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LiVE PROJECT - time to get registered!
We are excited to embark on the next year of the LiVE Project of the Northwest Washington Synod! YOU are invited!
There are a host of learning opportunities for lay, life-long learners. The theme for this year is Spirit Stirring. How is the Spirit stirring in your life? How is the Spirit informing your sense of call?
All mini-courses (5-8 weeks) and the four one-day retreats explore how the Holy Spirit is igniting curiosity and fresh ways to integrate life, faith, and the public witness of the church.
Individuals and Congregations have a few options to register.
Sign up (and save!) for the unlimited bundle and have access to ALL the 2022-2023 offerings - or register for each one class/retreat individually.
- The various fall mini-courses and day retreats are listed below in the events section!
- Check out the full 2022-2023 offerings in the catalog.
- Learn more about the LiVE Project HERE.
- Register yourself or your congregation group soon - HERE
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Synod Events this week:
Mon, Sept 5 - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED - Labor Day Holiday
Tues, Sept 6, 9am-3pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Sept 6, 6pm - Evangelical Outreach Team
Thurs, Sept 8, 12noon - STAD Online (see below)
Sat, Sept 10 - Camp Lutherwood Anniversary Celebration (see below)
Sun, Sept 11 - God's Work. Our Hands Day
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ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions
Every Wednesday at 11am (Pacific)
All lay and rostered leaders are invited to join this weekly opportunity to hear from various leaders across the Church - and share in small group conversation - on the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP.
Learn more and get Zoom link here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/
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Foster and Host Homes Needed
for Unaccompanied Refugee Youth
Info Session on Tuesday, September 6, from 5:30-7:00pm.
Sign up to attend here: https://bit.ly/RNW9622
Refugees Northwest (of Lutheran Community Services) are seeking foster homes and host homes for Unaccompanied Refugee Youth. We are still seeing large numbers of youth from Afghanistan who were separated from their parents while attempting to flee to safety.
They are living in shelters and facilities throughout the U.S. without a family to care for them. There is a possibility that some of these youths' families may eventually be awarded humanitarian visas and will be able to join them in the U.S. We also continue to see large numbers of youth from Latin America, particularly Guatemala and Honduras, who have made the difficult journey north and are without caregivers. The youth are primarily older teenagers who need foster homes before they turn 18 and "age out" and are no longer eligible for the wealth of services we are able to provide, including a legal road to citizenship.
Learn more about Foster Parenting / Learn more about being a Home Host
Please consider liking and following them on Facebook at @refugeesNWfostercare
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Building an Anti-Racism Team: Next Faithful Steps*
This is a follow up webinar series to the ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) webinar, How to Build a Congregation, Synod and/or Campus Anti-Racism team.
(All are welcome to attend this next series, even if you were not able to participate in the first series.)
As with any team, having shared goals is important for doing effective work. The team should decide what their function will be by identifying their goals. Each racial justice team is unique to a specific congregation and community context. The goals of the team should be defined keeping that in mind. The main areas that a team focuses on falls into three areas:
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September 7, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Internal Team Goals
- October 5, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Congregational Goals
- November 2, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Community Goals
Audience/For whom: Anybody in the ELCA, specifically interested in connecting with other folks building or working at a synod, campus or congregational anti-racist team.
Learn more and get registered here: https://edlarj.org/events/
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STAD Resumes!
STAD = Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity
Thursday, September 8, 12noon online
All rostered ministers, mission developers and interns are invited to participate in this monthly online gathering that covers a variety of topics regarding dismantling white supremacy and racism.
This month, the topic is: Churchwide Assembly Debrief.
Join the Zoom here
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Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s Harvest Hoopla Tour
Thursday, September 8, 6:30pm-8pm - online
This summer the Earth Ministry/WAIPL leaders have been traveling around Washington state to connect with you! While the physical Seattle stop for the Harvest Hoopla tour has already occurred, there will be a VIRTUAL gathering on Sept. 8. Please join the Earth Ministry/WAIPL team for relationship building, celebration, and raising funds for our collective work of turning faith into action for environmental justice.
RSVP for Harvest Hoopla
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Are you (or someone you know)
discerning a call to Seminary?
The seven ELCA Seminaries are partnering together to offer a virtual discernment event on Saturday, September 10th from 8am-12noon.
Learn more and register here by September 6:
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Camp Lutherwood is Celebrating 75+ Years!!
Join the celebration at their open house:
Saturday, September 10, 10am-2pm
It will be a joyful day - with fun for the whole family, including lunch and carnival games and activities!
Learn more and register by Sept. 2nd here:
www.camplutherwood.org/celebrating-grace
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God’s work. Our Hands. Sunday!
Sunday, September 11
Congregations of the ELCA will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our annual day of service. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has everything you need to plan and promote your day.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with the synod and wider church!
Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org and/or to susan@lutheransnw.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you!
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Time for You
Thursday, September 15, 12-2pm
at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland
ALL Children, Youth and Family Ministry Leaders are invited to attend this monthly gathering to connect and collaborate! Whether you are full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer - this meet up is for YOU!
