Assembly Registration is Open!

Register by April 1st.

+ Each congregation is invited to register their voting members (elected laypersons and called rostered ministers) as a group.

+ Rostered Ministers who are not under call at a congregation are invited to register individually.

+ Visitors (those laypersons NOT elected to serve as voting members from their congregation) are also invited to register now - but first, please consider volunteering at the assembly! We are seeking USHERS, CHECK-IN folks, SET UP helpers, ETC. If interested, please reach out to Susan at Susan@lutheransnw.org before you register.

Learn more about the assembly here.

Synod Assembly - Resolutions Due by April 1

Submit a resolution for consideration at the 2025 NW Washington Synod Assembly

First, review THIS DOCUMENT and utilize the format for submitting resolutions to be considered at the May 16-17 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly. Please submit your resolution as a WORD document by April 1, 2025. Attach any other documents in digital form for any explanation or rationale you would like to include.

The Reference & Counsel Committee will review and evaluate all resolutions in accordance with the Standing Rules. You will receive confirmation from the committee that they have received your resolution – and whether it has been approved to go to the assembly, or if there are changes needed.



We will be hosting an online resolutions hearing on May 7 at 7pm to provide resolution authors an opportunity to discuss the resolutions with assembly voting members ahead of the assembly.  

Lent - Devotions for You

Options for daily or weekly devotions during the season of Lent:

Luther Seminary, There in God’s Garden (daily)

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/lenten-devotional/

Kate Bowler, The Hardest Part (daily)

https://katebowler.com/seasonal_devotional/the-hardest-part/

Dismantle, An ELCA Anti-White Supremacy Lenten Devotional (weekly)

https://resources.elca.org/racial-justice/dismantle-an-anti-white-supremacy-lenten-devotional/

Sumud Lenten Series, voices from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (weekly)

https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/sumud

ELCA World Hunger, Lent Study (weekly)

https://resources.elca.org/elca-world-hunger/elca-world-hunger-lent-study-guide-2025/

Various resources from Women of the ELCA

https://www.womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/resources-for-your-lenten-journey

Dear People of Bethlehem Lutheran Church & the NW Washington Synod:

I am writing to share with you good news:

In April 2010 Bethlehem Lutheran Church donated its land and building for a promise that the developer would build affordable housing and a new worship facility. That promise has been fulfilled. Families are moving into the apartments and this afternoon (March 3) the Synod received the deed for the new worship space for Columbia City Church of Hope!

In January, families started moving in to the 87 affordable apartments next door, known as Four Amigos Beloved Community in honor of El Centro de Raza’s four founders. They have let us know that there will be an opening celebration on April 10 at 10am. We will share details with you as soon as we receive them, and hope you will join us for this joyful day. 

We are grateful for the vision of Bethlehem, and we we are delighted to move one significant step closer to that goal. We are in the permitting process with the City of Seattle, and plan to begin the interior build out this spring. We are probably a year out from moving into the new space; the congregation continues to thrive in our rental space at Kin On. 

Thank you for your faithful stewardship of the land for generations, and for your generosity in heeding the Spirit’s call to offer up this space to create homes, community gathering space, and a sanctuary. 

Thank you for your courage and vision in opening the door for your beloved sanctuary to experience this hopeful new beginning. In a world of constant change, it is beautiful to witness the faithful blessing of letting go to create the opportunity for new start. We are grateful for God’s grace and generosity that has allowed us to be part of this, and we are grateful that your legacy will be treasured by generations to come! 

With sincere gratitude and hope, 

Pastor Darla DeFrance, Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, and the People of Columbia City Church of Hope 

ELCA Presiding Bishop Convenes Interfaith Partners in Solidarity Statement

CHICAGO (March 7, 2025) — ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has convened a coalition of interfaith leaders in support of refugees and immigrants who are forced to flee their homes.

In the statement, the leaders emphasize their collective commitment to “welcome the stranger and care for the most vulnerable.”

“In these overlapping holy days of Purim, Lent, and Ramadan, we join our voices together to express our grave concern for the individuals and families seeking refuge in this country,” the statement says.

“We urge all people of faith and goodwill to join us in advocating with our elected leaders for our partnerships with the government to be restored so that we can fully work with those we are called to serve.”

Read the statement.

Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is designated as Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions to U.S. history. Please celebrate by joining your colleagues from ELCA Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment at the events below!

“What Does the ELCA Say About Gender Justice?”

