSVP for these by emailing live@lutheransnw.org
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
More info about The LiVE Project here: www.lutheransnw.org/ministries/the-live-project 
Scholarships are available, please contact david@lutheransnw.org

+ PROMO VIDEOS
Videos that you can pass along to your leadership!
Check out this video about our Bible Course
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!)
Advocacy Summer School

Presented by ELCA Advocacy staff in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls.

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 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

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 us 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
Enfleshing Witness

An event from Church Anew
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.

Register for the free live event: https://form.jotform.com/211544638347156
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 (finally after 6 months!) 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!
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!
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.
Register for the mass here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/34z9qmqc

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.
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!
ReconcilingWorks -
now has 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)
 
Read more & learn how to register here: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/trainings/
Want an item included?
Email Susan Berg, Communications Administrator
All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday

Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292