If you have questions about this gathering and or wish to get connected with other leaders around our synod, please reach out to Bryant Williams (Synod CYF Committee Chair) and the others on the leadership team here: cyflutheransnw@gmail.com
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From Holy Rage to Holy Hope:
The Pastor as Public Leader and
Congregation as Healing Community
This course is led by our synod’s own Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse.
It is part of Luther Seminary’s “Faith+Lead” and offers an important learning opportunity for pastors and judicatory leaders prior to the 2022 Mid-Term election. Overcome the polarization that exists in American religion and politics by learning how you and your congregation can help bridge the divide.
Offered Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm (Pacific) on Sept. 15, 22, and Oct 6-27.
The cost is $125 and scholarships are available.
For more information and to register click on the following link today:
https://faithlead.luthersem.edu/from-holy-rage-to-holy-hope/
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4 Simple Steps for Increasing Stewardship
A webinar is offered by Vanco, an ELCA-preferred eGiving vendor
Thursday, September 15, at 12noon (Pacific)
Register here.
How to improve your financial call and compel people to greater generosity.
How to incorporate storytelling to strengthen your ask.
How to encourage donations through Vanco Online.
How easy it is for your congregation to use Vanco Online to meet giving goals.
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Upcoming Faith Action Network Events:
Global Interfaith Compassion Challenge
Sunday, September 11 to Saturday, October 22, online.
Join people from many faith communities in exploring ways to bring the timeless virtue of compassion into our lives and work toward bringing about large-scale social change through compassion. Find out more here.
2022 Labor & Immigration Summit
hosted by the Washington State Labor Council and the AFL-CIO Labor & Immigration Committee.
Saturday, September 17, 10am-5pm, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon.
FAN is pleased to co-sponsor this year’s event with the theme “Immigrant and Refugee Workers Rising and The Future of the Labor Movement.” There will be workshops, a guest speakers' breakfast, lunch, and free parking. Register here. For more information, email Dgutierrez@wslc.org.
Seattle Rally and March for Nuclear Abolition,
sponsored by Citizens for the Universal Abolition of Nuclear Weapons.
Saturday, September 24, noon, Cal Anderson Park to the Federal Building. Find out more here.
Save the Date for the Annual FAN Dinner - Sunday evening, November 20!
More info coming soon.
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Installation Service
The Rev. Paul Eldred will be installed as the Pastor at Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity on Friday, September 16 at 7pm. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process, plan to arrive by 6:20 to find parking and vest (or consider taking public transportation!)
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Camp Lutherwood Middle School Retreat
Friday-Saturday, September 16-17
Calling all middle schoolers (students grades 6-8)! Join us for an awesome weekend to be in fellowship with food, games, and community! We will have campfire, worship, s'mores and more! Cost is $65.00
Learn more and register here: www.camplutherwood.org/events
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Intro to Womanist Interpretation
A NW WA Synod LiVE Project Mini-Course
Wednesdays on Zoom | 6:30-8pm
Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16
Presenter: Rev. Yolanda Norton
Womanist interpretation is a growing field in Biblical Studies and Christian Theology. It is rooted in the lived experience of African American women from whose perspective people of faith can hear and understand, in new and fresh ways, God’s movement and voice in our world. Over this 8-session mini course you will explore Scripture from a Womanist lens, and how such readings move us to public, prophetic witness in our various callings as people of faith. (Learn more about Womanist Theology in this video.)
Learn more about this LiVE Project Mini-Course and get registered HERE.
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Sacred Spaces:
Opening the Holy Invitation Even Wider
September 24, 9:30am-2:30pm
at St. Andrews Lutheran Church (2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue)
Sponsor: NW Washington Synod
Join Facilitators and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of stories, experiences, and workshops to explore together how we can open God’s holy invitation even wider.
There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, creating art, at the pub, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness?
Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards. How can we create more inclusive gatherings for people to encounter God? How can we experiment with the gifts we have to meet the needs of those seeking the spirit in our own neighborhoods? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination?
Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!
Please register HERE: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5557479
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safeTALK (suicide alert) Training
Saturday, September 24, 9am-12:30pm
at Zion Lutheran Church, Ferndale
Shirley and Rev John Swanson will be leading this event. There is a $15 fee to cover the cost of materials. See this flyer for all pertinent information. Deadline for sign up is September 8!
Learn more about this training HERE.
Email Office@ZionLutheranwhatcom.org to register
(NOTE: The Swansons are available to provide this training for organizations and churches throughout the Synod, contact John for more info - jaswanson899@gmail.com)
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Engaging Younger Generations
A NW WA Synod LiVE Project Mini-Course
Mondays on Zoom | 6:30pm-8pm
Sept 26, Oct. 3, 17, 24, and final class day in November to be determined with the mini course participants
Presenters:
Becky Cole, Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher, and Rev. Chelsea Globe
Using the research of Fuller Youth Institute’s “Growing Young” study, we will learn key concepts and behaviors that are found in congregations who actively engage youth and young people. We will explore the “6 Core Commitments” that these types of congregations display and learn how to implement them in our own contexts. Any congregation can be successful in ministry with young people, no matter what size, age, demographics, and location.
