July 26, 2021
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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Synod Staff Announcement!
Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee is very pleased to announce that Pastor Herb Shao is joining the synod staff team as Director of Evangelical Mission beginning August 2, 2021. He will serve alongside Deacon Dianne Johnson who is continuing in her role as Director of Evangelical Mission. Pastor Shao and Deacon Johnson will both be 3/4 time.
Pastor Shao will work with our Asian congregations and ministry sites as well as implement the NWWA Synod Living Legacy Initiative. Together he and Deacon Johnson will work with new ministry sites and current congregations in the area of vitality. We are grateful to have this dynamic duo serving together in this important ministry area.
Pastor Shao comes to the NWWA Synod with a myriad of skills and experiences, most notably he just completed 20 years as a chaplain in the US Air Force. He and his wife, Akiyo, are delighted to be back in the NW Washington Synod. Together they have two young adult children.
The synod staff is excited to continue building on the five focus areas of the synod: Connection, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Youth and Young Adults, Faithful Innovation, and Leadership. We continue to live into our guiding statement: Trusting in the Spirit, we are walking together with God's people so that all may discover and participate in what God is doing among us through Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we welcome Pastor Herb Shao to the staff!
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Soundboard Available
Pointe of Grace (Mukilteo) has a soundboard available...
Free!
If interested, please call or email the church at:
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New book for kids of all ages!
Pastor Dave Ellingson from our synod has a new book:
Grizz & His Friends...
Grizz is a big, old bear with lots of friends like Sally the Sparrow, Timothy Turtle, Pedro the Porcupine and Sylvia the Salmon. Living in a peaceful valley by a beautiful river flowing out of the mountains, through their adventures they learn to work together to solve problems like hunger, loneliness, injury, an avalanche, a drought, and a flood. Become one of Grizz’s friends on his exciting adventures - http://www.paddle-pilgrim.com/books.html
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Disaster Preparedness & Response Info
Read the latest newsletter from our excellent partners at Region One Disaster Preparedness & Response here:
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2022 ELCA Youth Gathering
A Facebook group has been created specifically for adult leaders in our synod planning to take a group to the 2022 Gathering in Minneapolis. This is a great place to connect and share ideas! You may request to join here: www.facebook.com/groups/795113361195317/
Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
An important part of the Gathering’s ministry are the two pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), a faith formation and leadership development event primarily for youth of color, and the tAble, a gathering that brings together, blesses and empowers youth with disabilities.
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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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Virtual Summer Music Clinic
Wed-Thurs, 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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Ordination of Patrick Meagher
Tuesday, August 10, 7pm at Phinney Ridge Lutheran, Seattle
We are delighted to celebrate the ordination of Word and Service Candidate, Patrick Meagher. Patrick has been called to serve as a Deacon at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle. God bless Patrick and God bless this new ministry partnership!
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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
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The LiVE Project:
Informational meetings
Living into Vocational Engagement (LiVE) is our latest innovative initiative of the Northwest Washington Synod. Our hope is to connect lay leaders in a shared journey of learning together, and toward creating community among other congregational leaders throughout our synod. We’d like to connect with folks in your congregation who are passionate about the church, faith formation, mission, and deepening their Christian faith.
The LiVE board has been doing extensive planning during covid to provide learning courses for lay leaders. If you are interested and would like to learn more please consider joining us for one of four opportunities to learn more, two zoom online options, and two in-person options.
You might also consider these opportunities as additional ways your congregation does faith formation for the year. Our 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.
Zoom Options: 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
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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)
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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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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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