Tuesday, March 11, 12-1pm

Sex and gender have been in the news. You may have been getting questions about where the ELCA stands. The ELCA as a church has social teaching on these issues. Come to this session to learn about what the ELCA teaches on gender justice so you can accurately use and communicate these teachings in your work and in the partnerships you steward. Join the meeting now

“Sighs Too Deep for Words: A Women's History Month Devotion”

Thursday, March 20, 10-10:30 am

These are heavy times. Join with colleagues during this devotion to lament the gender injustice of the past, present and future. Whether you need to let out some anger or some sadness, you are welcome here.  Join the meeting now

Annual Women’s History Month Trivia

Friday, March 28, 10-11am

Want to learn about the history that’s left out of textbooks? Come to the churchwide organization’s annual Women’s History Month trivia! Bring a team or come by yourself and make some new friends. This is a great chance to connect with colleagues you wish you’d see more, to infuse some laughter into your day and to learn something new along the way. You do not need strong history skills to participate.

Join the meeting now

Learning Love Lenten Series

This year’s installment of LiVE’s Lenten “Gospel & Culture” series. In her book All About Love, bell hooks explores the transformative power of love through a commitment to personal growth, justice, and self-awareness.

Come and deepen our calling to love as we explore her writing together Thursday evenings in Lent

Learn more and get registered here - not too late to join! https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/learning-love-lenten-journey-with-bell-hooks/2025-03-06

World Mission Institute Conference:

The Challenge of our Age: Migration & Mission

Register for the 2025 World Mission Institute (WMI), an annual conference held in the spring since 1970. Each year outstanding international speakers and resource persons deal with a significant aspect of Christian mission. This year’s theme is “The Challenge of Our Age”: Migration and Mission.

This event will be held both in person and virtually on Thursday, March 13 - program at 7:00 p.m. (central time) Visit the event webpage to learn more about the 2025 World Mission Institute. 

Camp Lutherwood Elementary Retreat

We welcome Elementary school-age campers and their guardians for our one-night retreat at Lutherwood! This introduction to camp allows kids and their guardians to stay overnight in a cabin, eat meals in the Dining Hall, make crafts, participate in campfire worship, play games, and more!

Whether you’ve never been to Lutherwood before or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great time to meet young people from around our region and dip your toes in our Summer 2025 theme, “The Water of Life”!

• When: Friday, March 14 to Saturday, March 15, 2025 (6:00 pm to 6:00 pm)

• Who: K-6th grade students*, their guardians, and Youth Leaders

• Cost: $65 per youth - $45 per adult

*K-1st grade students must have at least one guardian in attendance; additional guardians are welcome.

Registration opens in February. For questions please contact Ashleigh Ellsworth-Keller, Program Director at ashleigh.ek@camplutherwood.org 

Volunteer Work Days at Camp!

March 22 and April 12

Join other volunteers for a day at Camp Lutherwood to improve and maintain various camp projects. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow community members for a day filled with purpose and belonging. Past projects have included, but are not limited to, painting buildings, maintaining trails, and building a beautiful deck. Lunch will be provided!



For more information, please contact Matthew at: matthew.turman@camplutherwood.org

CYF Cohort: Appreciating Retreat

Saturday, March 22 | 9:00am – 2:00pm

Holy Spirit, Kirkland

Children, Youth & Family Leaders (CYF) - We are so excited to meet with you and talk about part 3, Celebrating. What does appreciation and celebrating look like for you? Your community? How do you appreciate and celebrate your volunteers? The people who worship on Sunday mornings? Appreciating is an art and some people are really good at it. The reality is that most of us are okay at it and would like to do better. Celebrating is a fun activity that people often enjoy.

How can we turn our Appreciation into Celebration? Our retreat will focus on discussions and activities about how church and organizations can incorporate the art of celebrating into their DNA for their communities, as well as the people in your organization who serve others.

All CYF staff, lay leaders, or general supporters are invited to participate in this final part of our CYF Cohort retreat series. Unable to attend the first ones on Belonging and Engaging, no problem. We’d love to have you join us for this retreat. Activities will be interactive and collaborative with conversations revolving around how to foster a long-lasting culture of appreciation and celebration in our youth and families. From the church walls and beyond!

Registration is free for this event and we are asking for a $10 suggested donation for lunch.

Please RSVP online at https://forms.gle/ALfJtYYZjcLqtX8w7.

Questions? Email cyflutheransnw@gmail.com.

We Keep Us Safe:

Supporting Migrants in Your Faith Community

Sunday, March 23, 2pm

Location will be in central Seattle and shared closer to the event date.

This workshop will cover what you can do as a faith community to best support migrant community members in your building. We'll cover basic information to keep your faith community and the migrant community members you support safe. 

Register here: https://thechurchcouncil.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/profile/create?gid=37&reset=1

“This Isn’t Kansas, Toto” Living in the New, Digital World: Lessons for Adults and Children

Presented by Dr. Patricia Fosarelli, MD, DMin

Sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association

March 25

The digital world is here to stay, and while it is capable of offering information and opportunities previously unavailable to most of us, that capability is a double-edged sword. Information that is false can be passed off as truth; comments that are mere opinions can appear to be facts; websites that are inappropriate for anyone can be accessed by the youngest or most vulnerable; persons who appear to be peers on social media can be predators; humiliating social media posts can lead the most susceptible to harming themselves.