Who should attend? Any and all leaders who are interested in welcoming young people more fully into their congregations! You can be a council member, lay, clergy, youth worker, youth, young adult, grandparent, anyone who cares about young people.
Learn more about this LiVE Project Mini-Course and get registered HERE
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Synod-Wide Bible Study on the book of Acts
A FREE NW WA Synod LiVE Project Offering!
FREE | Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm | on Zoom
Sept. 27
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29
Dec. 6, 13, 20
The Synod's LiVE Project is offering this free, weekly drop in online Bible Study Series!
Various rostered ministers from around our synod will co-facilitate a weekly study of Willie James Jennings' book, Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible.
Purchase of the book is encouraged, although not a necessary requirement to fully participate. We would love to have you join us in this creative adventure in the Spirit - Drop in to any session!
Join any or all Zoom Sessions HERE. (Zoom Meeting ID: 822 0985 0836 Passcode: Acts)
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Installation Service
The Rev. Leslie Mahraun will be installed as Chaplain at The Hearthstone in Seattle on Tuesday, September 27 at 2pm at Hearthstone in the Gardens at the Cove. (Located in the alley behind the Cove East Apartments, of the Hearthstone Campus: 6850 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle. This event will only be open to public if weather permits it to be outdoors!)
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NW Washington Synod
Women's Orgainzation Retreat
Woven Together in Love
Saturday, October 1, 9am-3:30pm
Join your sisters in Christ for the one day retreat at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville. The theme is “Woven Together In Love” referencing Romans 8: 28a and Colossians 2:2. Our presenters Pr. Cara Tanis and Gaye Rodgrigey will help us explore how God’s love weaves us together in the daily struggles and challenges, hope and healing in our families, our communities, our country and our world.
As we look forward to this time together, you are encouraged to read one or both of these books – God Speaks Your Love Language by Gary Chapman and My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem.
Read more and find the registration form in the July 2022 ECHO
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ELCA Vital Congregations Training – Fall 2022
Is your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then, you are invited to attend the 2022 Fall Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training!
Rostered Ministers and congregation leaders are encouraged to attend as a team of 3–5 people for a 4-session training series. This will be a time of inspiration, learning, planning, sharing, experimenting, visioning, and implementing. This fast paced co-creative and co-experimental training is facilitated by leaders with experience in redeveloping congregations as well as added guest presenters from a variety of settings with a wealth of knowledge. These principles and more will be explored: focusing on Jesus and justice; being expectant of the Holy Spirit; living as disciples of Jesus; multiplying leaders who are young, diverse and bring fresh insights; and aligning with purpose and core values.
This FREE 4-session training series will be held on these Thursdays: October 6, October 20, November 3, and November 17. You may choose to attend either in the morning or the afternoon – whatever time works best for your team. The morning session is 10:30am-12noon (pacific time); the afternoon session is 4:30-6:00pm (pacific time.) All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants. NOTE: This training is for people who did NOT attend the Vital Congregations Re-BOOT Camp in Spring 2022 or 2021.
Get registered for FREE here!
Questions? Please reach out to one or our synod's Director for Evangelical Mission, Rev. Herb Shao - dem2@lutheransnw.org
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Online Boundaries Training
for Rostered Ministers
LeaderWise’s online boundaries training workshop is lively and interactive, full of reflection and conversation. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices.
This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2 consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing. Cost is $78.
Two upcoming training sessions are scheduled for:
- October 12 and 13
- January 31 and Feb 1, 2023
YES! This counts for the required periodic training!
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Bright Stars of Bethlehem
Fundraising Evening
with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb & Rick Steves
Wednesday, October 5, 7pm-9pm
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood
Bright Stars of Bethlehem is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the health, education, and cultural and spiritual development of the people in the Middle East in order to promote peace and harmony in the region. Bright Stars impacts the lives of over 60,000 men, women, and children in Palestine. Born out of the vision of Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and his outreach ministry in Bethlehem, Bright Stars is now more than fifteen years old. The staff and volunteer leadership work together to provide support to the Palestinian people to help grow hope in the midst of occupation.
REGISTER NOW for this special evening of updates and stories with founder of Dar a-Kalima University and co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, and travel expert Rick Steves!
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Planning Your Legacy
FREE webinar from ELCA Foundation
Wednesday, October 19, 2pm (Pacific)
Register Here
The current economic landscape may influence your estate planning and charitable giving. This free session will highlight a few key details of the current economic climate, give an overview of what you need for a solid estate plan, learn how you can leave a legacy to support ELCA-related ministries and save on taxes. Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the current economic climate
- Discover what you need for a solid estate plan
- Explore the most popular ways you can leave a legacy to support ELCA-related ministries
- Learn how to save on taxes and be charitable
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Fall Bishop's Convocation - Save the date!
All Saints Day, Tuesday, November 1, 10am-3pm
For All The Saints: Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees
ALL NW Washington Synod Rostered Ministers, Mission Developers and Interns, please plan to join us for our Fall Bishop’s Convocation for Rostered Ministers of the Synod. Our day will feature a live-streamed presentation and discussion with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, as well as stories from local ministries who are accompanying immigrants and refugees. More information and registration link 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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