Download the PDF here.

Register here: https://lutheranfcna.org/event-6064223

Upcoming Trainings Provided by WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN)

Rapid Response Trainings

Sat March 29, 2025, 12 pm–2 pm Zoom Registration

Learn more about Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network here: https://waisn.org/

P.S. If you’d like to report immigration activity, raids and detentions in Washington, please call the WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline at 1-844-724-3737. Our operators speak Spanish and English, and we have interpretation available in nearly 300 languages.

Unmasking Our Community’s Food Crisis: A Lunch and Learn Event

Tuesday, April 1 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

at St. Matthew's Lutheran in Renton

Food insecurity is an urgent crisis in Washington State, and faith communities and organizations play a crucial role in the fight against hunger. Join us for an eye-opening conversation that will equip you with the latest statistics, evidence-based strategies, and practical tools to maximize donations and serve your community more effectively.

Registration is limited - register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2jRJjNdrbUFG0TvmXNXce_ZyoVHaZcU9gqX7rlIWC8DQEQg/viewform

Download flyer here

Considering Seminary?

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS)

Discernment Weekend April 4-6

Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning.

PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer some travel assistance for those who need it. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more.

Gathering at the Gate

Date & Location: Washington D.C., 

Tuesday, April 8 - Program and Public Action

Wednesday, April 9 - Advocacy Visits 

An Invitation to Make A Strong Impact

2025 has seen relentless attacks on civil rights, equal rights, refugee resettlement, and support for the most vulnerable globally and nationally. People of faith are sensing a call to embody the words of Amos - Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate (5:15).

As Lutheran leaders—bishops, pastors, deacons, and faith leaders—please join us to gather as a public witness to God's justice and mercy. Together, we pray to gather 500+ leaders to stand at the “gate” of Washington, D.C., where harmful decisions are made that shape the lives of immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA+ people, and all those who are pushed to the margins, and are being erased in front of our eyes. This gathering will root and connect us together as we journey forward in our work together.

Why We Gather

We come together to bear witness to the Gospel:

• In prayer, worship, and community, proclaiming God’s call to love and justice.
• In solidarity with immigrants, refugees and LGBTQIA+ people, who face discrimination, exclusion, and violence and death.
• In support of organizations like Global Refuge and Lutheran Services in America, which serve the most vulnerable.
• With hope that our collective voice might move the heart of our nation toward mercy.

What Guides Us

We are:

• WITH refugees, asylum seekers, and LGBTQIA+ people who are too often left behind, calling for compassion and justice.
• AGAINST policies, rhetoric, and systems that strip people of their dignity and deny their worth as beloved children of God.
• TO AMPLIFY VOICES of those who are unheard—to their cries for safety, belonging, and justice.
• TO PROCLAIM the good news of God’s grace and favor, especially for the widow, the orphan, the stranger, and all who are vulnerable.

This is not just a gathering—it is a call to action and the continuation of a movement. As faith leaders, we will gather not only to pray, but to share, accompany, and to act in the name of justice and love. This is a first step of many, uniting our spirits, and seeking God’s guidance as we move forward in faith.

Register here: https://gatheringatthegate.betterworld.org/events/april-2025

Registration will cover program fees.

Participants are responsible for travel and lodging on their own.

Bishop Wee has a scholarship of $250 to the first four people who contact her that they are going to the event. Questions about the event? Reach out to Brother Steve Jerbi (Steve.Jerbi@elca.org) Director of Organizing for Mission Network and Program Coordinator, ELCA Community Organizing

Updates will be on our socials: 

https://bsky.app/profile/gatheringatthegate.bsky.social 

https://www.instagram.com/gatheringatthegate/

https://www.facebook.com/gatheringatthegate 

Every Day Godly Play Family Retreat

At St. Andrew’s House in Union, WA

June 30–July 2, 2025

Cost: $125 per person (includes lodging and six meals)

Come away with us on a Godly Play Retreat especially designed for families to hear stories, wonder, and play together in community with one another. Gathering at St. Andrew’s House, nestled in the beautiful Puget Sound of Washington, we will explore God’s gift of creation and experience rhythms to help nurture the spirituality of all ages and deepen connection with loved ones and new friends. 

Learn more and register here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctmr2kYhKJ7K3u2CNUJN-jCwrmOIWAVbzKYHGO5gYX9G8Olg/viewform)

Want an item included?

Email Susan Berg, Dir. Communications & Events

All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday

Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA

5519 Phinney Avenue North

Seattle, WA 98103

206-783-9292